Review on Bestop 7540015 TrekStep Side-Mount - Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500/2500/3500 (2001-2018) - Ideal for Either Side by Nicholas Dobson

If you want to buy this step please read the fitting instructions first. If your truck requires the use of a "lock block" you will have some problems. In my experience, this blocking block is a completely useless component. For lateral stability, the step uses a side bracket, which in some cases is bolted to the body or frame of the truck. The stop block is a genius engineer's idea of how to secure the side brace when there is no suitable place for its screws. That does not work. In my application (2015 Silverado 2500HD with 6.5ft bed) I had to attach it to the side of the bed bracket (page 7, step 8 of the instructions). I tightened it as tight as I could and installed the side mount per the instructions. Once I tested the step, the blocking block came loose, causing the step to pivot out of the way. I weigh 235 pounds and this step is supposed to support 400 pounds so I doubt I overloaded it. Putting as much torque on the locking block as possible, I decided not to give it another chance. I developed my own solution, see photo below. I used a piece of angle steel to make a bracket that attached to the second bed mounting bolt. It is a kind of reliable anchor needed by the side mount. Manufacturers should take note of my decision. Another thing I didn't like doing in the guide was removing the fender bracket (page 5, step 1). The instructions state that this part applies to 2007-2013 and 2014 HD models. My truck has the same bracket and there were no instructions on what to do with it, so I knocked out the nut in the part of the bracket that attaches to the frame and inserted a new footpeg bolt through the fender bracket, which holds the fender in place bracket available. My guess is that removing the fender could cause the fender to butt against the frame. Chevy must have had a reason to put it there.