GM tailgate step- you've gotta see the humor in this...

[dustman_stx]

I vividly recall the GM commercial where they ridiculed Ford for having an available tailgate step. The gist of the commercial was that real men don't need a step. Not long after, they incorporated the bumper steps which seemed completely ridiculous to me. And now, here we are with GM introducing their own tailgate step. Even devout GM fans have to see how funny this is!!!!! I predict that within 5 years they'll be offering aluminum bodies and smaller displacement turbocharged engines.


Next Chevy Silverado could get this built-in tailgate step - Autoblog

[RubyDually]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

I predict that within 5 years they'll be offering aluminum bodies

No need to predict... GM already announced it for late 2018.

GM readying aluminum body trucks by late 2018, report says

[Electra glide]

I like my bumper step...

[SidecarFlip]

Looks to me like another corrosion prone part. My truck sits real high..I use a 5 gallon plastic bucket up side down when I need it...

I got a kick out of the GM commercial about how steel trucks were better. I knew then that being behind the 8 ball needed some positive advertising.

Working in the heavy truck industry where aluminum cabs have been the norm for a decade now, I can tell you (from experience) that crash damage on an aluminum body is 5 times as expensive to repair and a PITA as everything is glued together with epoxy.

I don't need (or want) no stinking tailgate step and considering how flimsy the GM tailgate is now, they had better beef it up a bit or stepping on that step will bow the tailgate.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Electra glide

I like my bumper step...

I guess my thing was, how much easier can it be to put your foot on the bumper step as opposed to the bumper itself only a few inches higher? I suppose the bumper step does somewhat encapsulate your foot to limit potentially slipping off. Still, to make fun of another company for offering a tailgate step and imply real men don't need a step, just to mold one into your bumper.......and now offer a real tailgate step....just makes me and . I mean, honestly, if the bumper step is so great I would wonder why they need to offer the tailgate step. But, once again, I haven't used one, so I can't offer any real critique of it's actual usefulness.

[BamaBob]

When we had our 5er, we had a ford with the tailgate step and the pop-out steps on the side of the truck.


Absolutely the BEST things since sliced bread! I used the side steps all the time when I worked the 5th wheel hitch and the tailgate step (with the grab handle) made getting in and out of the bed a breeze!

[Pipeman]

I have a GM and it would be nice to have a step incorporated in my Tgate. I use a 3 step, plastic fold up ladder and I use it a lot. I have an aux fuel tank in front of the 5th wheel and I use my step ladder to stand on while filling the aux tank. I be one of those normal guys....5 ft 8 and under.....

[david_reaves]

I'm tall (6'6") and I have a fold-down step on my Ram 3500 SRW 4 x4. I also have pull-down steps on the sides for easy access to both sides of my truck box.

It is funny that they advertised "no-step" as not needed for "real men" then went on to add the step... I guess that means that GM truck buyers aren't manly? (Not my opinion, but possibly the company's)

[BC Boy]

This is why I just smh at all the my trucks the best, don't buy a ford, gm, toyota etc arguments that people love to have. Who cares? Buy what you like, what works for your needs and wants in a truck. Competition is a good thing because this is what happens. One company comes out with new ideas and if it does well then it can get the attention of other manufacturers and they then incorporate it. I'm sure there are plenty of lifelong gm owners who were like huh that tailgate step is pretty neat, I think I would use that quite a bit, especially the older I get [emoji1]. Well now they can get the truck they prefer and some new tech when they upgrade next [emoji106]. Same with the aluminum body's and the half ton diesels that are popping up now.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

I vividly recall the GM commercial where they ridiculed Ford for having an available tailgate step. The gist of the commercial was that real men don't need a step. Not long after, they incorporated the bumper steps which seemed completely ridiculous to me. And now, here we are with GM introducing their own tailgate step. Even devout GM fans have to see how funny this is!!!!! I predict that within 5 years they'll be offering aluminum bodies and smaller displacement turbocharged engines.


Next Chevy Silverado could get this built-in tailgate step - Autoblog

According to my body repair man, if they do, he will be turning away Chevy trucks for bed repair just like he does Fords now.

Glad I'm old. I own my last truck.

[Mr Havercamp]

How can I retrofit one of those GM tailgate steps on my 2015? I want one!

Silverado "COULD" get that tailgate step? OK.

I own both a 2013 F 150 and a 2015 GMC 2500. Both high strength steel bodies.....and a lot of plastic. I want the tailgate step LOL.

[BandJCarm]

By the way. I have a 1500 and a 3500. A tailgate step on the 1500 is a bit humorous. A tailgate step on the 3500 is hardly enough.

[itat]

I had an Amp Research BedStep on my F-150. It worked great. My new F-250 has the factory tailgate step. It's even better as a step but I find it a little loose when retracted into the tailgate.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

... how much easier can it be to put your foot on the bumper step as opposed to the bumper itself only a few inches higher?

Much easier. But this is like a Ford/Chevy/Dodge/gas/diesel argument.

If you like it, buy one. I did, but only because it was already installed on a truck that meets my needs. I'm glad it's there.

[JimMorrell]

I'm 81 years old, and have a 2011 F 150. Without my tailgate step, I'd be lost. It's one of the best "add on's" for trucks in years. I'm amazed General Motors didn't copy it in 2012.

[Mtnman64]

Getting old ain't for sissies !! Three knee jobs later, I'm still looking for an easy way.

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by JimMorrell

I'm 81 years old, and have a 2011 F 150. Without my tailgate step, I'd be lost. It's one of the best "add on's" for trucks in years. I'm amazed General Motors didn't copy it in 2012.

When I'm 81, I won't be driving a pickup anymore.

I'll get me a big motorhome and run into things with that... If I make it that far that is. I live pretty fast so I don't expect to.

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

How can I retrofit one of those GM tailgate steps on my 2015? I want one!

Silverado "COULD" get that tailgate step? OK.

I own both a 2013 F 150 and a 2015 GMC 2500. Both high strength steel bodies.....and a lot of plastic. I want the tailgate step LOL.

Bring it by and I'll take my Hypertherm and cut out your tailgate and weld you one up. Painting is optional but I don't do bad with a rattlecan.

[SidecarFlip]

........real men use the step bumper or in my case an inverted 5 gallon bucket.

[dmlranhc]

In the Chevrolet Silverado commercial where they dump rocks into the box of the Ford and Silverado, one guy says he thought the aluminum would be less damaged. You can't tell me they didn't tell him to say that. Any nut knows steel is certainly going to be less damaged than aluminum. Sure aluminum is lighter, but certainly dents easier. In addition they say, real people, not actors. Aren't actors real people?
I use my bumper step on my Silverado very often and find it very useful. Maybe for younger more guys it doesn't mean much, but as they grow older they will appreciate it.