Opinions on adding a 2nd light outside the entry door

[ThomasG]

We are considering adding a 2nd light outside the entry door on the build sheet for our 2017 5.0 TA. This light will be below the belly band to better light the steps and the area immediately in front of the steps. The light will be switched with the same switch as the standard light. We are both around retirement age and realize our night vision may not be as good in the future as it was in the past.

ETI originally said the 2nd light would cost $75, however now they also are adding $50 "to run additional wire around the trailer." We want to make sure this 2nd light is worth $125 before we add it to our build sheet. I don't really understand the need for an "additional wire around the trailer" since it should go to the same light switch as the standard light. I'll discuss this more with Sarah.

We are also considering changing the lenses on these two lights from clear (the default) to amber to discourage bugs (if that makes a difference to your answers for the following questions). There is no fee for the color change.

Please help us answer the following questions:

• How well does the standard exterior light work to light the steps and the area immediately in front of the steps?
• If you ordered a lower exterior light, do you still think it was a good choice?

Thanks much.

[Rossue]

Thomas- don't think you will need it, but trust your instincts. The amber lens will significantly reduce the brightness. Many forget to to add a light on the street side. If added it should be switched so you don't have to walk around to turn it on. A rear switched light is also handy as is one over the front box.

[float5]

Driver's side low light has been standard for some time. We do not have a switch for it and just turn it on when on that side, however, we have added lights front and back that do have switches at the door. Someone might want to add a switch for the driver's side one.

If you don't get the lower light at the porch, you will probably want it. You'll have to decide if the cost is worth it. We paid a bundle for the wiring and switches for our extra lights but we use them. We do not have a lower step light and neither one of us has a problem but doesn't mean a thing about you. We have amber.

[Jimrules]

We went with one light below the belly band and the LED awning light strip. We haven't yet picked up our camper, but we were lucky enough to see CPAHarley's new 19 with these same options and confirmed that we liked it. The awning light strip is $170 but it's also dimmable and spreads light down the side off the trailer. So it's another option to consider.

I don't really believe that it helps with bugs, but we did get the regular light with an amber lens because it's not as bright and we like the color better.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

[gbaglo]

I had a complaint from the bugs that several of them couldn't see the amber light as well as they could see the clear, but most of them found it. Even so, I changed back to clear, so I could see the steps.

[C&G in FL]

I have the amber lens, single light, and I have no problem seeing the step (that's singular, only one step). I also have the LED package, and the LED bulbs are rather bright. I wouldn't spend the extra money for a second light because if you have the light on, it is likely after dark, and if you are coming back to your campsite, you will probably have a flashlight with you anyway.

[padlin]

Same as Carl, we have a single amber led light an can see the step just fine at retirement age. Wouldn't be worth it to me but it's your trailer so do whatever you want, easier now then adding one later.

Can't tell if the amber helps keep the bugs away, if it does, it only keeps some of them away. We like the amber for it's more subdued light but from what I see in campgrounds most folks believe the brighter the better.

On edit: The best thing we did for getting in and out of the trailer was to use a different step, sometimes we felt like we were almost falling out of the trailer. Something about the single step made it a bit awkward at times.

[cpaharley2008]

I went with mounting the stock light below the belly band, it really helps light up the lower area. I also got the optional awning light which lights up the campsite area if needed. Amber lenses on both port and starboard lights. Next I mounted a bullet license plate led on the lower curb side light that is on when I turn on the inside light and I can control the stock light with it's built in outside switch, I'm a happy, well lighted, camper.

[jennykatz]

We find the LED standard light by the door to be very bright so no need for a second light for us .Although I had cataract surgery last year and everything is brighter now .We also put a light on the drivers side by the black/grey tank clean out also one up front for a future storage box .

[Steve Clark]

I like Jim's idea of placing the standard light below the belly band, where you need it. We rarely have a light on outside, but when we do, we use the front light, just over the storage box. It is lower and not shining in our eyes.

[J Mac]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I went with mounting the stock light below the belly band, it really helps light up the lower area. I also got the optional awning light which lights up the campsite area if needed. Amber lenses on both port and starboard lights. Next I mounted a bullet license plate led on the lower curb side light that is on when I turn on the inside light and I can control the stock light with it's built in outside switch, I'm a happy, well lighted, camper.

