Bump It Up with NEW Westin Hitch Steps

You might not think something as small and unassuming as the hitch step would be a vital piece of vehicle equipment. But as America’s thirst for big trucks and SUVs continues to grow—incredibly, our national average height continues to hover somewhere in the 5’7″ ballpark. That means if you need to access your roof rack, or tighten the straps on your kayak, or even just reach into the back of your truck bed, you’ll be stretching, straining, and struggling.

Hence, hitch steps. 

Small, affordable, and easy-to-install, these little guys give you a simple and sturdy boost for added convenience. And aside from making it easier to access any rooftop cargo or gear, hitch steps also make car-washing easier. Install one on the front of your truck to quickly access the engine compartment, or on the back to make loading and unloading easier. And let’s not forget: many states now require—by law—that your vehicle’s roof be clear of snow in the winter. Being vertically challenged, I can tell you how aggravating it is trying to clear heavy wet snow off the roof of, well, really any-sized vehicle.

While there is no shortage of options within the aftermarket, let’s take a look at the new styles California-based manufacturer Westin is serving up. Because, with over 40 years in the industry, Westin has a stellar reputation for manufacturing strong, reliable, and eye-catching vehicle accessories.

Westin Hitch Steps

These universal-fit, affordable hitch steps not only play nice with OE designs—they also match some of Westin’s most popular step systems.

HDX Drop

The all-new Westin HDX Drop Hitch Step works with any standard 2” receiver hitch, offering up a convenient boost that installs in seconds. Manufactured using high-strength steel with a textured black powder-coated finish, it will stand up to heavy use and bad weather with ease. The HDX Drop features a firmly-secured anti-rattle bracket to reduce vibration and eliminate rattling, as well as a dropped step pad surface approximately 2-1/4 inches below the center of the receiver hitch for sturdy footing.

The attractive modern style complements Westin HDX Drop Nerf Steps. These side steps sport a nice, rugged, off-road-ready design with a solid, one-piece construction that sits up nice and tight to the cab. Die-stamped steel step areas allow for maximum traction. And a simple bolt-on installation, plus the company’s notched bar design—which allows for more than 2-inches of additional step area than competing brands—ensure you’ll get the right placement the first time.

HDX Stainless Drop

Almost identical to its aforementioned sibling, the Westin HDX Stainless Drop Hitch Step is—you guessed it—manufactured using a 400-stainless steel frame and 300-brushed stainless steel step plate. Pair this piece with the HDX Stainless Drop Nerf Step System for a seamless look all around.

Pro Traxx 5

The all-new Westin Pro Traxx 5 Hitch Step also works with any standard 2” receiver hitch, featuring the same simple no-drill installation as its counterparts. You’ll also find that handy anti-rattle bracket to eliminate vibrations and a powder-coat finish for weather resistance. Pro Traxx hitch steps, however, sport a stylish oval shape and a step pad surface that is approximately 1-1/2 inches above the center of the receiver hitch.

Pair these with the Westin Pro Traxx 5 Nerf Bars for a unified look. Constructed of 5-inch oval tubing, these side steps feature 30-degree OE-style bends with seamless domed ends and a 5-inch wide step pad. The finished look is sleek and polished with no end-caps or exposed bolt heads.

R5

The new Westin R5 Hitch Step sits approximately 1-5/8 inches above the center of the receiver hitch and feature a unique, triangular shape that hides the mount. Available in polished stainless steel or black powder coated aluminum, it slides into any standard 2″ receiver and sports the same anti-rattle bracket as other Westin hitch steps.

The attractive modular-style step pad complements Westin R5 Nerf Bars, which feature a similar triangular internal board design for a clean look. Offering better stability than narrower, round bars, these side steps also have an extra-long, injection-molded step pad for maximum traction.

Remember, winter will be here before you know it! Pick up a quality Westin hitch step and make that snow-sweeping a less arduous task.