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Banged up my manual entry step
On a particularly rough stretch of gravel today, scraped my manual entry step (while retracted), and now it no longer extends.

I’ve tended to baby the left side with the low hanging dump valves, so in my book, damaging the manual step was always a better option.

I see this entry in the companion, but seems more suited to a step behind the rear tires.

- When the step is behind the rear wheels, it's fairly easy to catch it on a curb and bend it backwards. Depending on how badly bent it is, the step may be either difficult to move or even fail to support your weight. Here's a method to bend it back into its proper position. Find a short length of 2x4, 4x4, or similar - two to four feet is good. Now go to a parking lot and back in toward the curb, stopping when the back of the rear step is a a few inches further away from the curbing than the length of your wood. Put one end of the wood against the curb and prop up the other end of the stick so that it will be against the back (left) side of the step frame. Gently back up, so that the braced stick will force the step frame forward. Go slowly and only a very short distance, then check the step. If you bend it too far to the right, it will be more difficult to bend it rearward. If you're out in the boonies, you can use a stump or embedded rock to brace the wood.

Recommendations?

Take it off the RV and hammer it back into shape?
Hammer it in place?

No rush, won’t need it for another two months
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #1 –
I’d be inclined to remove the step and use a small portable step until I could buy a replacement.  Trying to bend it back seems like extra effort for only a temporary gain.  And if you actually removed the step, you might see how easy it might be to straighten it.  Looking forward to your solution. 
 
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #2 –
Will likely go that route, as I really don’t need the step (nor my 6’ 7” son) until my spouse rejoins me in October.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #3 –
It’s difficult to bend the steps back with them still installed. Most of the force gets transferred into the wood framing and mounting bolts, not the metal . The mounting bolts can be pulled through the plywood floor, leading to another involved  repair job.
The steps are not built to be disassemble, the frame is riveted together. Most steps can be made operational with enough brutality. A big torch can be helpful.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Dave Katleman  - 
Will likely go that route, as I really don’t need the step (nor my 6’ 7” son) until my spouse rejoins me in October.

I will be interested 1) how you remove the steps 2) if you end up replacing, where you end up sourcing it and part #.

My steps though is working with some additional push/pull but if installation is simply four nuts I will replace between this trip and next one.

Thanks.
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #5 –
Hi David and Muhammad;  I hit a big rock sticking up at a slow 2-3 mph.  I used a crowbar and block of wood, with a small sledge (3#) hammer. I have a steel digging bar that I might have used too.  It isn't very critical (precision fitted parts?! not).  It wasn't hard to straighten, and is sill working well, 15 years later.  Do check those four bolts once in a while.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #6 –
Resolved!

Had my socket set all ready to go ready to take off the hard to reach bolts so I could bang away at the bent metal bracket to the manual step.   Admired how the wood was in great shape, the bolts would never be as tight again, heck, knowing Lazy Daze there is glue there (lol)

Then I remembered my 8 ton bottle jack, I bet I could use that to push the bracket at an angle.

Dug a shallow hole, used a rock to angle the jack at 45 degrees and a few short pumps later it’s straight enough so the steps work again.  If anything the steps don’t bind as much as they did before.

Wouldn’t suggest it if your wood isn’t in great shape, but it worked for me.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #7 –
Timely (for us), post, Dave! 
We just lost our step up in the mountains, Colorado-New Mexico border.  Gonna have order a new one, straighten out the mounts and re-attach.  Thankfully, there wasn’t any body damage!
Anybody have a source for the steps?

Zia, our 2006 24’ TK
570 watts solar, 300Ah lithium
SKP Lifetime member #105622
Land of Enchantment
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Jaxon  - 
Timely (for us), post, Dave! 
We just lost our step up in the mountains, Colorado-New Mexico border. 
Anybody have a source for the steps?


Try calling Etrailer, they can get almost any part, and their customer service is responsive.
1-636-205 2573
https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=kwikie+steps&furl=-pg-RV_Steps
I didn't see any manual steps but that doesn't mean they are unavailable.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Banged up my manual entry step
Reply #9 –
Thanks, Larry.  Will do some digging (don’t want electric)! 
Will start a new thread later on - don’t want to hijack Dave’s post!

Zia, our 2006 24’ TK
570 watts solar, 300Ah lithium
SKP Lifetime member #105622
Land of Enchantment