A lot of people just use 5200 and lag screws and seem to do fine. I think the 5200 is doing the brunt of the work. When I had my Max I bout a telescoping ladder with the intent to install it. I was contemplating through-bolting vs 5200 and lag screws. If you through-bolt you’ll likely want to order new gatorstep unless you don’t mind looking at countersunk fasteners and washers, but who wants to look at that. I’ve never heard of one failing with the 5200 and lag screw method.

Or the most expensive of all, order a new boat with the power step lol. I will say it is VERY nice to have and we use it every single time!