Hi I'm new to this forum and finally a truck owner/driver. My question is... on an F150 2017 XLT with a regular factory bumper is there a reason not to use the part of the bumper right under the license plate as a step? The part that dips down...?

I get in by putting my foot on top of the tire on the side and swinging in, my dad is in his 80s and can't do that in his truck or in my mine. He still gets around just fine, it's just his knees. I was thinking about getting one of those hitch steps. But the part of the bumper that dips down under the license plate is about the same height as the hitch... Any reason I/we can't just step on that?

Thanks.

 

Why not? It can support a 500 pound trailer tongue! This is what Ford did do right, that tailgate step they have is a miracle for those of us with bad knees, wont ever get another truck without one, and one of the few reasons I got another F-150 over the new Ram.

 

You could do something like this. The problem with the hitch step is that you still have to climb over the tailgate and the step is useless if the gate is down. These mount off to the side so he could step on to the lowered gate. When not in use, it swings up under the bumper.

 

I have the Heininger Hitch step on my truck and love it. It also slides out so that you can use it with the tailgate down.

 

That is what it's designed for.

 

That looks like the next best thing other than the tailgate step from Ford. I refrain from and discourage others from jumping on a tire and swinging their leg over, same thing with the tailgate. Or loading crap over the side or tgate. Lessens the chances of scratches and screwing up the paint.

 

That looks like a nice setup but I’m a little confused. How does it slide in when not in use without running into the spare tire.

 

It slides under the tire with about an inch or two to spare. First photo is retracted, second down tailgate closed third extended out tailgate open

 

Thank you sir. It's one of those things... That sure looks like what it's there for, but on the other hand it's just plastic so I didn't know if years of using that as a step might be bad.

Also some good ideas here for steps. The Heininger thing is cool. Never dawned on me that a step could work with the tailgate down. The AMP/Bestop thing looks good for my dad's truck. Mine too maybe. I like that it's right there on the side so you can grab something. Looks like the main difference between AMP and Bestop is the price. Is AMP better? Any opinions from anybody?

And thank you to everyone that has replied. Glad to be part of the club.

 

I have the Amp Research and LOVE it .... absolutely solid step, tucks away under bumper when not in use. Definitely a quality step.