Tail gate kills my knees...

I second the bed step, easy and relatively inexpensive mod. I know this is no help for the Tundras, but my F-250 has an integral tailgate Step that retracts and folds down. I use it all the time. I am surprised all truck Mfrs don’t have an OEM solution right from the factory.

 

Why on earth would I want that?
It would be in my way.
I have a bed step I got for Xmas, I just haven't had my truck for 8 months to install it.

 

BedRug is attached by Velcro and can be swept or hosed off. It is very durable. I have never worried about moisture but live up n a dry desert. In my 08 I do not have a sprayed liner and have only removed it once. The paint underneath was pristine but dusty. In my 20 I have a sprayed liner. I would double check with the BedRug folks but I assume it is mold resistant.

 

I have the Bed Rug for just the bed and tailgate, highly recommend, with spray liner. I also have a fiberglass tonneau cover, don't worry about water and moisture. Once installed it can be removed easily...also have AMP bed step but so far rarely use it..

 

x2. Mainly because im 5’3” and couldnt get in the bed anyways but the step helps a lot.

 

BedRug tailgate mat....

 

I use a broom handle or closet dowel with a hook on the end and pull 95% of what I need close enough to grab. Rare that I ever have to climb into the bed.

Even with Linex, I can usually pull close enough to grab. Not a fan of bed rugs or mats…unnecessary weight and headache in my view.

I can make you one for $150 +shipping

 

OH MAN @Crunch527 what a DEAL!! Please send me one and I will pay you the second Tuesday of next week.

 

Life has been so much easier for me with the step. Had a small step ladder before but rather have the bed always open.the smalls

 

I used the Weather Tech tailgate liner, its just enough rubber to be gentle on knees compared to bedliner or bare metal. Easier to clean than carpet too.

https://www.weathertech.com/toyota/...ate-protection/tundra-box-size/short-box-5-6/

 

I’m cheap.

Lots of camping in camper shell trucks.

I use a piece of high density foam cut to 1x2 feet and move the foam as I move about the back of the truck. Sometimes I use two.

No carpet. I prefer the slippery surface of the bed liner. It makes it easy to load and unload. The bed gets dirty fast when road tripping. Easy wipe to clean before rolling out the bedding for the night.

 

This.

 

With the way I use my truck, I was thinking a bed rug would get disgusting.

 

The bed step works for me at 6 foot and the wife at 5 foot. Tried all the other ways (cheaper) first. Waste of time. Guess it depends on what you are lookig for. In my case keeping things in the bed to get in or even the ladder option takes up too much space.

 

Here's a step from Toyota. It's priced a little less than the one mentioned earlier. https://www.amp-research.com/bedstep-bumper-step/2018/toyota/tundra $290.00. I think it is the same one with a different brand sticker on it? Made by Lund Motion Products https://parts.streettoyota.com/p/Toyota_2018_Tundra/BedStep/69524312/PT39234140.html $ 218.30. Shipping +$ 25.71

BedStep

Part Number: PT39234140
Supersession(s): PT392-34140


Get a leg up when loading or unloading the cargo in your truck’s bed with a BedStep®. It bolts on with no drilling required, and tucks neatly under the rear bumper when not in use.

• Works with tailgate up or down
• Hands-free operation; adjusts easily
• Lightweight, high-strength aluminum die-cast construction features a reinforced nylon step pad with ribbed, nonskid stepping surface
• 300-lb. load capacity
• Weather-resistant black anodized and Teflon powder-coat finish for long-term durability
• Leaves hitch receiver free for towing

Fits Tundra

BedStep is a registered trademark of Lund Motion Products, Inc. Teflon is a registered trademark of The Chemours Company FC, LLC.

 

Does this thing hang down at all? Less ground clearance?

 

Nope! Pops up to only about 1-2 inches below the bumper, still higher than diff and exhaust. I got one, use it EVERY time I get in back of the truck. I'm 5'9", and I would grab the corner, one foot on the bumper, and hoist...and I'm getting too old and crunchy for such as that. Super easy with the step.

