Customer Reviews

Heininger 4045 HitchMate TruckStep for 2" Receiver

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My father-in-law drives a Silverado and he is in and out of the bed all the time since he keeps a wheel chair back there for his wife. His knees aren't what they used to be, so this tends to be a major pain.

Anyway, last week we put a HitchMate TruckStep on his receiver and he's been using it ever since. The install only took a few minutes and was easy to do. The step itself folds up when not in use and extends about 2 feet when needed. This is one of those simple ideas that really works.

After a week of use, he says he couldn't live without it - so I guess that means he likes it!

*** UPDATE 10/20/2010 ***

I just thought I'd add that my father-in-law still mentions this step pretty much every time I see him. It's getting LOTS of use and is still holding up and working great!

At first blush I thought I had a ringer but was I surprised and happy with my new HitchMate. The clincher was a buddy has one on his pick up and it works wonderfully and far better than I could have dreamed. On it went and with ease I add joyfully. In the background was a little urchin suggesting that I would mess up the installation, as usual; however, the Tool Guy was looking over my good shoulder and it went on without a (this is awful) hitch. Please forgive me for that. How does it work, you asked? Well, just downright perfectly. There was little funny about watching a big old chunk trying to load a bunch of bags of mulch or stuff in the back while trying to reach farther than the body could handle and getting up was not an option thanks to defective knees. The HitchMate provided the perfect tool for the tasks and boy did I hear it from the knees. Those knobby devils were clapping and slapping their cartiledges as if they could do some happy talk. When done it was a simple slid to store the step in its receiver and on we go to the next task. I do not use it a lot; however, I use it far more than I would have expected and therefore making it a fantastic addition to the tool bag.

I love this step! Was a bit concerned after reading a few reviews that stated the step was plastic. However, I was pleased to find that the step was only "covered" with a plastic tread cover over a metal bent plate that appears to be quite sturdy. I've had several comments from others that have seen it - all positive and envious.

Perfect helper for a 65 years old folk, works beautifuly,very smart,exactly as they say in the add.All you need to ad is a dot of White Lithium grease (spray) and it will be even smoother.Flimsy ?,I don't think so,I'm 240 Lbs. and It hasn't complaint yet.

I really like the HitchMate. It was easy to install and so far has been very durable and easy to use.

From the moment I opened the box, I have been impressed with this product. After the quick and easy installation on my 1998 Dodge 3500 it has been a terrific product. It is extremely easy to deploy, with a quick flip you are ready to step right up on the tailgate. In our electrical contracting business, we move a lot of spools of wire and this step has allowed us to safely load and unload at the shop and job site. IT quickly extends and collapses back into the receiver, thus always being available, but not extending beyond the bumper when not in use.

my husband loves this..he is a mechanic and a farmer and this has been a godsend plus easy to use. Like he says when he uses the 5th wheel trailer he can easily get into the back now.

This is a great leg and back saver. I was going to build one but why and re-invent the wheel. It's sturdy and I love it.

This truck step was offered on the Amazon Vine Program, but they were all distributed before I got wind of the offering. My friend Ted and I do a great deal of gofering with our Ford 250, and this device looked like it would be a great benefit; our truck bed is about 28 inches above the pavement and neither of us trust stepping up onto the tailgate.

For many years we've had a little step stool, which is always getting misplaced, and both of our tool kits serve as stepping stools, but at twelve inches aren't really quite high enough, and if we're carrying a load of any consequence, it's possible to twist them out of shape.

The HitchMate TruckStep is extends 23.5 inches from the receiver and slides underneath when not in use.

We were able to find the step at one of the few auto supply stores still open in our area, and in fact it works like a charm. It's easy to attach to the hitch, it folds out of the way when not in use, it showed no signs of weakness when a 200 hundred pound worker clambered up carrying 80 pounds of "cemento".

I would have loved to got this device for free, but it's already proven its value in just three spring time cleanup projects. It's well worth taking a look to see if it fits your needs.

Robert C. Ross 2010

I bought this for my Chevy Avalanche. It seems pretty sturdy, though it moves around a little in the hitch. You'd have to pay close attention when standing on it: the step is compact (which, on the plus side, means it won't set off the rear parking assist sensors).

The step itself looks and feels a little cheap, though I'm sure it's plenty strong enough for the job... just don't expect to turn heads with this lump of plastic fastened to the back of your rig.

The supplied pin doesn't lock, and doesn't take much to remove, but some other steps don't even include one.

Most importantly, though: the step doesn't extend far enough for the Avalanche's tailgate. With the tailgate down the step is entirely covered, which completely defeats the point of the extendable step! You might be able to get a toe on it, while whacking your shin on the tailgate, but forget about easily stepping up onto the tailgate.

I'm guessing you'd be fine if you have a Ford Ranger (~ 16" tailgate), but the Avalanche's is 27" high. No go.

I'm returning this one; I'll either get a plain non-extending step, for collision protection and reaching onto the vehicle, or look for an alternative extending step.