Who likes or dislikes the 2014 Silverado side steps in the rear bumper

[soltys]

Interesting to see how everyone will jump down someones throat because there may be different law in different countries. Who would have thought that different countries would have different laws in different provinces. And if this started because I said that it's against the law to have anything protruding from your receiver, I never once said that it would cause you to be at fault. That what it is in Sask. I'm glad everyone who isn't from her knows the laws here. It's a "fix-it" ticket. If you fix it - no worries. Usually if the cops a not a prick (much like some of the comments being made on here today) he'll just get you to pull it on the side of the road and carry on. I hate it break it to you, but a receiver hitch or plug or step, isn't going to stop a car from hitting or crumpling your bumper if you're rear-ended.

[PMattras]

I tried to review this over the Internet. I seen where some states tried to claim it was a "public hazard" to have a ball hitch in the receiver when not in use. Some claim people get hurt by walking into them when they cut between parked vehicles etc.. Some claim the driver causes more damage when they try backing up or parking the vehicle. Insurance Companies claim there is a lot of unnecessary additional damages to the vehicles that rear end vehicles with ball hitches installed trying to make the operator of the vehicle with the hitch some what at fault for the additional damages. Ball hitch should have been removed which caused (knowing it and using this prior to the accident) a dangerous hazard. I also seen the one listed below but no strong fast law yet.

 

Is it legal to have a trailer hitch attached to your vehicle if it is not being used?

 

by russell.ward.9237 on April 9th, 2013
russell.ward.9237.

 

California amended vehicle code 5201.1 effective 1/2013 to provide that any object that obscures a license plate legibility (visual or electronic) is illegal. Thus, tow ball citations have flourished and are used as a basis to stop vehicles - even though the license plate is actually viewable by the officer, including all letters.

 

I don't know how true this is and may go to a police station in CT to get some update information.

[Daly]

Where I'm from, you'd be at fault (I don't like it but it is what it is)… Better check your road laws in your area, a lot of places don't allow the hitch to be in, unless it's painted safety orange…

I should clarify this, if your rear ended and the car that hit you, hit you hard then no it's not your fault. Receiver or not it was unavoidable on your part. But if some one were to slam on his brakes and stop inches from your bumper, but hit your receiver because it was in. In some areas he'd be charged with following too close, and you'd be charged with receiver law. It's because with the receiver out the damage could've been avoidable… I went to Moab last year and when in Illinois I stopped one night and went for dinner, I was ticked I think $100 for the hitch being in. It's not so much state or provincial laws, but city by-laws that have receiver laws… I'm not saying don't do it, we've all done it, but don't think the receiver being there it going to help you, it could end up hurting you. You may not get any damage to your truck, but you could end up paying for the damage to the other car, if the city you happen to be going through has a receiver law and you were charged with it. Insurance companies don't care if the law is stupid, they just see you were charged with something, which makes it your fault in there eyes…

[Jake56]

I should clarify this, if your rear ended and the car that hit you, hit you hard then no it's not your fault. Receiver or not it was unavoidable on your part. But if some one were to slam on his brakes and stop inches from your bumper, but hit your receiver because it was in. In some areas he'd be charged with following too close, and you'd be charged with receiver law. It's because with the receiver out the damage could've been avoidable… I went to Moab last year and when in Illinois I stopped one night and went for dinner, I was ticked I think $100 for the hitch being in. It's not so much state or provincial laws, but city by-laws that have receiver laws… I'm not saying don't do it, we've all done it, but don't think the receiver being there it going to help you, it could end up hurting you. You may not get any damage to your truck, but you could end up paying for the damage to the other car, if the city you happen to be going through has a receiver law and you were charged with it. Insurance companies don't care if the law is stupid, they just see you were charged with something, which makes it your fault in there eyes…

Your wrong I live in same province as you and my wife is police board secretary, ..... no laws exist except for if your load is more than four feet beyound the end of your bumper and person in fault is the person behind that did not stip in time..................check your facts you have been duped by a over zealous cop.

