Pickup bed step

DH always had an aluminum 3 step ladder he kept in the bed of truck. In the eight years we had fifth wheel no one ever messed with it and it was not locked up either.

I have a plastic two-step that works nicely for that purpose.

I have running boards mounted on the truck.

I do use a small step ladder to climb up into the pickup bed when I need to.

Our setup doesn't require a step to access the hitch. When I want to get into the truck bed, I step up on the rear bumper area near the license plate - but not when hooked up.

One foot on the rear wheel, throw the other leg over the rail.

Not that I have a 5ver, but I have been looking at this for similar reasons. Also to work under the hood. Might this be useful for you? Or would that be too far from the front of the bed?

Heininger HitchMate TireStep

I also carry a small step ladder for cleaning off the top of my slide.

I use AMP Research Bedstep for the tailgate area and I have a Bedstep2 on each side of the box:

AMP Research Bedstep

AMP Research Bedstep2

With the new trucks being higher and my physical limitations (Rheumatoid and Osteo Arthritis), I found it difficult to get into the bed, on the bumper or even onto the wheel. These steps split the distances and allow me and even my 5' 0" DW to climb into the truck's bed for any number of reasons, whether the 5er is hooked up or not. They aren't cheap, but, they are solidly built, always there and have never caused me a minutes worth of trouble. Very easy to install, all the hardware comes with them and they are bolt on with no alterations to the truck necessary. They fold back up under the truck, so, there isn't anything to store, misplace or lose; always there and always handy.

Use a 2 step ladder to get to hitch and lock but DW really wants a 3 step.

I picked up an over-the-wheel tire step from Tractor Supply. Works well when I'm not too lazy to put it on. Usually I just step on the top side of the tire and pull myself up with the bed rails.

Made my own. One of a kind, can't be purchased. Well, two of a kind actually, since I put one on each side.