BED ENTRY TAILGATE DOWN

The Ridgeline actually has a usable rear bumper, unlike the new "lifestyle" tunny. When my 2.5 Gen V8 comes across a new non tow hook "lifestyle" Tunny that's stuck.........sorry, but.....See ya later...hope that mpg saving air dam thingy was worth it.

 

The bumpers are integral. I wonder what solutions the aftermarket will come up with for that.
For the rear, it looks like it will have to wrap clear to the wheel wells.

Steve

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CUDG9PhA1zo/

 

Ditto, except the years of competitive weightlifting destroying both of my knees so I look like an in-shape 34 year old grandma when I have to climb into the bed of my truck. I actually need to order one of those fold down step things.. just reminded me

 

I think thats pretty nice. Id actually take that over the chevy bumper , just looks cleaner IMO

thats pretty much the exact truck Im thinking about platinum in blue, non hybrid though.

 

The only time I get in the bed with the tailgate down is when loading up a deer. That is when they are too heavy to lift and put on the tailgate.

 

I'd love to be around when YOU get older and can't reach up and over like that.

My dad always told me to keep my words short and sweet because I would never know when I'd wind up eating them. Something you might want to consider.

 

That's fair. Didn't mean to offend. I imagined the average member here was 40-50. I suppose I'll eat my words when I'm 65+.

 

Advice to consider...kid!

 

nice and dandy when you are NOT in a northern tier state. that thing is going to catch so much ice to render it useless. hope there is a manual turn off switch. same applies to the powerstep feature, useless in northern tier states during winter. pretty much have to turn it off which means no step to use.

a static running board is what we use in our situation. always works and keeps slush/snow from hitting the lower door panels.

 

Almost like they dont want folks to see the good ole flip down bumper step lol

 

I presume the powered step and bumper are made by AMP, who I think makes most for the industry.

If that's so, it's not just ice that's a problem. The powered running boards do fail. My friend has a 2014 RAM with these running boards, drivers side failed a few years ago. Makes sense, he's constantly in/out of his truck, so the running board on that side gets worked a lot.

It'll be interesting if these powered items can deal with freezing, I doubt it and think a lot of owners in that kind of climate will be unhappy

 

Which is what we really want with an aftermarket rear steel bumper anyway. Now we don’t have to cut anything

 

Oh man, I'm gonna hit that button every single time I walk by a 3rd gen. Does the key have to be on you to do that?

 

There are other methods. I've been watching a landscaper across the street all week, he gets in and out of his truck bed. He has an old Ford, looks to be a late 60s model. He sits on the gate, grabs a bed side and stands up. I talked to him a bit about what they're doing to the yard. Out of curiosity I asked him how old he is, 63. You'd be surprised how much work he has done to the neighbors yard in 2 days.

While you may have a hard time getting in or out of your bed, there is no sense wishing it upon somebody else. As we age we trade the agility of youth for wisdom, better to be happy for what you've gained than spiteful for what you've lost.

 

It's a T55. And a half-inch drive Torx set with that size bit is available at /C/h/i/n/a/ Harbor Freight for under $10; much to my surprise the T55 bit actually stood up to the impact gun I used to unbolt them! A million thanks to whoever posted that recommendation.

 

Seems to me there is about 5-6" of bumper available to use as a step on either side of the tail gate when the tail gate is down.

My take is to make things as physical as possible as to help keep myself in shape as I age. I recently removed my side-steps and have no issues getting into the cab...and I don't have a grab handle and I don't grab steering wheel initially either. Just step up and get myself moving in. It is a long step down..but I am 6'3" so it is doable.

 

I have the power deploy running boards on my current F150. They started to seize up, so I soaked them in penetrating lubricant and opened and shut the door for an hour until they started to loosten up. Now I get my mechanic to spray them with penetrant every now and again. My advice is to stay away. Even when I bought the truck brand new I was like "Those will be the first thing to break, guarenteed" lol

 

I’m 4’10” I’m in decent shape, but I’ll either need steps or have to use the roll method employed here.
https://youtu.be/sSpZosZq2rs

 

Shit, I need that now or a step. My bum knee makes it tough to climb in the bed. My old truck had a fold in step in the tailgate. Loved that feature.

 

i think im going to bolt an Amazon boat ladder to the inside of the tailgate or just climb the rear tire like i had to do on the tacoma...

 

I always used the rear wheel as a step to get into the truck bed. I thought that's what people who don't have those fancy tailgates and power steps do.

 

I just kneel on the tailgate but I also have a canopy.

 

It's really hard to see while wretching at the sight of that rear end.

 

https://youtu.be/es2RmGBHRTs

Somewhere in here they say you need the key in your pocket.

 

Stepping on my trailer hitch.

 

I had one of these BedSteps on my 2008, and have one on my 2021. LOVE it! They make getting in and out of the box so much easier, especially with the tailgate down.

 

I have one for sale if anyone is looking for it!

 

I have owned AMP steps on tundra's since 2014 and have only had them get stuck 3x- 1 time I drove through a huge frozen puddle and broke ice- and it was like 10 degrees outside so everything froze. The other two times were drastic temp drops after rain/ snow. I have lived in Montana and Idaho and would travel Wyoming all winter. Keeping the system lubed keeps hem from freezing up.

 

Put the auto retracting steps on my ‘04 Ram diesel in ‘05, company name I’ve forgotten but Amp bought them. Still have the Ram and steps have been flawless.

Put the Amp steps on my ‘21 Crewmax this week, if they hold up half as long I’ll be pleased.