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Adding Steps at the Front Door
My bus was ordered by the original owner with a mid door. In fact he ordered the empty shell from Prevost exactly like he wanted it and then he shopped the conversion among several converters. He left much of the correspondence inside and it was still there after a second owner and a long stay on a dealer’s lot.
It has a working front door too with storage space behind it. The paperwork seems to indicate that the area inside the front door should be set aside for storage and that nothing be placed in the way so that steps could be added later if desired. He may have been trying to help the resale potential, I don’t know.
From the first day we saw it we thought we would probably add steps in the front and put drawers in the risers to make up for the lost storage. The cruise airs are gone so the area behind is wide open so space for drawers is not a problem.
I have a friend in this area who has offered to help me do it. I will only be in this area for about 10 more days and the weather may not cooperate with us but I need to lay out a plan just in case. And even if we do not get to do it now it is something I would like to work on in the future.
What material is usually used to build the front steps? My friend and I are both comfortable working with wood. I am not overweight on the front axle but I know I need to be mindful of that. I did not weigh the bus before I removed the two cruise air units but I know I gained some capacity there.
Anybody have drawers in your steps? Any guidance on hardware for the drawers or construction ideas?
What material would you suggest to cover the steps? We have engineered hardwood throughout the bus including the mid door steps so that is an option. Tile is not an option but I am open to other suggestions. We have seen a rubber like material in some buses and even though it does not look great my wife would like to investigate options like that.
I am open to any comments and advice you have. Thanks in advance for your help.
Davy
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6 Replies
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I would probally order the steps from Prevost. That is what is used by the convertors. My nickel…
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I had a plastic coach on which the top of each step was hinged at the rear, allowing access to a great storage box for muddy boots, dog leashes, tool boxes, rugs, etc. The only drawback I could see over drawers is that the lid opening is not very large, but it was very convenient to have that storage and mostly invisible. They used a piano type hinge and it was not visible unless you really looked. The stairs have to look good or it taints the whole experince of entering the coach, right? I think that sort of setup would be much easier to fabricate than drawers.
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I did not think about the possibility of ordering steps ready made? I guess I assumed they were built in place. The XLs have been out of production for years. You think it is still possible to order something like that? If it is possible is it affordable?
As far as looks is concerned, I do not want the steps to look homemade but they do not need to look flashy.
Davy
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You have a lot of choices.
You could build an alminum frame to provide strength, cover it with 1/2″ plywood and then whatever you want showing cosmetically. Mine has a step that is hinged and lifts providing a small storage area. You could also opt for a drawer below the lowest step. As for coverings, this is a high traffic area, so plan accordingly. Depending on what you select, you can use a complementary laminate for the vertical kick stops to keep the weight down and to provide a seamless kickstop.
You could go all wood if glued and screwed and then covered with your choice of material. Personally, I would go with the first option as it would be far less likely to ever have problems.
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I have never worked with aluminum but I do like that idea.
I also need to figure a way to cover the steps when we are traveling. Once I remove the floor and add the steps my wife will have no place for her feet. I will probably try to do something manual.
Davy
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Davy, a hinged panel that hinges against the dash is what many plastic coaches have. If you cover the bottom side, you can make it look acceptable.
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