This prompts a question I've been mulling over. I gather not having the steps touching the ground is for 2 purposes?:
1.) Preventing debris from getting on the steps that necessitates continual cleaning.
2.) Preventing an access route into your habitat by various creatures.
My question is how do you compensate for uneven or sloping ground? Getting a consistent 'last step' to the ground? I could see myself half asleep (or 2 glasses of wine) or focused on scanning the surrounds (I'm a situational awareness kind of guy) as I exit the habitat and falling flat on my face
I went with steps that didn't touch the ground because I've watched visiting trucks set up ladders that either clip to the side of the truck or stand alone and then the occupants climb up and down whilst hanging on for dear life or looking decididly wobbily. Not only that my wife is not as sure footed as I and wanted something decent to climb in and out of. She also made the point that when stopped we could be in and out of the truck quite a lot and a steep ladder is not a good long term prospect (which is a fair call).
I took quite a bit of time to work out how high each step needed to be, how many were needed and what angle worked best. The height from the ground to the first step (on flat ground) matches each following step up to the interior. By floating above ground, it also allows us to park on rough ground without having to level a pad for clip on steps. Our steps are quite shallow with decent step plates, and we are both now very used to going up and down them carrying stuff without the need for a hand rail.
I see the positives as having a secure set of good comfortable steps to use all the time, having them stowed inside keeps them out of the weather when traveling, having them clear of the ground means they work everywhere, gas strut assisted so very easy to use, can still be in the folded or unfolded position with the door closed.
I see the negatives as not being able to depart quickly without having to go outside and fold the steps in, possibly restrictive in tight spaces, and not being able to automatically fold or unfold them without having to have the door open.
Here's a better pic prior to paint.
There is a further single step inside the Hab Box which forms a sunken 'well' )which will have sealable floor vents in) for sweeping the floor into, and also be a good place for leaving shoes over night.
