Steps are something we take for granite …no pun intended …but what if you opened your RV door some morning and the steps were not there. If you were wide awake or reasonably alert you might save yourself from a nasty mishap. Even so, you may have a bit of a problem getting out of your rig.
Regular preventative maintenance will insure the safety of your steps and it is a relatively easy procedure. Recommendations from the pros suggest a monthly check-up and care program. This would depend on how you use your RV and the climate or environment you are in. If you stay in, or travel through rain, snow, dust, dirt, etc. you might want to check your RV entry steps frequently.
Before you start you might want to warn anyone inside your rig that you will be working on the steps and that while you are on your knees you may look like a good place to step out upon but you might collapse under the pressure!
After you remove any dirt or mud clogs you will need a spray lubricant. Lithium based grease is suggested.
For manual steps spray each joint or pivot point and then work the grease in by folding the steps in and out several times.
For automatic steps, again, let those inside know what you are doing so they don’t try to open the door or turn on the ignition while you are beneath the RV with your hands among the workings.
Maintenance for electric (automatic) steps starts with the same dirt/mud removal, joint spraying process as manual steps, but you will need to get underneath the rig to make sure you get all of the pivot points. Be sure to check the wiring and electrical connectors that make the steps function while you are under the rig.
Run the steps in and out to work in the grease then wipe up any over-spray or drips so as not to track grease into the house.
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