How do you step into/enter your truck?

Also part of the ass first club.

I have been attempting to get into the habit of left foot first, to reduce crushing the foam in the seat bolster. Over time, that shit makes you sit lopsided. But it is a delicate and awkward ballet of embarrassment to go left foot on board.

 

My side steps just came in today but currently even with the 3 inch lift my legs are long enough for me to just put my right leg in and kinda twist and scoot my ass into the seat.

 

Yeah I get in the way I do to protect the bolster. Try before putting your ass up aim your ass at the seat and put the right foot on the sill plate and lift your self up over the bolster and in.

 

Open door
Grab steering wheel while placing left feet somewhere inside
Pull into seat while making groaning noise

 

Step to the right and then try to hold onto the A pillar so that I don’t put all my weight on the center console as I drop down into the chair.

I’m more used to driving lifted trucks where the seat cushion is at my ass level.

 

Up until very early this year (2023), I would put my weight on my left leg/foot, and swing the right up into the cab, then do a slide-in motion to get my butt on the seat, then pull my left leg into the cab.

Earlier this year, I found our I have very bad osteoarthritis in my left knee, and I can't do the "swing up" while supporting my weight on the left leg any longer. Running boards/steps won't work for me, as I have various other hip/spinal problems, and a running board/step would not work for my body geometry and my limited mobility/ways I can bend and twist.

So, I did a little research, and I found a 12"x12" portable single step (marketed towards RV owners) that has 3 height settings. I put this on the ground out a little ways form my truck, stand on it with my left foot, and then I have enough height that I can lift my right leg (without having to do the forceful swing up motion) and get my right foot into the cab. Then I pull myself in as I have been doing for the last several years. I have a thin rope tied to this step, and once I am in the truck, I pull up the step, put it in the back seat, and off I go.

I do not have a lift on my truck, I just have slightly taller tires than stock (265/75/16 rather than the original 265/70/16).

 

the thing is, there is no more room getting into my truck than there was in my GMC 2500 van.

have no idea how a 300# plumber can drive one of these things

 

After opening my door, I take a moment to stand on my side steps, above the other cars in the parking lot, above the troubles and triggers of daily life, and enjoy a peaceful breath of fresh air. Then, I swing in from the grab handle, foot on brake, key in ignition and peel out of the parking lot like an absolute madman.

 

By the looks of some of these rigs I picture some people opening their door and a 10 wrung rope ladder unrolls. Like you see on a helicopter. Then they jump to grab hold and climb up in.
I on the other hand do left hand on the door handle, right hand seat pad. Left foot on rail then pull up swinging right leg through left and seat to floor. Right cheek to seat and slide over.

 

I get in it like a man.

 

Sheesh, it's just something I do without thinking about it. If I think about it I'll probably never be able to get in the truck again.

 

Right foot in and just hop in.

 

I can't tell you how many times I have crushed one or more of my nuts on those bolsters. My RAV4 had those sterilization seats in it too. All Toyota's do and I think the seat designers are evil.

 

Post Of the Day right there...

 

Grappling hook

 

I tried to be cool one day in like 4th or 5th grade. My dad was picking me up and had the passenger side window rolled down. So I sort of jog up to his car, toss my backpack in the bed and tried to headfirst through the window into the seat.
The toss was something you'd see on ESPN top 10. Like maybe 9 or 10.

The approach was text book.

The jump and entry. Well not so much. I jump and dive forward. I didn't pick my legs up like Superman, but left them down like jumping for a rebound in basketball.

I slap the side of the truck with my legs hanging out the window and the rest of me uncomfortably stuck inside the truck. I slowly fall back out of the window and then slowly make my way back in the truck like a normal person.

 

My pro came with running boards and gave me the same issue......couldn't get close for my normal way of getting in. So after almost a year I just removed them. Much better now.

 

Got my sliders on there and they are a huge help getting in. I step up on it with my left foot then drop my butt over the bolster into the seat.

 

My Tacoma doesn't have running boards or slider. From the drivers seat I place right foot in the truck 1st, duck head and slide into seat. On a vehicle with some sort of step I put left foot on the step. Step up then place right foot into truck then slide in.

 

Great responses, made my day!!!