Tobin,

sure you can clamber on to the stove top without the step, but the
makes it easer, and makes it possible to climb up without stepping on
stove top. And i have never barked my shin on it, it swings out of the
way when not in use, and is not in the way when in use.

Alistair

'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94

http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/

On 28-Aug-04, at 4:37 AM, Tobin Copley wrote:

> I don't want to knock anyone's interest in tinkering with their
> campers, but I have to say I've always been puzzled by this perceived
> need to build a step to get up to the upper bunk in a westy.  Isn't
> this a solution to a problem that doesn't exist?
>
> Both my kids have been clambering up and down without any problems
> since they were three years old, and as long as an adult doesn't wind
> up and bash the counter top by winding up and intentionally stomping
> down hard on it, I can't imagine damaging the westy counter by placing
> a bit of weight there from time to time.
>
> I have this sense that I am *seriously* missing something here.  Could
> someone explain to me why a step is needed?  Me, I know I'd be
> constantly clipping my shins on anything like a step that is bolted to
> the front table leg spot, so I'd want that thing the heck outta my
> way...
>
> Respectfully, and in the interest of shin pain avoidance,
>
> T.