Truck Bed Side Step
Get Into the Bed Without Climbing
Modern trucks sit high, and the tailgate is a long reach from the ground. Bed side steps mount at the rear of the bed and give you a foothold to get up and in. Rough Country, Westin, Bestop and Body Armor 4x4 all build them, and Rough Country accounts for most of what is here.
Find Parts for Your Vehicle
Measuring your bed
Put a tape measure inside the bed, from the inside of the bulkhead (front wall) to the inside of the closed tailgate. Round to the nearest inch — a 69" measurement is a 5'8" bed.
Bed length is measured inside the box, not along the outside of the truck.
Still unsure? Leave it blank to see every length that fits your truck, or call 888-865-4024.
The steps here mount behind the rear wheel or at the corner of the bed rather than under the doors. That puts the foothold where people actually climb in, which is over the side or at the tailgate corner, not back at the cab.
Bestop's TrekStep listings are sold by side, so pay attention to whether you want driver, passenger or both, and Body Armor 4x4 lists a hinge step alongside them. One Bestop listing is specifically for trucks without dual exhaust, which tells you how tightly these steps live around the tailpipe.
Fitment on rear-mounted steps is fussier than it looks. Exhaust routing and bumper style both get in the way, so check your configuration rather than just the year and model. If you are not sure, a store can confirm it against your truck, and installation is available at any of them.
Common Questions
Where does a bed side step mount?
Behind the rear wheel or at the rear corner of the bed, depending on the design. That is the spot people actually use to get into the bed, unlike a running board that sits under the doors. Some mount to existing holes in the bed or frame, so check the listing for what your truck needs.
Do I need a step on both sides?
Several of these are listed by side, so one step covers the side you actually climb in on. Buy the pair if both sides of the bed get used, or if two people are loading it regularly. Check whether a listing is for a single step or for a set before ordering, since the photograph does not always make that obvious.
Will it clear my exhaust?
Not always, and that is the most common fitment problem in this category. Rear-mounted steps share space with tailpipes, and at least one listing here is specifically for trucks without dual exhaust. Check your exhaust routing and bumper before ordering, or ask a store to confirm the fit against your truck.