A step assembly for a vehicle has first and second arms pivotably attached to brackets which are mountable on the chassis or body of a vehicle. The arms pivot about coaxial axes defined by the brackets. A tread is mounted on the arms. The tread is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. Respective biasing elements act between each arm and bracket to bias the tread into the closed position. When the step assembly is mounted on the vehicle adjacent to a compartment defined by the vehicle body the tread acts as a door when in the closed position and a step when in the open position.

An emergency exit door assembly for a vehicle. The door assembly can include a door panel that is movably coupled to the wall of the vehicle. The door panel can have an inner surface and an outer surface. The door panel can be configured for selective movement between a closed position and an open position in which an opening within the wall is exposed. A headboard component can be incorporated into the door panel, and a bed pedestal within the vehicle can be positioned in proximity to the headboard component when the door panel is in a closed position.

In one embodiment of the invention, a ladder and method for removably mounting the ladder on a recreational vehicle is disclosed. The ladder may be removed and used as a standard step ladder. The ladder includes a top end and two pairs of legs extending downward from the top end. At least one of the pairs of legs is pivotally mounted to the top end, and a pivoting limiting mechanism is provided to allow the pairs of legs to fold adjacent one another or unfold to a use position as a step ladder. An upper mounting arrangement is attached to the recreational vehicle. The arrangement includes two free ends extending downwardly therefrom; and the top end of the ladder includes receivers for receiving free ends of the upper mounting arrangement.

Step apparatuses that removably couple to a door latch element (e.g., a U-shaped striker element) of a vehicle are described. A step apparatus may include a hook element that enables the step apparatus to hang from a door latch element in a vehicle door well. A step apparatus may also be able to extend through a door latch element such that the step apparatus may couple to the door latch element in an upright position. A step apparatus may include one or more than one step structure.

A multiple hitch assembly and method of use thereof including a hitch platform having a channel member and multiple hitch member having a block base. A dampening member may be affixed such that coupling of the multiple hitch member by locked engagement of received through holes of the block base and paired side holes disposed in flanges of the channel member compresses the dampening member upon the recessed column of the hitch platform to absorb and thus attenuate the load and associated torque imparted by movement and rub between the hitch platform and multiple hitch member to thereby reduce associated rattle noise, and vibration.

This present invention discloses a step assembly for a vehicle to pivot downward, upward and rearward from the open tailgate in a working position for providing easier access to the cargo area. The step device includes a base and a slidable base upon which an arm is slidably mounted. At least one step member is located at a location opposite the pivoted ends. The device of the present invention provides vehicles with a hitch attachment capable of expanding into a set of steps, offering easy access into the truck bed. The device also allows to pivot approximately 90-degrees to expand the steps outward, and remains in a stationary position while the vehicle is in operation, allowing the device to remain secured but out of the way from other vehicles. The device further prevents injury and difficulty when trying to step up onto a tailgate or truck bed.

Step apparatuses that removably couple to a door latch element (e.g., a U-shaped striker element) of a vehicle are described. A step apparatus may include a hook element that enables the step apparatus to hang from a door latch element in a vehicle door well. A step apparatus may also be able to extend through a door latch element such that the step apparatus may couple to the door latch element in an upright position. A step apparatus may include one or more than one step structure.

A hitch mount assembly supports, transports, and stores one or more of a plurality of attachment members and accessories about a mounting surface or frame of a vehicle, a trailer, or a watercraft trailer without using an existing hitch receiver. The hitch mount assembly comprises at least one mounting bracket having at least one base tube having opposing open ends, two mounting plates defining a plurality of bores, and a plurality of fasteners for securing the two mounting plates to the frame; a plurality of attachment members selectively arranged about the base tube forming a kit; and a plurality of hitch pins for securing the components of the hitch mount assembly. The components of the hitch mount assembly may be configured into a variety of ways to form one or more hitch mounting kits that supports, transports, and/or stores accessories.

A step is connectable to a receiver tube on a trailer hitch. The step includes a main body having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A resilient cover extends over the second surface. A mounting plate is connected to the main body. A mounting flange is connectable to the mounting plate. A hitch tube is connected to the mounting flange, with the hitch tube being configured to be connectable to the receiver tube on the trailer hitch. The main body is configured to be transitional relative to the hitch tube between a first position and a second position, with at least a portion of the main body moving away from the hitch tube as the main body transitions from the first position toward the second position.

Running boards for vehicles are disclosed that each include a rail with one or more steps. The step(s) are releasably connectable to (supported by) the rail (e.g., via a plurality of removable mechanical fasteners) to allow for removal of the step(s) when additional ground clearance is necessary and/or desirable, such as, for example, during off-road use of the vehicle. The rail of each running board is connectable to an underside of the vehicle (e.g., via brackets) such that the rails are positioned to absorb impact from external objects, such as, for example, rocks, boulders, stumps, etc., traversed during travel across uneven ground, and thereby protect the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the rails may include internal supports (e.g., stiffening ribs) to increase the strength and/or the rigidity of the rail, and, thus, increase the protection to the vehicle provided by the running boards.