A long way up...

[AlFischer]

Just put a 8. 5' camper on my 2500 and realized it was a REAL long way up to get in it. Camper came without steps. Started to look for what is available in steps and then put the boat on the hitch and took another look.



Any thoughts on some type of step that will work with and without the boat attached?



Also if I put about a 12" extension on the hitch what would it do to the weight rating?

 

[DPelletier]

Don't know if I can help you with the step thing. most I've seen use the expanding, accordion type arrangement if the trailer is disconnected and I've seen some pretty neat steps bolted or clipped on to the trailer tongues, but neither would work both ways.

As far as the extension goes, all I know is that you have to be careful, the longer the extension, the more leverage on the hitch. A friend has a K3500 chevy with a camper and a 24" extension for his 3500 lb trailer and the hitch was ripped out of the frame on the back bolts and pushed in the frame on the front ones!:--)

Dave

 

[JWhitcomb]

You can carry a small step stool, more of a platform really, about one foot high. You can keep that inside the boat or the camper. As far as the extension, depends on how much the boat and trailer weigh. Ge too heavy and you need to get a class 5.

 

[roadranger]

We haul a 8. 5 ft camper too - Lance 810



We're usually pulling a trailer at the same time, so modified the jacks on each of them to swing out of the way to leave room for a nice stepping platform on the tongue.



Times when we're not hauling a trailer, got a step from Grizzly that plugs into the receiver and works good.

 

[Deezul1]

I have a aluminuim accordian step with 4 steps that I used when I had my 11. 5 camper on a 4x4 ford that was pretty high. It worked real well. It hooks on a bracket mounted to the camper under the door and is light weight and easy to use. What part of the country are you in?

 

[AlFischer]

RIPPED OUT THE HITCH? SCAAARY!!



My son-in law needs to read this. He has a 2500 and carries the biggest Elkhorn and has a home-built 36" extension to tow his 5000 lb boat. Accident waiting to happen.



We are in Fresno Calif.