Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-26-2019, 05:00 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 22
Bolt on Entrance Steps

I have broken the bolt that operates the retractable steps on my 2015 Legacy 2 times and I don't know why it keeps breaking. Any ideas ?
skip33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2019, 05:15 PM   #2
RV There Yet?
 
IsleDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Winona, MN
Posts: 1,139
Where are you getting the bolt from? it could be that it is an inferior metal or it could be the wrong strength for what is needed. if you "upgrade" the bolt to something stronger (grade 8-10) you may end up with something else giving way.
__________________
2018 17RP
2009 Crew Cab King Ranch F150 "Goose"
IsleDog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2019, 10:16 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 22
The RV repair shop got the first replacement bolt from the maker of the steps. I’ll ask when they get the new bolt if they know how hard (#) the bolt is.
Thanks !
skip33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2019, 02:36 AM   #4
RV There Yet?
 
IsleDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Winona, MN
Posts: 1,139
they may not know, the video below may help you out. all too often I run into unknown bolts, or some that can only be tightened with a vice grips as there is no real head size (Chinese bolts).

__________________
2018 17RP
2009 Crew Cab King Ranch F150 "Goose"
IsleDog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2019, 07:31 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dunn, NC
Posts: 1,199
My wife was one who would drop all her weight at one time onto the lower step. Put a lot or stress on attachment points. No matter how much or how littlt you weigh, a jolt like that can overload steps.
Good grade 8 bolts will help. Available everywhere. Even Lowes Good lick
pdqparalegal1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2019, 07:35 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Dunn, NC
Posts: 1,199
Step jump

My wife was one who would drop all her weight at one time onto the lower step. Put a lot or stress on attachment points. No matter how much or how little you weigh, a jolt like that can overload steps.
Good grade 8 bolts will help. Available everywhere. Even Lowes Good lick
pdqparalegal1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2019, 10:03 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Vince and Charlette's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Spring Valley OH
Posts: 833
As an added thought, be sure to regularly lubricate all the joints and gears on your steps. It will take some of the stress off the bolt. Remember, the steps are right behind the wheel and are subject to the pressure washer effect when you're driving on wet roads. Check often, and you'll be surprised how quickly the lubricants get blasted off.
__________________
2018 Berkshire 38A
Vince and Charlette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2019, 10:36 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,713
One of my upgrades down the road is to install some solid steps on my Surveyor. That might be a solution to the weak, wiggly and shaky suspended steps found on many RV's.
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Lippe...-p/04-0196.htm
__________________
2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman, CTD/CC/SB/4X4/Equalizer WDH
2019 Forest River Surveyor Legend 19BHLE
upflying is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 09:10 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 22
Thanks everyone for the help. I replaced the bolt and got a spare one for when I’m on the road but I hope it never breaks again.
skip33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2019, 08:24 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,290
while we've never broken the step or bolt on our Palazzo, I do ask my family to 'tread lightly' as they exit the coach... though many times our step is almost not even needed since dropping the air bags sits it so low...

but, I eventually did build a treated-wood step that is a larger foot-print, and slides over the coach step, when we are parked for extended periods... makes life simpler, no more worries over the existing step, and keeps those entering from 'rocking the boat'... if you know what I mean. : )
__________________
The Turners...
'07 Rockwood Signature Ultralight...
two Campers and two Electric cars : )
formerFR is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:00 AM.