Anyone add a extra grab handle ?

Backing out of the camper is the only way to go for me. I've memorized the step pattern which involves dropping my right foot onto the bumper, followed by the left foot to the license plate indentation, leading to the three step ladder. But I do grab onto the stock handle once i am outside.
 
Things like EZ steps won't work for me, because I also tow a boat on my rig.
  • I have a 2 level hitch. The bottom holds the ball. The top has a WeatherTech XL step: https://smile.amazon.com/WeatherTech-81BS1XL-BUMPSTEP-XL/dp/B01N365ZIE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1541722238&sr=8-4&keywords=weathertech+hitch+step

  • This step is WAY BIG, extending beyond the back of the FWC gives a bit of protection from a low speed rear end. Backing out the door holding the handle is EASY & SAFE. The Cosco metal step stool isn't rickety. I sawed off the top bar, and all bar ends now have plastic non-marring caps.

  • That big, high WeatherTech step obscured the license plate. I had to move the plate & it's light to the left of the bumper. A hassle, but worth it.

  • The WeatherTech step has to be removed to attach the boat trailer to the hitch below. A small fast hassle, but worth it.
I vote backing out after reaching around to grab the handle.

I gave all this friggin' detail because I believe backing out the door holding the outside handle is easier, practical and much safer. And you're less likely to spill beer!

PS, If your camper extends a foot past the bed, my setup wouldn't work & I doubt the EZ Step.
 
kestrel69 said:
I've been looking at the 3-step Easy Hitch Step and curious about one thing. I have a Swift on a short bed frontier and the camper extends out 12 inches from the back of the truck...….how far out from the rear of the bed does the top step on the easy hitch extend out? Those things are not cheap and I don't want to spend the money only to find it doesn't work.
Yeah, I don't think it would work on its own. The top step actually protrudes a little into the low spot on the bumper where the license plate is. But you could probably find a hitch extension that would make it work.
 
Zirdu, saw your pics on the grab handle and screen door cross bar. I got both right away, but having issues mounting with both. The big grab bar mounting spots above and below stock bar have nothing solid to anchor into except thin wall, and I was wondering if you drilled through into interior and used thru bolts and nut and big washer inside. Sheet metal screws will do god now but god repeated use long term, I am wondering if it will hold up. Also, I had a screen door bar in my older Grandby and was very glad I installed it few years back. Now I gif a newer model with the wider door and door seal, I found out that mounting the bar to clear the door lip is a problem. In your pic, it shows that your mounting is on the inside edge of the screen door frame, maybe drilled in af an angle?
I may have to fashion a Z mount so the bar mounts can clear the door frame. Anyone else had the same problems and have solutions?
 
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