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Subject Topic: Caravan Step Post Reply Post New Topic
16/9/2023 at 10:36am
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Bailey Brindisi
View Whippetlover's Profile View Profile   Reply to Whippetlover Reply   Quote Whippetlover Quote  
Joined: 26/6/2006

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Hi,

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

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“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 ❤️


16/9/2023 at 12:23pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2015

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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.


16/9/2023 at 12:50pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View blueexpo97's Profile View Profile   Reply to blueexpo97 Reply   Quote blueexpo97 Quote  
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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.

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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.


via mobile 16/9/2023 at 3:46pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 520
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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!


16/9/2023 at 3:51pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
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My dog was a little suspicious the first time she trod on the steps, but once assured all was well, never had an issue with them again.


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16/9/2023 at 7:23pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Bailey Brindisi
View Whippetlover's Profile View Profile   Reply to Whippetlover Reply   Quote Whippetlover Quote  
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Thank you everyone, especially Monty15 for such a comprehensive review and link x

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“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 ❤️


16/9/2023 at 7:52pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
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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.

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Best Regards,
Colin


via mobile 17/9/2023 at 7:31am
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
 Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai
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Think ours is the same Colin. Our dogs didn't have a problem either but agree about the feet.


via mobile 17/9/2023 at 10:18am
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
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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.

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2024 = 18 sites / 38 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


17/9/2023 at 10:28am
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Bailey Brindisi
View Whippetlover's Profile View Profile   Reply to Whippetlover Reply   Quote Whippetlover Quote  
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Thank you for all your comments, great help 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 ❤️


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24/9/2023 at 4:41pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View ratcatcher's Profile View Profile   Reply to ratcatcher Reply   Quote ratcatcher Quote  
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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.


25/9/2023 at 6:33am
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 560
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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.

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Pixie


25/9/2023 at 9:35pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Bailey Brindisi
View Whippetlover's Profile View Profile   Reply to Whippetlover Reply   Quote Whippetlover Quote  
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Great advice on the Milenco double step, it’s fab! Thanks everyone x

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“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 ❤️


31/8/2024 at 5:11pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Eriba Famila 320
View 74giggles's Profile View Profile   Reply to 74giggles Reply   Quote 74giggles Quote  
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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.

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Stroke & brain tumour warrior
owner of a 1991 Eriba caravan



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