Replacing RV inside stairs

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A member shared their successful project of replacing the original steep, squeaky stairs in a Montana M-3721 RL with safer, quieter steps featuring lower risers (from 9 inches to 6.75 inches) and a new handrail. The process involved using riser boards from Home Depot, a railing from Amazon, and careful construction—gluing and screwing every seam and isolating the assembly from surrounding walls to eliminate squeaks. The member also added a new electrical outlet by tapping into an unused A/C... More...

Oregon Coast

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2021
Posts
12
Location
Oregon
The first time my wife and I looked at our RV, Montana M-3721 RL, she stated she hated the stairs leading up to the upper level. She had a good point, 3 tall steps, squeaky, and no hand-railing. I am sharing what I did to replaced them. I am not a carpenter, but after YouTube video's and asking questions, I replaced them. The original stair risers were 9 inches. Replaced with 6.75 inch risers. Every seam is glued and screwed to prevent any squeaks, including glued and screwed to the floor. Also, complete assembly is isolated from the 3 wall surrounding them, also to prevent squeaks. The riser boards from Home Depot, and the railing from Amazon. Happy with the results.

 

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The more I see of other rigs, the happier I am with mine! Our stairs are between 2 walls leading up to the bedroom. Solid steps and if I need a handrail, the wall is available. I also have a (computer) desk by the entertainment area, which almost no other Montana has. Guess I am lucky!
 
The first time my wife and I looked at our RV, Montana M-3721 RL, she stated she hated the stairs leading up to the upper level. She had a good point, 3 tall steps, squeaky, and no hand-railing. I am sharing what I did to replaced them. I am not a carpenter, but after YouTube video's and asking questions, I replaced them. The original stair risers were 9 inches. Replaced with 6.75 inch risers. Every seam is glued and screwed to prevent any squeaks, including glued and screwed to the floor. Also, complete assembly is isolated from the 3 wall surrounding them, also to prevent squeaks. The riser boards from Home Depot, and the railing from Amazon. Happy with the results.

Great idea and terrific, quality workmanship! Well done!

I've thought numerous times about replacing the 2 steps to our upper bath / bedroom. I'm going to look more closely at doing that. I need to understand what's going on under our stairs. If I recall correctly the central vacuum system is tied into them. Still, it shouldn't be an issue. Thanks for sharing the pics!
 
I did a very similar thing years ago I took the two really tall steps and created three just like you did however my three open up on hinges so their storage space under the steps now
 
Nice looking job. I'm curious; how did you anchor the stringers to the floor? Pocket screws?
Glue, screws through the top, then putty, and stained. There were a few high and low spots, where I used an angle grinder with a course metal wheel, until they fit flat. Glued every joint.
 
Looks great, I noticed you added an outlet by the stairs also. How did you rub the wire for that?
I tapped into the front A/C circuit, which is a 20 amp circuit. To get to the circuit I reached through the heater return air vent. Also, we never use this A/C. Using the same new circuit, also added an outside GFI plug. We use the stair plug for a night light to illuminate the stairs at nighttime.

I tried 2 times to attach two photos, but they would not upload. Is that because I posted four photos originally above? Is there a limit?
 
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Those stairs look great! We took the easy way with replacing ours that were previously carpet covered and natty looking (so it was an aesthetic change only).

I ripped the carpet and staples up and then attached these stair covers. Don't mind the trim, as I haven't cut those correctly yet or glued them in.

It looks a ton better than previously.
 

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