Solid Steps installation warning

[AndrewRH]

I just wanted to share a cautionary tale for everyone about what happened to me when installing the Lippert Solid Step stairs on our 2017 JayFlight SLX 212QBW.. I bought the stairs online a couple of months ago, but have been too busy to install them, until last Saturday. All was going well and the installation is actually really easy. I drilled the first two holes for the bolts, put them through to the underside of the trailer, tightened the bolts to the plate that fits underneath and lifted the stairs into the door to adjust the handle that locks the steps into the door frame. So far, so good.. my son was helping and this looked like it was going to be an easy install. All we had left to do was drill the holes and install the six remaining bolts. I put my drill bit onto the hole not more than two inches away from the bolt I installed on the left side and started to drill the hole. As my drill bit went through, my son said, "Uh, Dad.. there's water coming out." I glanced down and yes there was WATER leaking out from the hole I just drilled. I thought to myself, "Oh GREAT! This is exactly what I *didn't* need." So, we lowered the stairs back down and I went into the trailer to turn on the water pump. I flipped the switch and sure enough, water started to flow from the hole I had just drilled...
Two things that baffle me in this experience. One: Why did Jayco run a water line that close to the door threshold? and Two: how did my previous two drill holes completely miss that water line?? I mean, the first hole is parallel and less than two inches away! The only thing we could figure out is that the line must make a U right there??
I don't know why the water line was located there, but I do know my repair limitations and now my trailer is at the Jayco dealer having the water line fixed and finishing my stair installation. So be careful installing those steps as it may end up costing you more than you anticipated!
BTW: The Lippert Solid Steps are great, no complaints. Just my dumb luck.

[nfisherman]

Don’t feel bad. Back when I cared about such things, I installed an amplifier for my truck stereo. I drilled into a fuel line above the gas tank. I had to have it towed to the shop to have them drop the tank and replace the line.

Maybe you just go lucky with those first couple of holes. Those pipes are pretty flexible. The drill bit might have pushed it out of the way until you hit it dead on and punctured it. Good luck.

[Learjet]

you gave up to easily...you can make a flap in the underbelly, then repair with zip ties and underbelly tape once through....once you made the flap, you could cut the hole out of the pex and repaired with a slip on sharkbit fitting and be able to see where you are drilling.