[Daly]

City bylaw, supersedes provincial law… I've never been charged or duped by a cop in Ontario… It is a law in Illinois how ever I check after I was stopped… And you share the blame if you have a load over 5ft that is not clearly marked with a flag, you can be charged…

 

The Highway Traffic Act states that any load overhanging the rear of a vehicle by 1.5 metres (5 ft.) or more should be marked by a red light when lights are required (one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise or at other times of poor light conditions) and, at all other times, by a red flag or red marker.

[BaltimoreCaesar]

I'm 6'2" and although I have never had any problem hopping into the bed of a pickup, the corner steps take all the effort out of getting into the bed of my 2014 Sierra.

[bladz1454]

 

Is it legal to have a trailer hitch attached to your vehicle if it is not being used?

 

by russell.ward.9237 on April 9th, 2013

russell.ward.9237.

 

California amended vehicle code 5201.1 effective 1/2013 to provide that any object that obscures a license plate legibility (visual or electronic) is illegal. Thus, tow ball citations have flourished and are used as a basis to stop vehicles - even though the license plate is actually viewable by the officer, including all letters.

 

I don't know how true this is and may go to a police station in CT to get some update information.

 

Going to have to disagree... I am 99.9% positive the only time you can be issued a ticket for your hitch being in with no trailer is if your license plate view is being obstructed (and on some trucks this is the case). That being said, if any of you get a ticket for having it in - just accept it and go to court. It will get thrown out in 2 seconds when they can 1) obviously see your plate with the hitch in and 2) cannot find any law stating that it is illegal while not obstructing the view of your license plate.

 

I went to school to a criminal justice school and all of my buddies that are local and state troopers have never pulled people over for this nonsense.

[Ezekiel2517]

I like them. Even though it is just a couple inches difference it really makes it a lot easier to step up. I think they may be somewhat useless on the new Colorado/Canyons though.

 

What I hate about them is that GM took 12 years to implement this idea in their trucks after their first introduced it in the Avalanche in '02. At least they did not let Dodge steal the idea like they did Rambox - which was also pioneered by the Avalanche. I would love to have that as an option on this truck.

[RadoRage]

I used to use my wheel to get into the bed of the truck. The bumper steps are MUCH better and easier to jump in. I just wish when I turned the cargo light on at night, that there were a couple LEDs in the cutouts that lit up along with the bed/cargo lighting. Other than that, they're great.

[Daly]

I can't remember which site it was on, but someone wired a setoff LED's into the step. It looked pretty slick and put off a good amount of light…

[soltys]

For those that have doubted what I post about the trailer hitch.

 

"There is a requirement as per section 73(4) of The Vehicle Equipment Regulations (Government of Saskatchewan - SGI) that prohibits a trailer hitch from extending beyond the bumper of the vehicle when the hitch is not in use."

 

For the people that said they could find any legislation or didn't believe what was said, you what helps even better then the old internet, asking the ones who actually issue the traffic codes. Quick email later - got the exact answer that I was already aware of.

[desert]

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[soltys]

It's also against the law to spit on the sidewalk. I can't say that I have any first hand experience, but in a low speed rear-ender the hitch will save the bumper.

 

 

How will that save the bumper when it's below the bumper? The tinfoil on the back of these trucks (and all new vehicles) will ripple with a sneeze.

 

Back to the original post - look at those useful corner steps.

[desert]

How will that save the bumper when it's below the bumper? The tinfoil on the back of these trucks (and all new vehicles) will ripple with a sneeze.

 

Back to the original post - look at those useful corner steps.

You raise a good point. I'll change the hitch out for one without the drop to catch a wider variety of car heights.

 

Back to the original post - I personally don't use the corner steps, but I don't think they look bad at all. Credit goes to GM for being innovative. These trucks are chock full of cool features.

[clarkdk]

I love the rear step in the bumper. For a 4wd/Tx edition truck like mine it sits up higher so it helps to get on the bumper.