Does anyone use a tire step to help you get in and out of the truck bed when hooking up the gooseneck? Do they work okay? I'm talking about the metal frame that fits over your tire and has a step for you. I am wanting one of these to help me get in and out of my truck bed easier but wanted to see if anyone knew pros or cons on using one. Thanks!
Posted 2008-03-24 7:01 PM (#80289 - in reply to #80276) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I'm an old guy that's not too agile. Getting in and out of the truck bed is difficult for me. I've looked at several of the steps you described and found a large discrepancy in their construction. Some are built very well, some are light weight aluminum frames that inspire no confidence in holding my weight.
I use my six foot ladder along side the truck. If I need to get onto the trailer roof, once I'm inside the bed, I lift the ladder into the bed and climb on up. It's a simple process and involves one less object to purchase and store.
Posted 2008-03-24 7:06 PM (#80291 - in reply to #80289) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Veteran
Posts: 136 Location: Alabama
Thanks for the idea but I guess I'm even less agile than you because all I can see is that ladder falling on my truck and scraping the paint and then of course, me busting my *** either on my truck bed or the ground.
Can you give me some brand names of tire steps that you found were well built?
Posted 2008-03-24 7:47 PM (#80297 - in reply to #80276) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
One reason the ladder works well for me, is that I can step into the bed upright, ahead of the trailer nose. With the tire step, you enter adjacent to the trailer and have little room between the bed side and the bottom of the trailer's goose area. You actually have to climb on and off of it at an angle to clear the trailer nose.
I've seen three and except for the one I didn't like, Harbor Freight, I never knew the brand names. Sorry
Posted 2008-03-24 8:48 PM (#80303 - in reply to #80276) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Regular
Posts: 90 Location: louisiana
I have the one from Harbor Freight and it works great. I am 230 pounds, 5 foot 2 inches and can get in and out very easily with no interfernce from trailer.
Posted 2008-03-25 3:33 AM (#80329 - in reply to #80276) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
If I were going to get one of these I'd probably get the kind that attaches to the frame in front of the rear wheel and swings out from under the bed. That way I couldn't forget and run over the kind that hangs on the tire.
Posted 2008-03-25 12:13 PM (#80350 - in reply to #80329) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Veteran
Posts: 136 Location: Alabama
Hi Gard: Having to lean over to get in under the trailer nose would not be a problem for me as long as the step I was standing on was secure. I've never done real good on ladders (vbg) so I think I will stay away from that idea. Thanks for the idea though.
Dwnsouth: Thanks for letting me know you enjoy your tire step from Harbor Freight.
Towfoo: I've never heard of or seen one that attaches to the frame in front of the rear wheel but it sounds interesting. Can you give me a brand name or the name of some place that sells them? Thanks!
Posted 2008-03-25 2:14 PM (#80357 - in reply to #80276) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
I have the regular running boards that go from the front door and end just before the back tire. They're great, but I think they were expensive....maybe $200 - $300? I got them on both sides of the truck though. The Cabela step looks too narrow. I think I'd end up missing the step and landing splat on my a$$.
Posted 2008-03-26 12:22 PM (#80388 - in reply to #80276) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I have the step that sits over the tire. I use it so I can reach the middle of the truck hood and glass when washing it. I guess I'm lucky that I can drop my tailgate and use the trailer leg as a step to crawl up on the tailgate and hook the chains. My hitch is a cable release type and I plug it in up near the rail of the truck. I have used a 2 step mounting block also but it doesn't give you much clearence between the rail and trailer....
Posted 2008-03-27 5:24 PM (#80466 - in reply to #80410) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Veteran
Posts: 136 Location: Alabama
Oh great, PaulChristenson!!! Bring up the flat bed truck now!!! Seriously, the first thing my husband said when he was climbing into my truck bed to hook up the gooseneck for the first time was, "Now I know why people pull with flat bed trucks!"
Terri: As far as why I don't use the tire as a step it's because I have tried that before and had the wonderful experience of my foot slipping off the tire and banging my chin on the side of the truck. I'm not interested in having that happen again!
Posted 2008-03-27 7:19 PM (#80472 - in reply to #80276) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I have a small foot and the flare of the fender keeps me from being able to keep my foot on the tire and straighten my leg to stand up to lean over.... I bark my shin and fall backwards looking oh so intelligent...!
Posted 2008-03-27 9:03 PM (#80478 - in reply to #80466) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Originally written by Rose66 on 2008-03-27 5:24 AM
Oh great, PaulChristenson!!! Bring up the flat bed truck now!!! Seriously, the first thing my husband said when he was climbing into my truck bed to hook up the gooseneck for the first time was, "Now I know why people pull with flat bed trucks!" Terri: As far as why I don't use the tire as a step it's because I have tried that before and had the wonderful experience of my foot slipping off the tire and banging my chin on the side of the truck. I'm not interested in having that happen again!
Posted 2008-03-28 12:16 PM (#80521 - in reply to #80276) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 391 Location: Columbia, KY
Since I'm short there's no easy way to climb over the wheelwell of the duelly and every time I use the truck I'm having to climb in and out of the bed for something. I broke down and got very nice running boards that go to from the front of the cab to the rear wheels. expensive but worth it! Most trucks seem to come w/ running boards that extend just under the cab, which are absolutely no help when a 5'2" women is trying to scramble over the side of a duelly w/ the trailer hooked up.
Posted 2008-03-29 11:20 PM (#80643 - in reply to #80466) Subject: RE: Tire Step - pros and cons
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Rose66 on 2008-03-27 6:24 PM
Oh great, PaulChristenson!!! Bring up the flat bed truck now!!! Seriously, the first thing my husband said when he was climbing into my truck bed to hook up the gooseneck for the first time was, "Now I know why people pull with flat bed trucks!" Terri: As far as why I don't use the tire as a step it's because I have tried that before and had the wonderful experience of my foot slipping off the tire and banging my chin on the side of the truck. I'm not interested in having that happen again!
Tire Step - pros and cons
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