Best Step Rails in 2022

Last update: January 13, 2023

Are running boards a good idea?

There's no right or wrong answer to this question - it's entirely up to personal preference. Some people find running boards helpful, while others find them to be more of a hindrance than anything. Ultimately, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Some of the benefits of running boards include the fact that they can make it easier to get in and out of a tall vehicle. They can also provide a bit of extra protection from the elements, and can help keep your feet from slipping on wet or icy pavement. On the downside, running boards can

Are side steps worth it?

Most people choose to install side steps on their truck or SUV for the same reason: they make it easier to get in and out. Side steps provide a wide, stable platform to stand on while getting in and out of a tall vehicle. They also give your truck or SUV a rugged, off-road look. If you're constantly getting in and out of your truck or SUV, or if you have young children or elderly passengers, side steps can make your life a lot easier. They're also a good choice if you want to give your truck or SUV a tougher look.

Can you install your own running boards?

Most running boards can be installed at home with little difficulty, although some may require drilling. Running boards come with instructions and all the necessary hardware. It is important to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging the running boards or the vehicle. If in doubt, it is always best to consult a professional.

Can you stand on nerf bars?

Nerf bars are designed to provide a safe and easy way to enter and exit your vehicle. However, they are not designed to support the weight of a person standing on them. Doing so can damage the nerf bar and cause it to break, which could lead to serious injury.


MOR/ryde STP214006H Hand Rail (4 Step Door) Review:


We bought this railing from the manufacturer's original steps for our replacement steps. The handrail is a godsend because it stabilizes you on the elevation that we encountered this past weekend while camping. Excellent sense of security while stepping out the door. superior caliber. Highly advised. It only took a few minutes to install and fits perfectly on our steps.



KTPYRP Vehicle Doorstep Folding Ladder Foot Rest with Safety Hammer Head for Easy Access to Car Rooftop & Roof-Rack, Car Door Step for Jeep, SUV & RV Review:


My wife, who is 5"2", always relies on me to wash the top of her 2018 Nissan Rogue or to load or unload items from the roof rack. Ours arrived without instructions but with a velvet carrying case, as you can see in the unpacking video. Fortunately, installation is fairly simple (see pics). Installing this and reaching stuff on the roof rack on her own was a simple task for my wife. When my 6'5", 250-pound coworker put it under stress after installation, it seemed sturdy and didn't move. It's meant to be rated for more than 500 pounds, and based on how it feels, I'm confident that it will hold that weight without any issues. Purchase with assurance. Aside: Although we installed this on a 2018 Nissan Rogue, I am reasonably confident that it will work on just about any car, SUV, van, or truck out there given the architecture of the device. It uses the internal door latch and the car's frame for support, just like almost every other vehicle I've seen.



MaxMate Custom Fit 09-18 Ram 1500 Crew Cab (Including 2019 Classic)/10-20 Ram 2500/3500 Crew Cab 4 inch Oval Stainless Steel Side Step Rails Nerf Bars Running Boards Review:


I purchased these with full knowledge that they might corrode or become wet. They're not all that horrible. was packaged in a sizable box. no dents, no hardware missing. Each bar is labeled and wrapped in a distinct color of plastic. Likewise for the brackets. In approximately 30 minutes, I had them manually tightened. However, I did watch a few tutorials on YouTube, so I was prepared. I had space for mudflaps. possibly a 1/2" gap The brackets and hardware look to be quite durable. They install into pre-existing body holes that have been taped over at the manufacturing. My hardware matched perfectly. nothing with an incorrect label. All holes will match up if your vehicle was designed to accept factory side steps, but one will already have a threaded insert, necessitating the use of a separate bolt. I was okay because my was not configured for the factory. Now let's talk about the design issue that is probably to blame for everyone's rust and wetness. the plastic steps first. They are not sufficiently sealed. The metal that supports the stairs has been bent inward underneath, and the steps are attached to the bottom of this "dent" using rivets and plastic rods that are molded into the step's back. The plastic step is maintained in place by this. Not completely airtight. Without a shadow of a doubt, water will find its way inside if it is there. especially when traveling at highway speeds during rain, fog, or even car washes. because it has nowhere else to go. Water slowly accumulates on the stairs. By slightly removing the plastic step and pressing some "great stuff" expanding foam insulation to waterproof it, I, hopefully, was able to remedy this. We've only had the steps for a few weeks, but we've already received a lot of rain. Only time will tell. the hardware that connected the sidestep's foot to the bracket was the other problem. there could be a water entry. Simply a rubber washer was placed underneath the other washers. Hopefully, this will stop water from entering. Concerning concerns of rusting hardware. have not had enough time to observe. I honestly couldn't care less if the bolt heads started to rust a little as long as the brackets remained black. Under the truck, they are. Invisibility is bliss;)



