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Old 05-09-2017, 09:50 PM   #1
Tin
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Bear Steps

The standard step on our 5.0 TA as you exit is a ~ 10" drop to step followed by a ~11" drop to the ground, ~21" from ground to trailer floor. I do not like this design especially when caring items out of the trailer. I made a swivel extender ( 1-1/2" x 1/8" flat bar) that allows the steps to be used in two modes.
1. Travel mode: Extenders are swiveled in the back position, allowing steps to function as designed (~ 10" drop followed by a ~11" drop to the ground).
2. Camping mode: Extenders are swiveled to the forward position and new rear attachment point ( Cotter pin with clevis pin) is raised to accommodate new angle. (~ 7" drop to step, followed by ~ 7" drop to Stromberg Carlson step, followed by a ~7" drop to the ground).
Tin.
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Old 05-09-2017, 09:59 PM   #2
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We have the exact same Stromberg Carlson step. Very sturdy. Love it.

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Old 05-09-2017, 10:09 PM   #3
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Very, very nice. And a 7/7/7 drop to the ground is consistent and safe.

What do you mean by "Bear Steps"?

Okay, just read another of your posts so infer that your trailer name is Bear.

(You might want to add that to your avatar along with your 5.0TA. )
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Old 05-09-2017, 10:13 PM   #4
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Very, very nice. And a 7/7/7 drop to the ground is consistent and safe.

What do you mean by "Bear Steps"?
This is Bear, so I called my step mods "Bear steps"
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Old 05-09-2017, 11:06 PM   #5
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Very clever! I like how you accommodated the different step angle at the different heights with the pins. Saving to copy later!
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Old 05-10-2017, 02:04 PM   #6
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Tin,

Yes, this is way cool! But I don't understand exactly what you did well enough to replicate it.

Maybe when I get my trailer and can look at the step it will become clear.

Will that day ever come? Four more months! Sigh

Rich
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Old 06-21-2017, 06:07 PM   #7
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Update: Bears Steps

Hi all, just wanted to give an update and a little history of the step mod. It all started when my wife came close to falling while exiting the trailer caring two steaks during a trip at Joshua Tree. Later during the same trip I noticed my wife and I both had somehow reverted to exiting the trailer in rather unusual ways. There was the "drop and hope" (when you step out of the trailer and hope your foot lands right on the step after a 10" drop) and the "sideways shuffle" (when you grab on to the doorway for dear life and gently exist the trailer sideways) and my wife's favorite "the reverse stripper pole shuffle" No kidding I caught her grabbing the stripper pole and exiting the trail backwards, of course this was after several days of camping and a exhaustive day hike that drained both of us.
After using our modified steps We are both surprised and amazed the difference 3" higher and 1" further out the steps make, and the consistency of a 7"-7"-7" step rise makes entering and exiting very nice. I know this mod is not for everyone and I am not suggesting so. If you have one of these (band saw, jigsaw, grinder, sawzall, plasma cutter, torch ) and a drill motor you should have little problems, Oh and a little patience. You could even make a template out of 1/8" wood, plastic, sheet metal, aluminum, ect. and have a local welding, machine/ metal shop make them for you. happy camping
Tin.
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Old 06-21-2017, 09:13 PM   #8
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Is the 5.0 higher off of the ground? I don't think ours is that high but don't know.
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Old 06-22-2017, 02:15 AM   #9
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Is the 5.0 higher off of the ground? I don't think ours is that high but don't know.
I am not sure what the height is for other trailers. Our 2017 5.0TA is 21" from bottom of door to floor.
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Old 06-22-2017, 07:39 AM   #10
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Just checked my 19', 21" from the door frame lip to ground and 10" from step to ground, trailer is level. I too exit the trailer sideways, grabbing the pole and exterior handle for support. But my knees are perhaps older than yours.
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Old 06-22-2017, 09:38 AM   #11
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Great modification.
We have a 5.0 TA, and recognize that 7,7,7 step rise is a safer set-up. Building and renovating many years ago we always tried to use the formula 7 & 11 for rise and run of stairs.
Thank you for posting.

Could you please add a couple of photo's that show a close-up of the swivel extender, and the location of the clevis pin with cotter pin.

I can see the swivel extender bar in one of your photo's but I would like to understand its position and function, better.
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Old 06-22-2017, 09:46 AM   #12
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Sharp Corners

Looks like you ground off the sharp corners on the stair frame. Can still see where I got sliced on my heel. Although ETI doesn't make this step it wouldn't take them long to correct this.
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Old 06-22-2017, 09:52 AM   #13
Tin
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Originally Posted by sleepy View Post
Great modification.
We have a 5.0 TA, and recognize that 7,7,7 step rise is a safer set-up. Building and renovating many years ago we always tried to use the formula 7 & 11 for rise and run of stairs.
Thank you for posting.

Could you please add a couple of photo's that show a close-up of the swivel extender, and the location of the clevis pin with cotter pin.

I can see the swivel extender bar in one of your photo's but I would like to understand its position and function, better.
No problem, I have to take care of a couple things first will post pics a little later.
Tin.
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Old 06-22-2017, 10:02 AM   #14
Tin
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Originally Posted by Rossue View Post
Looks like you ground off the sharp corners on the stair frame. Can still see where I got sliced on my heel. Although ETI doesn't make this step it wouldn't take them long to correct this.
Hi Rossue, Yes I ground down all the sharp corners on the steps and on the heel of our pin box. Yikes sorry to hear about your ankle.
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Old 06-22-2017, 12:12 PM   #15
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Pictures- Thanks!

Hello Tin,

Using the pictures, I now understand the swivel nature of the bars.
When they are swung into position(in line with the rest of the stair bracket) the step pulls out but can not drop fully down. When the full step is wanted the extended bars, sit at right angles and they are out of the way.

Now I'll make a set for my 5.0 TA.
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Old 06-22-2017, 02:00 PM   #16
Tin
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Originally Posted by sleepy View Post
Hello Tin,

Using the pictures, I now understand the swivel nature of the bars.
When they are swung into position(in line with the rest of the stair bracket) the step pulls out but can not drop fully down. When the full step is wanted the extended bars, sit at right angles and they are out of the way.

Now I'll make a set for my 5.0 TA.
Exactly !
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Old 06-22-2017, 11:35 PM   #17
Tin
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Hi sleepy,
Ok here are some under step pics showing Extenders swiveled in the forward position (camping position) with clevis pin and cotter pin. hope this helps
Tin.
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Old 06-23-2017, 12:39 AM   #18
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Has anyone tried using a after market double step on the 5.0 TA with a high lift axle?
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Old 06-23-2017, 10:18 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Tin View Post
Hi sleepy,
Ok here are some under step pics showing Extenders swiveled in the forward position (camping position) with clevis pin and cotter pin. hope this helps
Tin.
Hi Tin,

Many thanks- the pictures are very explanatory, especially the clevis pin and cotter pin.
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Old 06-23-2017, 11:37 AM   #20
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Steps

Tin, great mod. For anyone that wants bigger steps and easy, I bought the spa steps from Amazon as recomended by some one and I now go out the door forward and don't need help from the stripper pole.
Jack
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