General tailgate question

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GordoJay

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What's not to like about a tailgate step, I use mine all the time.

Nothing to like or dislike, it's mostly worthless. The whole thing is so fiddly and time consuming that I don't bother using it. I hop up, pull up using the rail, or sit/swing/stand instead. Three quick easy ways into the bed that don't involve messing with the step. Coming down, I either sit on the tailgate and slide off, squat and put a hand down to make a turning drop, or I just jump, although that's getting a bit risky these days if the ground is uneven, as I'm in my 60s. I've been in and out of pickup beds since I could walk, so maybe I'm just well practiced. The step is so narrow that you need the handrail/stick/handhold/whatever that thing is for stability, and it still doesn't inspire much confidence, especially coming down. That also means that you can't use it safely if you're carrying anything heavy, which is when it would be really useful. I've been in and out of the bed at least 50 times in the last two months and I've only used the step once, to see how it worked. I did very nearly tear the facing off unloading a heavy saw, I was sliding it off the tailgate when it snagged. I saw in time what was happening and got her stopped, but it was close. It's got a gouge in it, but it's still intact. The step was a feature that I thought I wanted based on what I read about everyone liking it, so I want to throw out the dissenting opinion in case there are others like me. It's a cute bit of fluff, it wows my friends momentarily, and then everyone forgets it's there. I wouldn't get one on purpose, but it isn't a deal-killer like the moonroof. A non-feature feature.
 
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911 Crazy

911 Crazy

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Nothing to like or dislike, it's mostly worthless. The whole thing is so fiddly and time consuming that I don't bother using it. I hop up, pull up using the rail, or sit/swing/stand instead. Three quick easy ways into the bed that don't involve messing with the step. Coming down, I either sit on the tailgate and slide off, squat and put a hand down to make a turning drop, or I just jump, although that's getting a bit risky these days if the ground is uneven, as I'm in my 60s. I've been in and out of pickup beds since I could walk, so maybe I'm just well practiced. The step is so narrow that you need the handrail/stick/handhold/whatever that thing is for stability, and it still doesn't inspire much confidence, especially coming down. That also means that you can't use it safely if you're carrying anything heavy, which is when it would be really useful. I've been in and out of the bed at least 50 times in the last two months and I've only used the step once, to see how it worked. I did very nearly tear the facing off unloading a heavy saw, I was sliding it off the tailgate when it snagged. I saw in time what was happening and got her stopped, but it was close. It's got a gouge in it, but it's still intact. The step was a feature that I thought I wanted based on what I read about everyone liking it, so I want to throw out the dissenting opinion in case there are others like me. It's a cute bit of fluff, it wows my friends momentarily, and then everyone forgets it's there. I wouldn't get one on purpose, but it isn't a deal-killer like the moonroof. A non-feature feature.

Oh young Grasshopper. You too will someday become old and wise and will come to treasure the noble step assist.
 

GordoJay

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Oh young Grasshopper. You too will someday become old and wise and will come to treasure the noble step assist.

Yeah, someday. Time gets us all. What's hard to visualize is going on my hiking/camping trips if I'm too stove up to get in and out of the bed by myself. 99% of my hiking is off-trail and much of it is out of cell tower range. Not something I'd be excited about if I was wobbly on my pins. I might just buy a Prius and hobble to the nearest happy hour instead ...
 
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911 Crazy

911 Crazy

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Yeah, someday. Time gets us all. What's hard to visualize is going on my hiking/camping trips if I'm too stove up to get in and out of the bed by myself. 99% of my hiking is off-trail and much of it is out of cell tower range. Not something I'd be excited about if I was wobbly on my pins. I might just buy a Prius and hobble to the nearest happy hour instead ...

A noble quest that would be, Grasshopper. A wise man once said, when one is wobbly on their pins, a cell tower is their best friend.
 

GCATX

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Nothing to like or dislike, it's mostly worthless. The whole thing is so fiddly and time consuming that I don't bother using it. I hop up, pull up using the rail, or sit/swing/stand instead. Three quick easy ways into the bed that don't involve messing with the step. Coming down, I either sit on the tailgate and slide off, squat and put a hand down to make a turning drop, or I just jump, although that's getting a bit risky these days if the ground is uneven, as I'm in my 60s. I've been in and out of pickup beds since I could walk, so maybe I'm just well practiced. The step is so narrow that you need the handrail/stick/handhold/whatever that thing is for stability, and it still doesn't inspire much confidence, especially coming down. That also means that you can't use it safely if you're carrying anything heavy, which is when it would be really useful. I've been in and out of the bed at least 50 times in the last two months and I've only used the step once, to see how it worked. I did very nearly tear the facing off unloading a heavy saw, I was sliding it off the tailgate when it snagged. I saw in time what was happening and got her stopped, but it was close. It's got a gouge in it, but it's still intact. The step was a feature that I thought I wanted based on what I read about everyone liking it, so I want to throw out the dissenting opinion in case there are others like me. It's a cute bit of fluff, it wows my friends momentarily, and then everyone forgets it's there. I wouldn't get one on purpose, but it isn't a deal-killer like the moonroof. A non-feature feature.

I kind of felt the same way until I had one. If you get in the habit of using it, it's awesome. Mash the button and pull it out, I don't really use the stripper pole though.
I was/am like you, around trucks all my life, contracting, towing, partying, whatever.
The step is an absolute knee saver, in my opinion. I don't know how many times I have exited a tailgate/bed and torqued something. And no more leaning over the side of the bed, on your tippy toes, to grab shit.
 

ghost rider

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some people are switching to sync 3 for the carplay/android auto. but if you are wanting to do a complete upgrade we have an sq package we do for a lot of customers. probably have done 90-100 trucks and double that in other vehicles. i will pm you
I have the Sony system with the speaker in the back seat area and I really don't like that set up on my 2013.
 

Frogger22

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Holy smokes! I owe you Happy Hour at least. You just saved me about $2k! I might be in Denver soon so it is on me! I use to live in Greeley and Parker. Thanks

If there is to be a meetup in The Denver area then I’d be down! Also Noah is occasionally in these parts so you could ask him about sound systems over a cold one
 
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