Caravan steps

jimricho · Guru

Caravan steps

villatranquilla · Guru

Barry made a steel box with folding handles and non-slip stick-on tread. Great place for the pegs, ropes, hammer and spirit level (and other things)- just sits in the step for travelling. His theory is that all things must have 2 uses.

-- Edited by villatranquilla on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 05:49:26 PM

jimricho · Guru

Caravans Plus have the Fiamma Magnum step for $22.53 plus freight

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6711

PS: They are readily available at many caravan bits stockists, maybe a little dearer but you'll save on the freight.

PPS: no chance of getting my money back, I threw it straight into the whiz bin! furious

-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 06:21:15 PM

Sheba · Guru

I posted this a while ago. Don't know if the Price still applies though.

Trojan Caravan & RV Steps

Category: General Automotive Accessories & Supplies, Automotive Parts & Accessories, Automotive

Find Stores

Step up and down with confidence. Compact collapsible design. Non slip surface. Galvanised. 550mm(W) x 250mm(D) x 190mm(H) $29.99, (578153). Alloy extra large & strong (pictured), 600mm(W) x 350mm(D) x 220mm(H) $69.99, (578151).

Catalogue Terms & Conditions:
Not all Repco Stores carry all advertised products but they can be ordered on request, other than items marked "no rainchecks".

-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 07:06:50 PM

Beth54 · Guru

What does everyone have?

I'm thinking I'd like to get something more sturdy than the old fold out ones.

Sis & Bil have a wooden set which he has glued non slips strips onto.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Remember Jimricho posted a photo of a grey folding step which collapsed when not on even ground? We had one of those, always carefully placed it so it didnt wobble... and the b****y thing actually broke when my partner stepped on it causing him to fall. furious (No damage to him except his dignity luckily).

We bought another folding step of a different type (in Exmouth where choice is small and prices are large) and so far all is well, but we dont really trust it. hmm

On a trip last week we saw a home-made wooden step like a box, its lid being hinged with non-slip rubber on the top. Looked great but seemed heavy when the bloke picked it up. confuse Thats because he keeps his tools in there, and they call it their tool-step. Mr D is going to make one (eventually!) biggrin

Kiwi-as · Guru

Beth, we went to Coastal RV parts and service in Labrador and have bought a metal folding leg single step. Nice and wide. Will not tip over and has non slip strips on it. Sorry cant remember price but think it was about $30. They had several different kinds to choose from.

Beth54 · Guru

Kiwi-as wrote:
Beth, we went to Coastal RV parts and service in Labrador and have bought a metal folding leg single step. Nice and wide. Will not tip over and has non slip strips on it. Sorry cant remember price but think it was about $30. They had several different kinds to choose from.

Thanks, that sounds like it might be what I want. I'll have to pop down and have a look. I've been Googling images, but can't seem to find anything suitable at a reasonable price.

I think bil is going to put a rail on the outside of the door. Sis and I both have a habit of falling down, so need all the help we can get. disbelief

wendyv · Guru

Beth,
if you know someone who could build you a lightweight wooden box with hinged lid, for step - then you also have some extra storage for light things. One idea could be clothes washing stuff: pegs, wash powder etc, and oddments like mozzie coils and burn holder, shoe cleaners and the like. In a little van, every bit of extra storage is useful.

Beth54 · Guru

That's true Wendy. Good idea. Maybe that's another job for bil! biggrin

cannylass · Senior Member

Beth friends made us a wooden a box with a lid

Beth54 · Guru

The storage box idea sounds good. I couldn't have it too heavy, but the lighweight stuff that Wendy mentioned would be okay.

DeBe · Guru

caravan step.1.JPG CCFL Powersupply.2.JPG CCFL Powersupply.3.JPG This is light weight & purchased from bunnings when we were in Mudge. Need ed to be a little higher, & went for a bit of extra bracing (probably didnt need it ) but the wife had bad hips & knees. Its a sprinkler valve box from Pope.

DeBe · Guru

caravan step.2.JPG carevan step.3.JPG OOps last 2 pics obviously wrong. The top is also non slip surface.

JRH · Guru

jimricho wrote:
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Remember Jimricho posted a photo of a grey folding step which collapsed when not on even ground? We had one of those, always carefully placed it so it didnt wobble... and the b****y thing actually broke when my partner stepped on it causing him to fall. (No damage to him except his dignity luckily).

You've got a good memory Gert!
Unfortunately I suffered more than loss of dignity, a broken fibula as well! took 6 months to heal.
This is the step in question...

Wouldn't touch one of those folding things with a barge pole, we have a solid Fiamma step. Plastic but very sturdy and we have not had a problem with since we purchased it over 5 years ago.

Ma · Guru

We also have your replacement step Jim and find it great. I have a back and hip problem and I feel confident in stepping down onto it. It is very stable.

Vic · Guru

Great idea Jenny.......some of the ideas here should be in the hints and tips section, they are really helpful......thanks smile

Beth54 · Guru

I was a bit iffy about the 'plastic' looking step, but that Fiamma looks sturdy. The site says up to 200kg so that says a lot.

Good price too.

I do have a little folding metal type one, that is sturdy, but I bought it more as something to stand on when I'm doing anything to the pop top. I don't feel the pad is large enough though. (I have a photo but it won't load, even after resizing.)

