Should a 4-Step Scissor Step be Used or 5-Step to Decrease the Distance Between Steps

Updated 12/29/2016 | Published 12/28/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Brophy Camper Scissor Steps - 4 Steps - Steel - Diamond Tread - 17" Wide - 275 lbs

(324)

$306.41

Folding Hand Rail for Brophy RV Scissor Stairs - 4 Steps - Aluminum

(59)

$145.93

Question:

We have a height of 32 inches so the four step would be the proper steps to order according to the information you have provided. The step height for each step is 8 inches fully extended. If the steps are not fully extended due to less distance covered would this reduce the step height and would the steps still be level. In other words could we buy the 5 step to make the step height between steps only 5 inches or do rather than 8 inches. Or since the 4 step goes up to 40 inches at 32 inches what is the step height. Thank you for your response.

asked by: Rosemarie

Expert Reply:

If you pulled out steps # SS04 to a height of 32 inches you would be looking at a step distance of 6 inches or so. The more steps there are in this kind of staircase the less distance (height) it will have to be pulled out, and the closer the steps will be together. The downside is that the less the steps are pulled out the less depth there will be (front to back) before the step above starts to overlap the step below it. That can create a tripping hazard going up and a cause you to miss a step going down. So keep that in mind.

What I recommend is to use a 4-step model and add hand rail # AHR4. I have linked a video featuring the hand rail for you.

expert reply by: Michael H