Behold! All things are made new!
Several l years ago when we were living in our Road Ranger 5th Wheel I built a set of steps instead of using the built in steps. They were designed to give us a small porch to stand on and make it easier getting in and out of the RV when carrying loads of groceries etc. When we traded RVs the steps were no longer suitable (too short) and I stood them on end and used them as plant stands.
This past week I decided to disassemble them with the idea of getting rid of them. However, seeing them in their disassembled state the thought occurred that I could take them with us to Texas and reassemble them for use with the Hitch Hiker. As I was looking at them, Ella came by and said, “Oh, are you going to take them with us?” She scares me sometimes. Grin
I did not want to construct and deconstruct the steps every year when the Hitch Hiker went in and out of storage. So I devised a way to make the disassemble and reassemble easier and faster. I purchased some 1/4” hanger bolts (wood screw on one end and machine screw on the other), wide collar washers, and wing-nuts. Next I needed some 2x4s for bracing.
After cutting the 2x4s to size, I marked the center point on each end and drilled a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw size. Now to the problem of attaching the hanger bolt to the 2x4. There is a special driver that you can buy for about $15 (if you can find it) that will drive the hanger bolts into the wood. OR you can do what I did and just assemble the wing-nuts onto the bolt and use the wing-nut to screw the other end into the wood.
Once the braces were assembled I marked and predrilled their placement on the side pieces. This holes were drilled slightly larger than the screws so that they would pass through with ease. Then it was just a matter of putting all the braces in place. Once that was done I laid the precut steps in place and attached them to the braces with deck screws. With this design, if I discover that the steps are too short for the Hitch Hiker, I can easily replace just the two side pieces to make higher steps.
Disassembly was simply a matter of removing the wing-nuts. Now it is all ready for travel to Texas and reassembling.
I marked the center point and using the washer as a guide then predrilled
By assembling the bolt I was able to use the wing-nut to drive the screw
Marked and predrilled the side pieces and assembled the braces
Once the two sides were attached it was simple to affix the steps to the braces.
A little paint and (maybe) some indoor/outdoor carpet and it’ll be all ready to go.
Here is what it looks like disassembled and ready for transport.
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