Keeping My Steps Up - Montana Owners Club

scott · 07-22-2010, 02:40 PM

So we were driving north on I-25 last week, with a strong cross wind coming at us from our left side (from the west). I looked out my right mirror, and to my dismay my steps were down on my Montana. I quickly took the next exit and folded them back in, amazed that I would overlook such a thing in my pre-departure walk around. Further, we had been driving for over an hour and I was surprised I hadn’t noticed the problem earlier. So after getting back on the road and still fighting the cross wind from the left, I was amazed when 10 minutes later the steps were down again. All I can figure is that the cross wind from the left was unfolding my steps? Another stop and a bungee cord later, and no more problems. Anybody ever run into this before? Any recommended improvements over a bungee cord?

Thanks,
Scott

Slufoot733 · 07-22-2010, 03:00 PM

Scott, I'm not surprised by this situation. My new Monty has much lighter steps than my old SOB did. These steps are made of lighter weight metal and my wife noted they're much easier for her to open and close. If the wind is strong enough I can understand how the steps 'blew open'. Good to know, I will keep a bungee cord handy for just this issue. Thanks for the heads up.

Kevin

DarMar · 07-22-2010, 03:36 PM

Yes Scott, been there and we use a tarp strap!!!

sgtpp214 · 07-22-2010, 04:04 PM

Been there done that, Scott. Happened as we crossed Texas where it seems the wind always blows. That was 2006. Been using a bungee cord ever since.

8.1al · 07-22-2010, 04:18 PM

We have only had it happen once in many miles and had to use a bungee, no problems since

BB_TX · 07-22-2010, 04:31 PM

Mine started doing that last year, wind or not. Now it gets a bungee before we hit the road.

CamillaMichael · 07-22-2010, 05:34 PM

Good info...thanks for the heads up.

lfw · 07-23-2010, 01:57 AM

That happened to us in Texas also... after the 3rd time I put a bungee on it.. Then my wife had trouble getting the bungee off.. So I mounted a barrel bold on the side of it.. Now she has no problem with using it.
Works great..
lfw

The Oldguard · 07-23-2010, 03:01 AM

This is my fix

CasaDelSol · 07-23-2010, 03:43 AM

We averted this problem by hitting a hole in a campground and bending our steps out of place. Now they stay put really well since we had to bend them back to the original position. I have to push them closed with my foot and lots of thigh pressure!!

illapah · 07-23-2010, 04:15 AM

I too bungee.

Jay Bird · 07-24-2010, 04:40 AM

We had the problem on our way to NY. Now used the bungee cord.

scott · 07-24-2010, 05:07 AM

Thanks for all the feedback, isn’t this forum great. Since I’m fairly new to RVing, when this happened I thought it really unusual. I guess it doesn’t happen very often, but often enough that I’ll probably do like most of you and keep doing the bungee cord thing. Thanks for the other ideas too, I think I’ll put these things on my to-do list for the future.

Thanks again,
scott

jjackflash · 07-24-2010, 05:55 AM

OldGuard,thanks to you I used your idea 2 years ago and never had a problem since. I don't need another bungee cord to look after!
How's that CB doing Bill?
Jack

sreigle · 07-24-2010, 03:38 PM

Our 2003 had the steps that popped out on their own on the road. Dealer tightening the steps only helped for a short time. Our steps were then replaced in warranty. But until we could get to a dealer a bungee cord worked well. And that's what I'd do if warranty wasn't there to pay for the replacement.

The Oldguard · 07-24-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by jjackflash

OldGuard,thanks to you I used your idea 2 years ago and never had a problem since. I don't need another bungee cord to look after!
How's that CB doing Bill?
Jack

Have to many things in the fire right now. It's sitting in the rig for now

clutch · 07-25-2010, 06:10 PM

Since we wrapped ours with indoor/outdoor carpet we have to bungee them to keep them up.

Trailer Trash 2 · 07-25-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by illapah

I too bungee.

same here on the Bungee, after I oiled mine a cross wind did to me as it did to you.

8e3k0 · 07-26-2010, 04:41 AM

We had to use a tarp strap to hold steps in when incountering high cross winds from the drivers side. I am surprised that there is not a latch - in - feature to hold steps secure. Can be a safety hazzard.

twindman · 07-26-2010, 06:33 PM

We also bungee. We were driving across Iowa on highway 20 during the heavy rains and floods of 08 (07?). They were doing work on bridges about every 5 miles. The 4 lane narrowed to 2 lanes - one each direction. They used those cement barricades about 4 feet high to narrow the bridge and had a 10 foot width limit. We went thru one narrow bridge and then the highway opened up. A guy pulls along side of us in a pickup and just stayed there. I finally looked over and he held up a sheet of paper with 'STEPS' writen on it!! I looked back and they were down. So figure an 8 foot trailer and the steps out 1 1/2 feet or so leaves 6 inches on the bridge - IF I DRIVE EXACTLY DOWN THE CENTER. Lucky us and thanks to the pickup driver. I imagine the steps would have been on the ground after hitting a cement barricade at 55 mph.
Anyway, we put it up - couldn't remember if we had done it in the morning...??? We started up again and looked in the mirror. They started to wobble in and out and then flopped open. Oh, we were having 40 mph cross winds at the time. We used a belt to hold them in this time until we got the bungee.
It kind of makes sense, with the step folded it forms a nice wind dam from the side. Live and learn.

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