In this video I remove my old folding RV entry steps and replace them with the Lippert Solid Step Storage Box. I also explain why I decided to modify the installation process, avoiding the need to drill into my frame and making things a little bit easier. I’d like to thank Lippert for providing their Solid Step Storage Box free of charge in exchange for my honest feedback on the product!

INSTALL PREP

Why I’m Adding the Storage Box Removal of Old Entry Steps My Installation Expectations My Modified Installation Plan

INSTALLATION

Drilling Box Holes Mounting & Hardware Installation So How Stable is the Modified Install? Final Thoughts

Unboxing & Overview of Specs

In my previous video I talked about how if you were upgrading from the old fold-under-the-rig-style step to the new style and you weren’t going to be using your old steps anymore, you could actually remove those from your rig and fill that empty space with some pretty cool storage solutions from both Lippert and MORryde.

Well, Lippert reached out to me once again to see if I’d be interested in testing out their Solid Step Storage Box and I said “What the hey Stu… send it on over.”

I received the 30 pound package and inside I found it to be very well protected with multiple layers of heavy duty bubble wrap. The actual box weighs in at around 25 pounds and Lippert says it’s rated to hold a hundred pounds of your stuff. It’s made of steel and is covered in a durable black powder coat. It also includes a sealed locking handle with two keys. I found the mounting bracket, hardware and keys packed loose inside the box.

It was now time to install…

INSTALL PREP

Why I’m Adding the Storage Box Since our front door had a new-style step installed from the factory, there was no empty space to fill there, but our rig did come with the old-style step installed on the back door and, since we rarely ever used the back steps, I thought shedding some weight and adding some extra storage space back there seemed like an awesome idea.

Removal of Old Entry Steps

Removing the old steps was a very simple process. There were two carriage bolts on each side of the step. I used a deep 9/16″ socket on my impact to loosen three of the four nuts, but I had to use a wrench on one of them due to the tight quarters.

Once I had all four nuts loose, I removed just the back two bolts. This allowed me to pivot the steps away from the rig for better leverage. I then carefully removed just the nuts from the front while leaving the bolts in place to support the weight of the steps.

At this point I was able to position myself under the steps so I could support them fully. I relieved the weight from the bolts, popped out one, and then had my lovely assistant and camera woman remove the final bolt. With the steps in my lap I carefully lowered them to the ground and that was that.

My Installation Expectations I was expecting an easy plug-and-play swap where I just mount the box to the step brackets using the four carriage bolts and nuts that were holding the steps on originally. But no… Lippert’s instructions want you to drill eight holes into your frame’s i-beam to attach the mounting bracket. Then they want you to hang the box from the mounting bracket using the two riveted tabs on the back. Then they want you to further secure the box to the bracket using four little quarter inch flange bolts. This seemed like total overkill for my application. Now, there are probably other factors here that I’m unaware of that the engineers had to take into account when they were designing this. Maybe differences between brands or different size rigs, or maybe even the way in which the box was manufactured. But for my specific situation it seemed like an overcomplicated installation process and it didn’t make much sense for me. So I decided to switch things up a bit.

My Modified Installation Plan Since my old steps weighed 50-plus pounds and they’re also rated to support 300 pounds, I thought it was reasonable to assume the old brackets could support a 25 pound box with a 100 pounds of weight capacity. With this in mind I decided the simplest thing to do would be to drill two holes in each side of the box and hang it from the old brackets with four carriage bolts, just like the old steps were. As I test fitted everything I also decided it would be best to attach Lippert’s mounting bracket to the back of the box so it could rest against the frame and provide some additional support. It looked like the bottom row of holes on my existing step bracket would be the best ones to use so I marked their locations on the box. I made sure that the mounting bracket was pressed flush against the frame rail so there was no tilt and everything would be even front to back. Another thing I noticed is that there would be a significant gap between the side of the box and the existing step brackets. To remedy this I picked up four 3/8″ inch spacers, and to compensate for the extra width, four new stainless steel carriage bolts that were 3/8″ longer than my old ones. I also used twelve 3/8″ stainless steel fender washers which I thought would not only provide a little extra spacing but also a more even load distribution.

INSTALLATION

Drilling Box Holes After checking, double checking, and triple checking that the marks were in the right spot, I used a 3/8″ bit to drill the holes in one side of the box. To ensure the other side was an exact mirror I then measured, double measured, and triple measured these holes and applied those same measurements to the other side. I then drilled the final two holes.

Mounting & Hardware Installation

Once all four holes were drilled, it was time to bolt everything in. The order of hardware for all four holes was bolt through the step bracket… then washer… then spacer… then another washer… then through the box… then another washer… and finally the nut.

I torqued down everything pretty tightly and then I was done.

So How Stable is the Modified Install?

So how stable was the box after this modified installation? Well, I was able to do push-ups on it with no movement. Then I was able to stand on it. Then I was able to use it as a step for going in and out of the rig. Then I was able to work out vigorously on it. I pulled and jerked and pushed the box with all of my strength and even jumped up and down on it. But nothing I could do would move the box. So yeah, I’m hoping it’ll hold 100 pounds.

Final Thoughts

The new box is awesome. It looks so much better than the old steps and I’m excited to see how it holds up. We’re going to be keeping all of our ratcheting straps, bungees and other tools we use for loading up and strapping down our car in the garage on travel days.

I’m also super stoked that it can still be used as a step for getting in and out of the garage on the rare occasion we need to.

If you’re interested in learning how to upgrade your old wobbly RV step to the new style so you can also install one of these storage boxes, check that out HERE.

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