RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
I agree and absolutely love mine and they totally support my large fat clumsy ass
2019 F350 6.2L 4WD build thread; HPI flatbed, ATO AterraXL composite camper, Carli/King, 37s, 4.88s, etc
- Thread starter mk216v
- Start date
I agree and absolutely love mine and they totally support my large fat clumsy ass
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Saw em, thought about em, didn't want to be like everyone else, especially RAM550000Thang. ? 
But more seriously, I believe I found them to be too wide for my dog entry (they'd hit the door panel), since the rear doors of the truck don't open up 90deg. How wide are they outside-outside; 20"?
But more seriously, I believe I found them to be too wide for my dog entry (they'd hit the door panel), since the rear doors of the truck don't open up 90deg. How wide are they outside-outside; 20"?
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mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
BTW, I just saw this post/video. Very cool idea to use the Torklift all terrain landing gear;
expeditionportal.com
They appear to only be 6-10" in height adjustment, which is about 1" shorter than I'd need. And, the lack of a new bottom step would mean my first step up is higher off the ground. Anyways, just wanted to share another way to do this.
*SOLD* 2021 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi, 16k mi, w/ FWC Hawk Woolrich Flatbed & MITS Tray
@Herbie Take a look at this video. Might be a good setup for you as well. I am doing this on our and already have the steps. Let me know if you want to check them out and see if they would work for you.
expeditionportal.com
They appear to only be 6-10" in height adjustment, which is about 1" shorter than I'd need. And, the lack of a new bottom step would mean my first step up is higher off the ground. Anyways, just wanted to share another way to do this.
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Saw em, thought about em, didn't want to be like everyone else, especially RAM550000Thang. ?
Hipster:
One who spends egregious amounts of time and effort to be different than others, often compromising quality to be cool
[kissyfacemiddlefingeremoji]
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
@montypower how long have you had yours? I am on about 2 years and they just started getting stiff and a little hard to fold due to road grime build up and such
ADVICE: A drop of TriFlow (mountain bike lube) at all the pivot points, has them working like brand new.
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
WILLIS:
One who has no idea what ya talking about. Width of my steps? I dont even know, The Torklifts are offered in various widths and step #s and such...
One who has no idea what ya talking about. Width of my steps? I dont even know, The Torklifts are offered in various widths and step #s and such...
montypower
Adventure Time!
We got them this year. However, we store them inside. I'll do another video showing how we transport them. It has been working well...
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
FARMERS HALL OF FAME CHARTER MEMBER:
One who knows a thing or two because they know a thing or two.
Guess you don't have a tape measure handy. To help ya out, the Torklift StowNGo's are all 20"W, as I mentioned above; https://www.torklift.com/rv/stow-n-go#specs
And the GloBrite ones are a bit wider yet; https://www.torklift.com/rv/glowstep#specs
So, I'm unsure where you found various width Torklifts...but to answer the question as to why I didn't just get Torklifts for my application, this is the reason--too wide and I need narrower.
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RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
This is where you have to take a step (see what i did there?) back and reassess
Having 1 set of steps for both you into camper and dogs into truck seems good in theory, saves some space, but brings too much headache and compromise.
You have any ample room for a nice wider, more stable step for the camper, that can be stowed in an exterior box, and then find a folding ramp for dogs thats kept in truck.
Having been there, done that, you're going to want your camper entry steps as stable and easy to deploy and break down as possible. Oh, i have to pull over to get someone out of my camper, let get my steps, out of my truck, then grab my stool, etc...
Current idea of steps on top of a stool or whatever is just silly. That will get old FAST. Get the right steps for the camper, deal with dogs into truck separately.
You've already boasted you have too much storage, use some of it for the right set of stairs and make your life 10x easier
Take a step back, rethink the logic and start over. I've also been there done THAT... More than once. Part of the game
FWIW: My final solution for the FWC (which would work with yours as well) was a set of the removeable Tork lifts like @montypower that stored right inside the entry door of the FWC and when i needed them, opened camper door, and grabbed them and installed them.
This made great use of dead space and didnt waste any "storage".
Having 1 set of steps for both you into camper and dogs into truck seems good in theory, saves some space, but brings too much headache and compromise.
You have any ample room for a nice wider, more stable step for the camper, that can be stowed in an exterior box, and then find a folding ramp for dogs thats kept in truck.
Having been there, done that, you're going to want your camper entry steps as stable and easy to deploy and break down as possible. Oh, i have to pull over to get someone out of my camper, let get my steps, out of my truck, then grab my stool, etc...
Current idea of steps on top of a stool or whatever is just silly. That will get old FAST. Get the right steps for the camper, deal with dogs into truck separately.
