Double steps

Many thanks for all the feedback, Furpod, Flypod and Funks.  I went ahead with the Sawzall and cut back enough to clear the frame.  That gave me enough room to raise the top step about 4" and decreases the drop from the Pod floor to about 7",  It also reduces the risk of dragging on steep driveways and it's lots easier on our old joints to climb up and down now.

The only shortcoming I can see is the amount of torque when we use the bottom step.  I plan to get a couple of angle braces and attach them from the frame rail to the back of the step braces.  That should help. 

I think I have see small braces that can be placed under a step - if it's stressing the mounts.  Maybe I'll check those out too. 

Originally posted by TigerPawd Thanks Furpod.  I have a Sawzall and several new blades.  I guess I'll give it a try.   The worst thing is that I waste $110 - not a trivial amount.

You would have to try very hard to actually mess it up. You are just cutting a notch in the back of the step to clear the frame. remove the factory step, hold the new step in it's place, mark how far down the frame comes, then measure how far you want the step to slide back.. as I remember, it was about a 3x4 notch..

I also have a 179 and found the step was just a little too small.  We had a Coleman tent trailer and we liked the design of there step.  I added on to the existing step to make it larger.  It still folds-in.

I've done one with a sawzall, and one with a side grinder.

I put the Stromberg double steps on my 179. I also notched out the back of the step cradle & added several washers as shims at the bolts. DW says it is the best mod so far!!