Indoor stairs creak - time to rebuild

[TBW Ventures]

We have a 2017 3720RL, and the interior stairs creaked slightly when we brought it home but it has now grown to a significant annoyance. It is a nice , even interesting character issue in a 100 year old house but not in a new-ish RV.

I have removed a panel from the side of the outside access storage that accesses the space under the hallway adjacent to the stairs. You can see all of area under the first step.

The creaking would seem to be wood on wood and the stairs have been screwed or nailed but not glued. It needs to be torn apart and reconstructed with glue. The open space inside the stairs (curved and larger than just 2 conventional stairs, picture included) is too much of an opportunity to improve storage while it is rebuilt.

Has any one else taken on rebuilding stairs? It is not particularly difficult and a great chance to insert some creativity.

[beeje]

I demoed my stairs. Built new ones with 3 steps instead of 2 and hinged the treads for storage under all 3

[TBW Ventures]

I will need to deal with the air intake for the furnace on the right side.

I like the hinged step/lid idea. Things need to be squared of for that to work.

[jcurtis934]

The construction of the stairs is what you can quote as less than stellar. Chipboard construction, sawn off 2x4 supports but less than needed, some screws for holding together and fastening to floor landing and wall. I even had a 120vac romex line running under one of the 2x4 supports. Heck, it was only smashed a little flat... Another area that can be improved by most anyone that can use power tools without endangering themselves. But then...what can be done while under the pressure to build on the assembly line...probably lucky we don't have twice the issues.

[beeje]

Since we no not EVER use the furnace, I removed the return grills. Even so if it were to be used there is way more than enough return air from other places. You know these things are not built anywhere near air tight.

[TBW Ventures]

Sadly we do need to use the furnace regularly . . . . . Based further north drives that. Redirecting the return by turning 90deg and putting it on the face of the step is an easy design into new steps.

You are right nothing is air tight.