Truck Options for Old Folks that cant climb?

[chuckl1218]

+1... My 87 year old parents (and my short wife) get in and out much easier after install of the Amp Power Steps...

[Spurshot]

I remember these Oldsmobiles with swivel seats. I rode in some of them.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1V0wEgWXqk

 

 

If your old man likes your truck, but has trouble getting in, there are a couple ways to go:

• Lower the truck, or
• put some steps on that are of the right height.

 

I think lowering the truck is the better way to go. If your mother or father were to slip and fall off of the truck and injure themselves, it would be a tragedy. Besides, he'll be so damn cool with his lowered truck, he'll be hard to be around.

 

But, my situation is that my wife is short legged and wanted some kind of step for my leveled truck. I couldn't stand the fixed type pipe or platform steps, so I bought some AMP Power Steps. The interesting part is that they are a perfect height as a halfway step, unlike most fixed steps that are too high in most cases. Anyway, my wife is more pleased with these steps than the fixed steps I had on an earlier truck. Me too, since they get up and out of the way. +1 on the AMP steps.

[chuckl1218]

Too funny. I remember those!

[EaZ8]

is your truck 4x4? and do they need 4x4 or could they get away with RWD?

the rwd is lower than the 4x4 (in sure you know this) but also easier to lower it, add some running boards . Rectangular ones ive seen on the SLT seem to be the better ones for stepping on and off, but personally not a fan of the looks of them.

 

i really wish GM would make a AWD El Camino based off the Camaro SS platform....

4 seater with a short box and a supercharged LSA 6.2L out of the CTS-V with 556HP and recaro seats and a classic looking rear end....yup, ide be all over that if they did the body styling right, and google images says im no the only 1 who wants this..

i know holden has their ElCamino but....meh..

[high country]

I wonder why no one has designed driver and passenger bucket seats that rotate 90 degrees to make it easier for elderly and handicapped folks to enter and exit vehicles?

They did in the mid seventies, check out Monte Carlo and Chevelle swivel bucket seats.

These trucks are ridiculously easy to drop 2-3 with little to no impact on ride and will male it easier.

[Spurshot]

is your truck 4x4? and do they need 4x4 or could they get away with RWD?

the rwd is lower than the 4x4 (in sure you know this) but also easier to lower it, add some running boards . Rectangular ones ive seen on the SLT seem to be the better ones for stepping on and off, but personally not a fan of the looks of them.

 

i really wish GM would make a AWD El Camino based off the Camaro SS platform....

4 seater with a short box and a supercharged LSA 6.2L out of the CTS-V with 556HP and recaro seats and a classic looking rear end....yup, ide be all over that if they did the body styling right, and google images says im no the only 1 who wants this..

i know holden has their ElCamino but....meh..

 

I had a El Camino (GMC Caballero) for 20 years or more. Sold it 15 yrs ago, after I fixed it up pretty nice. 327 w/2.02 heads, headers, etc, TH400 conversion, new interior, new paint new suspension...shoulda kept it. If I had it today, I'd have a 6.2L 420 hp 6 speed setup in it.

[Ezekiel2517]

Thanks. I may look into the AMP steps. I have seen that folks have taken the rear blocks out of the springs to drop their truck 2" without much compromise. May be worth considering.

[hell on wheels]

How about a Buick instead

[Spurshot]

How about a Buick instead

 

Buick ain't got no trucks!

 

 

[Ventilator]

I wonder why no one has designed driver and passenger bucket seats that rotate 90 degrees to make it easier for elderly and handicapped folks to enter and exit vehicles?

Been done. Google 1977 Monte Carlo with swivel bucket seats. I owned one for a few years, back in the day.

[Silverado Steve]

Took a shuttle service from Denver International back to Colorado Springs...they used this.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrTcXjDfWVU.hgAfZeJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTIyZXRtdDN0BHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZANjZjgzN2FmZjRiZTA0ZGMwYWM5OGEwNjI1NzExNTIxNgRncG9zAzUEaXQDYmluZw--?back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dwooden%2Bsteps%26fr%3Dipad%26fr2%3Dpiv-web%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D5&w=600&h=600&imgurl=canineconcepts.co.uk%2F3804-2334-thickbox%2Ftrixie-pet-wooden-stairs.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcanineconcepts.co.uk%2Fen%2Fdog-ramps-dog-stairs%2F3804-trixie-pet-wooden-stairs-4011905039435.html&size=48.0KB&name=Trixie+Pet+%3Cb%3EWooden%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EStairs%3C%2Fb%3E&p=wooden+steps&oid=cf837aff4be04dc0ac98a06257115216&fr2=piv-web&fr=ipad&tt=Trixie+Pet+%3Cb%3EWooden%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EStairs%3C%2Fb%3E&b=0&ni=21&no=5&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=134magstq&sigb=131j8leq8&sigi=124u1tad5&sigt=116mj31dr&sign=116mj31dr&.crumb=hhpA7QHdcjh&fr=ipad&fr2=piv-web

[Spurshot]

The man needs a truck as assuredly as he needs his staff.

[chuckl1218]

Kept one of these Shure Steps in my truck to assist my folks before the Amp PowerSteps were installed. Now they don't need it. (I have another version to reach "hard to reach" areas)

http://www.shure-step.com/senior-step.php

[PMattras]

Kept one of these Shure Steps in my truck to assist my folks before the Amp PowerSteps were installed. Now they don't need it. (I have another version to reach "hard to reach" areas)

http://www.shure-step.com/senior-step.php

I had to get that step (nice and wide/big - good footing) for my 90 plus year old mother. I purchased an old 1992 Ford Explorer - 2 wheel drive and still needed this step. Lower to the ground but slightly high enough to slip down and out of the vehicle. I also had to help her to make sure she didn't fall getting in and out. My 2008 Chevy Silverado with assisted steps were not of any help. I don't think AMP steps were any better. Sometimes they lose their leg muscles etc. to use these assisted truck steps. I don't know what you do it both people need this step. Someone has to pick it up to put it in the vehicle. The best thing to do is get a low vehicle (not too low where they sink down too much - slightly above even to get in and out - drop down to get out) and a "wide" door opening (two door vehicles). No steps the better it is.

 

Fonupot's reply dated 11/12/14 makes a lot of sense with the Scion XB.

 

Good luck - it is tough getting old and it is a major issue and concern to get the proper vehicle. They will have to test drive a lot of vehicles (get in and out a lot) to see what works for them.