Step modification

DawnS

Is there a 2 step replacement available somewhere that also folds in under the T@b, and turns on the light when folded out?  I have a 2021 T@b 320s boondock.
Dawn

Sharon_is_SAM

Not that I know, but you can purchase a short portable step to place in front of the attached step.

Verna

Tampakayaker

Vernas link is elegant.

I made a couple of 2x4 and plywood boxes for extra steps when we had our pop up.

I've seen pictures of people using plastic spa steps instead of the fold out step.

Only problem is they are bulky to store/transport.

Verna

Even with a pickup truck, space is valuable. These legs fold and the legs are adjustable. I fold it up and lay it inside the T@B door (wiping it off as necessary). Easy to use, lightweight. 

Tampakayaker

Verna said:

Even with a pickup truck, space is valuable. These legs fold and the legs are adjustable. I fold it up and lay it inside the T@B door (wiping it off as necessary). Easy to use, lightweight. 

You mean your truck bed doesn't have the Tardis option with infinite space?  You got gypped!

DawnS

Looks perfect, thanks Verna.

jkjenn

I have stepped on @Verna's step and it is really solid.

Lisamorrisette

Thanks $60 sounds much better than the $200 to reboot my old step. 

Tabaz

My Outback sits slightly higher than the standard T@B. The Harbor Freight step stool for $20 bucks is exactly at the factory pull-out step height.  Been using it for several years.  The factory step is "squishy."  I don't feel comfortable using it. 

Sharon_is_SAM

The steps are also useful if you have a side tent.  The tent skirting hides the pull out step, so the portable step comes in handy.

m_lewis

Sharon_is_SAM said:

The steps are also useful if you have a side tent.  The tent skirting hides the pull out step, so the portable step comes in handy.

I cut a slit in the skirt to let the step out and down. 

After several near falls, we also found the step too squishy and too small, so I built a two-step stacking porch out of PVC boards, some dowel pins, and a couple of latches to hold the pair together.
 
At most campsites, we use both, but at those that are sloped where the door side is lower, we just use the one step. 

I also taped the slit closed, wish I hadn't cut it.

Tampakayaker

m_lewis said:

Sharon_is_SAM said:

The steps are also useful if you have a side tent.  The tent skirting hides the pull out step, so the portable step comes in handy.

I cut a slit in the skirt to let the step out and down. 

After several near falls, we also found the step too squishy and too small, so I built a two-step stacking porch out of PVC boards, some dowel pins, and a couple of latches to hold the pair together.
 
At most campsites, we use both, but at those that are sloped where the door side is lower, we just use the one step. 

I also taped the slit closed, wish I hadn't cut it.

Looks like your top step is just below the T@B floor, and the bottom step is about the height of the slide out step?

What's the approximate weight?

Dalehelman

I totally agree with the to small and squishy. Our solution would not solve the height problem but has worked very well for the other two. I enlarged the step with a piece of 3/4” plywood. Bolted directly to the original step. I then mounted  a small scissors jack from Harbor Freight to the underside. When the step is retracted there is still a portion extended. This works well for quick stops. Where we do not want to fully extend the step. When the jack is retracted it no lower than the lowest part of the step assembly. This has served us well for the last 5years.

4ncar

another @Dalehelman first!!!

Tabaz

Dale - what is that strut you have on the door????

Dalehelman

@Tabaz It allows us to close the door without having to go outside to release the latch. It’s also handy on very windy days, but you don’t have the wind issue down where you live. 

Photo resized.

Tabaz

Clever as usual Dale.  Would not work for me because I have a thin metal rod that I attach to the door's plastic latch and the receiver on the sidewall.  This allows me to lock the door in an open position without the top of the door hitting the XL Visor.  I think that too was one of your mods.

Dalehelman

@Tabaz Correct, but the strut is mounted so the door is not in the full open position. So it doesn’t interfere with our visor. I also took a piece of 1/4” clear tubing about a foot long. Slit on side with a razor knife. Then I slipped it over the top edge of the door so the aluminum doesn’t rub the underside of the visor.

ontheroad

I picked up something similar to Verna's, as I'm finding it is needed with our Boondock..our legs aren't adjustable but love how compact it is..I do wish NuCamp had a switch inside to turn the step light out after you hit the sack. Canadian Tire again filled our needs.

4ncar

Dale needs to publish a book!!! lol

GeorgiaMB

@Dalehelman. How did you attach the rug to the step? Is it just laying on it or secured? I just don’t love the kind you have to wrap around and strap down. 

Dalehelman

@GeorgiaMB
Glue and flat head screws.