HOW TO FIX A MOTORHOME STEP | Thule Electric Step | Vlog 422

During our tour of Scotland and Yorkshire we have managed to scrape the underside of the step by entering a deep pothole and driving over a steep camber in the entrance to a car park. Trev takes a look at the damage and manages to fix the problem.
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Thanks for watching our videos. We include all things to do with motorhomes, campervans, van conversions, caravans and the great outdoors. We mainly tour the UK and camp around 80 nights per year in our 2021 IH Motorhomes N-680 CRL luxury VW Crafter van conversion. We offer advice, tips and tricks, review campsites and associated products or services. We also occasionally make videos about other trips we take without the motorhome.
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We aim to release 4 videos a month and if we are touring this could be 4 videos per week. This will depend on availability of wifi, data and signal.
VW Crafter Van Conversion - IH Motorhomes N-680 CRL (2021)
Towed Car - Skoda Citigo (2016)
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Equipment used for filming:
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GoPro Black 7 with Rode mike and Ulanzu mini tripod
SmartPhone - iPhone 11 Pro
Mini Tripod - GoPro Black 3-Way Arm
Tripod - Neewer Portable 70 inches / 177 centimetres Aluminium Alloy Camera Tripod
Dashcam - NextBase 212 Lite

[@LuckyDawgProductions]

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.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thank you. Yes it didn’t look good when I kept kicking the side of the van 🤣 All fixed up for our next outing 😃👍🏻 Trev

[@birdnest5814]

Good job on finding the problem and fixing it. It certainly saved some money. 💕👍😊

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Yes I thought I would give it a go. I just about got away with it this time 😃🚐 Trev

[@VantasticAdventures]

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

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@donnysweekendvanlifetravel7854]

Spot on Trev you was in my normal position looking up under a van or car nice fix mate all the best donny

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Donny, I don’t have your knowledge or confidence though mate. Too many years off the tools 🛠 🤣👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@TheCaravanNut]

Nice fix Trev, great to see you getting under there and having a go. Cheers, Martin

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@stewchesman5259]

Well done Trev. Very satisfying to have done it yourself. Enjoy your time ;))

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Stew, we were worried that we may have to have a new step. Hopefully this one will last a little longer 🤣 🚐 Trev

[@gallivantinggalantes]

Well done, I haven’t got any advice ha ha, but I think you did a great job xx

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Julie. The step is still working so at least I got that right 😃 Trev

[@verinaschafer]

Very helpful! Thank you.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thank you, glad you found it useful 👍🏻😃🚐 Trev

[@terrymoreland3814]

Well done Trev.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Terry, just had to give it a try. 😃👍🏻 Trev

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Well done that man!

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Bob, my insulated pliers didn’t even get a look in 😉🤣 Trev

[@pamelarothwell1320]

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.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@robwheeler2445]

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.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@WaggiesTravels]

Excellent stuff Trev, I had no end of issues with my Burstner step, I did manage to repair it eventually lol 😂

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@lammyfromlammypie.1996]

Good job 👍 I noticed the squirrel telling someone off in the background 🤣 early on.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@lammyfromlammypie.1996]

@@PoshcatsCamping that explains where all our squirrels have gone, we only have one now and fat Foxes 😱

[@HappyPlaceCamping]

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.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@davidstonehouse6647]

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 😀

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@Victoria2cupsadayVlogger]

At least it was a bit simple, good work at fixing it :o)

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Yes, I was pleased there was not more damage under there 🤣 Trev

[@bobmckayfreedom]

Nice fix Trev

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Bob, not much I can’t do with a hammer 😉🤣 Trev

[@bobmckayfreedom]

@@PoshcatsCamping🤣🤣🤣

[@birdnest5814]

Love the thumbnail!😂🤣

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks 😆 Sue helped with the picture 👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@RickandHeather]

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…..

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@RohanTheBT]

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

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@ManyFunAdventures]

Nice one Trev. You can do ours now. lol. 😁👍

[@PoshcatsCamping]

It seems to be a common theme with these steps. Step 1 - Pothole 0 😆 Trev

[@WormsEyeView]

Cab you raise the suspension at all to prevent this happening in again?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

It’s a possibility but probably not an option we will take. I just have to be careful 😃🚐 Trev

[@robertsavage7804]

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?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@stephenc541]

hi where did you get the small table and holder from

[@PoshcatsCamping]

The small round table was made by the people at IH Motorhomes. They cut a hole and fitted the base for us too. 😃 Trev

[@charlessmillie8774]

Hi guys is there anyway you can get a local metal fabrication company to make a slim fit guard for the step? Chas👍

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Chas thank you that’s a really good idea. May have to look into that 😃👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@GoingGreenMom]

I think I would probably just pack a stool. Lol. Some things I'm great at, but fixing others not so much. :)

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Hi Megan, I actually suggested this to Sue and if the electric step was broken beyond repair, a plastic stool was plan B 😀 You read my mind 😉 Trev

[@debshamish6533]

Crikey, the step took quite a hit - glad you manage to fix it……

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@deenunya7735]

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

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@crizcund]

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.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks for the very important advice. I have decided to get it fixed professionally next time 😊👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@trevorpat-lifeontherun]

👍

[@PoshcatsCamping]

👍🏻🚐

[@HitchUpAndTow]

Like I've always said, if it doesn't work after your taken a hammer to it, then it's broken. 😂

[@PoshcatsCamping]

🤣🤣 Sometimes once I have taken a hammer to it, then it’s permanently broken 😆🛠 I got lucky this time 👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@markmangan845]

😊👍

[@PoshcatsCamping]

🛠😉

[@WormsEyeView]

Just seen this vid.... God help us!

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Got to pull a stupid face now and again 🤣🤣

[@JamesDesk]

Given the hours I have spent repairing mine they are more trouble than they are worth.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

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

[@DesmondsDonders]

Easy fix LOL We often get small pebbles jammed because the brush is missing.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

I think the brush and end cap is in land-fill on the Isle of Skye 🤣 Oh well, we expect a few bumps and bruises along the way 😊 Trev