Didn't you also mod a light, close to the steps, on one of your earlier Escapes?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by J Mac

Didn't you also mod a light, close to the steps, on one of your earlier Escapes?

Yes, on both my old 19 and 21 I installed a similar bullet license plate light that illuminated/focused the light on the step at night

[C&G in FL]

My only problem with placing the light below the belly band is that it is probably not illuminating the key slot if the door is locked........

And my solution to the problem with the ETI supplied inadequate and potentially dangerous step is to carry one of the Rubbermaid step stools with two steps as in the photo below. It travels just inside the door where it is quicker and easier to deploy if we stop at a rest area, etc., and want to go into the trailer. It serves a dual purpose as I will use it when hitching or unhitching the 5.0TA to reach into the bed, and when disconnected, it makes it much easier to climb into the bed for whatever reason.

[float5]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

My only problem with placing the light below the belly band is that it is probably not illuminating the key slot if the door is locked........

And my solution to the problem with the ETI supplied inadequate and potentially dangerous step is to carry one of the Rubbermaid step stools with two steps as in the photo below. It travels just inside the door where it is quicker and easier to deploy if we stop at a rest area, etc., and want to go into the trailer. It serves a dual purpose as I will use it when hitching or unhitching the 5.0TA to reach into the bed, and when disconnected, it makes it much easier to climb into the bed for whatever reason.

I never understand what problem some people have with their Escape step. You don't show a photo with the Escape step down.

Did you have another trailer before this one (that had different steps)?
Do you have a high lift axle?
Is the 5.0 step a different height from other models?

We have no trouble with ours. I know that some people with physical problems want two steps but we don't see anything wrong with this one for most people. Do the above questions apply to you? Thank you.

This is ours. Seems just right to us.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by float5

Did you have another trailer before this one (that had different steps)? Yes, had 2 steps.
Do you have a high lift axle? No
Is the 5.0 step a different height from other models? Probably not

I don't know if the narrow door or the raised threshold have something to do with it. It's just that at times it's like walking down a hill, I end up going faster then I wanted to.

With the 8' bed on my truck carrying a portable set of steps is no big deal. I use it instead of the built in one about half the time.

[float5]

Well, you can be parked on a slope with a bigger step down. In that case, someone could use two steps.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by padlin

It's just that at times it's like walking down a hill, I end up going faster then I wanted to.

As with others, I don't have any problem with the ETI-supplied step but do feel a sense of increased security while holding on to the handle on the door...

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by float5

I never understand what problem some people have with their Escape step. You don't show a photo with the Escape step down.

Did you have another trailer before this one (that had different steps)?
Do you have a high lift axle?
Is the 5.0 step a different height from other models?

We have no trouble with ours. I know that some people with physical problems want two steps but we don't see anything wrong with this one for most people. Do the above questions apply to you? Thank you.

This is ours. Seems just right to us.

Cathy, do you see the sharp-cornered plate underneath the rounded one on top of it where the bolts go through? You can see it best on the left side. That corner sliced my heel- still have a scar- when I backed up the steps to hear something and backed into it with a sandal on. That should not exist.

I wish a step option could be purchased; I would have given ETI up to $200 for a better designed step. The drop from the floor in the trailer to the step is 10". In your home the risers are normally 7 3/4 to 8". Doesn't sound like much but it is noticeable. More importantly, the tread is 8" wide; in our home they are 11". In a Canadian TV news report they say it can save lives to have more depth in stairs:

Increasing stair depth could save lives: researchers | CTV News

[float5]

Ross, I see those places. We have rubber strips that we have run across some cabinet edges and we can put pieces of that rubber on those corners. We also had other big corner protectors inside. Available at children's departments. You could try those.

[Rossue]

Forgot to mention I had someone use a grinder to make it round- just as the plate above it is. I mentioned it to ETI last May when having work done. Had some duct tape over the edges and didn't think to ask them to fix it, but now am surprised they didn't, except it wasn't on the list.