Tailgate step?

[JohnnyR38]

I received the TrekStep for Father's Day and just finished the install. With my basic tools, it took about 2 hours. It is not complicated, but the biggest PITA is getting the bed bolt back in. It would be much easier if the step frame had a hole to allow an extension to get through. I'm a pretty lean guy and there is not a lot of room to get an arm between the frame and the body. It is also kind of tough to see if you are laying on the ground like I was. I had to do a lot of it by feel followed up with a visual inspection.

If you have a wide frame for your 2" hitch and you want the step to be under the truck as far as possible, I recommend using both shims. Adding shims is very early in the install and, because of the design, they are difficult to add or remove once the step frame is mounted. I used one shim, but it was not enough to keep the step from hitting the hitch frame, so I moved the step out a little more than I originally wanted to. I will probably go back and add the second shim at some point for the aesthetics of having the step be less visable, but the step works great and the 10 y.o. daughter and 5' tall wife both like it.

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[mURmECH]

Agreed. Let's face it... folks like this stuff "just because".

What I don't understand, and perhaps somebody can enlighten me on this, is the step is nearly unusable when getting back out of the truck... it's tucked up against the truck so tight you can't even see it.

I use this 2 step stool ladder... $20 at Home Depot. Also works great for washing windows and a myriad of other tasks.

Or if $20 isn't enough, spend $38 on the 3 step model

But if I'm out and about and not at home I find the step bumper works.. or the rear tire... and I'm 58 years young.

We have the same ladder lol, I’ve been using mine since 2015.

I have duals so getting this would interfere with it, need something towards centerline or a little left or right of it.

 

[Mark]

Isn’t there an installation video online somewhere?

 

[Gazmic]

Isn’t there an installation video online somewhere?

I couldn't find one specific to the ranger two months ago when I installed mine. It's not very difficult and you've got us if you have any questions.

 

[Mark]

I couldn't find one specific to the ranger two months ago when I installed mine. It's not very difficult and you've got us if you have any questions.

Thanks. Thought I had seen one but can’t find it now...

 

[Mark]

Thanks. Thought I had seen one but can’t find it now...

I’m installing the frame mount to linkage assembly. The M6 X 40mm screw with washer does not thread all the way through. It stops about 1/2”up. The shank of the screw is not threaded all the way to the head. There’s no way it will screw down tight.

 

[Pvsaint]

I’m installing the frame mount to linkage assembly. The M6 X 40mm screw with washer does not thread all the way through. It stops about 1/2”up. The shank of the screw is not threaded all the way to the head. There’s no way it will screw down tight.

Put the two shims in place and the screw will go in all the way. Adding the shims does not make the step much lower.

 

[Big Blue]

Put the two shims in place and the screw will go in all the way. Adding the shims does not make the step much lower.

 

[Big Blue]

Funny, I've seen this elsewhere in this thread. So, I watched it watched it when I installed mine. Mine tightened up just fine without any shims.

 

[Mark]

Funny, I've seen this elsewhere in this thread. So, I watched it watched it when I installed mine. Mine tightened up just fine without any shims.

I think they’ve included the wrong screw. Diagram shows a screw threaded to the head. This one has about a 1/2” unthreaded shank. I’m going to call Bestop help desk Monday

 

[JoeC]

Yup, that's what I think they did.
I don't think it REALLY matters, as that screw is more for alignment than holding anything.
I thought about going to the hardware store for a shorter screw, but I installed with both shims, so the screw would seat.
I don't regret it, the extra space gives me room to use my foot to lower the step.
But, that's just me.

 

[Mark]

Yup, that's what I think they did.
I don't think it REALLY matters, as that screw is more for alignment than holding anything.
I thought about going to the hardware store for a shorter screw, but I installed with both shims, so the screw would seat.
I don't regret it, the extra space gives me room to use my foot to lower the step.
But, that's just me.

Thanks

 

[Rick - Saber]

Here is a tail gate ladder system.

https://www.amazon.com/Traxion-5-10...tailgate+bike+pad&qid=1595243607&sr=8-58&th=1

 

[KnightRanger]

I guess third time‘s the charm.
My first order from Amazon, turned out to be for an F150,
The 2nd was missing the upper bracket.
So Third...I ordered straight from Bestop.

Anyway,...It works well and holds my weight (198-200lbs).
Just a smidgen higher when folded, compared to the bottom center of
the oem hitch.

One thing worth mentioning is that, I had to remove one of my Baja S2 aux rear light because it would interfere with the step. ( not a big deal atm )

 

[JimJa]

My concern was ice/snow/slush build up, inhibiting operation. This happens with Ford's step (the one in front of the rear tire). The Trek Step is directly in the path of that slush. Where I live winter lasts from November through Mid-May, really beginning in January. Currently there is only about a foot of snow on the ground with some salt and slush on the highways. So far I'm impressed - the step is working fine. The real test will come in the next few months when the real snow arrives, and in the spring during the melt. The build up will be significant ATT.

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