Built in step for bed

We purchased a Rubbermaid, white, non-folding, two step, moulded plastic step stool. It is wide enough to span the width of the hallway and has large steps which can carry a lot of weight. No mistakes possible in the middle of the night.

It can be used as a seat if needed or flipped upside down on the bed in the daytime to be out of the way. In travel mode it can be upside down on the floor and filled with things.

We would rather be safe. We don't trust flimsy folders.

Peter and Martha
 

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We have a large dog so we were unable to find any steps that were practical and did not take up have the storage space. We bought an ottoman that matches the sofa at Kmart for about $20. At night we move it over to the bed and the dog is able to get up and down fine on his own. During the day we move to the other end ( living area). The top lifts off so there is additional storage for electronics etc.
 
Step Stool

Kokilo&Rvcycleguy:

Precisely what I am looking for. Would it be sold at one of the national chains?

Bob
 
ThePair said:
Bill, it would have to be removable to fold down the TM, no? I have zero clearance on top of the mattress for closing this otherwise
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The ladder frame doesn't have to be any more than about an inch thick, I don't think, and you could build it to fold either under or over the mattress. But if you truly have zero clearance, then I guess the ladder frame would have to be removable, by replacing the screwed-down strap hinges at the top with flat hooks that would simply drop over the edge of the mattress box. Then you could lift off the ladder frame at will, and carry it someplace like the bathtub. Anything of this sort makes it more difficult to get into the drawers, of course.

Bill
 
Bill said:
The ladder frame doesn't have to be any more than about an inch thick, I don't think, and you could build it to fold either under or over the mattress. But if you truly have zero clearance, then I guess the ladder frame would have to be removable, by replacing the screwed-down strap hinges at the top with flat hooks that would simply drop over the edge of the mattress box. Then you could lift off the ladder frame at will, and carry it someplace like the bathtub. Anything of this sort makes it more difficult to get into the drawers, of course.

Bill
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Of course, which is my biggest issue ;)

I'm working on a conceptual edit to what you've posted, I think it'll work. It's in the same vein, but (in concept) allows for the works to fold flat against the wall, replacing the door under the bed. In fact, if I can find the right parts, in concept it could open like the door does... in the worse case scenario, it'll just flip up to access the space beneath. I still need to work out measurements (which I can't get until I can access my TM in the spring) and wander the halls of Lowes/HD/Menards to see if they have stock similar to what I need. I have only the most rudimentary of tools for making stuff, so I'll need to find things that can be easily adapted. That'll likely be the hardest part... but I have time.
 
I am looking at something like the very rough sketch attached. It is essentially a vertically folding ladder that would fold up against the bathroom wall when not needed leaving the drawers unblocked. You could use HD velcro to hold it to the bathroom wall and to hold the ladder in the closed position. When open the structural load would be supported by the legs on the floor and tip over prevented by the over the bed edge supports. For closing, it could be stored on the floor in an unused area. There are some boat ladders that use this principle and could be modified to work.
 

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That's the idea!!

hillbillyhotel said:
now folks
this is thinking outside the box, do not lose the storage box, but what about the door it'self, being made into the step, mybe somekind of fold out ,then folds up and makes the door, not that i would ever get around to it, but it does make me think.;)
Click to expand...

That is what I am talking about. You wouldn't loose that much storage. Just the door part. If you incorporate the steps into the door, which closes then you have it. You have to store the steps any way and that is where we store ours.:D
 
That Cool

Bill said:
I'm thinking that trying to make the steps fold into the storage cabinet may make things harder than they have to be. Why not make it fold up flat onto the bed? I whomped up a quick sketch of another idea.

Basically, you build a conventional ladder, with three rungs. The bottom end rests on the floor; the top end is hinged, so it can swing over on top of the mattress (or under it - your choice).

Now make two flat stair treads, attached to each other on their sides with swing arms. Put hooks on the back of each, to hook over the rungs in the ladder. When you take them off the ladder, the treads fold down flat.

This diagram needs some tweaking, of course, but to me it is a quick idea that shouldn't be too hard to build.

Comments?

Bill
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Now we are thinking people. Great idea Bill. TrailManor could take it the next step....LOL Get it next step:biglaugh: What if you cut a hole into the bed frame, a box of sort so when you are not using it the ladder/step would slide into the bed. It would have its own compartment and wouldn't take away from the storage compartment.
 