You've already boasted you have too much storage, use some of it for the right set of stairs and make your life 10x easier
Take a step back, rethink the logic and start over. I've also been there done THAT... More than once. Part of the game
FWIW: My final solution for the FWC (which would work with yours as well) was a set of the removeable Tork lifts like @montypower that stored right inside the entry door of the FWC and when i needed them, opened camper door, and grabbed them and installed them.
This made great use of dead space and didnt waste any "storage".
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mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Hehe, cute.
I don't have sufficient room for a big stack of 20"W Torklift steps; rear underflatbed box isn't tall enough....and steps which are again, too wide for use at the rear seat of truck location.
I looked at and already bought a nice set of folding aluminum ramps(now for sale--never used); 7'L overall IIRC...truck is too tall to use them, as they'd be at more than a 45deg angle for the rear dog platform.
To get into my camper quickly, I don't need to unearth the steps; I just grab the black "Codger" handle on the Aterra with my left hand, right foot on the RR tire, grab the inside of Tern door frame and up I go.
I appreciate your sweet and fuzzy thoughts, but I'm already moving forward on the bottom step. It'll all work out well, just you see.
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Grasshopper
Open the door to your camper…
What is right inside your door when you enter?
Nothing…. BOOM
That is where the big giant tork lifts fit perfect and it’s a great use of wasted space and makes everything very easy and intuitive
I’ll try to dig up a pic
?
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Yep, true. Would need to find a way to lash them down in the camper.
But it still doesn't solve ExhibitA (unusable for dog at passenger rear truck cab door).
XOXO
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
I used 2 footman loops and a rok-strap and it never moved an inch. Install time: 1.5 Beers, tools needed: screwdriver
ramblinChet
Well-known member
The simplest solution is usually the best. A solution that can solve multiple problems adds huge value.
For my AEV Prospector and FWC it was necessary to step up on something to unlatch and latch my camper top - I also required a step between the bumper and the ground for entering and exiting the FWC. A simple Worx Step Stool solved both issues for me. I open the back door, pull it out, unlatch my top, place it near my rear bumper and step up into my FWC. They only cost $40 so they are a low cost alternative.
I think the aluminum steps are cool but the create problems. The biggest one for me is they take up much valuable real estate directly behind the camper. If I need to exit and go up to the front of the vehicle I am walking backwards for 6-8' and then when I hit the ground I turn around and walk back another 6-8' and then begin to go where I was planning. This may not be as significant an issue for some but for as much as I am in my camper, the wasted time adds up.
The aluminum steps do not have handrails either so you are "walking the plank" for a number of steps. I am not as well balanced as I was years ago and when carrying things into the FWC or just opening the rear door and placing them on the floor, a step stool makes life simple. Also, if you are on a long drive and pull into a rest area to crash for a few hours, good luck on stretching those steps out - you are either going to stick out into the path of vehicles or if you back in, you will cross a sidewalk. It seems minor, but when it limits my choices I search for other solutions.
I think if they made some steps that only went back a few feet I would take another look at them but for now my "less is more" solution has been working well for the past year. The step stool I use is at a reasonable limit though for my AEV Prospector with 37s. I stand 5'10" and can reach the FWC clasps easily. If you are shorter and have a bigger truck, this stool may not be enough for you.
In use at Blackwater Creek State Forest in Florida:
Worx Storage Step Stool:
For my AEV Prospector and FWC it was necessary to step up on something to unlatch and latch my camper top - I also required a step between the bumper and the ground for entering and exiting the FWC. A simple Worx Step Stool solved both issues for me. I open the back door, pull it out, unlatch my top, place it near my rear bumper and step up into my FWC. They only cost $40 so they are a low cost alternative.
I think the aluminum steps are cool but the create problems. The biggest one for me is they take up much valuable real estate directly behind the camper. If I need to exit and go up to the front of the vehicle I am walking backwards for 6-8' and then when I hit the ground I turn around and walk back another 6-8' and then begin to go where I was planning. This may not be as significant an issue for some but for as much as I am in my camper, the wasted time adds up.
The aluminum steps do not have handrails either so you are "walking the plank" for a number of steps. I am not as well balanced as I was years ago and when carrying things into the FWC or just opening the rear door and placing them on the floor, a step stool makes life simple. Also, if you are on a long drive and pull into a rest area to crash for a few hours, good luck on stretching those steps out - you are either going to stick out into the path of vehicles or if you back in, you will cross a sidewalk. It seems minor, but when it limits my choices I search for other solutions.
I think if they made some steps that only went back a few feet I would take another look at them but for now my "less is more" solution has been working well for the past year. The step stool I use is at a reasonable limit though for my AEV Prospector with 37s. I stand 5'10" and can reach the FWC clasps easily. If you are shorter and have a bigger truck, this stool may not be enough for you.
In use at Blackwater Creek State Forest in Florida:
Worx Storage Step Stool:
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