Welcome to the eighth entry in April’s Medium Mod Contest. One Medium Mod will be published in every Email Alert in April. At the end of the month, we’ll hold a reader vote to determine April’s winner. Click here for information about the 2023 Mod Contest, including how to enter.
Scott Goodrich, Lemoore, California
Removable Overcab Steps
2014 Ford F-350
2011 Arctic Fox 811
The climb to the bed was becoming a bit of a challenge. Then we decided to replace the mattress and it became an obstacle course. The new mattress was much higher than before.
I considered making a ladder like the one sold for Arctic Fox campers, but decided it took up too much room. So I designed a ladder that folded but decided it would be heavy and a nuisance to put into place, take down, and store each day. With all three of the above choices, the counter extension could not be used without removing the stairs.
What if the steps were rotated 90 degrees? Working from this point of view, I created a removable step that allows room for the counter extension, does not need to be stored unless access to the storage area below must be accessed, and has a small drawer. There is also no need to remove it to bring in the slide.
Now, getting into the bed is much easier and exiting is also safer because the steps are easily reached.
My mod is a removable two step unit made with 3/4-inch plywood, paint, and carpeting. The paint and plywood were items that I had on hand, but can be obtained at any home store for $20 or less. The carpet came from Lowe’s and cost $8.
Planning and building took about six hours and cost me less than $30. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is medium.
Disclaimer: The modifications above are submitted by Truck Camper Magazine readers. It is your responsibility to make sure that any do-it-yourself modification project you undertake is safe, effective, and legal for your situation.
Enter Your Mods Now!
If you’d like to enter a modification you’ve done on your truck camper, click here. You can enter as many mods as you want, at any time. Good luck mod makers!
