Door Will Not Close After Installing The Solid Step On a 1995 Prowler Camper

Question:

I have now purchased 2 different down steps for my 1995 prowler and am having to return both. The trailer is 25inch high, but because of the threshold style, the door will not close, The inside width is 29, but the inside door frame is 30. The bottom of the door/screen door has very little clearance. Which SolidStep would I need for this trailer.

asked by: Daniel G

Expert Reply:

I have found with a lot of the older campers like your 1995 Prowler that the screen doors are installed lower so it creates an issue when closing. Unfortunately there aren't a set of steps like the SolidStep Manual Fold-Down Steps that doesn't create this issue on older campers. I actually had the same issue with an older camper that I installed the steps on here. If your door is close to closing, a couple suggestions that you can try first is to not reinstall the decorative roll plate that goes against the threshold on the inside. Typically it has a lip that can raise the plate on the step. This can be done without removing the steps or any trimming. If that does work and you want to re-install that plate, what I have done is set the plate in place, lower the steps and mark each end up next to the solid step bracket, pull the plate back out and cut the center section out and reinstall the two ends.

If removing the roll plate does't work the threshold has a lip on it also which can make the bracket sit higher. Just that lip can be trimmed off. Mark each end at the edge of the step bracket, raise the steps and just trim off the lip to your marks at each end. If you are wanting to install the roll plate just following the trimming instructions above for cutting out the center portion.

If the screen door is not close to closing you need to trim the bottom of the screen door frame which I have also had to do. To do this, with the steps down, take tape and place a piece on each side, down on the threshold, at the edge of the step bracket. Raise the steps up inside the door frame. Separate the screen door from the outer door, close your screen door and mark the bottom edge of the screen door frame at the edge of the tape. That is the width you need to cut. From each mark measure up about a half inch. That is how high you need to cut. The section in between all those marks needs to be removed. It can always be trimmed a little higher and wider if you find that isn't quite enough. I have found that the screen door is usually the issue not the outer door. The outer door may be tight but it will close.

In my professional opinion, if it was my camper, I would trim the door because the door can be replaced and these steps are amazing. I have installed these on two of my family members campers and I am getting ready to install a set on a friend of my family's because they like them so much.

The correct steps for a 30" wide door frame measurement I recommend SolidStep Manual Fold-Down Steps for 30" to 36" Wide RV Door Frames - Double - Aluminum Item # LC733932

expert reply by: Shane H