Member Since: 08 Mar 2016
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 551
Tree slider fixing and use as steps
I'm looking at my options to help with getting in an out of the car. Side steps are the obvious choice but look a bit Ant Hill Mob, so I'm now looking at tree sliders.
The original aim of tree sliders is to protect the car from objects you go over or around. The force on the slider is therefore most likely to be upwards (beached on a rock) or sideways towards the car (going round a tree stump). Sliders are attached by bolts to the sill but the forces are spread evenly along the length of the sill.
When used as a step, the force is downwards. This means the force is concentrated on the fixing bolts and the holes in the sill.
Looking at how side steps are attached, they seem to connect to the sill but the brackets also go under the car and attach to the chassis. This video shows the brackets being installed :
Lots of posters on here have said that sliders make great steps, but it seems to me they put a lot of force through a small amount of metal which isn't designed for it. Is there a possible issue in future of the sills bending or fatiguing through this constant force?
Thanks
PDMY16 D4 Graphite in Loire Blue
21st May 2016 10:02 am
Madrilleno
Member Since: 13 Oct 2014
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1743
Sliders are stronger than side steps in both directions. They bolt on underneath and on the side of the sills as well. If money is no object, buy the Prospeed ones with inserts. If you want something for the smaller pocket, I'm running a group buy on the form.There are two rules for success,
1. Never tell everything you know.
Member Since: 04 Nov 2010
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 2895
The sliders which came with my D are much too close to the body to be used as steps. There's no adjustment to widen the gap either.
Any thoughts on what steps I can take to remedy this short legged passenger problem, please ?
AAA
PS
The passenger is Non-Returnable.
21st May 2016 12:58 pm
peteyd
Member Since: 08 Mar 2016
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 551
I'm not doubting the quality of the bars themselves, but the way they attach to the car. Is everyone who has them fitted comfortable with how they fit to the sills and the weight of the person being supported by a relatively small number of bolts and the thin sill metal?
PDMY16 D4 Graphite in Loire Blue
21st May 2016 2:17 pm
RBP
Member Since: 29 Aug 2012
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1936
They are fine as steps. The likes of Prospeed wouldn't market them for such use if they weren't fit for purpose.
Are you planning on inviting Bella Emberg & Giant Haystacks to enter your vehicle from the same side simultaneously? If so politely ask them to stagger entry by 5 second intervals.
21st May 2016 2:35 pm
Leesbay
Member Since: 20 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
Just fitted my tree and rock sliders
You could stand a couple of elephants on them
Compared to side steps which i personally felt would snap off the brackets if i jumped up and down on them
The tree / rock sliders are bolted to sills and also underneath
You can jack the car up on them they are so tough....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
21st May 2016 2:46 pm
peteyd
Member Since: 08 Mar 2016
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 551
Does anyone have a link for some traffic lights I could install to sequence the entry and exit to the car?
I'll take the advice that the sills and sliders are strong enough as steps.
Leesbay, which sliders are those you've fitted? The group buy that Madrilleno is running looks great value at £210. Bodsy's come in at c. £450 and Prospeed close to double that again.
PDMY16 D4 Graphite in Loire Blue
21st May 2016 4:22 pm
Leesbay
Member Since: 20 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
Terrafirma. Pretty much same diameters as prospeed but more substantial than those on ebay or group buy which is reflected in the prices ....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
21st May 2016 4:24 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
My personal view on the ebay ones, having compared the two in the flesh, is that the Bodsy bars are far more substantial both in material and in protection design, which is part of the reason why the cost difference.
I'm not trying to knock the group buy as it does reach a price point that appeals for some, but compare from both a rugged aesthetic look to the more practical application that they were designed for.
The eBay 38mm bars vs 48mm bars, the 4mm plate vs the more difficult to bend (hence why few people do) 5mm plate.
The number of supporting tubes on the Bodsy bars of 4 vs 2, then the distance protruding out from the car to actually provide the level of protection tree sliders should be providing.
Shot blasted to prepare, then the zinc primer to protect the steel and to help the powdercoat fully adhere. Plus the matched bolts and machined washers to cover the holes properly and provide better grip to hold the sliders on.
There's a price point for everything, but to get to the lower price points, something has to go, material, build, finish or all three.
Bodsy bars have stood the test of time, having been hooked up balanced on the bars on rocks and trees when going through some of the more challenging terrain.Bodsys Brake Bible
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
21st May 2016 5:29 pm
peteyd
Member Since: 08 Mar 2016
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 551
Leesbay wrote:
Terrafirma. Pretty much same diameters as prospeed but more substantial than those on ebay or group buy which is reflected in the prices
How much are the Tarrafirma ones? Their website doesn't have prices.MY16 D4 Graphite in Loire Blue
21st May 2016 5:59 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
You really cannot compare the strength of decent bars against flimsy steps. With good bars you could anchor a winch, use them as recovery points, jack the vehicle, suspend the entire weight on a jagged rock.
Steps on the other hand have been known to bend against snow.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20732
Having had an up close look at the Terrafirma sliders last week, I'm glad I paid a little extra and got mine from Bodsy. The tree sliders sit out far enough past the doors to provide more than enough protection
Would have gone the Bodsy route if the second hand set were not available
Quality costs a bit more, simple as.......bodsys look the bis ....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
Last edited by Leesbay on 21st May 2016 8:08 pm. Edited 1 time in total
21st May 2016 7:57 pm
Leesbay
Member Since: 20 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
Disco_Mikey wrote:
Having had an up close look at the Terrafirma sliders last week, I'm glad I paid a little extra and got mine from Bodsy. The tree sliders sit out far enough past the doors to provide more than enough protection
Not that I'll ever use them in anger, mind
Terrafirma mk 1 as mine off CDS sit out a bit further approx 5-6" , i think the later mk2 are a little closer to the bodywork ....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
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