Steps- fixed or free moving?

Bon · Member

Steps- fixed or free moving?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Bon, enjoy here and out in the playground.

After checking I noticed you joined up in February this year but must have slipped in the back door as I missed your arrival, naughty me.

I have a fixed caravan step that is used all of the time but still have a metal fold up portable that is also used to make it a little easier as the bones are getting older. All works for me. Maybe think of both for your Cobra.

macka17 · Guru

I'd say, if your missus shorter, or older legs.
Get a built in/under. slide or swing out single/double step.

I've tried a few and prefer that one.
Welded/bolted to underneath the chassis at point of door.

I once went right through a single free standing step.
Admittedly old and well used.
BUT....

Meredith · Senior Member

Our van originally came without a fixed step, and for the first couple of years we used a plastic step. We found it occasionally felt unstable and installed a fixed swing out step, and we are much happier with it now. My husband installed it himself, but if you are having the van built I would ask the builder to install one.

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

I'd suggest a double fold out step as your van will be quite high being off road. There are 2 issues with a separate step, 1) it takes more storage when travelling and 2) can be unstable if the ground is not flat. The step can be either bolted, but I prefer welded to the chassis.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Ours has a metal slide out step which is completely hidden when not in use, but Ive got size 30 feet and often kick it when getting in the 'van making one hell of a clatter.

We don't use it at all - bought a standalone metal one which in much wider and deeper and with foldup legs that lock out so it doesn't inadvertently close on you when you stand on it. Most caravan Dealers have them and no doubt you can buy them on E Bay. Cost us about $70.

Have a mate with an off-roader and an electric fold-out step. He recently went through some deep puddles on a metal road and water got into the electrics - now it doesn't work. Hes not going to fix it - buy a free standing step instead.

Don't buy a plastic one. Over time the plastic breaks down and there have been posts on this site previously of news reports where someone has stood on one and their foot has gone right through it with serious foot and ankle injuries from the jagged plastic

Cupie · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:
snip

Don't buy a plastic one. Over time the plastic breaks down and there have been posts on this site previously of news reports where someone has stood on one and their foot has gone right through it with serious foot and ankle injuries from the jagged plastic

Not a problem for me. I usually loose them by leaving behind before they get that old.

the rocket · Guru

Hi bon, cannot help with your question just wanted to pop in and say hi. Regards rocket n strop

LLD · Senior Member

Had a pullout metal on my old van. This van has a standalone metal one that just sits inside the van on the step when not in use. Never had any issues with stability. Just make sure you get one that will carry your weight plus what you are carrying (incl grandkids - think mine is 120-130kg).

I also often need same step to attach the de-flappers or climb up into my ute. Not missing to pullout one.

Friends who have a pullout one still have to carry a portable step as the pullout one is often too high when on a bit of a slope.

Eaglemax · Guru

Just completing our round oz trip. Get a fixed pull out one installed by the manufacturer. One less job to worry about, cleaning legs etc. Our double alloy steps carry a bit of water after raining so if we don't dry it water seeps onto the floor. Were building another van soon so we'll have the mounted steps Tony

PeterD · Guru

This is the step we use. It would work well with an off road van.

LLD · Senior Member

PeterD wrote:
This is the step we use. It would work well with an off road van.

I have the single step at the bottom of the RHS under the bottom shelf in my kitchen pantry as there is no way wife or I can reach top shelf without help.

Also have the old fashioned stool with the legs that fold down in my shed.