New Owl Side Steps in Development (want your thoughts)

[Borg54 (Owl Outdoor)]

Hey All,

We (Owl) are working on some new side steps for the Grenadier. In the Sprinter world, we are OEM to Mercedes Benz, Airstream, and Storyteller Overland. We are making a version of our side steps for the Grenadier and wanted to get some feedback.

Details:

• Steel - powder-coated black
• Can be used to jack up the vehicle
• Bolts to frame

Our side steps for Sprinter so you can get an idea of the finished look

Thanks for any feedback,
John

 

[Bruce]

I'd prefer the kick out at the back. I don't use a step to get in and out so the wider a step is the more likely it is to just get my pants dirty. Also the kick out acts to push the body away from an obstacle as you move forward. Your design lets the rear get closer to danger as you navigate by.

 

[Jeffrey]

Hi John,

I've got your steps on my Sprinter. A bit wider than I care for but I still like them. If these are to be actual sliders, then lose the forward wider step and go with a straight continuous platform like the back end shown. If using steel, then you don't need that fat inner tube. Maybe a smaller diameter or use rectangular tubing, my preference, and bring it in closer to the vehicle.

 

[Krabby]

Hey All,

We (Owl) are working on some new side steps for the Grenadier. In the Sprinter world, we are OEM to Mercedes Benz, Airstream, and Storyteller Overland. We are making a version of our side steps for the Grenadier and wanted to get some feedback.

Details:

• Steel - powder-coated black
• Can be used to jack up the vehicle
• Bolts to frame

View attachment 7845721
View attachment 7845722

Our side steps for Sprinter so you can get an idea of the finished look
View attachment 7845723


Thanks for any feedback,
John

Please check your DM

 

[holdmybeer]

Looks nice. I like all the drainage and relatively low-key branding.

Can there be a mount point for the factory side brush bars? i.e. what I assume the factory side steps and/or sliders have)

I think someone on the forum here was trying to use an aftermarket step (LeTech maybe) with the side brush bars and it lacked a connection point.

 

[DaBull]

Hey All,

We (Owl) are working on some new side steps for the Grenadier. In the Sprinter world, we are OEM to Mercedes Benz, Airstream, and Storyteller Overland. We are making a version of our side steps for the Grenadier and wanted to get some feedback.

Details:

• Steel - powder-coated black
• Can be used to jack up the vehicle
• Bolts to frame

View attachment 7845721
View attachment 7845722

Our side steps for Sprinter so you can get an idea of the finished look
Thanks for any feedback,
John

Hi Borg54, Are these side steps or rock sliders or both?
Thanks, DaBull

 

[anand]

Personally, from heavy usage of sliders on previous vehicles my thoughts/requirements for consideration:

• Single tube that runs back to a substantial rear kick out; if these are to be sliders then they won't be great steps, if they are to be steps, they won't be great sliders
• Have the fill plates be optional
• List the wall thickness

 

[parb]

I think the wider front step isn't something i care for. I would prefer it to be continous.

 

[RobS]

@Borg54 Let me start by saying that I love the look of your design. They are awesome. What would work for me would be a slider step that is the same width from front to back. If the structural integrity of your design relies on one of the sections being wider than the other than I would prefer to have the wider part in the back.

 

[AZGrenadier]

I like them. Most of my wheeling isn't super technical boulder crawling so these would probably work great for me.

 

[Asjtex]

Hey All,

We (Owl) are working on some new side steps for the Grenadier. In the Sprinter world, we are OEM to Mercedes Benz, Airstream, and Storyteller Overland. We are making a version of our side steps for the Grenadier and wanted to get some feedback.

Details:

• Steel - powder-coated black
• Can be used to jack up the vehicle
• Bolts to frame

View attachment 7845721
View attachment 7845722

Our side steps for Sprinter so you can get an idea of the finished look
View attachment 7845723


Thanks for any feedback,
John

Hey Borg, I like the weight and tubing. I would prefer one continuous step as opposed to graduated towards the rear. I also prefer the width in the back. I don’t need a lot of depth to climb in. How low (in inches) would they hang?

 

[Bruce]

Off topic, but I noticed OWL has a magnetic MaxTrax mount shown on the side of a van. @Borg54 have you tried this on the roof of the Grenadier for those of us unfortunate enough to have garage height restrictions? Being able to toss them up there before heading out and then removing them when you get home would be nice.

Magnetic Traction Board Mount

This is one of the simplest and coolest ways to add Maxtrax or other traction boards to the side of your van. These mounts use neodymium magnets that are guaranteed to stay attached to the van in even the roughest terrain. A soft coating on the magnet keeps your paint safe. Two Options - These...

owlvans.com

 

[anand]

Off topic, but I noticed OWL has a magnetic MaxTrax mount shown on the side of a van. @Borg54 have you tried this on the roof of the Grenadier for those of us unfortunate enough to have garage height restrictions? Being able to toss them up there before heading out and then removing them when you get home would be nice.

Magnetic Traction Board Mount

This is one of the simplest and coolest ways to add Maxtrax or other traction boards to the side of your van. These mounts use neodymium magnets that are guaranteed to stay attached to the van in even the roughest terrain. A soft coating on the magnet keeps your paint safe. Two Options - These...

owlvans.com

 

[Bruce]

Brilliant, thank you!

 

[HereinDaRockies]

Hey All,

We (Owl) are working on some new side steps for the Grenadier. In the Sprinter world, we are OEM to Mercedes Benz, Airstream, and Storyteller Overland. We are making a version of our side steps for the Grenadier and wanted to get some feedback.

Details:

• Steel - powder-coated black
• Can be used to jack up the vehicle
• Bolts to frame

View attachment 7845721
View attachment 7845722

Our side steps for Sprinter so you can get an idea of the finished look
View attachment 7845723


Thanks for any feedback,
John

The only concerns I have with the design is the plethora amount of holes in the top plate. I recognize their benefits with not collecting mud or snow.. However, when gravel are thrown at the slider from the front tires, doesn't the honeycomb holes represent a large surface area to chip and touchup?

 

[KPI4U]

Looked at it... they are decent, i am considering the above comments. The price is EXCEPTIONAL... @ $2200... $200 of which is freight..sarcasm... I need a 20% coupon code to pull the trigger today.. Otherwise will just wait until the spring when competitors come to market with their sidestep.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

In spite of my assessment on the drawbacks of the owl design, I went ahead and got them. Really liking them so far. They look much better in person than photo.

I optimized for step in / out convenience. Owl is the best so far.

I do see that White Knuckle has Black Friday discounts. Making their sliders just over 1000 shipped.. if I was still shopping today, i would have gone with them given that huge price delta.

 

[IG_in_AZ]

I have the Owl Rock Sliders and love them. I replaced the factory step bars and the Owl sliders, despite having better clearance (slightly higher), make it easier to get in and out of the Grenadier. I believe this is due to having a step platform vs a flattened tube to step on.

 

[WanderingSniper]

My $.02, I bought mine a few months ago and really like them. The biggest issue is the holes in the front, my wife gets her heels stuck in them. I'm making a steel plate for the front passenger side and plan to have it welded on just for her.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

Some more free advertisement for owl