Climbing onto the tail gate.

[Go_for_Broke]

I am putting a S&S 8SC into a F-350 short bed (6.5). With the tail gate open (8.5).

The height of the upper surface of the tail gate from the ground is approximately 33?.

Any ideas of how to conveniently get on and off the tail gate (and the TC)?

FYI – I am 75? and the wife is 64? tall and guess who it had better work for!

Thanks Y’all,

[wanderingbob]

We use a alum stepladder that rides inside the camper on the floor , open the door and there it is .

[jdc1]

Man, 33" is pretty high for an older person to lose his balance and fall. I can guarantee you, my wife would have me build a solid set of portable steps with 5-6" risers. It might end up being 4' long, but it's more stable than a cut up ladder or anything like that. Broken bones in people our age don't mend fast.

[smarty]

JimK-NY wrote:
I am 73 and not at all muscular. I can rather easily get the tailgate on and off the truck by myself.

Great for you Jim but what the heck does this have to do with this post???

[stevenal]

Go wrote:
Haven't been around long enough to have an opinion on the TG on/off. Maybe I will post a separate question on this topic.

Suggest trying the search feature.

[Go_for_Broke]

JimK - When I am 73 I hope that I can report the same!

My primary concern is the "Better Half". Unfortunately, she is not able to get on/off a tail gate.

I was thinking about taking the tail gate off and putting on a Tommy Lift. Yes, it's that serious.

Haven't been around long enough to have an opinion on the TG on/off. Maybe I will post a separate question on this topic.

Thanks Y'all,

[trail-explorer]

JimK-NY wrote:
I am 73 and not at all muscular. I can rather easily get the tailgate on and off the truck by myself.

He made no mention of removing the tailgate

[Grit_dog]

narcodog wrote:
Take the tail gait off, it's not needed.

You know this how?
I don’t need a tail gait either, but the OP may need a tail gate.



And your post does nothing to help answer his original question. Removing the tail gait or gate doesn’t levitate him up into the camper!

[jaycocreek]

Go for Broke wrote:
I am putting a S&S 8SC into a F-350 short bed (6.5). With the tail gate open (8.5).

The height of the upper surface of the tail gate from the ground is approximately 33?.

Any ideas of how to conveniently get on and off the tail gate (and the TC)?

FYI – I am 75? and the wife is 64? tall and guess who it had better work for!

Thanks Y’all,

The guy I sold my old Lance 8.6 did the exact same thing putting it on a Dodge 3500 shortbed with tailgate down..He carried a portable step to get in and out and put a handle on the rear of the TC..

One of those folding rear aluminum steps anchored to the tailgate would work and be stable but I personally wouldn't do it..Then there are the hitch steps that would work with a short hitch extension...

The S&S is a great truck camper..Enjoy..

[Kayteg1]

Old milk crates work too.

[Johno02]

I am 79, pushing 80. and that is why I don't own a truck.

[enblethen]

Camper steps like these would attach to the camper just below the door.
Or ones like this. Storage and access maybe a problem.
Portable steps

[narcodog]

Take the tail gait off, it's not needed.

[JimK-NY]

I am 73 and not at all muscular. I can rather easily get the tailgate on and off the truck by myself.

[Grit_dog]

Hi
The standard Torklift camper steps would work well, if you mounted the hangar for them on the top edge of your tailgate. You’d have to screw it into the tailgate, make sure that works if it’s a newer truck with a plastic cap on the tailgate.
Those are $400 or more though.
A good size step stool or small folding ladder would be cheaper and less convenient options.
You might be able to “hook” a cut down extension ladder on the end of the tailgate too, but these options are more like climbing up n down vs walking on stairs.
A fold out grab handle onthe camper would be very handy as well, since the camper is almost flush with the back of the tailgate I presume.