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11-24-2007, 03:01 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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Getting it up....
Now that I have your attention...
All I'm talking about is getting my big butt up into the bed of my new 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew Cab safely... and of course getting back down dignity and safety. Your thoughts? - Lighted Hitch step - seems OK for a half ton, but it's still going to be a big first step up and down, plus at 5' 6" I don't know if my legs are long enough to clear the tailgate
- Folding step stool - red plastic to match the color of the truck, two step model... bungee corded to the inside of the tailgate. Lower tailgate, remove and set up steps?
- Ramp? Overkill?
- Something else I don't even know about?
Next topic - A new brake controller. I went to Northern Supply today - first trip - cool, but they only had one brand which looked like something in-house. Two controllers, one $49 the digital one $69. Are these any good? Would I be better off ordering a Prodigy? Other brands?
Third topic - It has pleasantly surprised me how much useful storage there is inside the crew cab. Of course with the great cleanout I did throw away lots of stuff too. There is a lot of room UNDER the rear seats where my weight bars and trunnion now live. Still, it's obvious I will need some storage in the bed, but doubt I'll really need a full tonneau cover. Any wisdom about the best kind of storage boxes to get? I'd like to keep the EU1000 generator, my small grill and possibly one spare propane tank outside - along with misc. crap that you need once in a while - like 60 ft of white hose.
Paula
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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11-24-2007, 03:04 PM
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#2
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_
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, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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hi paula
did u not get running boards?
if not they are pretty useful.
and IF you want the trick'est ones made check out the amp research retracting version....
Amp Research
very very cool!
cheers
2air'
ok never mind, i see you are referring to the bed, not the cab, still the power step rocks!
i use a 2 step rubbermaid folding thingie....
Rubbermaid Folding Step Stool (4209-03)
2 years and 260lbs it still works great.
and don't the chev-ez now have an integrated brake controller option? i'd have the dealer fit one IF it wasn't ordered with it...
you may not want a full tonneau cover but they do improve mpg and some measure of protection/security to bedded items...
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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11-24-2007, 03:08 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Hernando
, Mississippi
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 759
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Paula,
there are several brands of "tailgate steps" available. They bolt to the tailgate inside the bed, extend down once the tailgate is opened. JCWhitney has it. Also just google truck accessories and pick one. use their search for 'folding tailgate steps'. common price seems to be around $50.
Good luck
__________________
Rgds,
Scott
Air 16426
Fully retired now!
Remember:
Never start anything before noon and always plan on being finished by 5.
I will never HAVE to be anywhere ever again!
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11-24-2007, 03:09 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Limited
Ashland
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,610
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Paula, I keep a stepstool in the bed that I use when getting up into the truck bed or for reaching anything more than two feet from the tailgate. I'm 5'5'' and can't reach over effectively at all without the stepstool. One thing I hope to add to enable reaching is a piece of step that runs from the beginning of the truck bed to the wheel. We have the running step for getting up in the front seats and crew seats, but I really need that to continue on to give access to the "front" part of the bed. I remember asking for that when we got the truck, and all the men just smiled and ignored me. ARGH!!! Maybe I'll have that by spring! We use storage boxes when camping, and I really like having the tonneau cover to "hide" the bed contents. ~G
__________________
maxandgeorgia
1995 Airstream Classic Limited 30' ~ Gypsy
1978 Argosy Minuet, 6.0~Minnie/GPZWGN
Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison, 4X4, Crew Cab
WBCCI #5013 AIR #2908
WDCU
Go, Mizzou...Tigers on the prowl!
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11-24-2007, 03:45 PM
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#5
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Silver Mist
Currently Looking...
Riverhead
, New York
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,011
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Stand on a little blue pill
__________________
Bob
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11-24-2007, 05:00 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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i find that my metal tool box make a great first step and the top of the tire makes a fairly good second step.
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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11-24-2007, 06:41 PM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
2005 31' Classic
Gretna
, Nebraska
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 152
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Brake controller
A Prodigy is a great controller. When I bought my GMC2500 last summer I took the Prodigy from my Suburban and gave it to the salesman. The new truck is prewired, and it is simple for those folks to find the wire harness and plug it into the controller and mount it. No extra charge.
For those of us who are "vertically challenged", a plastic step stool is a necessity. Anything - one step or two - will help a lot. I have a topper on my truck that has opening windows on the sides which also helps provide access to the "stuff". Good luck.
