Two Birds with one stone!

[supermerle]

I've seen a few exterior steps that people have made to get in the door; so, here's my take on a exterior step and carry-all. I made the step more like a suite case? I made it so I could put my axe, shovel, and what ever else I think of in the box-step. It will be the first thing out of the door after I get the camper in the right place on the pad. I made it nice and big so it wouldn't tip over. I had a different camper one time that used a small stepstool and it tip over on my wife coming out the door and I don't see how it didn't kill her when she hit the back of her head right on the threshold at the door.

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[Gone Kayaking]

Nice! I could see keeping the jack stands, hoses, extension cords, awning stakes, and other things that will be put right to use, and packed last in there.

[Deleted]

I want one! Did you make this or buy it?

[tylerbes]

Step, my rear end! That is a front porch!

[supermerle]

If you look it can be opened up and really make a nice big deck .
Here is another picture showing it with the rug folded in it.

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[supermerle]

Another showing rug and a few tools.

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[supermerle]

Last one showing how I secure the tools with a couple pipe hangers from big box stores.

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[ModernMe]

Nice work! Looks great. More storage is always welcome.

[Bow_Tied]

Mar 11, 2013 14:19:00 GMT -5 Gone Kayaking said:

Nice! I could see keeping the jack stands, hoses, extension cords, awning stakes, and other things that will be put right to use, and packed last in there.

Make sure you can still lift it! ;D

This is a neat idea. My trailer has an aftermarket slide out step which is not in great shape - it deflects enough that I put a small block under it for support. But uneven ground can't hamper that.

In consideration of using a step like this I wonder about packing it away wet. It is large enough that it would stay on the floor at the door, I'd want to keep the floor dry. I also wonder about it sliding around during travel and scratching the floor? Just curious if there any good ideas out there to deal with those two things... It looks awesome and I would love to delete the stupid steel pull out step that always fights me, lol.

[supermerle]

BT
Thanks for the responce. Weight was my main concern from the get go. As far as picking it up if you look at the pictures; I cut the rectangle hole so the center of gravity stays centered on the box. I use the hole for my grip and it works very well and since I built this on I have come up with a different handle design thats going to be an improvement. Handels like this don't protude and the box doesn't rock back and forth but you still got something to hang on to. I put a very good coat of shellac on the exterior and interior of the box to help waterproof it from the elements. Fitting in the door (it fits fine) but, a person could make it longer and more narrow to fit the space and keep a small rug under it to keep it from scraping the floor. The main thing I like about this idea is everything that a person needs right off the bat is the exterior items so you open the door and there is most of the things you need and they are usually the last things that goes back in the camper so it's a win win deal. Also, I hope to get my awning installed and working and that should help on the step getting wet? I hope tonight I get a chance to put my leveling jacks and a few other things put in there and see how much more weight it will have? I love having this big ol step! It makes it so much easier getting into the camper. I'm 6'4" and 230 so it gets a work-out when I'm camping. ;-)

[offspringin]

Good idea, looks great!

[cowcharge]

It could be mounted on the bumper...