MEGAWARE FLEXSTEPPRO

Most of us have been there: needing to reach into the trailered boat at the ramp, in the driveway or at the gas station. It’s why I carry a stepladder when towing a boat.

Megaware’s FlexStepPro is a neat solution for easing access to trailered boats. Installation proved dead simple and entails sandwiching your boat trailer’s frame between the base mount of the FlexStepPro and the pre-drilled backing plate using the supplied 4¼-inch-long bolts, washers and locknuts. A 17 mm socket is called for; 2⅓2 worked for me. A nice touch is the supplied plastic tubing intended to cover the bolts to inhibit scratching.

The final installation step is to use the T-handled locking pin to affix the step to the step receiver in the base mount. Once done, the step can be affixed in four different positions from horizontal to vertical. The step provides a maximum boost in height above the trailer frame of 16 inches. The step removes completely from the base by pulling the locking pin, and the entire assembly can be moved, or removed, by loosening the nuts.

Made from 6063 T-6 aluminum using topquality fasteners, I expect the FlexStepPro to serve well in the coastal environment in which I boat. It is more convenient for getting to the fuel fill while on land than hauling around a stepladder. $129; keelguard

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