Hi,
We are looking at an entry step upgrade.See here on our current steps. These have 8" wide by 24" long treads at 9 1/4" rise. They are not as bad as some of the newer fold in steps, but we are looking for something that we can step up and down a little easier with a better foot feel and somewhat more sturdy.
The Torklift Glow Step Revolution I found from searching here on RV.net is very popular on truck campers they were developed for but not too much yet on TT's/5er's. It may be they are new on the TT's option. These https://www.torklift.com/rv/glowstep-revolution
Looking for info/opinions from folks who have them on a few topics.
1. There is a lever on the side of the unit that adjusts the top step into 3 positions. When do you use the other positions? This was not real clear in the Glow step videos on their site.
2. They say they extend into tighter places. OK, how do they really do that? It seems it has to be extended long enough to reach the ground, can you change the angle of the descent/rise so the bottom ground step is closer or further from the camper?
3. Do the scissors links deflect much under weight going up and down?
4. Have you ever been in a campsite where they will not work? Or you had to create a work around?
5. The Glow step is reported to be a 7 1/2" rise which is less then our current 9 1/4" and I see that as a good thing. Do you think so? Does the 7 1/2" change more or less when the steps are out or in further?
6. Is there something you do not like about them and why?
7. Are you glad you did the change to the Glow Step?
In our case, we have 3 steps now and there are times we have to add a 4th bottom separate step due to the downhill slope of the campsite. And other times we have the opposite, a high up ended site and the bottom step can almost not be folded out as the ground is so high. These extremes of up and down are characteristic of more remote campgrounds with no hard surface pads that we go to them a lot. I am hoping the Glow step will accommodate both extremes.
My thoughts were on the Glow Step, we could go from a 3 step unit to a 4 step unit and eliminate the separate bottom step which can be a hazard when I have to shim it to not rock. Shim wiggles out and you can go flying out of balance on the rocking step.
Our current step threads are 8" wide, just like the Glow Step but the glow step looks flat all across the top other then some grooves for anti slip. Ours has 2 raised pads so to speak. One smooth the other gritted for anti slip. In our case your foot really never rests on a full 8" wide, only the tops of the pads. I would like more foot contact surface and think the 8" glow step being flat on top will allow all 8" under your foot to give you the feel of more tread width.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
John
We are looking at an entry step upgrade.See here on our current steps. These have 8" wide by 24" long treads at 9 1/4" rise. They are not as bad as some of the newer fold in steps, but we are looking for something that we can step up and down a little easier with a better foot feel and somewhat more sturdy.
The Torklift Glow Step Revolution I found from searching here on RV.net is very popular on truck campers they were developed for but not too much yet on TT's/5er's. It may be they are new on the TT's option. These https://www.torklift.com/rv/glowstep-revolution
Looking for info/opinions from folks who have them on a few topics.
1. There is a lever on the side of the unit that adjusts the top step into 3 positions. When do you use the other positions? This was not real clear in the Glow step videos on their site.
2. They say they extend into tighter places. OK, how do they really do that? It seems it has to be extended long enough to reach the ground, can you change the angle of the descent/rise so the bottom ground step is closer or further from the camper?
3. Do the scissors links deflect much under weight going up and down?
4. Have you ever been in a campsite where they will not work? Or you had to create a work around?
5. The Glow step is reported to be a 7 1/2" rise which is less then our current 9 1/4" and I see that as a good thing. Do you think so? Does the 7 1/2" change more or less when the steps are out or in further?
6. Is there something you do not like about them and why?
7. Are you glad you did the change to the Glow Step?
In our case, we have 3 steps now and there are times we have to add a 4th bottom separate step due to the downhill slope of the campsite. And other times we have the opposite, a high up ended site and the bottom step can almost not be folded out as the ground is so high. These extremes of up and down are characteristic of more remote campgrounds with no hard surface pads that we go to them a lot. I am hoping the Glow step will accommodate both extremes.
My thoughts were on the Glow Step, we could go from a 3 step unit to a 4 step unit and eliminate the separate bottom step which can be a hazard when I have to shim it to not rock. Shim wiggles out and you can go flying out of balance on the rocking step.
Our current step threads are 8" wide, just like the Glow Step but the glow step looks flat all across the top other then some grooves for anti slip. Ours has 2 raised pads so to speak. One smooth the other gritted for anti slip. In our case your foot really never rests on a full 8" wide, only the tops of the pads. I would like more foot contact surface and think the 8" glow step being flat on top will allow all 8" under your foot to give you the feel of more tread width.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
John
The Glow Step from Etrailer showed up today. They do ship fast if they have the parts in stock.
The box
The steps in the stored position
The steps mocked up on a set of jack stands
I must say I am impressed with the quality of build. As I have heard others that have Tork Lift products state they have good quality and this shows it.
Now I have a new camper mod project. ๐
Thanks again for all that helped me get to this point.
John
The box
The steps in the stored position
The steps mocked up on a set of jack stands
I must say I am impressed with the quality of build. As I have heard others that have Tork Lift products state they have good quality and this shows it.
Now I have a new camper mod project. ๐
Thanks again for all that helped me get to this point.
John
Hi John,
We have had the GlowSteps on our trailer for a few years now. We love them and would have nothing else now. They are very stable and have no "give" in them when going up or down. That makes for a quite safe journey! ๐
We have found them a bit hard to deploy and retract now and then. I readjusted the nuts which helped. It only takes a fraction of a turn on the bolts in each joint to make a huge difference.
There have been a couple of times where we have had a problem deploying the legs at the bottom. They fit very tight and are a bit hard to slide in or out and push the button at the same time,
The adjustment for height is on either side of the steps. As you rotate the lever, the steps move up or down and also in or out a bit. As already mentioned, the adjustment sometimes makes the step a bit un-level but it is not really a problem. The rigidity is worth it.
As you can see in the picture, we have two sets. The main one is a 4 step unit and the rear door is a three step. Torquelift makes an add-on kit so you can always convert a three to a four or more. In reality, the adjustment will usually cover any out of level situation except for the extreme cases.
MY opinion of these steps is that they are worth the price. Just like my Hensley, if necessary to do it again, I would be willing to spend the money for the safety and pleasure of using them.
Barney
You can see both of the steps in use in this picture. I think I need to readjust the the rear door set. We are up at my son Dales' family campground near Traverse City. I think you will recognize all those people in the picture. :B
We have had the GlowSteps on our trailer for a few years now. We love them and would have nothing else now. They are very stable and have no "give" in them when going up or down. That makes for a quite safe journey! ๐
We have found them a bit hard to deploy and retract now and then. I readjusted the nuts which helped. It only takes a fraction of a turn on the bolts in each joint to make a huge difference.
There have been a couple of times where we have had a problem deploying the legs at the bottom. They fit very tight and are a bit hard to slide in or out and push the button at the same time,
The adjustment for height is on either side of the steps. As you rotate the lever, the steps move up or down and also in or out a bit. As already mentioned, the adjustment sometimes makes the step a bit un-level but it is not really a problem. The rigidity is worth it.
As you can see in the picture, we have two sets. The main one is a 4 step unit and the rear door is a three step. Torquelift makes an add-on kit so you can always convert a three to a four or more. In reality, the adjustment will usually cover any out of level situation except for the extreme cases.
MY opinion of these steps is that they are worth the price. Just like my Hensley, if necessary to do it again, I would be willing to spend the money for the safety and pleasure of using them.
Barney
You can see both of the steps in use in this picture. I think I need to readjust the the rear door set. We are up at my son Dales' family campground near Traverse City. I think you will recognize all those people in the picture. :B
