Hahaha that one made me laugh. I think I can agree to that

 

I feel for the engineers in the automotive world, they don't design the vehicle, marketing and designers do, and it's up to the engineers to get it all in there. It's like trying to get 8 gallons of water into a 5 gallon pail.
And don't get me started on the bean counters....

MikeyB

 

The ladder idea is a nice novelty, IMO, and it tucks away intot he tailgate which is cool, but for a HD truck it's completely brainless. Once the tailgate starts to bow from repeated heavy loads (they all do, GM, Ferd, Dodge), that ladder won't fit so good.
The handrail post, now that's another story! That freakin' thing won't last 5 minutes before it gets torn off. Why on earth would you build an obvious obstruction on the tailgate? After sliding some plywood, drywall, cargo of your choice over it, it's gonna get mutilated.

 

What is America coming to, are we to fat and lazy to get in the back of the truck without the help of a ladder. If you can’t get in the back of the truck without a ladder you don’t need the truck, or to be driving.

 

Hey - I resemble that remark!

 

Saw this at the car show in Calgary and it won't last long.

 

Ahh to be a twenty somethng again!! Oh well, I've only got about 20 years on you and don't have any need for such a gadget but my dad is in his mid 70's and since these trucks are so high off the ground it sure would come in handy for him.

 

Agreed. If we all took your thought process we'd start killing off most over 50. Have you ever heard of arthritis? Not exacting something what should keep you from driving, but according to you it is. How about a midget? Someone with a broken leg? Broken arm? Small child helping you out? I can think of dozens of ways this would be useful.

 

Way easier to just buy a two step folding stepstool. That tailgate step is still a big reach if your knees are shotAnd that handle is going to pull off in no time at all.

 

Pic?

Sounds like a good idea but not something that will be working in 5-6 years when the tailgate is warped.

 

Does it have a handrail also? If it's over 30 inches it needs one according to house building codes. I need a handrail after stopping at the Jobsite watering hole on my way home.

 

Give credit where credit is due...an unexpectedly good idea, even if you only use it once in a while.
Ya know Ford makes a real nice truck...just been saddled with a couple of real bad diesels.

 

It may be a good idea for those that never use the bed for hauling things that cover the tailgate when lowered, but I would think that the pole that you flip up, would not last to long for many owners. (But it looks good as a sales gimmick!)

 

They are called smart idiots around here! And Engineers do not have the market cornered. There are smart idiots in pretty much every walk of life.

 

Your truck looks pretty low. Is it even a 4WD?

4WD trucks in particular seem to have become progressively taller over the years.

Without commenting on how well Ford executed their ladder and handhold, I can see a ladder or steps being beneficial to access the bed, especially considering that most of people who can even afford a $50-60k truck are going to be older and a bit less spry. Throw a canopy on there and using the tires as a step to climb over the bed rail is no longer an option, either.

I have side steps on the sides of my truck to make getting in and out easier, especially for my 5'2" wife and 2 young daughters. I knind of like the the looks of Amp Research's BedStep as well: