Running boards are just some of the best aftermarket products there are for trucks that you’ll find in the market today. Not only that, compared to other accessories such as the tonneau cover, truck bed extenders and others, it’s the simplest type of accessory you can find – just a couple of steel bars installed under the doors of your vehicle but very useful in several ways. A running board also has a very important core function and that is to help people easily get into the seats of the truck – which is most useful for elevated vehicles such as the F150.
Finding the right set of truck side steps is no easy task for the beginner as you’ll be presented a wide variety of options and with no clue where to start, some people become overwhelmed and may leave the task for later. If you’re one of those people, worry no longer as here’s a small guide to the different types of running boards and a mini guide on which one you should pick.
We’ll start off with the most popular lines – the regular oval nerf bars are ones that serve the main purpose of a step bar without the bells and whistles. Often made of either steel or chrome, these are made with quality in mind. They can withstand a reasonable amount of weight and are guaranteed to last several years or just as long as the truck lives. Some examples of these models are the Nastanerf bars, Westin nerf bars and Ionic Railways.
There are also specialized sets of running boards that you can choose from – examples would include the Ionic Voyager, a regular side step with a much wider 6 inch step range. There’s also the Amp Research power step, a revolutionary type of running board that extends and retracts whenever you need it. And there is also the Bully truck steps which are small steps made to fit the size of a foot.
Once you find the right truck step for your truck, it’s time to order it. There should be minimal issue about the price – after all, it’s something you’ll be having for the rest of the life of your truck so make sure it’s a good investment. Installation is something that you shouldn’t worry about as well as running boards are really easy to mount – some require drills but, some don’t. Everything you need to know about installing nerf bars should be found in a manual that comes with the product itself.