I would find a local metal fabricator, and have them take a look. For a lot less than you spend on time, fuel and stress, you will end up with a set of steps you can walk an elephant up.
My experience has been that middle of the road dealers tend to be outliers. Dealer service seems to really good, or really bad. High pressure sales stores, previously solid shops bought out by corporate chains, new multi-million dollar showplace locations, etc..... generally not a place where I expect competent service at fair prices. Family owned places that have been there for a few decades, shops that specialize in repairs and have a full waiting room, and can't squeeze another customer's rig on the lot..... that's where I have typically been treated well.
