Camper Mod Contest Entries

One Camper With Two Step Solutions

Welcome to the eighth entry in September’s Mega Mod Contest.  One Mega Mod will be published in every Email Alert in September.  At the end of the month, we’ll hold a reader vote to determine September’s winner.  Click here for information about the 2020 Mod Squad Contest, including how to enter.

Two step solutions for a truck camper

Ralph Freddolino, Thornton, Colorado
Red Steps Long Stays, White Steps Short Stays
2007 Ford F-350
1996 Weekender 1010

We bought our 1996 Weekender camper last year for $4,800.  Since then we have made two sets of steps for this camper.  First, I made a red set and then a white set.  Both sets of steps worked, but ultimately the white set was the easiest answer.

The first set of red stairs were made because the original fold-down step was too dangerous.  I was afraid of us slipping and breaking a leg or ankle.

Red-Steps-down-for-long-term-stay

The red steps were made from a step stringer pattern.  The stringers are the sides.  The steps were secured with angle brackets and 3/4-inch plywood.

Red Steps down

The red stairs were okay if we parked for a long period of time, but they were a little heavy to pick up and slide into the camper.  I knew that I could make something even lighter and quicker to use.

Black Step down-for-use

Black under White-Step-folded-up-for-travel

The white step sits on the fold-down step (see above pictures), slides-in and is held by the 2×4 under the frame.  To make the 24-inch step stool, I cut a step tool in half and secured the two halves to a piece of 3/4-inch plywood.

White-step-stool-side-view

I cut two corners on the top white step.  Then I bolted it to the back bumper so the step folds up.  It’s held by copper wire on both sides.  The steps fall down if they’re not held in place.  I painted the steps white to make them more visible at night.

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In the end, we can use either the red or the white steps.  The white steps are for short trips, and the red steps are for longer stops.

White-step-stool-and-steps

The red stairs took a total of about eight-hours, including the painting time.  The white steps took about six-hours, including painting time.

This project cost me about $20 for the step stool, brackets, nuts, and bolts.  I already had the plywood and lumber in my garage.  In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is medium.

Disclaimer: The modifications above are submitted by Truck Camper Magazine readers. It is your responsibility to make sure that any do-it-yourself modification project you undertake is safe, effective, and legal for your situation.

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If you’d like to enter a modification you’ve done on your truck camper, click here. You can enter as many mods as you want, at any time.  Good luck mod makers!

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