There are myriad reasons why one would struggle to get into the bed of their truck; having a tall lift, injured back or knees, below average height, or an uneven parking surface are just a few common obstacles to climbing into a truck bed. Trying to overstretch yourself while climbing your back bumper is unsafe. It puts you at risk of pulling a muscle or falling, made more dangerous if you’re attempting to load your bed with any gear or supplies. In the most severe scenarios, falling from your truck could result in serious bodily harm or death. This problem is easily solved by adding a hitch-mounted step that plugs straight into your existing towing hitch. You’re a tough worker and need a tough step to hang in there when you need it to. We’ve found a few options that you will hold up under pressure.
Best Hitch Step Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
TGL Hitch Step
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Best Budget
WeatherTech MacNeil Automotive Bump Step
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Premium Pick
Tyger Auto Hitch Armor Hitch Step
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Most Attractive
Bully CR-600L Hitch Step
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Honorable Mention
Go Rhino Dominator Hitch Step
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How We Selected The Products
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing yet on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
We carefully selected hitch steps based on performance criteria, price point, and their respective brand’s history of reliability. We looked at the step’s weight capacity and durability of construction. The steps had to be compatible with the standard two-inch hitch receiver. While the prices range from budget-friendly to premium, all products are within reach of the average truck owner.
Buying Guide/What to Look For
Not only is every truck different, but so is every truck owner. To find the right hitch step here’s what we looked for:
- Weight Capacity: Falling is one of the largest statistical accidents according to OSHA and having a hitch step fail to hold your weight is unacceptable. The total weight rating for a hitch step should take into account the weight of any gear or supplies you’d be lifting as well as your own body weight. Typically this is around 300-350 pounds. If you have to lift more than that it’s recommended to use material handling equipment.
- Durability: The material each step is made of varies by manufacturer and the longevity of your step is important. Having a rugged step comes in handy if you forget it’s there while backing up or if someone rear-ends you. Select a step made from steel or high-strength plastics.
- Height Variances: To ensure that you get a step that will actually help you it’s important to look at the height levels. Most steps are designed to sit at the hitch receiver level. If the distance between your hitch receiver and the ground is drastically high, you may want to consider other options for mounting a hitch step.
- Versatility: While most steps are only steps, there are quite a few with additional features. Since the hitch step is replacing your towing ball it’s important to consider how much you may need to do. Not all steps would be ideal to constantly remove and replace for special jobs.
FAQs
Q: What is a hitch step?
A hitch step is a piece of material designed to fit into a tow hitch receiver and provide the user a helpful step into the bed of their truck.
Q: Are a step bumper and hitch step the same?
No. A step bumper is a type of bumper with a step built into it. A hitch step is a separate piece that mounts into your hitch receiver.
Q: Does a hitch step fit my vehicle?
Regardless of the year, make, and model of your vehicle a hitch step’s compatibility is solely reliant on your tow hitch receiver. Most hitch steps are designed to fit a two-inch receiver.
Q: Are hitch steps only for trucks?
No, they can be used on any vehicle with a compatible tow hitch. If installed on an SUV or van the hitch step would only offer assistance in reaching the back end of the roof.
About the Author
Scott Whisler is a family man and Marine Corps veteran. He writes gear reviews for Task & Purpose and is known for starring in the documentary series The War Within (2018). Outside of writing, he’s an avid reader and outdoor adventurer.
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Founded as the /DRIVE YouTube channel before growing into a full-fledged online publication in 2015, The Drive brings you the best of what’s new in the world of speed, from gear reviews to the latest industry coverage—all from a veteran team of writers and editors with many decades of combined hands-on experience. Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.