retractable step

C

charles

New member
Apr 8, 2001
3,143
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0
Terry,
Have you looked at or seen Ken Rose's step?
Electric Hide-Away Step($389), Ken Rose of
San Antonio 210-681-2440

Charles Wersal
Duncanville,Texas
26 foot 1975 Glenbrook
Pandora's Box
23 foot 1973 Painted Desert
For Sale
http://community.webshots.com/album/63197261Chuxfi

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No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.9 - Release Date: 1/6/05
 
For those that are interested I posted the pictures of the step I would like
to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been able
to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run across
one please let me know..............

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=899&uuid=skinner
Terry in Tacoma

Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it
holds the universe together.
 
Terry
Do you mean somting like this?

http://tinyurl.com/6ut26

Are you going to connect it to a switch by the door/dash or use the door =
ajar switch to make it pivot out?


ested I posted the pictures of the step I would like
to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been abl=
e
to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run acros=
s
one please let me know..............

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid 899&amp ;amp ;uu=
id skinner
Terry in Tacoma

Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it
holds the universe together.


--
Tom Lins
Milltown, NJ
78 xPB
 
How about using air pressure? An air cylinder and 12 volt solenoid valve
from Grainger is about $35 and you've got lots of air in the coach
already.

Jeff Willard
73 Ex-Glacier
York Springs, Pa

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmclist [mailto:owner-gmclist] On
Behalf
> Of Terry Skinner
> Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 3:03 PM
> To: GMCNet
> Subject: [GMCnet] retractable step
>=20
> For those that are interested I posted the pictures of the step I
would
> like
> to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been
able
> to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run
across
> one please let me know..............
>=20
> =
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid 899&uuid skinner=

> Terry in Tacoma
>=20
> Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and
it
> holds the universe together.
>=20
>=20
>=20
 
> For those that are interested I posted the pictures of the step I
> would like
> to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been
> able
> to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run
> across
> one please let me know..............
>

HI Terry - years ago (about 25 now) , when I had a Travco motorhome, It
had a vacuum actuated step and it used a bellows essentially identical
to the rubber one used on cruise controls. It was about 5 or 6 inches
in diameter and had a throw of perhaps 3 to 4 inches. Probably from a
truck of that era. Through the use of a lever it had plenty of power
to open the step. This step had a vacuum line going to a vacuum switch
on the door frame so that when one opened the door it would slide out
and when you closed the door (and started the engine to get vacuum) it
would retract the step automatically.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
 
The idea is that when you start the engine the step will automatically
retract. When you turn the engine off the spring will pull the step
out.......Terry of Tacoma

* -----Original Message-----
* From: owner-gmclist [mailto:owner-gmclist]On
* Behalf Of Jeffrey Willard
* Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 2:23 PM
* To: gmclist
* Subject: RE: [GMCnet] retractable step
*
*
* How about using air pressure? An air cylinder and 12 volt solenoid valve
* from Grainger is about $35 and you've got lots of air in the coach
* already.
*
* Jeff Willard
* 73 Ex-Glacier
* York Springs, Pa
*
* > -----Original Message-----
* > From: owner-gmclist [mailto:owner-gmclist] On
* Behalf
* > Of Terry Skinner
* > Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 3:03 PM
* > To: GMCNet
* > Subject: [GMCnet] retractable step
* >
* > For those that are interested I posted the pictures of the step I
* would
* > like
* > to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been
* able
* > to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run
* across
* > one please let me know..............
* >
* > http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=899&uuid=skinner
* > Terry in Tacoma
* >
* > Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and
* it
* > holds the universe together.
* >
* >
* >
*
*
 
My thoughts on this type that runs on tracks is that if you hit a curb or
something it would damage the track and render the step useless. On the step
in my pictures, if you hit a curb it would just stretch the spring (on a 23)
or pop the shear pin (on a 26).

* -----Original Message-----
* From: owner-gmclist [mailto:owner-gmclist]On
* Behalf Of Charles
* Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 2:37 AM
* To: GMC MAIL
* Subject: Re: [GMCnet] retractable step
*
*
* Terry,
* Have you looked at or seen Ken Rose's step?
* Electric Hide-Away Step($389), Ken Rose of
* San Antonio 210-681-2440
*
* Charles Wersal
* Duncanville,Texas
* 26 foot 1975 Glenbrook
* Pandora's Box
* 23 foot 1973 Painted Desert
* For Sale
* http://community.webshots.com/album/63197261Chuxfi
*
*
*
* --
* No virus found in this outgoing message.
* Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
* Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.9 - Release Date: 1/6/05
*
*
 
That is what I had in mind but I tried using a bellows from a GMC motorhome
and I didn't think it had enough power to overcome the spring and pull the
step in at the same time. I have not given up on this one. Too easy to
fabricate. Just need the actuator...........Terry of Tacoma

