General Information
When trailer air and electrical connections cannot be reached conveniently from the ground, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require commercial carriers to provide back-of-cab access.
Optional grab handles are mounted on each cab sidewall, on the left sidewall only, or on the cab back wall. See Fig.Back-of-Cab Access Supports (typical). Steps are mounted either on the fuel tank(s) or on metal brackets. When a deck plate is necessary, it is mounted across the top of the frame rails.
Important: Climb onto, and down from, back-of-cab access facing in toward the vehicle, as you would on a ladder. Do not climb up or down facing out away from the vehicle.
Back-of-Cab Access Supports (typical)
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Grab Handle, Rear Driver Side
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Grab Handle, Rear Passenger Side
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Passenger-Side Top Step, Back (not shown)
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Passenger-Side Bottom Step, Back (not shown)
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Driver-Side Top Step, Back
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Driver-Side Bottom Step, Back
Caution: Wet or dirty shoe soles greatly increase the chance of slipping or falling. If your soles are wet or dirty, be especially careful when climbing onto, or leaving, the back-of-cab area.
Always maintain three-point contact with the back-of-cab access supports while entering and exiting the back-of-cab area. Three-point contact means both feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot, on the grab handles, steps, and deck plates. Other areas are not meant to support back-of-cab access, and grabbing or stepping in the wrong place could lead to a fall and personal injury.
Be careful not to get hands or feet tangled in hoses or other back-of-cab equipment. Doing so could cause a trip and fall with possible injury.