Plan for a step.

[gundog]

I need to make a step for my 5th wheel it just needs to be a single step I have a pull out step but I had to raise my 5th wheel by moving the axle to under the springs for clearance on the bed to trailer fit on my 4x4 truck. Now that first step is a doosey. I searched for a plan but so far I am coming up empty I may have to design it myself. I would like to construct it from .75" plywood and have it break down for storage or fold up flat.

The step needs to be 7" high and about 26" wide by 16"-18" deep. I am thinking making it deep to make a little landing I can put one of those artificial grass mats on top for cleaning our feet before entering the trailer. I would like the whole thing to fit together with slip joints so it could be easily taken apart for storage. I just need to look at something that is constructed this way and then I can make it to my dimensions. I got an idea for the sides and cross brace I am just working on the top step and how it will lock into the rest.

Thanks for any help or pictures you can share.

Mike

[chiloquinruss]

Mike, please excuse the poor illustration but how about something like this that would just slip onto your existing truck step. It then could be taken apart and laid flat. Just a thought. Russ


http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_46220398.jpg

[gundog]

That is a good idea Russ and something I considered but I am not sure how strong it would be if made from plywood. It would be strong enough if I made it from steel or aluminum. I worry about the joint that slides onto the step, the existing step is thin formed steel with a lip. Your illustration helped me to figure out how to do the landing step and that is what I had not figured out yet.

Mike

[myxpykalix]

i wouldn't make anything from russ's design from wood because some fatso is likely to step on it and .bang... theres a lawsuit. It you make it from metal then that would be fine.

Remember when you would get on a train, the conductor would have a small stepstool to get you to the first step? (Russ would know about that!) thats what i would do.

here are a few stools that i have found, a couple i cut, and were solid.

you could easily adjust the size of the top for a landing but the ones i've cut and put together were really solid.:D
just stow it inside the door when you pack up so it is there when you open up and want to climb in.


you could take russ's design add a square hole inbetween and below the 2 tenons for a support crosspiece (see attached designs) and add additional height to the bottom of the design. The height of that addition would be figured by measuring from bottom of your existing step to the ground and making that the height of your sides russ designed.

basically what you end up with is a step stool that slides in to the existing step. I would think a regular seperate step would be less hassle to move around.

[myxpykalix]

here is a folding stool that lays flat that looks more like a sitting stool but you could alter it to make it bigger for your use (maybe ):eek:

http://www.woodworkingformeremortals.com/2011/10/folding-stools.html

[gundog]

I drew this up. How much clearance should I leave in the joints? It is designed now with no clearance I will go back and add some clearance after measuring the thickness of the material I am going to use. I plan to stain it and put some clear varnish on it.

Thanks Mike

[bleeth]

1/64" should be plenty unless you are going to go heavy on the finish paint. Maybe a bit more if you plan on taking it apart and putting it back together again repeatedly. (you're up early!)

[gundog]

1/64" should be plenty unless you are going to go heavy on the finish paint. Maybe a bit more if you plan on taking it apart and putting it back together again repeatedly. (you're up early!)

Thanks I am up all night working my real job I will be going home to bed soon. I do plan to take it apart to store it.



























i

[Marion]

Have you considered having the short sides on hinges as opposed to the slip fit? Less pieces you have to keep track of that way.

[gundog]

Have you considered having the short sides on hinges as opposed to the slip fit? Less pieces you have to keep track of that way.

I like the no hardware design.

[gundog]

I measured the thickness of the wood I have and it measures .735" -.738" I made the slots .750" I am thinking adding another .010" or .020". I am not sure about the varnish I will probably put on 2 light coats sanding the first. I don't do much wood work so I am not sure how much clearance I need to leave so that it is easy to assemble but not too sloppy. 1/64" or .015" seems a little tight with the varnish.

Mike

[bleeth]

It's a lot easier to sand a little off than add it on. Considering how the piece is to be used I would prefer a snug fit then having it wobble from loose joints. The whole thing uses such a small amount of ply I would cut one, test it, and adjust accordingly if required.

[gundog]

Here it is. I still have to finish it but it fits good. I cut it from some scrap plywood I had laying around the top is better quality plywood than the ends & sides. The ends and sides piece is some Home Depot and it is terrible with voids in the lamination and one came out right on a corner in the top of one of the ends. I may cut some new ends.

The step is for my 5th wheel toy hauler that is the reason for the toy box reference.

Mike

[steve_g]

Mike

I like the way it turned out... I hate to admit it, but I had to see the finished product to appreciate how it locks together!

With your permission, I think its twin will be setting outside a pop-up camper in Texas soon!

Steve

[gundog]

Mike

I like the way it turned out... I hate to admit it, but I had to see the finished product to appreciate how it locks together!

With your permission, I think its twin will be setting outside a pop-up camper in Texas soon!

Steve

Feel free to copy it but I may need to update the DXF to the current draft I edited the slots and added .020" and I like the way it fits it is very solid when it is all put together.

Use this DXF (updated file) I fixed the original DXF I posted also. It is drawn to cut with a 1/4" bit.

[steve_g]

Thanks!

Steve

[chiloquinruss]

Ah the joys of collaborative computing! :) Looks good Mike. Russ

[gundog]

Thanks Russ your illustration helped me out I was stuck on how to attach the landing. I was thinking of just using tabs sticking up from the vertical ends & sides but I knew it would pop off easy when I saw the part you drew it dawned on me how to secure the landing.

Mike