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Post by laknox on Jul 5, 2019 10:40:26 GMT -5
So, jumped onto the KZ web site, which I haven't done in a while, and noticed that =all= new Durango FWs (didn't look at any other lines) seem to now have that idiotic folding 4-step entry stair. Given the high number of negative comments I've seen on these things recently, it makes me wonder why they changed? One of the biggest complaints is from people who have their rigs in storage that have these steps and end up having to move their rig to access it due to the inability to let down the stair, whereas before, they could simply open the door and unfold the steps from underneath. I know I'd have trouble and my storage isn't tight at all since I can extend the slides on =both= sides with clearance to spare. The other big complaint is =dirt= being left inside if you don't get the stairs completely clean before folding them up. I certainly hope KZ has a delete option for these stupid things when I'm in the market in the future. This is an absolute deal-breaker for me.
Lyle
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 5, 2019 12:13:18 GMT -5
I think you will find that many, if not most, manufacturers are going to these things. The benefits to the manufacturer are a cheaper frame because no provisions need to be made, less cutting and trim work in the step area and quicker install with just a few screws. The customer is led to believe that this is a major advancement in design and first time RVers have no clue. I put it in the same category as power awnings that can't be used in less than perfect weather and power stabilizers that do a poor job of stabilizing. I know that we might be in the small minority that questions this nonsense.
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kbrady
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 171
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Post by kbrady on Jul 5, 2019 12:26:49 GMT -5
I'm just the opposite, I have had both types of steps and I would never get a trailer with the underneath steps. I'm a big guy and the stability you get with the newer steps is awesome. I personally have never had a problem folding them down and all the dirt, debris and water fall off as your lifting them up.
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Post by RdRmr on Jul 5, 2019 14:47:54 GMT -5
We store our 5TH wheel at home, limited clearance. It is about three feet from a wall, those flip up steps won't work for me either. Have never had a problem with the old factory flop out steps on any of our previous 5TH wheels. I would tend to agree with what lynnmor said. The gimmicks they come up with.
Happy Campin....
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 5, 2019 15:38:46 GMT -5
For those that can't stand a little movement in their steps, perhaps they could use this product and still have the convenience of steps that don't jut out so far. |
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Post by kathyed on Jul 5, 2019 18:27:06 GMT -5
I understand the dirt complaint but I do like my steps. It saved our camper from thieves accessing the interior due to the camper being too close to another camper. (It was at the dealer waiting to have warranty work done when the dealer's lot got broken into). We also like the stability of them as well. We are finally getting the stupid smart arm controls removed and going to the old fashion (and reliable) method. I liked the idea and convenience of the app but can't trust it to work.
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ted
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 57
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Post by ted on Jul 6, 2019 3:46:44 GMT -5
I'm in the frequent pee er club, so I often pull onto the side of the road to use the facility. That new step won't work for me. I like the old style.
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Post by bluegrass2 on Jul 6, 2019 10:21:50 GMT -5
They were an option we purchased for our 2019 Durango last year. We never liked having to carry an extra step with if the old trailer steps did not come down far enough when at camp. This solves our problem. We really like them...they are strong, stable, and adjust to uneven ground very well. Yes, there are some trade-offs, as some have mentioned above, but we think they are worth it. We don't have the issue when our 5-er is in store...I can understand that problem. We have heard they are developing a lift-assist in the future, they are somewhat heavy....might consider it.
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Post by Chuck on Jul 6, 2019 11:29:44 GMT -5
We like others have had both types of steps and we as others will never get a trailer with the underneath steps again....
The stability you get with the newer steps is awesome an add the hand rail even better. we have only had a problem with them folding down once an the site was really bad an we were parked next to a tree, we could fold them down but had to walk around the tree to get to the front LOL.....
As far as all the dirt, debris and water most of it will fall off as your lifting them up, yes there is at times a very small ampunt of dirt but we had the same thing with the other steps that folded into the trailer from tracking in an out.... I'm also in the frequent pee er club, so I to often pull onto the side of the road to use the facility. That new steps have work along side the road for both me an the DW an even in rest area's, you just watch were you stop an make sure you have a
clear area to fold them up when done ...
When our Great Dane was alive we had a really, really bad time of getting him into our old trailer with the folding steps do to the fact they moved... When we were looking at the newer trailers when we bought this one we have we test drove the steps with our Dane, he went right up them, but since there was no back panel between the steps he had a problem comeing down because his right leg would go thought between the steps ... So we put panels in-between the steps so his right leg would not go thought ... After that he was ok with getting into the trailer with a little help do to the fact he I believe always remembered those old steps that move ... Now that he is gone the panels have been removed an are other dog which way smaller goes in an out without a problem which she always had ....
I believe the step above steps are way stronger, more stable an now after having them for over two years going on three we wouldn't have another trailer without them as stated before... I can put up with a tiny but of dirt for stability 
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by laknox on Jul 7, 2019 22:45:25 GMT -5
3 words... Torklift Glowstep Revolution...
Lyle
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Post by Chuck on Jul 8, 2019 11:22:38 GMT -5
3 words... Torklift Glow-step Revolution... Lyle LOL Lyle
I liken this to what you like Ford or Chevy, I'm a Ford Guy LOL. our friends have the Torklift steps an they like there's,
an I still like our MorRyde Step above steps, so he also drives a Chevy truck lol
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by laknox on Jul 10, 2019 10:18:06 GMT -5
So, another unhappy customer reported today on RV.net, but with a Jayco. Seems he's parked at a place where the parking spot is on gravel, but there's a concrete patio area about 4-6 higher than the gravel. The patio's high enough that the steps won't go all the way down, so they stick up enough that he can't use his door. Not enough room for him to move his rig to get the steps off the concrete. Ooops.
