They talk about the importance of making a good first impression. There are few things worse than you or a guest falling face first because your RV steps are awkward instead of accessible. That’s one reason why you may want to remove them outright or remove them in order to replace them.
Other RV steps fall short because we bought the wrong size or they simply stopped work. Here is an overview for those who need to know how to remove RV steps.
Let's Know How to Remove RV Steps.
Step 01: Set Things Up so You Can Work Safely.
Level the trailer on flat ground. Pull up the parking brake and set up wheel chocks. This ensures that the RV will not move while you’re working with the RV steps.
Step 02: Do Your Homework
Inspect the RV steps. If the steps are welded to the RV frame, something that’s common in older models, you may not be able to do anything yourself because another welder is required to remove the steps.
Suppose the steps are screwed into place. Find the bolts that attach the steps to the RV. Determine the type of screws involved so that you can get the right screw drivers. Or you may need a wrench. The standard sizes are 3/8 and 5/16 inch hardware.
Step 03: Secure the Surrounding Area
If you’re dealing with powered steps, one of the first things you need to do is remove the electrical power connection for the RV steps. If they’re hydraulic, you may want to disconnect the hydraulic line so the steps can’t be triggered into folding down onto you.
If you have to lift up the side of the RV so that you can access the screws, lift that up with a secure jack. We would advise putting cardboard or cloth under the RV step. This will help contain any screws and bolts that fall out while you’re working.
Then you don’t have to wonder if you got all eight of them while removing the step, and there’s less risk of accidentally running over them later.
Step 04: Begin Unscrewing the Step
Unscrew all the screws on the RV step so that you can remove the steps. It is generally best to unscrew screws in a cross-wise pattern.
Once you’ve unscrewed the screws, you can remove the step. Try not to be directly under the step when you pull it out or let it fall down, since that could cause an injury.
Note that this should be a two person job or left to the professionals if the steps weigh more than you can handle on your own.
Step 05: Determine What You’ll Do with the Frame
If you’re removing the steps in order to replace them, you’d follow the installation process for the new steps here, assuming the new steps are a direct plugin. Otherwise, you’ll need to remove the frame.
In this case, you may need to unscrew the additional hardware that holds the step frame into place. We recommended removing the steps themselves because that reduces the weight of the assembly, should you need to remove the frame.
It also makes the frame for a simple foot-step pad much easier to access while you’re unscrewing it.
Step 06: Return the Vehicle to Working Order
If you removed steps that were screwed into the frame of the RV, there may not be anything else to do except throw out the RV steps.
If your RV steps were powered, you may need to reconnect the electrical power inside the RV, once you’ve removed the wires that sent power to the now missing steps.
If there are now holes in the floor of the RV, we’d recommend filing them with sealant or covering them with tape. Or put a new welcome mat on the floor.
Some RV owners install trim where they removed the RV step to minimize wind noise once they resume driving.
Step 07: Clean Up
If you want to know how to remove RV steps, know that the job isn’t done until you’ve completely cleaned up. Make sure that you’ve picked up all the screws and tools from the ground.
Verify that you haven’t left plastic strips or stickers on the bottom of the vehicle. Get rid of the tarp or cardboard that was under the RV while you worked.
Conclusion
Removing RV steps may be the first step to removing an annoyance or installing something better than the RV steps you have now. Know the right way to do it so you can do it as quickly as possible with minimal hassle.
However, we have already reviewed some necessary items for RV campers like "deep cycle battery, dash cams, and water pressure regulator." You should read our buying guide and check experts' recommendations if you need them.
