Bed Steps, stability and aftermarket?

Looking to install a bed step (woulda been a good factory option but oh well) and I have two questions:

1. What is the stability of their lockup when folded? Will they drop out if I take a huge bump or go airborne off-road?
2. Any opinions about the approximately $90 options off of Amazon, etc? Are aftermarket ones quality or should I stick with OEM?

Thanks!

 

1: It stays in place until you kick it down to deploy. I have never had it deploy on its own. And it stows with authority when you kick it back up! My toddler grandson loves to play with it when he comes over.

2: I'm an oem guy when it comes to accessories and cannot speak to the quality of the cheaper one on Amazon. Probably comparable but again I can't speak to that.

Regardless, it is a fantastic accessory if you are getting up there in years and your knees and back ain't what they used to be.

 

Purchased an Amazon one, has been on the truck about 6 months. Love it and have not had it deploy on it's own. Helpful when loading a roof basket I have that goes on my bed rails, was used when we moved, my wife is vertically challenged and she uses it when helping load and unload the truck. Just pops out with the pressure of your foot. I'd recommend it!

 

I just don't like having to get on a knee or retrieve a stool to climb in the bed with the tailgate down. Threw me for a major loop the first time I had to do that.

 

Mine came with the OEM step. I thought on this truck how silly but have actually used it quite a bit. It hasn’t moved unless I make it move. And my kids love it too.

 

Agreed

 

Ditto what has previously been said about the OEM.

 

I bought the OEM unit from a member here. It was a dealer and when his truck was ordered, he took it off as soon as he took delivery. I believe I got it for 150 shipped.

I love it. It’s a solid unit installation is not that bad.

 

Still haven't decided on aftermarket or not. Since I don't have a cheater bar or impact wrench, I'll probably pay for an hour or two of shop time to for someone to put one on and add a cat shield while it's there. Be a lot nicer if I had a better equipped garage.

 

I bought after market and it's worked fine so far. Installed myself with basic socket set. Took a bit of patience.
Why do you think you need a cheater bar or impact wrench?
To get off original bolts needed for mounting?
Mine came off no problem.
I've slid a 2-3 ft length of copper pipe over a ratchet wrench many times to get more leverage.

 

I was going off installation videos.

 

then you’re watching the wrong videos.

All that is needed is a 3/8 ratchet, 6” extension, a universal and a socket. If you want to do the install by the books, you need a torque wrench.

 

I know this is an old thread, but do you know what bed step you got from Amazon?

 

$82 Bed Step Compatible with Tacoma 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Folding Truck Step Bumper Tailgate Step # PT392-35100

Bed step

It was this one, was $104 when I purchased it not quite a year ago. Has been pretty solid, no complaints.

 

Most bed steps from Amazon under $200 are the same. I bought one and no problems but only had it about a year.

 

Thanks. That's the one I ordered this morning.

 

Not a terrible install, I weigh 180lbs and it has held up. Just don't abuse it and it should last!

 

I weigh significantly more than that, but I couldn't find a weight rating on them anywhere.

 

I'm 214, holds me and my beer belly just fine. Lol

 

$82 Bed Step Compatible with Tacoma 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Folding Truck Step Bumper Tailgate Step # PT392-35100

Bed Step Compatible with Tacoma...

I received and installed this one today.
I like it so far.