* -----Original Message-----
* From: owner-gmclist [mailto:owner-gmclist]On
* Behalf Of Emery Stora
* Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 2:54 PM
* To: gmclist
* Subject: Re: [GMCnet] retractable step
*
*
*

*
* > For those that are interested I posted the pictures of the step I
* > would like
* > to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been
* > able
* > to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run
* > across
* > one please let me know..............
* >
*
* HI Terry - years ago (about 25 now) , when I had a Travco motorhome, It
* had a vacuum actuated step and it used a bellows essentially identical
* to the rubber one used on cruise controls. It was about 5 or 6 inches
* in diameter and had a throw of perhaps 3 to 4 inches. Probably from a
* truck of that era. Through the use of a lever it had plenty of power
* to open the step. This step had a vacuum line going to a vacuum switch
* on the door frame so that when one opened the door it would slide out
* and when you closed the door (and started the engine to get vacuum) it
* would retract the step automatically.
*
* Emery Stora
* 77 Kingsley
* Santa Fe, NM
*
*
 
>
> Terry
> Do you mean somting like this?
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6ut26
>
> Are you going to connect it to a switch by the door/dash or use the door ajar switch to make it pivot out?
>
>
>

> to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been able
> to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run across
> one please let me know..............
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=899&amp ;amp ;uuid=skinner
> Terry in Tacoma
>
> Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it
> holds the universe together.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Tom Lins
> Milltown, NJ
> 78 xPB
>
>
>
Did you look at all their products? They have a power brake booster
that is like the Powermaster for trucks and it has two accumulators and
two pumps and is more compact. This could be something that we could
use for our GMC's.

Good find,

Carleton
 
u start the engine the step will automatically
retract. When you turn the engine off the spring will pull the step
out.......Terry of Tacoma


So put an air switch on the door... when the door opens, the step extends=
... when the door closes, the step retracts. Could put an over ride on i=
t so when you are camped, it stays out, and an over ride on the over ride=
that retracts it when you start your engine to move or leave. Gad, too =
many scenarios are starting to crop up in this old grey head.
=20

--
Jim - KC0SQS
75 PB - F260206
Twin Cities, MN
 
u start the engine the step will automatically
retract. When you turn the engine off the spring will pull the step
out.......Terry of Tacoma


Terry that is my point exactly. Why make it more complicated than necssa=
ry. The only time you need to worry about hitting anything with the step=
is when the coach is moving. =20

Apply straight engine vacuum to the actuator and any time the vehicle is =
moving the step will be up. No electric required. I have been thinking =
about same thing after I hit an orange highway cone last August in a con=
struction area. It broke my Ragusa step that was left down at the time. =
It cost me $20 to weld it back up again. =20


--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, IN
 
"So far the only problem is that I have not been able to find the vacuum
piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run across one please let me
know.............." Terry in Tacoma

Terry,
I just bought a `88 Jeep Cherokee. It has two vacuum operated "shift
motors" to lock and unlock the front axles. (Instead of manual hubs.) I
do not know the specs, but it maybe a source.

>The idea is that when you start the engine the step will automatically
>retract. When you turn the engine off the spring will pull the step
>out.......Terry of Tacoma
>
>So put an air switch on the door... when the door opens, the step
>extends... when the door closes, the step retracts. Could put an over
>ride on it so when you are camped, it stays out, and an over ride on the
>over ride that retracts it when you start your engine to move or
>leave. Gad, too many scenarios are starting to crop up in this old grey
>head. ....... Jim - KC0SQS

I think it would be good to have it retract only when the door is closed
-and- locked. (Just trying to figure out how to do it.) Would not even
need a "camping over-ride."

Mike Miller
`73 26'
Hillsboro, OR
 
Hey, Terry, why did you go to all that trouble?

http://gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=131&uuid=kenhenders

is where I posted all 28 pictures on 23 Dec 02! :-) I know -- 28's
overkill, but my camera was new at the time!

I still haven't learned what the vacuum cylinder came from. It's still
operating well after about 3 years installed.

Someone was going to do a CAD drawing from the pictures and my sketch, but I
think he dropped off GMCnet before getting around to it.

I made some changes to the original design to make it stow to the rear on my
23' instead of to the front as it was on a 26'. The rollers at the ends of
the swing arms make it operate much more smoothly than the original with
sliding contact between the tread plate and the arms.

I have a couple more improvements in mind but they're way down my list:

1. If the coach is parked nose high, the step tends to swing to the rear
when weight's put on it. Or if someone steps on it sorta cattwhampus it
will move sideways slightly. No one's been hurt or even close to it, but it
is disconcerting -- I plan to put a vacuum operated lock on it.

