Useful Video Trev, this is a real problem with longer wheelbase campervans/homes with these side steps. Considering the top market value of Thule kit, and this is not to knock the general quality of their products, I think it's inconceivable that the housing is soft aluminium, with what appears to be an underside plastic tray insert protecting the mechanism. Why on earth they do not produce a sump guard-style skid plate that could protect the whole unit is beyond me, or build them stronger, especially as the step reduces the ground clearance so significantly. Within a week of owning a brand new Hymer 600 Campus on a Fiat Ducato, I reversed onto our driveway and caught the kerb. I was aghast, and now the step crunches and catches so an intervention like yours is called for. That and a set of front mudguards to keep the mud and detritus spray firing straight into the step mechanism. Thanks for the video btw, much appreciated.
Thanks Rob, having owned the van for nearly 3 years now, I have not only become used to the step being there, I have come to terms with it being a liability rather than a useful feature. The Crafter is so comfortable and enjoyable to drive, the step has over time, become obsolete and we now use a plastic step that we put in and out when we need it. It’s a great shame really but I clipped it on a kerb again in December whilst manoeuvring and that was the final blow. It’s now beyond repair and is a fail that doesn’t seem to have any other alternative but to replace with the same. 🤔 Safe travels 👍🏻💙 Trev
Good job, Trev! Best fixes are the ones we are able to do ourselves. A little nudge with the root works, but is not a long term solution and will only get worse with time and use. Well done, Trev.
It seemed like a bad idea to start with but I was pleased that no major damage was apparent, just a little adjustment to free up the slider 😃👍🏻 Cheers Martin 🚐 Trev
We have the same issue with our Sprinter motorhome Lunar Landstar. We have knocked it a few times. Ours has sacrificial bolts on it to warn us of imminent danger! 😆 luckily my husband has been able to fix it each time.
That makes me feel better Pamela thank you. When things like this happen it’s easy to think it’s just me. I am well aware it’s there now, so I will be taking more care in future 😃🚐 Trev
Really stinks you had the damage, but at least you were able to get it fixed without too terribly much trouble. As long as it still works as it should, that's what matters!! Good job getting it fixed. And yup least now you know you'll have to watch those bumps and things just a little better.
I only just got away with it this time. One more bump and I think it would jam completely 😆 Some of the roads and lanes here are very rough these days with giant potholes full of water so there’s no indication of how deep they are 🚐 Trev
Thanks 😊 Yes the squirrels in the trees do chatter away. Our local foxes have been keeping the numbers down though so there’s not quite so many this year 😃 Trev
Well done Trev for attempting that yourself and for the fix, looks like it worked 😁a treat and no real harm done 👍 also thanks for the warning on the ground height clearance, we have the same step so will take extra care. Good to understand how it works too - thanks for sharing
It’s quite easy to ground it on a camber in the road or like I did in a pothole on Skye. Interesting that all four ferries were fine 😃 It’s a fairly simple mechanism but the box is made of aluminium so it’s quite soft. Thankfully I got away with it this time 😃 Trev
Thanks 😊 We did consider returning to the good old basic technology of a plastic step that we store in the van when we are driving. The big hammer did the trick this time 😉🚐 Trev
Managed to do the same thing after day 3 of our New Wildax, found this and had a go, now working but most of jammed outer casing trashed, so guess it will have a little.ited shelf life. Also helpful for my wife to see even an experienced motorhomer ca have a mishap 😀
It’s so easy to catch the step and we have done it a handful of times. The trim was first to come off and the mechanism inside is so simple it’s just a case of prising the frame into a position where the moving arms don’t catch the box 😃 Like I said, large screwdriver and a lever to reshape the oblong case 👍🏻🚐 Trev
Good job but it needs a bit of tidying up. I’ve got about the same clearance under my wheelchair lift on my motorhome. Speed humps in a car park at Wertheby services scrapped under my lift a few years ago but fortunately didn’t do any damage
It’s a serious problem negotiating the various types of speed bump. Some of those with a 4 inch high square island in the centre of a lane can be very close to the underside of our van and our Skoda Citigo too. Thanks for your comments 😃🚐 Trev
Please, please don’t work under a vehicle without adequate support. Correct being on level ground, but something better than 4 plastic ramps. Buy yourself 4 axle stands. Good video on fixing a step, thanks for the info.
Thanks Debs, the noise inside the van as it catches the ground is very worrying. Fortunately this is the only low point on the van, so I just need to be aware in future 😃🚐 Trev
Hi Trevor. It's always very satisfying when you fix something yourself, just a pity you had the damage in the first place. You had an unlucky day that day my friend! By the way: do you still have foxes feeding in your garden?
Yes, I just about got away with it this time. The foxes still come regularly into our front garden. We blocked the gap in the fence out the back as they were worrying our dogs. They arrive earlier now that the evenings are dark. Usually we see them looking out from the trees opposite at around 9pm 😃 Trev
Our step is sooooo close to the exit of our driveway (the drive goes up and as I go off the path dips away so there’s a decent crest, if we’re full of diesel and water there’s mm’s to spare, if the van was longer or as the tyres wear I reckon it’ll catch…..
It’s something I hadn’t given too much thought to but I clearly need to take a little more care if I intend to go off road or navigate those pesky potholes 😆🚐 Trev
We have become a slave to ours. Several times I have considered removing it permanently but to date it has survived. The problems start as soon as you get into an uneven field or a road with sleeping policemen. 😱 Trev
The Speed Humps on Roads n Streets Could be a Issue if Van Bouces too Hard Is the Air Suspension fully up, is it Adjustable? Trev. Id be Inclined to Fit a Thin Ally Chequer Plated Skid Plate that fully Covers the Underneath to Protect it... Bob a Bit of Grease on the Sides of the Step , Sounds a bit Dry going In n Out
The suspension on our van is not adjustable but it may be possible to get it raised slightly. We are going to see how we got on and take a little more care. A guard may be possible too but I worry about grease picking up all the grit and dirt and possibly making things worse ? Thanks for your suggestions 😃👍🏻🚐 Trev