Happywanderer · The Master

I've got one of those folding steps as in Jimrichos photo. Haven't used it yet and not sure if I should now. Maybe I will throw it out.

Hylda&Jon · Guru

I had one of those big grey plastic Flamma steps and on top was bolted a, cut to size, rubber outdoor mat.

If anyone has seen this step floating around the Kimba area in Victoria then sing out please. We left it behind at the Apex free overnight stop nearly 2 years ago. I was not a happy chappy.

We then bought a cheap folding step as, where we were, there was only that sort or a metal one costing over $100 to choose from. We ended up putting the little folding one in our old, never used anymore cheap portable 12v cooler (it got retired due to the aquisition of the new Waeco). The step inside gave extra support to the lid. We used that as our step for the rest of our trip which saved us some money.

Cheers

Jon

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I've got one of those folding steps as in Jimrichos photo. Haven't used it yet and not sure if I should now. Maybe I will throw it out.

Marj, honestly, if you can get your money back then do so. Jim's fell over when on grass, ours physically broke accross the top and down one side. D was lucky he didnt get hurt like Jim. It seems fine until it lets you down... literally!

Happywanderer · The Master

Mine wasn't a CaravansPlus Gerty, Can't even remember where I got it from its been so long, don't use it anyway. Reading Jons thread, maybe I can use it in a cupboard as a shelf somewhere.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi Beth, I like the idea of a storage box as well. It could go just inside the door way when travelling and there it is ready for you to just put on the ground when you open the door. It doesn't have to be heavy but make sure you put some non slip rubber on top, I've seen that rubber in Bunnings and Clarke Rubber. A handle could be fitted to both ends or cut out a hole each end to make lifting in out easier. With a little thought you could have the base raised of the ground to allow for uneaven ground. If I was up that way I would willingly make one for you but I think we are many km apart. Good luck with it.

Vic · Guru

At one stage I had a beauty, it was nice and wide and none slip, it was an exercise step (flat style fixed) and proved to be really good, also had some short add on legs if you wanted it higher. I found it on a roadside rubbish pick up.

Unfortunately, my weight got the better of it eventually and when stepping outside in a hurry one night my weight cracked the surface so had to chuck it out!

Beth54 · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Hi Beth, I like the idea of a storage box as well. It could go just inside the door way when travelling and there it is ready for you to just put on the ground when you open the door. It doesn't have to be heavy but make sure you put some non slip rubber on top, I've seen that rubber in Bunnings and Clarke Rubber. A handle could be fitted to both ends or cut out a hole each end to make lifting in out easier. With a little thought you could have the base raised of the ground to allow for uneaven ground. If I was up that way I would willingly make one for you but I think we are many km apart. Good luck with it.

Aw gee thanks Doug. smile I think b-i-l will happily make one for me if I go that way.

Beth54 · Guru

Vic wrote:
At one stage I had a beauty, it was nice and wide and none slip, it was an exercise step (flat style fixed) and proved to be really good, also had some short add on legs if you wanted it higher. I found it on a roadside rubbish pick up.
Unfortunately, my weight got the better of it eventually and when stepping outside in a hurry one night my weight cracked the surface so had to chuck it out!

A friend uses one of those Vic. She reckons it's great.

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

The step up into our off road van is approx 50cm.

We use two steps, Shirley has short legs (as does Spike the Pug) and back problems.

First step is 15cm high and is an aerobic step purchased from Aldi when they had their special. Brilliant very wide and very sturdy and cost about $30. (Note, See Vic has mentioned something similar)

Second step is a tool box step similar to http://tinyurl.com/7lewpbe. It is approx 33cm high, quite strudy, and holds our tent pegs, guy ropes, and a hammer. Our is grey and we got it from Bunnings, again it was on special.

Vic · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
Vic wrote:
At one stage I had a beauty, it was nice and wide and none slip, it was an exercise step (flat style fixed) and proved to be really good, also had some short add on legs if you wanted it higher. I found it on a roadside rubbish pick up.
Unfortunately, my weight got the better of it eventually and when stepping outside in a hurry one night my weight cracked the surface so had to chuck it out!
A friend uses one of those Vic. She reckons it's great.

I had mine for awhile Beth, and although it had some inbuilt plastic bracing underneath, I think it deteriorated over time with UV rays etc, but good while it lasted. Mind you I am a pretty heavy person so that didn't help.

Sheba's metal step looks good, may suit a fattie like me, lol ! biggrin

Beth54 · Guru

Vic wrote:
Beth54 wrote:
Vic wrote:
At one stage I had a beauty, it was nice and wide and none slip, it was an exercise step (flat style fixed) and proved to be really good, also had some short add on legs if you wanted it higher. I found it on a roadside rubbish pick up.
Unfortunately, my weight got the better of it eventually and when stepping outside in a hurry one night my weight cracked the surface so had to chuck it out!
A friend uses one of those Vic. She reckons it's great.
I had mine for awhile Beth, and although it had some inbuilt plastic bracing underneath, I think it deteriorated over time with UV rays etc, but good while it lasted. Mind you I am a pretty heavy person so that didn't help.
Sheba's metal step looks good, may suit a fattie like me, lol !

Well, not to be rude to my friend, but she's very very heavy, so I don't know how much longer hers will last.

I'm no lightweight either, hence why I want to be sure it's sturdy.

Smokeydk · Guru

I have one Jims steps too...........see in pic.......was one from newletter