Trailer tongue steps

[Vilas15]

Anyone have aftermarket steps installed to enter their boat from the front? I'm talking about EZEE steps, Easystep, or the like. My boat is a deep-V with a folding tongue so there's not much room for installation, I've seen some pictures of a similar trailer so it's possible but wondering what companies anyone has experience with, how well do they fit, etc.

 

I feel like this is the biggest thing that would make launching/loading by yourself easier. Is that true?

[WRB]

I use a combination of a walking plank and FlexStep. The trailer tongue plank is cut in two pieces to allow the tongue to fold and gives me a wider skid free surface to walk on.

The FlexStep is mounted on the trailer side frame opposite of the trolling motor. FlexStep folds up to store out of the way when not in use and folds down to locking positions when needed.

Check the online vedio's for details. I can pm you a photo if needed.

Tom

[Sam]

Tom, does the FlexStep actually help you get in and out of the boat easier than crawling over the transom and stepping on the trailer's fender step?

[WRB]

You get wet getting to the back of the boat or fender when the trailer is in the water without a dock. I use the step when launching or recovering the boat without a dock to back up next to. I don't like hip boots.

Tom

 

[HenryPF]

What boat do you have? Hard to tell by the avatar photo.

[Vilas15]

Just now, HenryPF said:

What boat do you have? Hard to tell by the avatar photo.

16.5' Lund Rebel XS. Trailer looks like this. Not much room in front of the winch post since that whole portion swings so I'd need something that hangs off the side. Spare tire would need to be relocated.

[HenryPF]

3 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

16.5' Lund Rebel XS. Trailer looks like this. Not much room in front of the winch post since that whole portion swings so I'd need something that hangs off the side. Spare tire would need to be relocated.

Here is a 2019 Lund Adventurer - looks the same to me:

 

Or try this link:

 

https://trickstep.com/custom-brands-gallery/

 

 

[Vilas15]

3 minutes ago, HenryPF said:

Here is a 2019 Lund Adventurer - looks the same to me:

 

Or try this link:

 

https://trickstep.com/custom-brands-gallery/

 

I agree that would work. There are some other options that I've seen. I'm just looking for opinions from people that have steps like this. Are they worth a couple hundred dollars? Any issues after having them installed for a while?

[Fishes in trees]

This spring I got a Bowstep boat ladder  (page 471 BPS 2020 Master Catalog).  I like it alot.   I've been wanting something like it for a long time, but messing up my knee last year put me seriously in the market.   I got the 4 step starboard mount.  It was a little cheaper than the trick step and I bought it during a period when BPS was offering free shipping.   That saved $40 or $50 bucks, 

maybe, I don't know, once they said free shipping I didn't ask how much I saved.

[HenryPF]

2 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

I agree that would work. There are some other options that I've seen. I'm just looking for opinions from people that have steps like this. Are they worth a couple hundred dollars? Any issues after having them installed for a while?

 

They are expensive - but everyone says well worth the price - $650 for the 4 step version from trick step, and the eeze step costs$80-150 more for the pole which I don't care for. Eeze step has what looks like wider steps and they bite (anti-slip) way better but it is not like I am tracking mud in the boat.

 

I plan to buy the trick step - note, you can get the trick step customized from Mark also.

 

There is also https://keelguard.com/product/flexstep-pro/ if you are just looking for a boost

[Vilas15]

39 minutes ago, HenryPF said:

 

They are expensive - but everyone says well worth the price - $650 for the 4 step version from trick step, and the eeze step costs$80-150 more for the pole which I don't care for. Eeze step has what looks like wider steps and they bite (anti-slip) way better but it is not like I am tracking mud in the boat.

 

I plan to buy the trick step - note, you can get the trick step customized from Mark also.

 

There is also https://keelguard.com/product/flexstep-pro/ if you are just looking for a boost

Yeah not cheap, but the trick step does look nicer and provides a better fit than the multi-piece ezee step. These would actually be more helpful for my dad as he gets older and allow him to use the boat alone more easily. The flexstep would work just fine for me and my long ass legs but I'm still young.

[MickD]

I can't believe how complicated everyone is making this.  With a few pieces of hardware and a few pieces of treated plywood on can make, even on the lund 16.5, reasonable platforms that allow one to get out onto the trailer frame and the platforms to pretty easily get the boat onto the trailer.  I'll take a pic and post it.  No need to relocate anything.  Depending on the ramp angle, one might have to step into a few inches of water or crawl up through the back of the SUV, or onto the load floor of a pickup.  Not rocket science.  

[MickD]

Here 'tis

[jbsoonerfan]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

I can't believe how complicated everyone is making this.  With a few pieces of hardware and a few pieces of treated plywood on can make, even on the lund 16.5, reasonable platforms that allow one to get out onto the trailer frame and the platforms to pretty easily get the boat onto the trailer.  I'll take a pic and post it.  No need to relocate anything.  Depending on the ramp angle, one might have to step into a few inches of water or crawl up through the back of the SUV, or onto the load floor of a pickup.  Not rocket science.  

No offense, but not everyone wants "that look", and some people prefer a more professional look.

 

I have the Quality Mark step and when I first got it I thought it was great. Don't get me wrong, it does the job and it is pretty nice, but that being said, my friend just got a Trick Step and that thing is super nice. I will probably end up with one of them.

[Vilas15]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

I can't believe how complicated everyone is making this.  With a few pieces of hardware and a few pieces of treated plywood on can make, even on the lund 16.5, reasonable platforms that allow one to get out onto the trailer frame and the platforms to pretty easily get the boat onto the trailer.  I'll take a pic and post it.  No need to relocate anything.  Depending on the ramp angle, one might have to step into a few inches of water or crawl up through the back of the SUV, or onto the load floor of a pickup.  Not rocket science.  

Thats a fine job, but I want steps that go up into the front of the boat, not just something to walk on the trailer. To do that you need to start hanging things off the side which likely involves welding, otherwise Id do it myself.