Lyle
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Post by terreb on Jul 10, 2019 14:26:57 GMT -5
So, another unhappy customer reported today on RV.net, but with a Jayco. Seems he's parked at a place where the parking spot is on gravel, but there's a concrete patio area about 4-6 higher than the gravel. The patio's high enough that the steps won't go all the way down, so they stick up enough that he can't use his door. Not enough room for him to move his rig to get the steps off the concrete. Ooops. Lyle I saw the same thing happen this spring when we were camping in South Carolina. He had to back the rig up, off the patio, and let the steps down on the ground. The back end of the camper was just sticking into the drive. Not a good situation. |
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 10, 2019 17:32:19 GMT -5
So, another unhappy customer reported today on RV.net, but with a Jayco. Seems he's parked at a place where the parking spot is on gravel, but there's a concrete patio area about 4-6 higher than the gravel. The patio's high enough that the steps won't go all the way down, so they stick up enough that he can't use his door. Not enough room for him to move his rig to get the steps off the concrete. Ooops. Lyle I saw the same thing happen this spring when we were camping in South Carolina. He had to back the rig up, off the patio, and let the steps down on the ground. The back end of the camper was just sticking into the drive. Not a good situation. He should bring six inch high ramps for those situations.  Here in PA, many campsites have obstacles that would cause problems for this kind of steps. I wouldn't want them since I camp in a variety of campsites not just the perfect ones. |
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 11, 2019 13:48:58 GMT -5
guess everyone's forgotten the lego blocks, add as needed under the bottom step, rock solid.
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Post by Chuck on Jul 13, 2019 9:00:54 GMT -5
There is about a 10 inch difference in length height from the very bottom pin setting to the top pin setting so that site or patio had to be really high or the trailer really low ... You can also take the pins out an slide the legs another few inches up into the steps if needed for adjustment so it makes me wonder again just how low the trailer sat on the site or the OP didn't know he could adjust they legs ... Thinking about this thread while sitting outside along the trailer in the one day of sun till it started to
rain sipping on my coffee I scanned the park looking at different brands of trailers an their steps ...
There were MorRyde four step steps an LCI step above steps like the MorRyde steps on 5th wheels an then
there was four step metal, steps on one 5th wheels an a number of TT along with two an three step,
steps on a few small TT with one...
What I saw was that the older people for the most part had the MorRyde or LCI step above four step, steps would not always but for the most part walk down the steps forward, now I have to say this that some would
back off but most walk forward... On the other hand the owners of trailers with folding steps be it the older or
younger people would always turn around an grab the handle on the side of the trailer an back off the steps ...
The exception to this rule was the kids who jumped or skipped a step an flew off the steps ...
The other thing I saw was that all the newer looking brand of 5th wheels all had MorRyde or LCI step above four step, steps except one which had the four step fold down metal steps an it was a coachmen brand trailer ...
I saw no Torklift Glowstep Revolution in this camp grounds the three days we were there, for that matter thinking back the four outings we have been out I have only seen such once, not that they are not out there, I have not seen them ... So this has sparked my interest an when going back to the Kz rally I will be on the look-out for such an see how many I can spot in the camp grounds we visit though out the country Safe travels
Chuck
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Post by Edd505 on Jul 13, 2019 10:43:47 GMT -5
There is about a 10 inch difference in length height from the very bottom pin setting to the top pin setting so that site or patio had to be really high or the trailer really low ... You can also take the pins out an slide the legs another few inches up into the steps if needed for adjustment so it makes me wonder again just how low the trailer sat on the site or the OP didn't know he could adjust they legs ... Thinking about this thread while sitting outside along the trailer in the one day of sun till it started to
rain sipping on my coffee I scanned the park looking at different brands of trailers an their steps ...
There were MorRyde four step steps an LCI step above steps like the MorRyde steps on 5th wheels an then
there was four step metal, steps on one 5th wheels an a number of TT along with two an three step,
steps on a few small TT with one...
What I saw was that the older people for the most part had the MorRyde or LCI step above four step, steps would not always but for the most part walk down the steps forward, now I have to say this that some would
back off but most walk forward... On the other hand the owners of trailers with folding steps be it the older or
younger people would always turn around an grab the handle on the side of the trailer an back off the steps ...
The exception to this rule was the kids who jumped or skipped a step an flew off the steps ...
The other thing I saw was that all the newer looking brand of 5th wheels all had MorRyde or LCI step above four step, steps except one which had the four step fold down metal steps an it was a coachmen brand trailer ...
I saw no Torklift Glowstep Revolution in this camp grounds the three days we were there, for that matter thinking back the four outings we have been out I have only seen such once, not that they are not out there, I have not seen them ... So this has sparked my interest an when going back to the Kz rally I will be on the look-out for such an see how many I can spot in the camp grounds we visit though out the country Safe travels
Chuck
Mine are folding and I go forward, where do I fit? Must be the odd guy. |
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Post by rvdude on Jul 15, 2019 8:05:20 GMT -5
We have heard they are developing a lift-assist in the future, they are somewhat heavy....might consider it. I saw Gary (the MorRyde guy) at the RV show in Houston this year and he told me it would be available for sale at the rally. |
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Post by ronc on Jul 15, 2019 16:42:51 GMT -5
We have heard they are developing a lift-assist in the future, they are somewhat heavy....might consider it. I saw Gary (the MorRyde guy) at the RV show in Houston this year and he told me it would be available for sale at the rally. Is this lift-assist something that can be retrofitted to existing steps, or would a completely new set of steps be needed? |
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Post by rvdude on Jul 15, 2019 23:41:58 GMT -5
Retro-fit kit for existing steps. Sounds good... depending on the $price$...
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