I've installed a 'hand rail' I made up out of some stainless boat railing I had around the shop. I made it to slip into another, large diameter piece of SS tube, and added a snap pin at the bottom to keep it in place.
We were having to do a real balancing act when I added the rear box with our lifted truck and five step scissor.
The hand rail makes all the difference in the world!
I was looking at two campers in the spot next to me weekend before last, both had scissor steps. The steps were at a really steep angle and looked like an accident waiting to happen. Narrow steps with an angle to them and no handrail or handhold are really unsafe. When I got back to my Lance and came out of it with a beer I was thinking ‘man if I had to come down some scissor steps I would be on my A#% in a flash.’
I would rather take one or two big steps with my hand firmly grasping the hand holds on my Lance than take a chance balancing on those scissor steps holding on to nothing!
I've never had a fall yet but they're never quite straight (I've got a 5 step). I just bought a used 3 step trailer set up. The kind that hang from trailers and class c's and never touch the ground. I'm going to build a bumper system and hang them from that. I'll post some pics when I'm done.
Haven't fallen yet, but I worry about it, especially with aging. Anyone out there have plans or pictures of a fold away hand rail that I could make and add to the truck camper. My concern is more my balance than the steps collapsing, though I have heard of this happening.
Cheers! Herb
I didn't even consider scissor steps, I felt they were just not safe, and my wife pretty much refused to use them as well. I race cars - there is enough challenge and risk there for anyone...
I bought a "boat dock step", a big plastic step (three tall)that is wide, stable, light, and very safe. It lives in the trailer, but I could just lift it and put it on the hall just inside the door if I wanted to.
http://www.nextag.com/dock-steps/search-html
Brian
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, Hemi, 5 speed manual, 3.73 gears, Tow Beast hitch with 24" extension.
28 ft race car hauler, Lola T440 Formula Ford, NTM MK4 Sports Racer
2004 Travel Hawk 8' Truck Camper - Roll at 16K combined weight
When we looked at our NL they had the scissor steps. I said to myself, "I don't think so!", and after some advice from this forum, I told them I wanted the fold down steps and the bumper. Dave.
Mighty Thor wrote: Yep, my steps have to extend too much to reach the ground and that makes them really slanted. Haven't really decided on the proper fix yet.
I have the same thing and just use a 4X4 under the bottom. Looks odd but works fine.
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