How to Install Kwikee Electric Steps

Kwikee electric steps are used to improve accessibility in and out of RVs. The company uses the latest technology and manufacturing techniques and, as a result, has grown into the top manufacturer of steps for travel trailers, fifth wheels, motor coaches, campers and vans. Many of these vehicles come with the steps already installed. However, if you need to put electric steps in that are operated by a door switch and power switch, it is possible to handle the installation yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• Harness plastic loom
• Electrical tape
• Connector
• Wires
• Wire ties
• Flashlight
• Electric drill
• 3/8-inch drill and a round file
• White 16 gauge wire
• Wire strippers and cutters
• Crimper for terminals

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Instructions

• 1

  Hold the wiring harness' black plastic loom. Wrap electrical tape around it, spacing it 10 to 12 inches apart.

• 2

  Plug the wiring harness from the RV battery into the four-way connector that ends at the electric step.

• 3

  Install the step if it hasn't already been mounted. The directions are included with the step mounting brackets.

• 4

  Carry the brown wire from the harness to the door switch. Attach it to the switch via the blue connector.

  If there are loose wires, tie them with wire ties to keep them out of the way.

• 5

  Go under the vehicle hood. Use a flashlight to light the area sufficiently. Thread the yellow and white wires from the harness, along with one end of the 16 gauge wire (not supplied), through the firewall and into the compartment on the passenger side. You can do this by drilling a hole for the wires or by putting the wires through the existing rubber grommet around the speedometer cable.

• 6

  Find a spot on the dashboard to drill a 15/32-inch diameter hole. This is where you will place the override switch. Check to see if there is enough room behind the hole to mount the switch before you drill. Drill the hole but don't mount the switch.

• 7

  Route both of the white wires to the spot where you will be mounting the power switch. Cut them so they are just slightly longer than needed. Use the 1/4-inch blue female push to connect the terminals. Secure loose wires with wire ties.

• 8

  Install the override switch through the hole from the back. Screw in the face plate.

• 9

  Thread the yellow wire to the RV's fuse block. Cut it to that length. Take the orange wire on the 5 amp fuse holder and cut it halfway across the loop. Put a 1/4-inch male push on the terminal and crimp it. Touch the other lead to the yellow wire, through a blue butt connector. Put electrical tape around this connection to secure it. Route the wire to the ignition fuse block (look for the IGN marking). You can also connect it to another terminal, as long as it is hot only when the ignition is started.

• 10

  Go back under the vehicle's hood. Bring the other end of the white 16 gauge wire from the switch to the vehicle battery. Trim the red and white wires to length, so there is no slack.

• 11

  Slice the orange wire on the remaining 5 amp fuse holder halfway across the loop. Put a 5/16-inch ring terminal on one lead of the fuse holder and crimp it. Use a blue butt connector to connect the other lead and white wire. Tape up the connection with electrical tape.

• 12

  Grab the 20 amp fuse holder. Cut the wire loop halfway across the loop. Crimp a yellow 5/16-inch ring terminal to one lead from the harness to the red wire. Use a yellow butt connector. Tape up the connection.

• 13

  Attach the white and red wires to the battery terminal's positive end.

• 14

  Go to the Kwikee electric steps. Pick up the four-way Packard-style connector that is attached to the wiring harness. Attach it to the connector at the step control unit. Reconnect the battery on the RV.

• 15

  Test the steps. Close the door with the override step off. The step should fold up. Open the door to make sure it extends. When the door is open, turn on the switch. The step should stay extended once the door is closed again.