 

^^^ What he said ^^^

 

I use folding step stool so I can step anywhere up on to tailgate. Bungee’d to the side walls of the bed when not using.
Limited-time deal: Acko Folding Step Stool 13 inch Heavy Duty Plastic Foldable Step Stool for Kids and Adults, Small Collapsible Fold Up Stepping Stool 1 Pack

$20 ACKO Folding Step Stool 13" Heavy Duty Plastic Foldable Step Stool for Kids and Adults, Small Collapsible Fold Up Stepping Stool 1 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYW5BFB

Have spray on liner with Weathertech over it. I use a couple of Harbor Freight moving blankets to make a path to where I need to be. Easy on my old knees.

 

I use those HF moving blankets for EVERYTHING! Keep one in the cab for quick dog seat protector (I have a nice one for longer trips), bedliner, wrap any antique finds, etc. 3 or 4 more at the house to protect woodworking, floors, lay under the vehicles for working on'em...

 

Yeah, this is basically my solution: I keep a small folding closed-cell camping pad (found along the road!) in a cubby near the tailgate, and can quickly plop it down for my knees. Doubles as padding to rest on, lean on, etc. Or a rag, or work gloves - I just throw something down fast for my knee(s) - there's almost always something readily available. Not permanent, cheap, light, fast, doesn't take up space as I would have it anyhow.

A buddy with an '06 took some of those rubber inter-locking workout mats and screwed them to the tailgate with sheet metal screws, then cut to shape. It's very cushy, but he has a higher tolerance for putting holes in his truck. And since we both use our tailgates as our camp kitchen, his mats get...let's just say his tolerance for dirt is higher than mine, too.

Something like this: https://amzn.to/3zs2lua (Not an endorsement of those, I just quickly picked it at random to illustrate.)

I like keeping my tailgate bare metal because I do use it for cooking, setting beer cans down, etc., and don't want stuff flopping over on something too soft, or getting soaked in beer, grease, coffee, etc. I do wish there was a fancy replacement or insert for ours (first gen), though, that would do away with most of the corrugation. Every once in a while I lose a few sips of beer to a can that slips into a divot.

One note that hasn't gotten mentioned at all, and is kinda relevant: mice. I go camping with my friend a lot. I have a spray in bedliner, he does not. Apparently the lack of bedliner leaves enough gap for mice to get in his truck even with the tailgate closed and with his special padding on the tailgate. My bedliner, on both the tailgate and the bed itself, seems to close the gaps enough to keep the mice out. Something to consider if you're camping a lot... those bedrug things that go over the gap seem nice.

 

Is there any issue with installing this bedstep on a truck with factory dual exhaust?

 

I keep one of these in the bed.

 

Nope - works great with dual exhaust

 

That's what I did (tailgate bed rug). Works very well.

Dan

 

Rubber stall mat. Protects the bed, knees, and cargo. Pull it out for a doormat while camping. Heavy bastard too, so it provides for additional traction year round. Flexibility allows it to roll up and down as the tailgate folds.

 

They do. And they are a pain to clean, and trap dog hair, burrs and grass seed very easily. Got rid of the one in my first truck and never looked back.

I have an OEM bed mat which is more than flexible enough for me to crawl on it with my bad knees. I have a single section of interlocking workout/play mat that I use on the tailgate to get up and down. I had ordered a bed step but while waiting for it, realized it was useless to me because of my topper. Without a topper it would be a no brainer.

 

I currently have two big pieces of cardboard in my bed (mostly because my dad was concerned about the stuff I was hauling for him scratching my bed - I guess he doesn't know what Line X is ) and a small rug I use for kneeling on the tailgate and changing tires.

 

another vote for a BedRug tailgate mat. first heard of them on this forum and installed one a few weeks ago. game-changer for my old knees

 

Makes no sense, How do you keep the rope in the air?