Bob -

I like it! I like it a lot! In most ways it is better than my idea. The only good thing about mine was that it had wide treads, which someone asked for (dogs?) I see no reason why yours couldn't have them, too, for anyone who needs them.

My sketch was better, though ...:)

Bill
 
I love rumbleweed's design, started on something like that last year, but the new mattress and DW's requirement that it be foolproof for the dog to use made it impractical. Sadly.

Sliding into a compartment like the ramp on a moving truck would be great if TM had engineered it in the first place.

Obviously there's no one-size-fits-all, but for me I think a door replacement will be my best option... Until I try to build it, that is :p

Going to have to check out Lowes...
 
How about the lower half of the storage door, hinged at the top, that swings out. It has 4 legs attached with hinge on inside (square tubular aluminum) that fold out to provide support. To store, the legs fold back against the inside of that lower door half. Would only need to give up about 1" behind the door for this. Upper half of door would still have 2 hinges on left side for opening entire door to access storage.
 
We made 2 removable steps to get into the bed of our 2720SD which helps us and our aging dog when she wants to be with the pack. When not needed they are stored in the closet. (The steps, not the dogs!) All I did was to cut 2 pieces of plywood covered in carpeting for traction, one side slides between the bottom and middle drawer on the left and the other slides between the top and middle drawer. For support on the right I screwed 3/4 x 3/4 inch support pieces to the bathroom wall. Granted there is no access to the drawers and back cabinet when the steps are in place but both steps can be easily removed if needed. We love how easy they are to put in and take out, makes getting into the bed very easy too, even with a recent knee replacement.

We haven't seen a problem with the weight on the drawers yet but we don't do jumping jacks on them either. With both steps in place the weight is distributed across the width of both drawers. I am more concerned about the other side but they seem to be holding up OK too. Everything folds down and you can still access the electrical panel if needed once the steps are removed. The only real problem is access to the drawers or back cabinet but the steps are so easily removed that this hasn't really been a problem.

I actually have to raise up the middle drawer to make room for the bottom step then I have to raise up the top drawer to make room for the top step. I didn't have any extra room between the drawers and with ours, there is no slipping at all. I was surprised but it is a very tight fit. I was initially even considering shaving down the edges of the plywood some so they would fit easier but that wasn't needed. As one of my engineering professors once told me, KISS (keep it simple stupid!)

Hope this helps.
 
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Wow, Yoda, sure like this idea and it sounds so simple.
What thickness of plywood did you use?
Got any pictures to share?
Hmm. Something else to ad to the list of "To Dos".

Karen
 
klv5920 said:
Wow, Yoda, sure like this idea and it sounds so simple.
What thickness of plywood did you use?
Got any pictures to share?
Hmm. Something else to ad to the list of "To Dos".

Karen
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Hi Karen
I used 3/4 inch cabinet grade ply just because I had it laying around. The lower step is 14 inches deep and the top is 10 inches but I had to add a piece of hard wood to the back of the 10 inch piece because it was bowing. Also, the electrical panel is right where the lower step goes so I had to pull the cover off and apply support strips vertically to it to allow access to the panel. This was just a trial run to see if it would work. The next step is to make it look like it belongs there. Hope this helps Karen.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7304&stc=1&d=1335878707
 

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yoda911 said:
Hi Karen
I used 3/4 inch cabinet grade ply just because I had it laying around. The lower step is 14 inches deep and the top is 10 inches but I had to add a piece of hard wood to the back of the 10 inch piece because it was bowing. Also, the electrical panel is right where the lower step goes so I had to pull the cover off and apply support strips vertically to it to allow access to the panel. This was just a trial run to see if it would work. The next step is to make it look like it belongs there. Hope this helps Karen.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7304&stc=1&d=1335878707
Click to expand...

This is the most interesting idea I have seen so far. Ever since I started reading this post I have thought I really don't like either step we have now.

1. My only real concern is the weight being put on the drawers, have you noticed any issues with the drawers holding the extra weight yet?

2. They already look pretty good what are you thinking of doing to make them look better?

3. I assume you have checked if the wardrobe folds down with the strips on the electric center?
 
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