Bully AS-200 Aluminum Side Step, 2 Pack Review:


It's not an easy install because everything needs to be lined up and the holes must be carefully drilled. In addition, the interior bolster plate is slightly too broad to suit the floor recess on my 1997 F350 crew cab, so I had to grind away some of the plate to make it fit. Contrary to what some people have said, the hardware works perfectly for the application; nothing broke, and the step easily supports my weight of 200 pounds when entering and exiting. I took off the clearcoat and polished them until they matched my polished Alcoa wheels. I'll be getting a second pair because my four doors need four stairs each.



MAXMATE Custom Fit 1999-2018 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500/2500LD, 01-19 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500/3500HD Extended/Double Cab Stainless Steel 3" Side Step Rails Nerf Bars Running Boards Review:


My black 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT Ext. Cab 4x4 fits perfectly with these step bars (5.3L V8). Each bar was individually wrapped in bubble wrap and placed between two pieces of Styrofoam to ensure proper packaging. Inside the larger box, there is a smaller box that contains the pieces and the instruction manual. The bars, the pieces, or the directions were all in working order. I had an issue with the factory body mount bolts from GM. On their bolts, GM utilizes an iron grip locking substance. I was unable to turn them off in time to even begin the installation. With a breaker bar, a stronger man might be able to get it, but I wasn't moving. Now I should note that when I was initially diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2012, the doctors initially believed I had cancer. My weight, muscles, and bones were all severely damaged before the doctors discovered I had Celiac disease. I was 128 pounds and 6 feet 1 inch tall on January 6, 2012. It was awful—really awful. I still only weigh around 140 pounds as of today, June 25, 2015. That man, who is 36 and 6'1", is very thin. Due to small intestinal injury, I am unable to acquire weight. Before developing celiac disease, I used to weigh 168 pounds. My days of heavy lifting are passed, and I was unable to remove the GM bolt. There are six of them, so I had to beg for assistance. That's beneficial to us men. I phoned the folks at the neighborhood repair business since I knew them. They gave me free assistance and utilized a ratchet with air assistance to remove those strange bolts. Once those bolts were removed, we were able to install it in less than 30 minutes. I gave the person who assisted me a tip, and that was that. These MaxMate Custom Fit step bars are indeed tailored just for you. They are low profile and perfectly fitting. With a power ratchet, especially, everything locks up tightly, and the middle bracket adds to the stability. My wife and children like that they no longer need to climb a mountain to get to their seats. I advise seeking assistance with the installation. You are like superman if you can remove those factory bolts on your own. A shop is a lot faster place to receive assistance. I called the shop and inquired about the cost of having the bars installed. Bring it down, and we'll help you, he simply said. Don't start bashing your head against a brick wall like a crazy man if you accidentally hit one with the bolts. Just give the store a call to get it done. Invest in these step bars. You will be amazed by the straightforward, untainted appearance and affordable price. The step pads are blank of any writing. Black with a grip design is all there is. There is no need to purchase more costly name brand step bars. The sale price of $139 on them is difficult to beat, and they are well-made.



Rightline Gear Moki Door Step, Extra Long - Supports Both Feet, As Seen on Shark Tank Review:


Excellent quality, big enough for both feet. I have a 2001 Landcruiser with a roof rack, and I was having to stand on the window opening to completely reach the rack. It can easily sit level by merely elevating it a little, and it doesn't have to be on the hook portion to hold securely. This enables me to quickly access the rack by stepping up from the door jamb. I can easily use it on front or back doors. After seeing one a friend had purchased and being impressed by its quality, I decided to buy this instead of the less expensive folding units. This product is made to last a lifetime.



