How To Disable the automatic steps

[Br.Amin]

Sometimes I have to park right next to a sidewalk which prevents my automatic steps from fully extending. Does the rig come with some type of kill switch to prevent the steps from extending at all? If not has anyone here installed one on theirs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I don’t know about the Georgetown specifically, but most coaches don’t have a switch to prevent the step from extending when the door is opened. Our coach (and, I suspect, others as well) has a switch to prevent the step from retracting when the door is closed, however.

I think the reason for no switch to prevent the step from extending is one of liability with the manufacturers fearing that someone will forget the step is retracted and fall because the step is not there.

TJ

 

[RandyB]

I’ve not done this, but it’s not too complicated to add a switch to the power wire that feeds the step controller. You would be enabling and disabling the entire step controller with a switch. 2 wires and a switch.

 

[Br.Amin]

I’ve not done this, but it’s not too complicated to add a switch to the power wire that feeds the step controller. You would be enabling and disabling the entire step controller with a switch. 2 wires and a switch.

Thanks.

 

[Br.Amin]

I don’t know about the Georgetown specifically, but most coaches don’t have a switch to prevent the step from extending when the door is opened. Our coach (and, I suspect, others as well) has a switch to prevent the step from retracting when the door is closed, however.

I think the reason for no switch to prevent the step from extending is one of liability with the manufacturers fearing that someone will forget the step is retracted and fall because the step is not there.

TJ

Thank you.

 

[AbdRahim]

Often thought about this myself. I have to park facing the wrong direction in front of my house, in order to be able to exit.

 

[RandyB]

If you have a Kwikee Step

Check here for a very informative video: Kwikee Step diagnostics video

There is a four wire loom that feeds the steps.
White is to the step lock-out switch,
Yellow is to the ignition lock-out switch,
Brown is to the door switch.
Red supplies 12 volts DC to the controller. It is this wire (red) that you would cut and provide a switch for enabling and disabling the power to the step controller.

 

[Br.Amin]

If you have a Kwikee Step

Check here for a very informative video: Kwikee Step diagnostics video

There is a four wire loom that feeds the steps.
White is to the step lock-out switch,
Yellow is to the ignition lock-out switch,
Brown is to the door switch.
Red supplies 12 volts DC to the controller. It is this wire (red) that you would cut and provide a switch for enabling and disabling the power to the step controller.

Thank you!

 

[RandyB]

...and another thought...if you find the fuse that protects that circuit, then confirm that it is alone on the fuse, you could pull the fuse out to disable the steps. No wire cutting or modifications required. Once found, put a tie-wrap around the fuse as a ID bracelet and a puller handle. Then, if you want to be real creative, you could make a switch from a fuse tap and a couple more items from the auto parts store to replace the fuse.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Dangerous, really dangerous. If you modify the steps I would advise you only use the steps in this way. If you have ever stepped out of your RV expecting steps that were not there than you understand why the way you use your steps should be the routine and the norm. It has been over 7 years that I had such a mishap I am still having to deal with a shoulder problem. I am lucky I always grab the step rail.

 

[AbdRahim]

A three way switch of some sort would be better, so that when the step is deactivated, a sizable red light flashes.

This is beyond my knowledge to know how to implement.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

A three way switch of some sort would be better, so that when the step is deactivated, a sizable red light flashes.

This is beyond my knowledge to know how to implement.

The only thing I will say to that is people have a tendency to ignore things they see every day. An example is the little flag I had for the TV antenna. When the antenna was up the flag was affixed to the driver side visor, when the antenna was down the flag was affixed to the antenna crank. This worked fine but had I set a switch to the antenna connected to a light on the dash I would have been like so many that have their antennas destroyed by the wind.

If your routine is to put the step out every time you go outside then you won't forget.

 

[AbdRahim]

There is truth in what you say Kevin, and that is definitely a good warning.I guess it depends on one's situation.
I still move faster than the steps so, I have to open the door, and look down, waiting for the steps to fully deploy before I can step on them.

I am not sure what people do in more urban areas when parking up against a side walk. Many places will ticket you for parking facing the wrong direction. No simple solutions.

 

[Br.Amin]

...and another thought...if you find the fuse that protects that circuit, then confirm that it is alone on the fuse, you could pull the fuse out to disable the steps. No wire cutting or modifications required. Once found, put a tie-wrap around the fuse as a ID bracelet and a puller handle. Then, if you want to be real creative, you could make a switch from a fuse tap and a couple more items from the auto parts store to replace the fuse.

Outstanding! Thank you very much!

 

[Br.Amin]

Dangerous, really dangerous. If you modify the steps I would advise you only use the steps in this way. If you have ever stepped out of your RV expecting steps that were not there than you understand why the way you use your steps should be the routine and the norm. It has been over 7 years that I had such a mishap I am still having to deal with a shoulder problem. I am lucky I always grab the step rail.

Thank you very much for the much-needed word of caution, Kevin.

 

[Br.Amin]

A three way switch of some sort would be better, so that when the step is deactivated, a sizable red light flashes.

This is beyond my knowledge to know how to implement.

Good point. Thanks.