2. When climbing a hill or other wise dropping the vacuum below about
4-5 psi, a strange clunk comes from near the door of my coach. I may
eliminate that by putting an ignition-operated valve in the vacuum line and
moving the source from the manifold to my added brake reservoir. Then
again, I may continue to live with it rather than complicate things. :-)

Ken H.

-----Original Message-----
For those that are interested I posted the pictures of the step I would like
to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been able
to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run across
one please let me know..............

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=899&uuid=skinner
Terry in Tacoma

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.9 - Release Date: 1/6/2005
 
It would be VERY difficult to damage this step on a curb. It swings in so
close to the frame rail and does not extend below it anywhere. I recently
damaged some rear lug nut caps on a curb "somewhere" but didn't touch the
step.

The ideas about controlling it with air, or using an electric window
actuator (as Ken Rose does), are attractive. Fact is, the vacuum actuator I
have is marginal -- I had to keep experimenting with spring tensions and add
the swing arm tip rollers to enable the thing to work reliably with the
small vacuum cylinder diameter.

If I were going to build one from scratch, I'd make the arms slightly more
rigid. The step feels a little springy under my 220 pounds -- but the arms
haven't taken a permanent set from my bouncing in & out on it.

* -----Original Message-----
My thoughts on this type that runs on tracks is that if you hit a curb or
something it would damage the track and render the step useless. On the step
in my pictures, if you hit a curb it would just stretch the spring (on a 23)
or pop the shear pin (on a 26).

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.9 - Release Date: 1/6/2005
 
Hey, Terry, why did you go to all that trouble?

http://gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=131&uuid=kenhenders

is where I posted all 28 pictures on 23 Dec 02! :-) I know -- 28's
overkill, but my camera was new at the time!

I still haven't learned what the vacuum cylinder came from. It's still
operating well after about 3 years installed.

Someone was going to do a CAD drawing from the pictures and my sketch, but I
think he dropped off GMCnet before getting around to it.

I made some changes to the original design to make it stow to the rear on my
23' instead of to the front as it was on a 26'. The rollers at the ends of
the swing arms make it operate much more smoothly than the original with
sliding contact between the tread plate and the arms.

I have a couple more improvements in mind but they're way down my list:

1. If the coach is parked nose high, the step tends to swing to the rear
when weight's put on it. Or if someone steps on it sorta cattwhampus it
will move sideways slightly. No one's been hurt or even close to it, but it
is disconcerting -- I plan to put a vacuum operated lock on it.

2. When climbing a hill or other wise dropping the vacuum below about
4-5 psi, a strange clunk comes from near the door of my coach. I may
eliminate that by putting an ignition-operated valve in the vacuum line and
moving the source from the manifold to my added brake reservoir. Then
again, I may continue to live with it rather than complicate things. :-)

Ken H.

-----Original Message-----
For those that are interested I posted the pictures of the step I would like
to build for my self. So far the only problem is that I have not been able
to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run across
one please let me know..............

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=899&uuid=skinner
Terry in Tacoma

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.9 - Release Date: 1/6/2005
 
""So far the only problem is that I have not been
able
> to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run
across
> one please let me know..............""

You may want to look at hidden headlight actuators (Corvette, Camaro, Tor=
ino, etc. They are pretty powerful and have a decent stroke

--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Holly, Mi
 
Hey Bob,
How about the Fiero?

Ken O'Rourke
1978 Royale
Greenville, SC

>From: Bob de Kruyff
>Reply-To: gmclist
>To: gmclist
>Subject: Re: RE: [GMCnet] retractable step
>Date: Sat, 08 Jan 2005 22:15:58 -0600
>
>
>
>""So far the only problem is that I have not been
>able
> > to find the vacuum piston to operate the unit. If you happen to run
>across
> > one please let me know..............""
>
>You may want to look at hidden headlight actuators (Corvette, Camaro,
>Torino, etc. They are pretty powerful and have a decent stroke
>
>--
>Bob de Kruyff
>78 Eleganza
>Holly, Mi
>
 
""Hey Bob,
How about the Fiero?""

I thought those were electric but not sure. By the mid 80's most of those=
vacuum jobs switched to electric motors.

--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Holly, Mi
 
>I thought those were electric but not sure. By the mid 80's most of those
>vacuum jobs switched to electric motors. --- Bob de Kruyff

Why not just use one of these electric motors?

Mike Miller
`73 26'
Hillsboro, OR
 
The Fiero uses the same actuator as some of the Firebirds. Electric.

One of the early Toro's I tore apart (67 I think) had a vac powered
actuator. Definitely big enough for the job.

Regards

Gary Zingle
1973 GMC 26 foot "Paradise"
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kenneth O'Rourke"
To:
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 10:33 PM
Subject: Re: RE: [GMCnet] retractable step

> Hey Bob,
> How about the Fiero?
>
>
>
> Ken O'Rourke
> 1978 Royale
> Greenville, SC
 
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