Collecting our new caravan (Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Brindisi) on Friday and have been advised that although all new caravans come with a step, we will probably want to get something more substantial.
We have whippets that need to get in and out (as well as me, a bit dilapidated lol) so want something that will help us all not fall over or damage ourselves.
Any medium sized dog and caravan owners out there that can help please, ideally with pics or links?
TIA
TCx
------------- “It is great to be a blonde. With low expectations it's very easy to surprise people.”
Vango and Outwell Tents > VW Camper and various Vango and Outwell awnings dependent on stay location and duration > Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Brindisi and Vango Air Awning.
Found our Nivana ❤️
I've got a Border Collie, and my caravan came bundled with a plastic '2 tread' step along with all the other 'essentials' on purchase, I believe it's a Millenco one, or near identical. Looks like this: https://www.towsure.com/milenco-mgi-double-plastic-step Link only for illustration, available elsewhere.
It's worked well for me and the mutt for over 5 years now.
Good points are:
Large feet 'foot print' area so it doesn't sink easily into soft ground. I've used it on ground that is generally 'squelchy' underfoot without any problem.
No open riser behind first step for over excited dog to accidentally slip a paw/leg through (broken leg, torn ligaments, ripped claws etc. bad enough but disaster on holiday!)
Good tread area so easy to step on, and good heavily textured surface to give grip to wet/mud/grass covered shoes. Texture is not so bad that it's uncomfortable to bare feet or for the dog.
Good wide treads, so can get two feet on easily - handy when using to reach awning rail when fitting awning etc.
Very stable and no 'wobble' or movement under foot.
All plastic so easy to wash down to clean off mud etc. and no fear of corrosion, also quick to dry.
Not found any bad points to it! Only comment is, my van door is very narrow, so have to turn on side to fit through doorway.
The alternative tubular frame types have small feet and are prone to sink into soft ground, although you can buy 'big' feet as an accessory or make some DIY pads to improve!
I don't like the open riser design, too easy to slip a foot off a muddy tread into the gap, and even worse for the dog, with whatever injury that brings!
They are usually steel, so will rust in time once coating gets a few chips in it.
Usually only a lightly textured rubber 'mat' on tread, so potentially more slippery than above plastic type step when wet or mud/grass covered.
I didn't have to make the choice, the IMHO superior plastic step came with the van, but if buying a step, I'd opt for the plastic one again without hesitation, but would ensure it was a heavy duty one like the Millenco rather than a flimsy one if such things are offered.
We have the Milenco double step and have had for years.
Our dogs hate the open holes on the step and would jump over the step into and out of the van.
Cured this by putting an artificial grass door mat on it, no jumping required now.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We too have the double step mentioned above. Much more stable than other types and our dogs (one a bit elderly) cope with it fine. However, our previous dog disliked the holes so we got a cheap rubber mat, cut it in half and put it over the steps - problem solved!
Thank you everyone, especially Monty15 for such a comprehensive review and link x
------------- “It is great to be a blonde. With low expectations it's very easy to surprise people.”
Vango and Outwell Tents > VW Camper and various Vango and Outwell awnings dependent on stay location and duration > Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Brindisi and Vango Air Awning.
Found our Nivana ❤️
We have a metal, tubular, double step we bought from Aldi. I think it's a Blue Diamond make. It is very stable, and our previous dog which was an Australian Terrier, coped with it no problem. Only thing I would say against it is that it probably wouldn't be very good on boggy ground unless something was put under the feet, which are quite small.
Not a caravan step (it’s a MH one that opens out), but our wee cocker spaniel prefers to jump over it, her slightly bigger predecessor was the same. I’ve read (as others have said) that dogs don’t like open treads.
------------- “It is great to be a blonde. With low expectations it's very easy to surprise people.”
Vango and Outwell Tents > VW Camper and various Vango and Outwell awnings dependent on stay location and duration > Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Brindisi and Vango Air Awning.
Found our Nivana ❤️
We have the milenco double step and it is the jumbo width so very stable for OH who is disabled, our yorkie is tiny so I have glued a black carpet tile on the treads to cover the holes (one tile cut in half does both treads)
Great piece of kit.
We also have the double plastic Milenco step and find it great for us. When my mum used to come with us, we had the extra wide version which was great for her. Now that she is unable to come with us due to health issues and general frailty, we bought the smaller version which is easier to get in and out of the caravan and perfect for us.
Great advice on the Milenco double step, it’s fab! Thanks everyone x
------------- “It is great to be a blonde. With low expectations it's very easy to surprise people.”
Vango and Outwell Tents > VW Camper and various Vango and Outwell awnings dependent on stay location and duration > Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Brindisi and Vango Air Awning.
Found our Nivana ❤️
We bought a double step, thinking it would be better but due to my mobility problems,I struggled with it, I bought a Fiamma single and hooray I can get in and out ok, not very elegantly I must add.
------------- Stroke & brain tumour warrior
owner of a 1991 Eriba caravan
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Topic: Caravan Step
via mobile 16/9/2023 at 3:46pm
