my boat trailer steps

Truck tailgate down and tight turning?

I have the Easy Step system and it is great, particularly when there is no pier at the launch. I step down the boat into the opened hatch of my Explorer and don’t risk wet feet or worse, slipping on slick boat ramp. The price is worth avoiding injury on slick ramps.

EZEE Steps is the way to go. Worth the price! I am 65 and have the same safety concerns. He custom makes the steps to your measurements. I ended up with a 4 step system and ordered them galvanized to match the trailer. See enclosed picture.

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SuperDave1959 wrote:

Truck tailgate down and tight turning?

Easy, put the tailgate back up. If you got something sticking out the back that requires the tailgate to be down, you are not going to making tight turns if you are trying to tow something at the same time. Just common sense.

Huntindave wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>SuperDave1959 wrote:</div>
Truck tailgate down and tight turning?

Easy, put the tailgate back up. If you got something sticking out the back that requires the tailgate to be down, you are not going to making tight turns if you are trying to tow something at the same time. Just common sense.

When retrieving the boat, my wife backs down the ramp with the tailgate down. So, no need to be a smart ass.

SuperDave1959 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Huntindave wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>SuperDave1959 wrote:</div>
Truck tailgate down and tight turning?

Easy, put the tailgate back up. If you got something sticking out the back that requires the tailgate to be down, you are not going to making tight turns if you are trying to tow something at the same time. Just common sense.

When retrieving the boat, my wife backs down the ramp with the tailgate down. So, no need to be a smart ass.

Just saying, common sense tells one there is more turning clearance with the tailgate up.

I went with the EZEE steps last year with the retractable grab pole.
I also added the Drotto Boat Latch.
Both of these make launching/loading a breeze.
The money I spent/invested was less than the chiropractor bills from mid April to Mid June, the problem started when I had to leap off the boat to the dock when loading and tweaked it, had done it 100’s of times before.

JoeMX1825 wrote:

I added a simple $20 step to my trailer, it works great and doesn’t ever get in the way…

Joe, another freebie u can do is slide your spare tire up and use it as a step. I did that on my 1825 works great and it’s free.
With the boat on the trailer, slide the tire up as far as u can while still clearing the side of the boat.

Its not going to replace a 3 or 4 step setup if that’s what one needs\wants.

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My last boat came on a trailer with steps and grab pole. One time this summer my wife was backing up the empty trailer and turned too tight, denting the truck tailgate…which was closed. So, yes, tight turns are a potential issue but only for the inexperienced driver. It cost me my deductible and some inconvenience. With some basic driving skill/awareness it’s not a real problem.

I am ordering an EZ-Step system with retractable grab-pole this weekend for my new boat. Whether the cost of these things is too much or not is relative to your income and opinion. I will say that having steps is the kind of convenience that I’ll always have on my boat. We all spend a lot of money on boat and fishing stuff that’s way less practical and useful than trailer steps.

Now, what I’d reallllly like is a trailer that came with some kind of an integrated winchpost/bow steps/rock deflector design!

Put Ezee steps on my Impact last year. The fire and trailer tongue ballet sucked in that boat. The steps are awesome. Best money you can spend.

could I get a phone number for your boat trailer steps thanks

I just purchased a used boat, previous owner was older and fished by himself and had issues at the launch sometimes, so he put on the EZEE Step and a Drotto hitch. I personally never thought of adding either to a trailer. But I can say, with all the virtual boating I have done in the shed with the boat, the EZEE step is awesome. Have not used it in real life yet, at the lake, but I can see exactly how useful it would be. I also have not been able to try the Drotto out, but seems like a great addition as well.

As pointed out, this boat has less that 50 hours on it, and it does have scuffs from either hitting the steps or the Drotto off center, from wind likely. So that does appear to be an issue.

jerry lee phillips wrote:

could I get a phone number for your boat trailer steps thanks

Very similar design and bolt on receiver can be found on Amazon.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Step/Brophy/RHS2.html?feed=npn&msclkid=9b6ac91b173b1721028897903bc90724&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing%20%7C%20Shop%20-%20Hitch%20Step&utm_term=4577679225316922&utm_content=General

I bought this step at Overton’s and had a friend fabricate the riser.

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Dave, I’m not comfortable with the “U” bolt connection. Bottom step ok, top step, not for me.

Denny O wrote:

Dave, I’m not comfortable with the “U” bolt connection. Bottom step ok, top step, not for me.

All trailer steps out there are a U bolt connection. I’ve had some of my “heavy” friends try it and no movement but you are entitled to your opinion.

U bolt to the tongues frame agreed,
IMG_2577.jpg
This is the u bolt connection that I’m referring to. It seems that if the connection becomes just loose enough there could be a tilting movement. If I felt that under my feet I’m likely to fall and hurt myself. If nothing more my friend, I’m just being cautious for you.

The angled (cinch) prevents slippage even when nuts are loose. The step also rests on the riser for additional support. Guess we will see how it holds up to daily use this summer. For me, the steps will be used more for dry land getting in and out of the boat more than anything.

Ezee Steps
815-252-6771

Hello, would you have a part number on the steps from Overton? Would appreciate it. Great idea. Thanks

Here is what I use. I am 65 and my health trumps cost. I don’t want to slip on a slick boat ramp. I climb down the steps and crawl into the back of my Ford Explorer. Then exit thru back door. For me safety is #1.

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Norbert E Rager wrote:

Hello, would you have a part number on the steps from Overton? Would appreciate it. Great idea. Thanks

I was in need of another set for my new boat and it appears that Overtons is out of stock on that step so I started making them myself since the design is pretty simple. Material and welding cost me about $100. They are now out for powder coating, $25.

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They look like something I would be interested in. Send me the info.

I installed tricksteps on my rig. Really like them.. You would really have to come in sideways to hit mine. I would be more worried about the fenders at that point than the steps. At any rate steps are awesome in my garage. I back the boat in tight and crawl in there to rig and stow all the time.

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rswan wrote:

I installed tricksteps on my rig. Really like them.. You would really have to come in sideways to hit mine. I would be more worried about the fenders at that point than the steps. At any rate steps are awesome in my garage. I back the boat in tight and crawl in there to rig and stow all the time.

That bottom step is low. Do you think there will be a problem going through dips or over the crown of a landing. I have seen spare tires that are under the bow of the trailer drag sometimes. Just a thought.

mxskeeter wrote:

That bottom step is low. Do you think there will be a problem going through dips or over the crown of a landing. I have seen spare tires that are under the bow of the trailer drag sometimes. Just a thought.

Lowest step is 13.5″. I have trailered several thousand miles without hitting pay dirt yet. SuperDave1959 brought up a point earlier. If you back up with your tailgate down, it would soon resemble a crinkle french frie for sure. Tight turns would also be problematic with the gate down.

Trickstep is not a one size fits all. He makes the steps custom to your rig. All welded and coated. A plate and four bolts hold it to the winch support of the trailer. Non skid on the steps. Just pointing out more options for community. Happy Shopping. Happy to answer any questions.

rswan wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mxskeeter wrote:</div>
That bottom step is low. Do you think there will be a problem going through dips or over the crown of a landing. I have seen spare tires that are under the bow of the trailer drag sometimes. Just a thought.

Lowest step is 13.5″. I have trailered several thousand miles without hitting pay dirt yet.

Good to know. Also maybe seeing it in person I might of not had a question. Sometimes pictures don’t tell/show the whole story.