Bully BBS-1103 Black 2 Pack Side Step Review:


I bought these for my crew cab 2008 Ford F150. They fit beautifully, and this particular body style (Type D, as you can see in the directions and photographs) has the simplest installation. No adapters are required. Due to cross members getting in the way, the two in the back had to be put a little farther back than the end of the seat line than was intended, but other than that, they fit perfectly. I worked on the entire truck for almost four hours. a couple of thoughts The sheet metal screws included in the hardware package are not worth utilizing. They require too much torque to insert, and as soon as they do, the heads instantly strip out. I went to Home Depot and purchased eight #14 hex head 3/4-inch screws "and used them in place of them. In this manner, I could get a socket on them and had enough torque to fully insert them. Additionally, I used stainless nyloc nuts in place of the standard bottom bolt nuts so that I wouldn't ever have to worry about them coming loose. Less than an additional $5 for everyone. There is one more thing that is really significant. The distance between the holes is incorrect according to the instructions. It says 8 1/8 "Actually, it is 8 1/4 inches. It took me drilling two sets of holes before I realized that. The simplest method is to just mark the holes with a sharpie while holding the step up to the bottom of the pinch weld where you want them. They should really make it easier for my wife and mother-in-law to enter and exit, in my opinion. They ultimately cover about half the distance between the ground and the cab's floor. Overall, I'm rather content. If the sheet metal screw and the directions were correctly written, they would receive five stars.



Bully BBS-1103-2 4 Pack Black Aluminium Side Step Review:


I bought these for my crew cab 2008 Ford F150. They fit beautifully, and this particular body style (Type D, as you can see in the directions and photographs) has the simplest installation. No adapters are required. Due to cross members getting in the way, the two in the back had to be put a little farther back than the end of the seat line than was intended, but other than that, they fit perfectly. I worked on the entire truck for almost four hours. a couple of thoughts The sheet metal screws included in the hardware package are not worth utilizing. They require too much torque to insert, and as soon as they do, the heads instantly strip out. I went to Home Depot and purchased eight #14 hex head 3/4-inch screws "and used them in place of them. In this manner, I could get a socket on them and had enough torque to fully insert them. Additionally, I used stainless nyloc nuts in place of the standard bottom bolt nuts so that I wouldn't ever have to worry about them coming loose. Less than an additional $5 for everyone. There is one more thing that is really significant. The distance between the holes is incorrect according to the instructions. It says 8 1/8 "Actually, it is 8 1/4 inches. It took me drilling two sets of holes before I realized that. The simplest method is to just mark the holes with a sharpie while holding the step up to the bottom of the pinch weld where you want them. They should really make it easier for my wife and mother-in-law to enter and exit, in my opinion. They ultimately cover about half the distance between the ground and the cab's floor. Overall, I'm rather content. If the sheet metal screw and the directions were correctly written, they would receive five stars.



Bully AS-600 Universal Truck Polished Aluminum Side Hoop Step Set 2 Pieces Includes Mounting Brackets - Fits Various Trucks from Chevy (Chevrolet), Ford, Toyota, GMC, Dodge RAM and Jeep Review:


These performed admirably. The paint on the truck had been stripped from the rocker panel where drivers had been dragging their feet, and the seat's seam had been broken on the left side where they had slipped out of the vehicle. The driver can now hoist themself up to enter the truck from any side, which will help to eliminate this. To pull up into the cab of the truck, one must use the steering wheel because the driver's side of the truck lacks a grab handle.I had some reservations about how these attached to the truck's bottom because there is only one sheet metal screw for the top hole and a rather strong bolt attachment at the bottom into the pinch weld location. I asked if they could use riv-nuts instead of the sheet metal screw since they would make for a better attachment when we had the local upholstery shop restore the seat and install the steps. But everything appears to be operating without a hitch and is very strong.


Can you use rock sliders as steps?

If you have rock sliders on your Jeep, you can use them as steps. Just make sure that the sliders are in the correct position and that you have a good grip before you start to climb.

Do running boards affect gas mileage?

Do running boards affect gas mileage? The jury is still out on this one. Some say that running boards can actually increase gas mileage by providing a more aerodynamic profile for the vehicle. Others claim that the added weight of the running boards decreases fuel efficiency. The bottom line is that there is no definitive answer to this question.

Do running boards cause drag?

Some people believe that running boards can cause drag on a vehicle, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Running boards are designed to improve the aerodynamics of a vehicle by providing a more aerodynamic surface for the wind to flow over. In fact, running boards can actually improve the fuel economy of a vehicle by up to 2%.

Do running boards cause rust?

Running boards are often made of steel, which is susceptible to rusting. When the running board gets wet, either from rain or from the car being driven through a puddle, the water can cause the steel to rust. The rust can then spread to the rest of the car, causing even more damage.

Do side steps offer protection?

There is no scientific evidence that side steps offer protection against being hit by a car. However, they may offer some psychological protection by making the driver feel more secure.

Do you have to drill holes for running boards?

If you want to install running boards on your vehicle, you will need to drill holes into the frame of the vehicle. This is necessary in order to secure the running boards to the vehicle.