Any thoughts on air/electric steps for buses?

[belfert]

I need to do something about adding either an air or electric step to my bus.  My Dina has 16 inches from the ground to the first interior step and that is one heck of a climb in.  I have about 15 inches from the bottom of the bus to the ground at the entry door.

I was considering electric steps, but all I can find cheap are the two step units.  A two step unit extends to 14.5 inches so the bottom step would basically be on the ground.  I've looked at pictures of diesel pusher RVs with the steps extended and noticed they have the door higher up than a bus so a two step unit works out okay.

Some folks on the other board recommended an air step, but am concerned about losing air pressure when camped.  My bus had an air step, but it was gone when I got the bus and MCI wants $475 to replace it.  (The OEM one did not work off the parking brake line.)

Any thoughts on what to do here?

[kysteve]

Belfert,

     There are single step, electric steps as I pondered one for the s/s but decided to go with the two step in my case.  I did run across them in an off brand that was in a high a quality as Kwicky.  Deb is draging me out shopping in a moment but, when I get back I will try to find you a link to one.......Steve..

[kysteve]

         try this    http://www.kwikee.com/singlestp.html

[belfert]

Oh, they make single step units, but they are not cheap.  The RV surplus places almost always have two step units for reasonable prices, but the electric single step units are much rarer.  The single step units seem to cost $300 and up new.

I'm hpoing someone can show me what they did on their bus.

[Dallas]

Brian,

We used a double step unit and simply cut off the bottom step because, like your Dina, it would drag the ground.

The reason we did it this way was the single step units were 75% higher in cost than the 2 step units when purchased used.

I mentioned Jakes RV to you on the other board, but you were concerned about the distance. It dawned on me that if you ask them, they will box up your order and ship it to you. Good people down there, if I recall correctly.

Dallas

[Dave Siegel]

Hey Belfert, I bought our step at Camping World. It is very stable and well built, and has some cool ways to wire the switch. I have had ours in use for 6 years and i is still working hard for us.

Here's the link to it:
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/Electric-Single-Step/skunum=37040

Dave Siegel

[belfert]

We used a double step unit and simply cut off the bottom step because, like your Dina, it would drag the ground.

The reason we did it this way was the single step units were 75% higher in cost than the 2 step units when purchased used.

I mentioned Jakes RV to you on the other board, but you were concerned about the distance. It dawned on me that if you ask them, they will box up your order and ship it to you. Good people down there, if I recall correctly.

I'm sure Jakes will ship, but the only unit they had was $190 and I can get double step units on Ebay for $140.  I like your idea of modifying a double step into a single step.

[makemineatwostroke]

Belfert,I have a air step on my bus it works off the parking brake as you mention and also has a switch to keep it from extending if you so desire when the parking brake is applied.I have never had a problem with it staying extend with out air pressure. the Eagle bus and your bus must be about the same height.Just looking at the air step I don't believe you will buy one for the price of the electric step

[white-eagle]

MakeMine, the Eagle step you're talking about only stays out with the air up and bus running.  as soon as you turn the bus off, the step goes in. 

on mine, it eventually does come back out as the air drops.  that also causes a problem if your wife is standing on it when you start the bus, when it slams back in, pulling her feet out from under her.

probably not cheap to replace.  i'm trying to figure out if i can reverse the switch wires and get it to go out when i turn the bus off somehow.

[makemineatwostroke]

Tom, thats not the way mine works it will not come out till the parking brake is applied and has never came back in without the parking brake released.Mine is made of aluminum 30in wide with a 14in landing  made of 1/4 diamond plate polished aluminum and a PIA to polish and keep clean.And it has nothing to do with starting and stopping of the engine on my bus.I do have switch to keep it from going out that i use when i park the bus for the long term so i don't forget and run into it

[roger dolan]

   Belfert,

    I don't know what your capabilities are but I fabbed one for my 4106. It is held down with springs and held up with an air cylinder which is acctivated by the parking brake. This way it dosn't matter if you have air pressure when parked. I would happy to send you a picture if you are interested. Give me a call  319 350 9452. Act soon as I am leaveing for AZ on the 1/2/07.

                                                           Roger Dolan  4106

[H3Jim]

how much suspension travel do you have?  maybe you can just lower your coach a little.  It may increase fuel milage slightly too.

[buswarrior]

From a commercial operator's point of view...

The commercial crowd gave up on under-slung air steps quickly.

They are too easily ripped off when swinging the front of the coach over a curb to make a tight turn, and the noted air pressure dependant operation.

Everyone is using a kneeling feature now, which exhausts the front suspension enough to reduce the climb in height.

A mid door set-up is far more forgiving to an under slung step, than a front door.

How about an old $imple $olution?

In the old days, a bus driver carried a well constructed, wooden open ended box (open end goes on the ground) to be used as the extra step, sized to fit in the step well, and with a large enough footprint that it would not tip under anything less than mountaingoat ground conditions. With a piece of decorative chain attached to an interior handrail, you can't close the door without bringing it in, as we bus drivers also were good at forgetting it outside and driving off, or over it, after loading the passengers and all the distractions associated with getting the folks on the way.

As all the new coaches kneel, I have put mine to good use in subsequent years to help elderly passengers get in and out of my full size sport utility vehicle.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[H3Jim]

Brian's coach is a Dina which does not have air suspension, but torsilastic. They don't kneel.  The box step is a good one and I have seen it used a lot.  The chain is a great idea too.

[buswarrior]

well, darn.....