Easier Ingress/Egress Modification?

[Jessica Smith]

The Ram has been great, lightly moded to be just like I like it, but unfortunately a family member can no longer drive himself and we're finding getting in and out of the 2009 Ram 1500 Crew Cab is just too difficult.

He's not wheelchair bound, but needs a rollator close to the door, and even though we have a retractable apex step installed it means he can't really hold himself on that rollator, step blindly backwards onto the step, and then pull himself into the cab. Need something more where you can just kind of plop and slide.

Vehicle already has around 150K miles now, although runs like a champ, but I don't want to spend a fortune. I'm at a loss for a simple mod to fix that issue. Easiest fix would be lowering springs, but from what I'm reading any significant lowering comes with all kinds of ride quality/alignment, etc issues and for his comfort we can't have a crashy ride. Air suspension to temporarily drop it while parked sounds like a winner, but looks like that would be $3K or so installed.

Figured I'd ask if there were any other pro-tips aside from lowering that I'm overlooking? Worst case scenario we might trade the big-bad truck for a little Kia Soul EX as it seems to have a boxy big door and is pretty low. Thanks!

 

[JohnnyMac]

Maybe one of those little handles that attach to the door jam? Might give him another point of contact. Similar to this.

https://www.amazon.com/Handle-Suppo...s=car+door+latch+handle&qid=1615152330&sr=8-6

There are also slides but I think those are more for transferring between a wheelchair and the seat. Good luck, it's tough watching family members lose their ability to do things on their own.

 

[rwwells]

I used a step stool similar to this for my elderly father inlaw. My wife or I would help him up the steps. It's much wider than a running board.


https://smile.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-RM-P2-Non-Slip-300-Pound-Capacity/dp/B004Q0I2RS

 

[GTyankee]

May i suggest that you browse through this

https://www.google.com/search?sourc...hUKEwj87uG7y5_vAhUL7J4KHY16Bj0Q4dUDCAo&uact=5

2 other helpful devices for getting in & out of a vehicle, i may need these in the very near future

&

 

[Marlin Mike]

I just went through this. I could not get in my 18 RC 4wd because it was to tall. Traded it in on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Now I can get in and out without issues. Losing mobility in your legs sucks big time. Good luck.

 

[tron67j]

I second the step stool, something large and stable. I have one for my truck when people have a hard time. Really makes a huge difference. Good luck.

 

[NJMOPAR]

I keep a small folding stepstool in the truck for my 73 yr old sister. It's only 10" high and provides an extra step to the bar. Like walking up stairs.

 

[Jessica Smith]

Thanks, such simple solutions I hadn't even thought of! Ordered the grab handle and matching pull loop (in red matches truck) for now, and will post if it works well in the Ram latch specifically when it arrives: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GSX9G3W/

Might have some retractable steps for sale soon, and try the step stool instead. Going to shop my B&M stores locally first to see if anything is the perfect size.

 

[NJMOPAR]

This is the exact one I got:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Va...QvU3XHiQyNPxtwwYe1saApCcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

My sis is 4ft tall & 250lbs with a cane and gets into my truck fine with it.
I use it to clean the sunroof glass & I'm 6'2"/175lbs.

Harbor Freight sells a version with a flat rubber pad.

 

[Jessica Smith]

So unfortunately, while he appreciated the strap and latch anchor point and it seems very sturdy, and we are going to use it on other vehicles, he just couldn't get comfortable getting in and out of the tall Ram even with that (or at least didn't want to). Thanks again all, was worth the try and good info for any lurkers that want to give it a shot.

Great device, recommended, but we tested a bunch of other used vehicles today. Some we noticed were too low and require ducking and/or had seats that were a bit hidden by the pillar due to short doors. A 2018 BMW i3 was actually the one he liked best.

 

[huntergreen]

So unfortunately, while he appreciated the strap and latch anchor point and it seems very sturdy, and we are going to use it on other vehicles, he just couldn't get comfortable getting in and out of the tall Ram even with that (or at least didn't want to). Thanks again all, was worth the try and good info for any lurkers that want to give it a shot.

Great device, recommended, but we tested a bunch of other used vehicles today. Some we noticed were too low and require ducking and/or had seats that were a bit hidden by the pillar due to short doors. A 2018 BMW i3 was actually the one he liked best.

Might want to check grand Cherokee s also. Dear hight is perfect for getting in and out of.

 

[Jessica Smith]

Might want to check grand Cherokee s also. Dear hight is perfect for getting in and out of.

Cool thanks, I haven't given that much research yet but will check it out. I'll create a new topic in "Other Vehicle Discussion" subforum so as not to clutter up the general Ram topic area.

 

[Wahrsuul]

AMP Power steps were the fix for us. Regular running boards just weren't low enough. You can also get extenders to make them go even lower.