my first truck with one and i love it and wont ever own another truck with out one...
one of the best things ford ever did i think

 

Cost for a tailgate step added after delivery is @ 2,000$. New tailgate is needed and that cost might not include painting to match.

There are companies that offer 'bolt-on' steps for the rear of the bed and side bed steps, too.

And I've got both the camera and reverse sensors. My display is in my rear view mirror on my XLT.

I rely on the sensors when parking. When they say I'm close to something, then I check the camera unless I'm hooking my tow up. Then I use just the camera.

I was just a the dealer and out of 30 trucks on the lot, only one had the tailgate step. (Another XLT)

 

Thanks for the info, though not exactly what I wanted to hear.

 

^ I know, pricey. It's only $375 sticker. I have the Masterlock on my tailgate just to prevent theft. I leave the handle unlocked so the thiefs don't punch my lock just to find the Masterlock on the hinge. That way, hopefully they'l lower the tailgate, see the lock, and move on.

 

I love my tailgate step! The box side steps are nice too.

When I first got my truck, my wife asked what the steps were for, and I showed her. From then on out, she loved showing off those features! I'm 5'8" and she's 5'3", and neither of us has trouble getting in and out of the bed

I'm sold on that, the reverse sensors and camera.

-John

 

I have seen a bunch of people mention they hate theirs and are removing it and replacing with a flat panel.. Maybe you can hook up with one of those and just swap tailgates.

 

Sounds like a good idea, if I could be so lucky.

 

Actually they are only getting rid of the midget stripper pole. They are still keeping the slide out step. I don't use my pole either and will look into the flat panel a little later on.

 

I may put on one of the aftermarket swing-out step units that tucks up under the bumper...less than $200 from some sources, and they look easy enough to mount...

 

The step is awesome. The post comes in handy when moving furniture. All you guys who don't use the post must not have a bunch of loser friends that move a lot.

 

I love my step. I think it was a great invention. I don't really use the bar so I have been thinking of removing it and the plastic cover so I can LineX the tailgate. I saw it on another truck and it looked real clean.

 

Would never buy another truck without the step, back up camera, and Preminger Sensors! I am 73 and love that step and handle for getting inside the bed. Arthritis as we age makes some thing like that pole and step a necessity. I in the 210 lb range and the pole seems plenty strong when I lean into it

 

Quite the contrary. I use the bed of my truck on a very regular basis and the complete mess of a tailgate that is the stripper pole is a terrible design by Ford. Had they recessed the pole into the tailgate (when the pole is laying down), I'd say job well done. Mounting it high and then compensating for it by adding the terrible ribbed plastic piece that makes the tailgate useless when down is why so many people are buying the non-step-tailgate panel and turning the gate back into a usable piece.

That's my 02 cents anyways...

 

Love the STEP !!!!! Wife does too. Very easy on the knees getting in and out or carrier. Use the handle 50 % of time when loading. Just makes sense to hold on to...... I have a Bed Rug & a BakFlip cover. The Bedrug has a cover for tailgate that goes over handle. Still works great.
It's kinda like going from a regular 2 door cab to a supercab or supercrew. Once you have it you'll never go back.

 

Jim for 2 grand you could do some serious suspension mods, and still have money to play with