Review on 🚚 Silver Westin 10-3000 Truck-Pal Tailgate Ladder by Craig Pears

I installed this on a 2016 F350. Getting into the back of a truck when needed was a challenge, so I decided to find something that would make it easier for me. I discovered this and decided to give it a try. I bought it on sale for €65. It's available now for $92 and the list price is a whopping $212. Installation was pretty easy. It comes with self-tapping square head hex screws and the necessary tool to drive them in with a drill. The screws worked fine, but I'll be replacing the hardware with something that will make it easier to remove completely (more on that below). I didn't dare just drill them into the tailgate, so I removed the service panel on the tailgate (which took the T25) to make sure I didn't drill anything important first. The self tapping screws went in well and easily attached the ladder, all I needed was a drill. I added washers - they should have been included as well. Screw heads are large and flat, but washers reduce ladder foot area. The ladder unfolds easily and becomes durable. It pops out a little at the base so it sits a little on the tailgate when not in use. It's an elegant design, but it's also one of the weak points of the setup. My ladder arrived with a slightly curved rail which made gliding a little harder than it should have been. I had to take it apart and bend it into the right shape. Staircase hinges are very good. It folds easily, but the hinges are tight. The latch that keeps it closed is terrible and will probably need to be replaced. My latch was very weak so I had to bend it to secure it. The latch is also the only part made of steel, so it's more likely to rust. If I replace it I'll probably make a rubber band to attach where the latch is so there's nothing to rust in the future. It sticks 5-6 inches into the bed. Usually this isn't a problem for me, but sometimes I need to put materials on the bed when the back door is open (I have a 6ft bed) and it will get in the way. Due to the included hardware with a square head screw bit, I don't think it will survive repeated installation and removal, so I will be replacing the hardware - most likely with rivets and thumbscrews - so I can easily remove the unit later if it interferes. In general, the idea is good and the execution is not bad, but I had to make some adjustments. Be prepared to do something with the latch, and if you want it to be easy to remove you'll need other hardware.