Camper Step Recommendation?

[h2opup]

Hi rjap,

Congrats on your new Hawk! I wound up going with an Otto Step (thank you, Wandering Sagebrush) which worked really well for me and my older dog. This is an extremely robust synthetic step that slides into the trailer hitch (Made in USA). It is lightweight and I was able to store it just inside the door of my ATC camper. My dog took immediately to it -- and he is usually skeptical of such things. I presented him with some stair-type options, but he just tried to jump over them. The attached photos are the very first time that he saw the Otto Step, and he was very comfortable using it on his first try. It has a roughened surface that has great traction yet can be washed or scrubbed off, if needed.

The Otto Step was a very comfortable height for me (5'6") to enter and exit the camper. I did add a trailer hitch riser that made it even more comfortable for me that brought the step up to the level of the step in the bumper, but unless you screw down the bolt for the riser, that set-up (shown) has a bit of wobble/tilt in it when you put weight on the step. When using the Otto Step without the hitch riser, it was very stable without being bolted in, which meant you could slide the step in and out of the hitch quickly when setting up or leaving camp.

This did not solve my issue of trying to reach the camper clasps to open/close the pop-top, but at 6'1" you likely won't need a step for that. I was considering a collapsible ladder for accessing the roof, etc., but wound up not keep the camper so I didn't resolve that issue.

Others on WTW have shown some clever ways to mount Lil Giant ladders and other brands on the rear of their campers.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers
h2opup

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Cool beans, I’m glad that worked out for you! We certainly like ours, as do the pups.

 

[SlowernOlder]

I have a 2020 F250 with a Hawk. I use a Little Giant 3 step, it's nice to have for checking the canvas isn't pinched when lowering the top. I left my handle on and made a rack for the back of the camper so I don't have to store it inside the camper.

 

[rjap]

Thanks SlowernOlder. That is what I am looking for. The Otto looks nice but I will want more than one step given the height of my truck bed. I don't think I will store it on the back of the camper though. I'll find a way to store and secure it just inside the door.

 

[nikonron]

Built my own and stays in place full time.

 

[rjap]

Built my own and stays in place full time.View attachment 740392

From a distance that looks well engineered and manufactured. Do you sell those?

 

[nikonron]

From a distance that looks well engineered and manufactured. Do you sell those?

I don't, just made one for my own use. It's all aluminum. Works great for me.

 

[fish more]

Take a look at the Gen-y hitch step

 

[Machinebuilder]

I used a 3 step, until I put a flat bed on my truck and needed a 4 step for the extra height.

 

[SlowernOlder]

I have a 2020 F250 with a Hawk. I use a Little Giant 3 step, it's nice to have for checking the canvas isn't pinched when lowering the top. I left my handle on and made a rack for the back of the camper so I don't have to store it inside the camper.

I used these to secure gear inside when needed.