There’s nothing worse than being on a camping trip, having a great time, and then all of a sudden have it ruined by a trip to the hospital from falling off your truck camper steps. Whether it’s the instability and shakiness of the steps at steep angles or the fact that you have to jump from great heights to get to the ground – you shouldn’t have to deal with these issues any longer.
So, what can you do? With many aftermarket step upgrades available, what’s the best truck camper step to choose for you? Some of these upgrades include ladders or step stools for your truck camper. While these are certainly options to consider, there are also a couple of alternatives available to aftermarket steps that are a safer and more stable option.
A typical scenario: truck camper step stool or ladder
With a camper step stool, it’s designed to sit underneath your current factory truck camper steps to give you an extra step. Step stools help make it a little easier to get in and out, but the truck camper steps are still shaky because they don’t reach the ground. The only step touching the ground is the folding step stool. Step stools also usually come with a no-slip surface and have a wider platform than factory steps. But, when you’re on the move – you have to figure out storage for these steps since they’re not attached to your camper in any way. Also, if weight isn’t applied evenly, it can be dangerous and add to the potential of tipping over.
Also available are RV step ladders. These are designed to be sturdier than just a step stool and factory step combination, and most ladders aren’t as steep as your factory steps. Quite a bit more expensive than step stools, the other downside of truck camper ladders is that they require a large amount of space for storage that might be hard to find with all the gear you bring along. The other potential issue is that these steps also won’t attach to your camper unless you do some major modification to your entry.
Solution #1: Torklift Original GlowStep
The GlowStep truck camper step is made of 100% aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel with a unique SureGrip anti-slip tread. Torklift’s GlowStep uses a double hinge design featuring dual flat bars. This prevents any twisting or warping of the steps when under a heavy load. Self-illuminating strips glow up to 10 hours with only five minutes of light exposure. The illuminating strips are the same grade glow strips are used to indicate emergency exits on commercial aircrafts.
The steps are engineered with a special hinge design that allows the steps to deploy and retract with ease, and is built to maintain longevity and durability. The GlowSteps are extraordinarily sturdy by connecting the RV all the way to ground level. Like planting roots with the All Terrain Landing Gear adjustable feet, you have unparalleled stability when entering and exiting your truck camper so you don’t have to worry about the wobbly instability of factory steps.
The GlowStep is available in two to six step range with a 7.5-inch riser gap so it resembles residential staircase height so you’re not having to become a long jumper in track and field just to get in and out of your truck camper. Because you’ve spent your hard-earned money on this step investment, they are also lockable to prevent theft and store in position.
Features of the GlowStep Include:
• Self-illuminating steps truck camper steps glow in the dark for 10 hours with only five minutes of light exposure - no batteries
• Safely enter and exit your truck camper or RV after dark
• SureGrip™ step tread provides no-slip surface (no grip tape)
• Stores in position and lockable to prevent theft
• 100% aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel
• Stainless bolted hinges allow for easy step addition or removal
• Exclusive: adjusts to basement model campers
• Legendary Lifetime Warranty
• Proudly made in the USA
Solution #2: Torklift Stow N’ Go
The Stow N’ Go step was manufactured after feedback from customers, especially for those who wanted an upgrade to avoid the tediousness of removing and storing their steps on the inside of their campers. The Stow N’ Go locks while in transit, eliminating the hassle of detaching the steps. The steps remain mounted to the back of the truck camper bumper or underneath the door to prevent the interior from getting dirty, so you don’t have to spend extra time cleaning the truck camper before you head out on the road or when you get home.
With these truck camper steps, you no longer have to worry about your steps falling off your bumper because they weren’t stored properly with a bungee cord or other attempted storage modification. With a special nylon retainer system, it eliminates movement while in transit by snapping the steps securely in place. That means that you don’t have to worry about losing your steps while driving down the road because they’re securely stored to your truck camper with the Stow N’ Go bracket. For extra security during transit or protection against potential thieves, GlowStep Locks are available. The steps come in a range of three to six steps for any truck camper height.
This step system comes standard with the storage bracket, GlowStep step system and All Terrain Landing Gear adjustable feet. Or, if you already have the Original GlowSteps, you can purchase the bracket and All Terrain Landing Gear separately to convert your GlowStep into a Stow N’ Go.
Features of the Stow N’ Go Include
• Avoid storing steps inside the RV and eliminate the hassle of detaching steps during transit
• Avoid storing steps inside the RV and eliminate the hassle of detaching steps during transit
• Prevents dirty RV interior and damage from step movement• Secures into place to prevent movement
• Designed for easy “stow-and-go” step operation for truck campers – simply pull the handle to deploy and store truck camper steps
• Mounts to the truck camper bumper or directly to the truck camper below the door — Requires a 23” x 3.5” mounting area
• Prevent step movement during transit with the bolt-on stabilizing bracket plate features nylon studs – steps snap securely into place for storage
• Steps are lockable with GlowStep Locks to prevent theft (sold separately)• To stabilize steps on uneven terrain, the Stow N’ Go comes standard with the All Terrain Landing Gear adjustable feet (step application only)*
• Mounting Bracket available in white or black high impact powder coat for extreme durability to match the color of your camper
• Ability to add or remove steps*
• Sold in applications for 3-6 steps*
• Steps glow in the dark for up to ten hours with only five minutes of light exposure – no batteries necessary
• Steps are specially designed with SureGrip step tread which provides no-slip surface for easy entry and exit of camper
• Accessories sold separately: GlowGuide Handrail, SafeStep pet safety barriers and DirtDestroyer shoe cleaning attachment
• Legendary Lifetime Warranty
• Proudly made in the USA
*Specific part numbers come with 8 inch GlowSteps pre-installed into the bracket with All Terrain Landing Gear. Bracket is also available separately.
RV Step Accessories
The following accessories are available for all Torklift step applications including the GlowStep Original truck camper steps, GlowStep Revolution steps for towables and the latest offering – the Stow N’ Go easy-to-store truck camper steps:
• GlowGuide – RV handrail
A lightweight RV handrail that’s composed of three telescopic arms: the upper door arm mount, the lower step arm mount and the strut arm. The GlowGuide helps you achieve even more balance when entering and entering your RV by providing a hand-hold all the way from the door entry to the ground so you can use your steps with confidence.
• SafeStep – pet step barrier
Created to be a protective riser guard that creates a vertical barrier between each of the steps. The SafeStep is designed to help protect pets and children from falling in-between the steps. The Velcro backed panels allow for an easy install and ability to stay attached while in the stowed position.
• DirtDestroyer – shoe cleaning attachment
Designed to work with any scissor step. Simply scrape your shoe on this bristle shoe cleaning attachment – this allows you to leave the dirt outside of the RV and save you from one less mess to clean.
For more information on the GlowStep, Stow N’ Go or their accessories, contact us at 800-246-8132. If you’re interested in upgrading to any one of the items discussed in this blog, visit a Torklift Certified Dealer near you.
Written by Kerstin Stokes:
As a graduate from the College of Idaho with a B.A. in both History and Art, Kerstin has found her passion for writing and marketing. She enjoys looking up tasty recipes, spoiling her cat Clio and daydreaming about future travels.