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10-19-2007, 05:53 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Oakland
Posts: 887
M.O.C. #5811
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Steps falling down
We were driving through Wyoming on a recent trip in high winds, and I noticed the steps were down. I stopped raised them back up and continued on. About 10 later, they were down again. Stopped again and strapped them with a bungee cord. We never had steps fall down before, and assume it was from the wind. Has anybody had this happen to them?
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10-19-2007, 06:20 AM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Windsor
Posts: 177
M.O.C. #3481
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Yep had it happen in busy traffic on the 400 hwy between Toronto and Barrie Ontario. A car next to us rolled down their window and told us it was down, luckly we were at a spot where we could pull over and fix it. Never happened again, just a fluke I guess.
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10-19-2007, 06:31 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
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Mine opened up in South Dakota on the way home from the fall rally last year. A truck driver hailed me on the CB to let me know they were down. I am honestly not sure if I forgot the put them up after my lunch break in the rest area, or if they actually opened on their own. Has not happened again, but will be watching on my 2,000 mile trip eastward in 1.5 weeks.
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10-19-2007, 06:53 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cicero
Posts: 336
M.O.C. #4571
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Had it happen this summer during high wind gusts, now I don't travel without a bungee cord securing them. Before next spring I'll probably install some sort of retractable locking pin to hold them in place while traveling.
I don't know if it was coincidental, or not but I had just sprayed silicone on the stair folding joints a few days before it happened.
These stairs are by far the easiest opening I have ever had on a 5er, most you have to struggle to open, I'm sure that this is part of the reason for the unfolding in high winds.
JP
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10-19-2007, 07:01 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lone Tree
Posts: 5,615
M.O.C. #6109
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Wow - maybe they are serving as outriggers to keep the Monty shiney side up! 
I did not know they could do that, good info thanks!
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10-19-2007, 07:17 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Plymouth
Posts: 253
M.O.C. #522
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Ditto for me. Mine have opened in the wind twice on one trip in Oklahoma. I tie them up now too.
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10-19-2007, 08:20 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Northeast
Posts: 414
M.O.C. #5072
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It has happened to us twice in 25,000 miles. The first time, I assumed I had simply forgotten to raise them, although I really thought I had. The second time, I was sure they were up when we started out. I think the bungee cord is the answer.
Bob
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10-19-2007, 08:31 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Racine
Posts: 809
M.O.C. #1165
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Yup, happened to us too. Now, part of our procedure is to use bungie cord -- no problem since.
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10-19-2007, 09:42 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lake City
Posts: 264
M.O.C. #3579
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Wow! we have a 2005 3400 and have never had this happen, in fact it is all I can do to put them down, usually I have Roger do it as I am not strong enough I guess. Must have been some wind. Think ours would stay up in a tornado!!! ( might wreck the Monty but our steps would still be up!!)
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10-19-2007, 11:15 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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I had to WD-40 mine, couldn't get them down with a crowbar....they are working pretty good now, thanks for the heads up, I will peep at them in my truck mirror.
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10-19-2007, 12:48 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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The only time we've had that problem is when we were in a very strong cross wind. The wind was so strong it simply blew the steps open. We watch now when we get into any severe cross winds.
Hamrad
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10-20-2007, 03:09 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wetumpka
Posts: 4,936
M.O.C. #1105
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Our steps fell after we left the Reno Rally a few years ago in high winds. We never attributed it to high winds but that must have been the cause. Nevertheless, we always travel with a bungee cord in place to add additional support.
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10-20-2007, 04:43 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Destin
Posts: 166
M.O.C. #821
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Crosswinds in Wyoming blew ours out twice. Bungees are our solution, too.
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10-20-2007, 07:08 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sunshine
Posts: 1,445
M.O.C. #538
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We had a mat on our steps at one time and this kept them from closing all the way. Removed mat and never had a problem again.
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10-20-2007, 10:41 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Washburn
Posts: 591
M.O.C. #1782
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Had the steps open from cross winds once. Bungee cord did the trick. I had forgotten about it happening and haven't put bungee cord on since. Will be leaving Niagara Falls in the morning and is winding so probably should remember to do the bungee cord trick.
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10-20-2007, 03:01 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pagosa Springs
Posts: 3,711
M.O.C. #3120
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Same problem here too. Found they were coming down from crosswinds when trucks went by.
We use a bungee cord, too.
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10-21-2007, 07:53 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cicero
Posts: 336
M.O.C. #4571
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My Permanent solution:
The Pin
Stairs Closed
Stairs Open
Side View
JP
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10-21-2007, 09:10 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Oakland
Posts: 887
M.O.C. #5811
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jpbcyn, Did you get that at a tractor supply store? I have been thinking about some type of pin or spring loaded thing but haven't found anything yet.
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10-21-2007, 10:54 AM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cicero
Posts: 336
M.O.C. #4571
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by nailbender
jpbcny, Did you get that at a tractor supply store? I have been thinking about some type of pin or spring loaded thing but haven't found anything yet.
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I picked it up off the ground several years ago in a campground I was staying in, I knew I would have a use for it some day!
The style I have is used more in the machine tool industry, do a "Google search For "Detent Pins" or "Ball Lock Pins" or "Quick Release Pins", or you can Buy these on eBAY, and share with your fellow campers: Ball Lock Pins Or these: More Ball Lock Pins
Good Luck
JP
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10-21-2007, 11:42 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 2,232
M.O.C. #2975
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That pin is great idea. Wish we had known to use something like this. We also used a bungee too.
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