Camper step

[ckent323]

For those with permanently mounted or folding rear steps that are left in place while driving.

Use caution that you do not block any part of the license plate letters or expiration tags.

In California that can get you a ticket.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&division=3.&title=&part=&chapter=1.&article=9.


Regards,
Craig

 

[idahoron]

That is stupid, most trailers block the licence plate.

 

[ckent323]

idahoron,

Seems like the vehicle code in Idaho is worded more simply than California but obstructing the visibility of a licence plate by another object appears to be an infraction in Idaho just as it is in California. My guess is this is pretty common across the States.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title49/t49ch4/sect49-428/

I did find a recent Idaho Senate bill that modifies the vehicle code to accommodate trailer hitches, trailers, etc. The wording for license plate visibility seems better but I note that fold up steps are not in the explicit list of things allowed to block the visibility of a license plate. I do not know if this bill made it into law or not.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2017/legislation/S1071.pdf

My guess is that this is one of the large set of laws which are not often enforced unless an officer wants s justifiable reason to pull someone over.

Regards,

Craig

 

[ntsqd]

Any competent officer can always find Probable Cause to pull you over. Simply too many laws for both you and your vehicle to always be 100% legal all of the time.

Reading those KA laws I note that they only mention that it is illegal for someone to sell something the inhibits the electronic reading of the plates. It is not illegal to make and install something that does so. If the plates can be read by a human, but not read by one of the photo-enforced intersection control apparatus' you are still legal. As it happens our step unintentionally only obscures the plate if trying to read it from an elevation that is significantly higher than could be expected from a person. AFAIC those photo things are illegal as there is no officer present to make a determination as to if the infraction was justified or not.

 

[idahoron]

People worry too much about nothing.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

^^.

 

[Stormfishing]

Nice did you weld it, rivets or bolts?

 

[Rafter C]

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.

https://www.amazon.com/Acko-Purpose-Durable-Plastic-Capability/dp/B0719C6MJ6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1514867921&sr=8-11&keywords=folding+plastic+step+stool

 

[nikonron]

Nice did you weld it, rivets or bolts?

Bolts, all hidden. Ron

 

[Dragon240]

Also use the Smitty Bilt "Beaver" On Tundra with a Hawk on top. Found the step to fit a little 'loose' in the receiver making a bit of a wiggle. Used couple of Simpsom Strong tie angles [A21 50¢ +- ...1 1/4" x 2"] Lowes etc. Put step into receiver ~ secured with hitch pin.~ Placed short side of angle between step and receiver Hammered her in. Same other side; top; and bottom. That step is solid as a ROCK. Took dremel & cut off tails [should have cut off long sides 1/4" from corner to start with ] HA!! trying to walk and think at same time.

Now if need to take step off will have to remove pin and Hammer her out again. JM2¢ YMMV

 

[Squatch]

I though I had posted on this thread. I use the 2 step Brophy and leave it in place most of the time. Unless the bike rack is in the hitch.

It works perfectly for me. I added some traction tape as it can be slick when wet. Also some reflective tape on all sides. It doesn't obstruct the license plate. the traction tape has yellow reflective on it. Makes it easy to see in the dark.





This step.
https://www.amazon.com/CR-Brophy-Machine-Works-RHS2/dp/B001U7FSSQ

And this hitch stabilizer. It's simple to use. I just keep a 1/2 ratchet with a 3/4 socket in a door pocket. Step is solid as a rock. A few seconds to tighten it up or remove it. I like it so much I bought a 2nd one.
https://www.amazon.com/StowAway-Tightener-Anti-Rattle-Stabilizer-Hitches/dp/B0001CMUV4/ref=pd_bxgy_263_img_2/139-5193596-8574943?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0001CMUV4&pd_rd_r=9TZQQCBRT268021ZT1BS&pd_rd_w=w6Al9&pd_rd_wg=PXATD&psc=1&refRID=9TZQQCBRT268021ZT1BS

 

[klahanie]

These are all great and ingenious ideas for steps with no tailgate ,
What do ya'll do for steps when you leave your tailgate on ?
Currently using a small step stool on a Ranger/Eagle, and it works fine, a step would be better.

MB, I think you have this sorted now with a storage box. But fwiw I use this type of folding step stool. The high hoop assists with climbing up and down and makes it easy, when retiring for the night, to pull up the unit and hang it on the door stopper. I don't know if this deters curious night critters but like to think so.

Also a 2 or 3 step stool is pretty handy round the camp and outside the camper.

In a quiet camp ground we sometimes back up to, or move, a picnic table and use it for a step (with a mat on of course).

 

[Hodakaguy]

My father and I built a folding aluminum hitch step today for our Tacoma/Swift combo. We used a WeatherTech BumpStop Step (Nice if you accidentally bump a shin against the step) and 6061-T6 Aluminum for the extension/pivot. The whole assembly is very light and really sturdy.

Build pics/info in my build thread here: CLICK HERE

Hodakaguy