Doggy steps part 1

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We have been snowbirds for several years and we are on our annual northern migration. This of coarse includes the dog. As the seasons pass Time takes it's toll. Our dog is no exception. She is developing hip problems and can no longer jump into the vehicles. My solution was to not take the dog but SWMBO thought a better solution would be to leave me behind.

So the doggy ladder project begins.

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My first Idea was to use a sheet of chipboard covered with a piece of repurposed carpet pad. The chipboard was from a curb find water bed. The frame & headboard were 6 quarter X 11'' cherry or cherry like boards. The board was heavy, hard to handle and would spring up & down when the dog tried to walk up the incline. This didn't work out the dog refused to use it.

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Again my suggestion was to leave the dog. I won't repeat my wifes response. So in the spirit of cooperation the doggy steps were developed. The treads were salvaged from a particle board entertainment center and the stringers were from a pallet.

My suggestion to anyone thinking about salvaging a pallet. Forget it and grab a cold one.

The steps worked well for the dog, she had no problem with them. But they were again heavy and not very portable. they took up a lot of room in the back of the SUV and were not nearly tall enough to work with the pickup.

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After a impromptu workshop brainstorming session with several friends that included a 12 pack of adult beverage. The doggy folding steps idea was developed (good thing none of us had to drive home).
The stringers were 7/8 in straight grained white oak left over from a previous project. the treads were a little less than 1/2 in plywood from a garage sale. The brace pieces under the treads were cut from hard birdseye maple flooring cutoffs the only purchase was 20 3/16 tapered head bolts and stop nuts.

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It appears that I have reached my 5 picture limit. Post will continue in doggy steps part 2