Slimline folding steps for a motorhome project

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 13:09

ThreadID: 132790 Views:2368 Replies:6 FollowUps:8

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Life Member TourBoy, Bundaberg

Hi All,
I'm after a set of steps that will slide out from under the FTS800 that don't take up much space for ground clearance.
Basically they slide out on drawer runners or similar only hanging down around 35mm when folded up.
As you slide them out, they pivot down towards the ground at about 45º and the rear pivots back to make the steps if that makes sense? Kinda like the way those small 2 step, step ladders with the grab handle at the top pivot down and fold up flat.
I saw them on youtube a while ago and for the life of me I can't find them again.
Any leads or plans / drawings would be great.

Step to go under the door so will be groung clearance critical

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 13:16

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 13:16

Check out the Ovesco site, Dave. They have some fold up steps, but not sure if their selection will suit you?

Ovesco

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Follow Up By: Life Member TourBoy, Bundaberg - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 13:32

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 13:32

Thanks Bob,
only slides there.

Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

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Follow Up By: Gramps - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 13:54

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 13:54

Dave,
On the Ovesco site as per Bob Y's link.
Go to Products, then More Hardware, then Ladders & Steps. Actually one of these may help the vertically challenged SWMBO into the raised cruiser :)

Regards

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Follow Up By: Life Member TourBoy, Bundaberg - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 14:05

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 14:05

Thanks Gramps,

I missed that, they are same sort of principle but as they drop down full size steps pivot backwards. Those might trip up swmbo and the littlies when exiting the vehicle.

Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 14:37

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 14:37

Geez Dave, do you think I'd post that link for nothing? :-). Bit hard, for me anyway, to link specific pages.

What that caravan place, is it Caravan World? Think one's you are looking for have folding sides, just like a mini scissor lift?

Just found this site in my favourites:Dunn & Watson Look under RV doors 'n Windows, they have 2 steps listed, down near the bottom of page.

Good luck,
Bob

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Follow Up By: Life Member TourBoy, Bundaberg - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 15:34

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 15:34

Thanks Bob but those ones stick down too low.

Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

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Reply By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 15:25

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 15:25

Something like this?

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11619&osCsid=r0r3on3rq6df6po9et3tvf1g30

There are other options on that site

Cheers

Pete

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Follow Up By: Life Member TourBoy, Bundaberg - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 15:37

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 15:37

Thanks Pete, but most of those styles fold up to between 200-300mm under the floor. If i did that I would tear it out, as you can see in my pic the door hangs down low enough.

Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

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Reply By: Peter C61 - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 16:49

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 16:49

Hi Dave,
I have a Toyota Coaster and used an Omni step on it and the Coaster would be much lower than your unit. Where i was able to gain height from the ground was by mounting the step behind the door profile where there is usually a gap up to where your vehicle step is. Hope you follow what i mean.

AnswerID: 601522

Follow Up By: Life Member TourBoy, Bundaberg - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 17:46

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 17:46

Thanks Peter,
The way it has to be mounted under the step will have it hang down 180mm below the door when folded up.

Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

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Reply By: Member - John - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 17:20

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 17:20

Dave, I am not sure what is in the bottom of the door frame so the following may or may not work. You may be able to use underneath or maybe in the door frame. What I plan to do on my ute tray to allow my wife to reach the storage box is to utilise the front half of the step as in Pic 1. I plan to weld RHS to the tray to allow me to slide the step into place, ie, removable. I will drill holes to allow pins to be put on to stop the step swinging back when used, Pic 4. Folds up fairly compactly and is adjustable. Hope this helps?

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Foldable Step

John and Jan

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Follow Up By: Life Member TourBoy, Bundaberg - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 17:51

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 17:51

Thanks John,
This will still hang down a bit too low to be practical off road and I would have to do some somehow stop it from retreating under the vehicle, I'm not sure a pin there will work unless you weld a tab on each side above where you are putting the pin and put a pin into the receiver of the section you are removing.

Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

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Reply By: Member - kev.h - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 18:13

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 18:13

Hi Dave
I'm in Bundy also and have the same problem so i designed and made these for a grand total of $18.00 if you want to have a look message me in the last pic the mountings will only hang down 30mm I havn't cut the excess off yet
Cheers Kev

STEPS FOLDED

Steps unfolded

Steps folded behind first step

AnswerID: 601530

Reply By: Member - John - Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 18:41

Saturday, Jun 18, 2016 at 18:41

Dave, maybe I didn't explain myself properly, but they are removable and depending on your door frame, maybe be incorporated in the frame. If not, the RHS is only 25mm on the bottom of the door frame. Cheers, John

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