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Veteran
Posts: 231
 
Location: Illinois | Has anyone installed the folding steps on the side of their trailer..? I am having a tough time reaching the drop down windows to open / close Hubby is alittle "concerned" about drilling in the side of the trailer.. any suggestions / opinions ? THANKS ! |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
  
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | How wide is your trailer, 96", 102"? If it's only 78" or 84" you could mount a truck running board to each side without it being too wide. |
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Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois | IT is 102...no place to install fenders, that is why I am wanting the steps. I was just concerned about placement and drilling holes in the side of my trailer. :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida | What about a portable step stool. Steps may become a hazzard if they pop out or are left out. And he next owner may be tall like me and not want the steps. |
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 Regular
Posts: 71
Location: Edmond OK | I carry a two step stool in my truck bed when I travel. I use it for the drop down windows (I can't reach mine either) and then to get in and out of the truck bed so I don't have crawl on my knees. I have short legs! |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Ditto on the two step Rubber Maid or equivalent units. They can be used for many purposes, are easily moved or stored, and are inexpensive. They work well for mounting blocks, waxing your trailer, reaching the top cabinets in your kitchen, etc.. Once you have one, you'll probably buy a second one because they are very handy to have around. Gard |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| What I think you are referring to is generally known as a "cleat step/handle". They can be used as a step and as a handle. If you put them low on your 8'W trailer to reach doors, etc., you will need handles mounted high also. Mounting them is fairly straightforward on an aluminum trailer. Generally a 3/8" self threading stainless steel screw is used. Just make sure there is a structural member behind the step so that there's enough material to hold 250# of person on the step. Excess holes in an aluminum trailer aren't pretty. By the way- there are steel, and stainless steel steps. The steel ones are suitable only for interior use. Make sure you buy the ss ones. The plastic steps as referred to above will be many $$ cheaper. |
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Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois | Yes the cleat steps are what I am referring to...when not in use the fold flush against the trailer..I was wondering if I should per drill the holes and caulk or as you stated use a self tapping screw and forgo the caulk? Thanks |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Originally written by To Much Trouble on 2009-12-08 11:41 AM
Yes the cleat steps are what I am referring to...when not in use the fold flush against the trailer..I was wondering if I should per drill the holes and caulk or as you stated use a self tapping screw and forgo the caulk? Thanks You will always get a more accurate hole placement, if you pre drill a pilot hole for the self taping screws. You will also lessen the chances of starting a structural crack in the aluminum. It's a good idea to caulk between the surface and attachment, and under the screw head. Polyurethane caulking works well. Make very sure to drill into the walls' structure and not just the siding, for the proper support. Gard |
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Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois | Thank you for the advise !!! :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| The self tapping I'm thinking of are 3/8" dia stainless steel. The are self-tapping, not self drilling. They will very much need a pilot hole of the size directed by their supplier. By nature s/s is very brittle, and breaking one off half into a improperly sized hole will really ruin a good day... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL | I had one of those fold down cleat steps on my previous trailer and it worked great - very handy. Now I have a grey plastic folding step $15 at Wal-Mart and it's very handy for mounting, reaching high stuff, and I use it to step into the back of the trailer... very handy device and inexpensive |
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Location: centrally located amongst the "NUTS" | If you use these type of folding steps, the spring pin that holds the step up will wear out and the step will fall down while traveling down the road. It is not a big problem, but something to keep in mind. |
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Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois | INTERESTING....Thanks for the heads up. :) |
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installing folding steps
