Retracting steps acting up

[Flash]

We just completed a week of camping, going in and out of our 2006 Winnebago Voyage. The steps were "off" so they stayed out the entire week. After starting the engine to pull in the slides and such in they continued to work well, opening and closing with the door.

Then, the last time they needed to do their job, when we got in to drive away they did not go up entirely. They went up about 3/4 of the way and then made a horrible loud clicking or clattering sound.

We made it home opening and closing the steps as little as possible. Even when I went out the drivers door and 'helped' them up, they would go up but then would make this horrible sound.

It sounds like gears clattering. It is not a pleasant sound and I am assuming that whatever damage is being done each time the sound is made is worse each time.

Any ideas on where to start? We are supposed to go out again next week so I don't have a lot of time to figure this out.

Thanks in advance for all your wisdom!