PetSafe 2-Step Happy Ride Dog Hitch Steps for Dogs Up to 200 lb.

We recently bought the PetSafe Hitch Step for our large Great Pyre and Goldens to get into a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I am impressed with the design and quality of the steps and with the first attempt, 2 of our 5 dogs were able to use the steps. However, the design doesn't work with a Jeep Rubicon carrying a large 33" KO2 spare on the back. The hitch "post" is just slightly too short to fit the receiver and allow the steps to fold into their upright position. I bought an 8" extension, but this leaves a gap too wide between the bumper and the steps and the dogs won't use it. Just a 2" extension or a longer post on the steps would solve the problem. Photo #2 shows it using the locking bolt. Photo #3 shows using the hitch pin. Photo #4 shows where is could be but none of the holes match the receiver. Photo #5 shows it in same position as #4, and that there needs to be about 6" between the center of the pin (or bolt) and the bracket of the post to clear the tire when folded up. Any suggestions would be welcome! I like the product, it just doesn't work with this configuration.

Easy to put together. Sturdy. A bit heavy but not as bad as the ramp style. Using to load 160 lb cane corso and a 130 lb boxer that have acl issues.

Our dogs learned how to use these steps almost immediately. We have them installed on our Toyota Highlander and they do allow access to the trunk while these are in the upright and stowed away position. I kind of wish that you could raise and lower both steps with one motion, but you must unlock each step individually and then lock them back into place. One of our pens, on the top most step, pulls all the way out and I'm worried that eventually it's going to fall out while we're driving down the road. However, with all of the good things I'm pretty disappointed to see that the lower step was designed in a way that the metal tube collects water in the upright position and there's no way for it to drain out. This means that there is standing water inside a metal tube which, of course, is promoting rust. I grew up in Michigan, and can't imagine using these steps with this poor design when salt is so commonly used in the winters to deal with ice. I feel like they definitely would degrade quickly. We now live in Florida and with almost daily rain, it's pretty difficult to keep the water out of these without having to remove them from your vehicle after every use and since we give rides to our dogs daily this isn't something that we, or likely anyone else, would do. I have reached out to PetSafe for a solution, and would recommend that you wait for the next iteration of this product so that perhaps this critical design flaw can be addressed.

These were easy to install and my girl learned to use them quickly. I feel like now long term her joints are safe. The only 2 things to mention are on my Jeep Wrangler the backup camera senses them as a dangerous object and beeps constantly while in reverse. I am able to work around this just being careful to look for approaching danger as I backup. Also the steps need to be lowered to open tailgate, this makes sense when the dog is with me, but not when I’m grocery shopping. Again I can work around it. Both of these are minor and worth protecting her joints.