Parking Blocks and Steps

[Jeffrey]

I use a very small folding plastic stepstool similar to what you've seen here, but smaller. Very compact and easy to stash.

But I really want what Scatter has. Where can I buy that, scatter?

[scatter]

Hey Jeffery, we're pretty happy with the steps we have. We don't use them for the quick stop for lunch as I keep 'em in the back, but they're great for the overnight stop. We used to use step stools and a tool box, but we mostly boondock and the surrounding ground is not always very level. My wife took a header off the box because it rocked a little and that convinced me there needed to be something better. Here are two sites. This one is for Brody who makes the units but won't sell them direct.

http://www.crbrophy.com/stairs.html

I ended up getting them from J.C. Whitney here:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Brow ... 378/VT-sch

I got the aluminum ones so they would be lighter. The only real hassle is how to attach them to your van. That's one of the reasons I made my own rock rails. I just welded some tabs to the top of the rails so I could attach the steps with pins. I'm sure you could fasten a bracket to the van body right below the door to accomplish the same thing.

If you want more details, let me know.

[LoneStarJR]

There's another brand that's very similar. You might want to check these out as well:

http://www.rvpartscenter.com/Product...DID=39&CID=226

[jage]

The thing I see about the stairs is they're dependant on the ground level (I guess not that a step ladder or something else isn't).

But a power step or hoop or whatever is attached to the van, so you're not dependant on the ground level... well until after that first step!

[scatter]

I've never had a problem with uneven or slopeing ground. Sometimes the stairs are at a slight angle, but that hasn't been a problem. Works for some and not for others.

Maybe I have so much effort into the rock rails and steps that I'll like 'em no matter what????

[AEJ]

In regards to leveling, I have been using lynx(?) leveling blocks. They work fairly well and are very light. One drawback is they will sink into soft ground or snow and sometimes freeze overnight making them almost impossible to get out of the ground.

As to steps, I bought a set of collapsible steps from www.petloader.com These are technically for pets only but I reinforced the steps and I use them to get in and out. They are especially good for old dogs (meaning my 14yr old lab; not me!) as they are fairly wide and deep. I fold them up and leave them right behind the passenger seat in my "50" layout. You might want to check them out. I would put up pictures, but I'm not computer literate in this regard.

Al

[jage]

[scatter]

I use the Lynx blocks too. They're super! I agree that they sink into soft ground, but it hasn't been much of a problem for us. I store a dozen of them in the front and rear bumpers so they're not in the way and it doesn't matter if they get dirty.

[sdwindansea]

Just thought I should share our experiences with our solution for the dogs entering/exiting the van. We purchased the Pet Step II and used it for the first time during our 5 night excursion over Thanksgiving.

Overall it worked great although it does take several times for the dogs to get comfortable with it. We store it between the gaucho and driver seat. It fits perfectly for us and has the added benefit of creating a barrier between the cockpit area of the van and the rest of it that the dogs can't cross. It is also light and very easy to setup. Finally, it is strong enough for us to use as a ramp in and out of the van.

The downsides to this solution is that you need to pull it out of the van anytime you want to set it up. Also, you cannot shut the side doors while it is deployed, even if it is rested on the nerf boards. That is not a big deal to us since it is so easy to setup (just unfold and put into position).

This is the best picture I currently have of it:

[jlrray]

We use them often enough at work for stabilizing vehicles or leveling cars or whatever. Basically you take consecutively shorter lengths of 2x6's. and nail them to each other.

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kinda like that. It worked for my parents RV as well.

Joe