Caravan steps - Warning
I have always had this type of step in preference to some of the metal ones which can bend if stepped on too heavily. Be warned when exposed to direct hot sun the plastic softens and the steps give way. Apart from that they are very stable.
peedee
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It’s obvious really. Also those steps are too light in my view and need pegging.
We always used these and found them faultless - solid and didn’t sink in the mud. They only needed pegging on a couple of occasions. I recommend them.
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We had a plastic steps where the legs just went and they were not in any hot sun. It actually happened about ten years ago while away and we bought a metal one that is very study.
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We have a Milenco Giant Step. Would be interested to find out where and at what ambient temperatures the steps were subjected to! Been using ours since purchased four full camping seasons ago, spring, summer and autumn and experienced no deformation of it whilst in the UK. Never pegged it out and TBH I am no lightweight. There are cheaper look-a-likes on the market. Found it be far more stable than the metal ones that have legs that sink into any surface except concrete like hard standings. Have you brought this up with either supplier or manufacturer?
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You’ll notice the metal one I pictured has rails joining the legs together so they don’t sink.
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We have the larger milenco steps and found them to be okay. They are rather thick, but I will keep it in mind to be more aware in the hot weather like we've been having. we've been having.
Tinwheeler, we had the metal steps that you have shown, we had them for years untill the thin bits of metal and the rear joints all gave way at once so it maybe worth you checking.
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I don’t have them any more as I don’t have a caravan now, Joanie. You said you’d had them for years and it’s inevitable that things wear out over time. That’s why it pays to check things and ours were fine for the 10 years or so we used them.
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Found it be far more stable than the metal ones that have legs that sink into any surface except concrete like hard standings. Have you brought this up with either supplier or manufacturer?
I agree,, I have had mine a number of years without problems. The ones like TW describes are lethal on hard gravel, they make very good sledges unless you peg them down. If I can find the manufacturers address I will write to them. I cannot remember were I purchased it.
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We are considering a set of metal folding double tread steps, such as those produce by Maypole. Has anyone a set, or similar, and if so what are the pros and cons in their opinion?
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As I said, they only needed pegging on a couple of occasions and that was really to make them more dog friendly. No sledging for us.
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The ones like TW describes are lethal on hard gravel,
Why PD and in what way? I have metal ones and they are far more stable than the plastic one they replaced and certainly never sledge or move on hard standings.
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Just googled those, what came up looks very like the folding steps that we use at home in the kitchen. If they are the same then the legs would I think sink into soft ground. They are excellent steps though, fold nice and flat, easy to open and close, sturdy, quite heavy.
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For our previous van we purchased a single aluminium step similar to that posted by TW, we found it was prone to slip on a hard surface when the surface was wet. It was particularly lethal on some of the pitches that used to be at LMP in Chirk, and still used on some CCC sites..…a grid that was sunk in the grass, or a grid filled with gravel. It had to be pegged in place or it could easily slide in the wet when you stepped onto it.
Current van came with a single, large, heavy, plastic step with large, flat feet. Pegging holes in the feet, though we have only used pegs once.
17 years on, we are still using it, though I have had to mend one of the feet as it developed a crack.
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Every type of step was lethal on those awful plastic grid surfaces. They were plain dangerous and didn’t really catch on.
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Thanks @KjellNN that was what concerned me. If we stop on a pitch with those plastic surfaces I always peg down our step to ensure it does not move.
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@peedee - I have to say, I'm a bit surprised by what you say. We have been using that step for the last ten years - and before that, we had a set when we were caravanning 'between boats', about 25 years ago. Never had any problems at all. Indeed, the other day, they were in full sun - didn't have the awning up - and the steps were so hot it was very uncomfortable to step on them with bare feet - and no hint of distortion whatsoever. I wonder if yours are faulty?
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@peedee can you please clarify has this happened to you? Your post is unclear on this? If it has happened to you what are you replacing it with?
Hard plastics don't usually melt, think about plastic kettles.
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@peedee To help you out I've been doing some searches online. There appears to be virtually no reported cases of these steps melting. However they can fail over a long time like years but not to being melted by sunlight.
There is no widespread, documented issue of Milenco plastic steps melting in the sun; the product details for Milenco steps on platforms like Amazon UK do not mention this problem, with some steps being made from 100% recycled plastic. If you are experiencing this with your Milenco step, you should check the specific product details and contact the retailer or Milenco customer support for specific advice or a potential replacement, as it may be an isolated defect. Possible Reasons & Actions:
- Isolated Defect:You might have a faulty product, or the plastic has become brittle due to age or extreme UV exposure over a prolonged period.
- Incorrect Product:Ensure you are looking at the correct product, as there are aluminium and plastic versions available.
- Environmental Extremes:While designed for use outdoors, extremely high temperatures and intense UV radiation can stress any plastic product over time.
Hope this helps, and post back when you get a reply? It would be interesting.
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Contact details for the person dealing at Millenco could be a good idea, PD.
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That’s unfortunately vague in view of someone being the liaison with the factory🤷🏻♂️
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@peedee did they give any indication of when their discussion with the factory will be concluded and when they will get back to you?
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It is of no consquence @Tinwheeler, their offices are local to me and if necessary I can visit them. No time scale given @Cornersteady but I cannot image it will take a great deal of effort and time to do a heat test. They do claim they meet varies EN standards but whether that includes a heat test, I have no idea.
peedee
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@peedee how long had you had the steps?
A heat test? I would have thought that to do a fair test they would have to replicate the condition that resulted in your melting that is the heat absorbed by radiation from the sunlight? After all the air temperature would have been well under 25C or so in the UK this week and last, unless your melting occurred in the last heatwave? And why is the factory doing the test?
Let us know when you get an answer.
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We've had a Milenco Double Step, the standard one, for the past 11 years and its been outside the whole time in rain and shine.
We've also had a standard flat one in the garden for the past 6 years, that came with our last caravan, that I use when cutting the hedge. Neither has melted.
Sometime ago, I can't remember where but I think Practical Caravan magazine, there was an article on cheap counterfeit steps coming onto the market, and it showed how to distinguish them from the real thing. If I was betting man, I'd put money on any reported faulty step being counterfeit.
I also think members need to be very careful about reporting reputable companies as having faulty products without any hard evidence. I would have thought that the OP would have attached a photo of a melted step, and not one taken from the internet.
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@peedee when hard plastic deforms like this it is always permanent (mine is, we use it as a table now)) and remains elastic so you should be able take a photo of it bending under pressure again? Unless you're saying it is now rigid again?
Why not post the picture that you took sent to Millenco? Did you purchase it from a reputable dealer? I'm puzzled as to why did you choose an internet picture to post and not your own, but no matter?
You're away now so you're still using it or have you bought another one? If it gave way once I wouldn't trust it no matter what caused it.
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