Dwight
31'Classic
'05 GMC 2500 6.0
Equalizer, Enkay flaps
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11-24-2007, 06:48 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Yakima
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 381
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ER A...buy a new Ford with the built in tailgate step and handle? ...Just kidding
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11-24-2007, 08:31 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1982 34' Limited
1975 31' Sovereign
Grovetown
, Georgia
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 107
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I use a contractor box for extra storage. It's a heavy duty plastic lockable box about 2' high by 3' X 2'. I have used it for a step. I have a roll up tonneau to keep things out of sight and cleaner. It's lighter and easier than the hand ones. "Myth Busters" demo show a decrease in milage using one though.
__________________
"Humans get a lot done,not because we're smart, but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee." Flash Rosenburg
"Decaffinated coffee is the devil's blend."
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11-25-2007, 06:53 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Hey Paula,
Can't comment on the 'big step' as I drive a van (I DO like the blue pill idea though ), but if you give some thought to what your brake cotroller is doing and how much you depend on it to properly operate the trailer's brakes, how could you consider any off-brand of controller? Look at what's at stake if the controller fails........
Go for it and get a Prodigy or new P-3. For safety's sake! You owe it to yourself and your trailer!!!!!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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11-25-2007, 08:44 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 279
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Why get in the bed? Just use a bed slide and bring the contents to you! IFW Bed Slide
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11-25-2007, 09:20 AM
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#12
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Be Careful
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foiled Again
Now that I have your attention...
All I'm talking about is getting my big butt up into the bed of my new 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew Cab safely... and of course getting back down dignity and safety. Your thoughts? - Lighted Hitch step - seems OK for a half ton, but it's still going to be a big first step up and down, plus at 5' 6" I don't know if my legs are long enough to clear the tailgate
- Folding step stool - red plastic to match the color of the truck, two step model... bungee corded to the inside of the tailgate. Lower tailgate, remove and set up steps?
- Ramp? Overkill?
- Something else I don't even know about?
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Can't help you on these. I am 5' 10" Getting the bed is no problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foiled Again
Next topic - A new brake controller. I went to Northern Supply today - first trip - cool, but they only had one brand which looked like something in-house. Two controllers, one $49 the digital one $69. Are these any good? Would I be better off ordering a Prodigy? Other brands?
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Most of the stuff at Northern is junk or nearly so. I would not buy anything from them that I depend on. Get a prodigy or equivlent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foiled Again
Third topic - It has pleasantly surprised me how much useful storage there is inside the crew cab. Of course with the great cleanout I did throw away lots of stuff too. There is a lot of room UNDER the rear seats where my weight bars and trunnion now live. Still, it's obvious I will need some storage in the bed, but doubt I'll really need a full tonneau cover. Any wisdom about the best kind of storage boxes to get? I'd like to keep the EU1000 generator, my small grill and possibly one spare propane tank outside - along with misc. crap that you need once in a while - like 60 ft of white hose.
Paula
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I had a weatherguard saddle box.
WEATHER GUARD Saddle Truck Tool Boxes
It worked well. Whatever you do get one that opens all the way across that way you can put long things in. I needed more space and got a topper.
Good luck with the new truck.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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11-25-2007, 09:39 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
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My self Paula I prefer a Lear Cap that I can lock. Mine has no windows and the rear window in the cap is covered . OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND I aways say. I can keep my Gen,toolbox,trailerSpare,extra propane and gas for gen.Leveling lumber(also for tire changing) Just some food for thought. Oh I have a foldinstepstool that MaryLou found at GoodWill works great for gettin my fat ass into the bed also.LOL Oh my brake controler was only bout $40 i think its a BRAKEMAN. Good Luck
Roger
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11-25-2007, 09:42 AM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
Roblin
, MB.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 113
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Step
I had a step welded up at a welding shop. It has a square tube that inserts into the receiver hitch on the truck. When installed the step is 1/2 way between the ground and lowered tailgate. The actual step part is expanded metal so it is very slip proof. The length of the tube is equal to the width of the lowered tailgate plus the width of the step plus enough to go into the receiver. It's easy to store when not in use - pull it out of the receiver and lay it in the truck bed. Cost - very little. Can send pic if anyone is interested.
Bob
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