What a stupid situation, you want to set off from your parking space to the next destination and then the step doesn’t want to retract. All pushing and pulling does nothing, the step does not move a millimeter. Continuing the journey is so difficult, but fortunately there is a quick and easy help. Why this isn’t in the Grand California’s owner’s manual defies logic, in my opinion.
Thule, the manufacturer of the step, has thought for exactly this case. The step can be retracted manually in two simple steps and secured against retraction during travel.
To do this, these three steps must be performed:
- Deactivate automatic step control via the CamperUnit or on the dashboard.
- The step mechanism is located on the underside of the step, if you risk a look from below you can see two screws, each secured with a cotter pin. This cotter pin can be removed by hand or with a key, which serves as a lever. The respective guide rail can then be unhooked and placed in the center of the step box.
- Once you have carried out the steps from point 2, the step can be retracted manually. There is one more thing to consider though, if you were to just push the step in like that and drive off, it would probably thunder back out in the first left turn. But Thule has had an idea for that too. A manual holder is clicked into the step from below, you can remove this and hook it in when the step is retracted. The step stays inside and you can drive with peace of mind.
The whole thing should help you without tools and in need to continue your journey.
