Camper step

[PaulT]

Search for "brophy receiver hitch step" and find several steps and vendors I got mine at eTrailer but converting it to Bosque Bill's design requires welding skills, a talented friend, or an accommodating welding shop.

The two biggest drawbacks to the Brophy as made are how far it sticks out behind your vehicle and how low the bottom step really is.

Paul

 

[longhorn1]

Search for "brophy receiver hitch step" and find several steps and vendors I got mine at eTrailer but converting it to Bosque Bill's design requires welding skills, a talented friend, or an accommodating welding shop.

The two biggest drawbacks to the Brophy as made are how far it sticks out behind your vehicle and how low the bottom step really is.

Paul

The Brophy was so heavy, and now we have a cargo carrier which made packing it a PIA. It sits in the garage, probably never to be used again. jd

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Went to Lowes yesterday for little camper goodies, in the electrical isle I noticed "christie" electrical boxes. Picked one 16'hx18"Lx12"deep, $14.00 figured I could use as storage when traveling and a step when camping. For my Ranger/Eagle combo
it's perfect height , and still pull the boat/atv's.

 

[Bill D]

The Brophy was so heavy, and now we have a cargo carrier which made packing it a PIA. It sits in the garage, probably never to be used again. jd

Perhaps you should sell it. I'm sure somebody would love to have it. I really like mine.

When I'm pulling my trailer, I mount to the tool box on my trailer so it's not in the way.

 

[longhorn1]

Perhaps you should sell it. I'm sure somebody would love to have it. I really like mine.

When I'm pulling my trailer, I mount to the tool box on my trailer so it's not in the way.

Bill, I bought a rubbermaid 2 step at the end of last year which works great. I just purchase a RackAttack swing out for my cargo carrier, so the Brophy will just catch dust. I bet the shipping will cost a pretty penny. Probably list it in gear and see what happens. jd

 

[PJorgen]

I'm looking at the Brophy 2-step as well. However my truck has a class V hitch with a 2 1/2" receiver so I'd have to use an adapter. Does anyone have any experience with adapters? Do they provide a tight fit? I'd hate to have the steps wiggle around, especially late at night after a few adult beverages.

Also - someone mentioned that they're heavy. How much do they weigh?

 

[rotti]

Bill, I bought a rubbermaid 2 step at the end of last year which works great.

I like mine also, lightweight, inexpensive and you can use it to access the roof latches.

 

[PaulT]

I'm looking at the Brophy 2-step as well. However my truck has a class V hitch with a 2 1/2" receiver so I'd have to use an adapter. Does anyone have any experience with adapters? Do they provide a tight fit? I'd hate to have the steps wiggle around, especially late at night after a few adult beverages.

Also - someone mentioned that they're heavy. How much do they weigh?

Mine weighs 17 lbs. It is not a tight fit in my 2" receiver. While the step is very strong & doesn't move far, the outer edge of the step shifts about a half inch or so when stepping from first step to second step as the step rotates a little in the hitch. At first, this is a little disconcerting at night, in the rain, backing out of the camper. I'll add some sand/grit when the step surface needs paint.

I found it important to add some reflective red/white tape to the sides of the step so as not to take out my shins when moving around the camper at night just to remind me of the hazard. Also, added some glo in dark to top of step.

Unless I found a better design, I would buy it again.
Paul

 

[PJorgen]

Mine weighs 17 lbs. It is not a tight fit in my 2" receiver. While the step is very strong & doesn't move far, the outer edge of the step shifts about a half inch or so when stepping from first step to second step as the step rotates a little in the hitch. At first, this is a little disconcerting at night, in the rain, backing out of the camper. I'll add some sand/grit when the step surface needs paint.

I found it important to add some reflective red/white tape to the sides of the step so as not to take out my shins when moving around the camper at night just to remind me of the hazard. Also, added some glo in dark to top of step.

Unless I found a better design, I would buy it again.
Paul

Paul,

Thanks for the info. 17lbs is pretty stout, I guess that's good. The reflective tape it also a great suggestion. I wonder if one could wrap the shank in duct tape for a tighter fit.

I'll see if my wife approves and maybe pull the trigger on one of these before the next trip.

Great first name, BTW...

 

[Bill D]

I found it important to add some reflective red/white tape to the sides of the step so as not to take out my shins when moving around the camper at night just to remind me of the hazard. Also, added some glo in dark to top of step.

Unless I found a better design, I would buy it again.
Paul

I agree. It is a skin killer. My GF has hit it, but I haven't yet. I hope not to and I hope she learned her lesson

What I have done to avoid hitting it is installed an LED into the porch light and I keep it on when we are outside at night. The light itself is enough to illuminate the step and give a sense of awareness.

The original owner had a bright idea but I thought it looked ugly. You know the foam stuff you use to insulate copper pipe in your home. , he just wrapped that around the out edge. It worked well. I would use it if I had children etc.

 

[Rusty]

I just figured out how to attach things.....these steps are designed with a trailer hitch stinger that runs through the steps so I can tow the boat

here's the stinger

the strip on top is teflon so the adjusted first step can glide home without rubbing the stinger.

I took one of the manufactured, three step units, took it apart and modified it to fit under the tailgate with a stinger engineered to take 375#...my tongue weight is 310#

it's worked well for about 10 years and a couple trips to Flaming Gorge with the boat

That's a harbor freight basket carrier that was taken apart and rebuilt to tailgate specs

 

[fireball]

We have been using this for years, light and nonslip

Otto Step

Looks nice. where do you keep when not in use?


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[ski3pin]

Upside down on a rug right inside the door. Be aware it is not rigid. It has a bit of flex if you stand on an outside corner. It is nothing that bothers us. Check the specs, I believe it has a weight limit of 200 pounds. Neither of us push that spec. The non slip surface is nice.

 

[nikonron]

I leave the step that I fabricated mounted in place, it's tucked out of the way under the swing away when traveling. Worked out great.

 

[fireball]

Anyone happen to know where to get this step? It looks like a great setup...two steps instead of just one like all the other plastic foldable units my google searching has come up with.

 

[idahoron]

I wonder how that pulls?

 

[fireball]

I'll tell you after this weekend

 

[97grandby]

Here is what I use. A bit of scrap metal and some heated metal bent into hooks. Fits great.


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[BMSIII]

Anyone happen to know where to get this step? It looks like a great setup...two steps instead of just one like all the other plastic foldable units my google searching has come up with.

Not exactly the same but close. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0719CBKWP

 

[Lone Star Adventurer]

We use a smittybilt beaver step. Works great as a step and it is also a recovery point.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004K23KQ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507868847&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=smittybilt+beaver+step&dpPl=1&dpID=41Yo4NFhfWL&ref=plSrch