Running boards and side steps rank among the most common first purchases for any new pickup truck owner. Floor height on a modern half-ton has crept up steadily as factory wheel and tire packages have grown, and crew cab models in particular put the door sill at a height that rear passengers - children, older adults, or anyone hauling gear with both hands - deal with every single day. The aftermarket fills that gap, but the category is crowded with products ranging from genuinely excellent to cheaply made imports that pit out within a season of road-salt exposure.
This guide breaks down the four main types of side access products, explains what materials hold up in real-world use, and gives model-specific fitment notes for the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, and Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500. By the end you will know what questions to ask before you spend money on a product that may not fit your cab style or your use case.
Why the Stock Step Bar Usually Falls Short
Most trucks sold today include a factory step bar - a round or oval tube mounted below the rocker panel. On base and work-trim pickups it is plain steel with a black powder coat. On higher trims it might be chrome or body-color matched. What it rarely is, is adequate for daily use with a full cab of passengers.
The tube diameter on factory bars typically runs from three to four inches. That is a narrow foothold, especially for someone wearing winter boots or carrying a bag. The step surface is often a short strip of textured rubber no wider than a few inches, positioned relatively close to the rocker panel so the foot has to angle inward to hit it cleanly. The factory bar satisfies a checkmark on the spec sheet; it does not solve the problem of a tall truck.
Aftermarket running boards and side steps solve this in different ways depending on the type you choose. Wide-platform boards give you four to six inches of flat step surface positioned lower and further from the body. Drop steps bring the platform down and outboard where it is easy to find. Power steps fold away completely when no one is entering or exiting. Each approach has real advantages and real tradeoffs, and the right choice for a fleet work truck is not the same as the right choice for a family daily driver.
Four Categories of Side Entry Products
Understanding these categories before you start shopping prevents most of the confusion that leads to returns.
Running Boards - Flat Style
Running boards are wide, flat platforms that span the length of the cab. They mount to brackets bolted to the frame or rocker panel and sit a few inches below the door sill. The step surface is typically four to six inches wide and covered with a rubber or non-slip composite pad. Because they run the full cab length, they are easy to use from any door position including the rear doors and the step over the wheel well area on crew cabs.
Flat running boards are the most practical choice for a daily driver or family truck. They are especially useful when the truck regularly carries passengers who are not tall adults. The tradeoff is ground clearance - a wide board hangs lower and extends further outboard than a tube nerf bar. For trucks that regularly go off-road or navigate tight obstacles, that extra exposure matters.
Nerf Bars and Tube Steps
Nerf bars are round or oval tubes, typically three to four inches in diameter, mounted below the rocker panel in a similar position to the factory step bar. Quality aftermarket nerf bars have integrated step pads welded or clamped at each door location, giving you a defined and grippy landing spot rather than a bare tube.
Oval tubes in four-inch and five-inch diameters offer more step surface than round bars and look closer to a traditional running board from a distance. Many owners prefer the cleaner profile of a nerf bar over the bulk of a full running board, and tube steps do less to block the lower body line of the truck. They also sit higher and further inboard than running boards, which makes them a better fit for trucks that occasionally see mild trail work or rough terrain.
Drop Steps and Hoop Steps
Drop steps start with a mounting bracket positioned at the rocker panel and extend a wide step pad downward and outboard. The step platform is usually eight to twelve inches wide and positioned well away from the body. The visual effect is that the step "drops" below and outside the truck's bodywork, which is exactly what the name describes.
Hoop steps are a variant where the step pad is recessed inside a protective tube loop. These are popular on lifted trucks because the loop protects the step surface from catching on obstacles, and the platform hangs low enough to be practical even with three or more inches of suspension lift. If standard running boards would end up sitting too high after your lift to be useful, drop steps or hoop steps are usually the correct answer.
Power Retractable Steps
Power retractable steps fold flat against the body when doors are closed and deploy automatically when any door opens. AMP Research developed this format with the PowerStep, and it remains the dominant product in the category. When retracted, the step tucks against the rocker area and adds almost nothing to the truck's overall width. When deployed, it presents a wide, low platform that positions itself well for entry from all door positions.
For trucks that regularly travel off-road, the appeal is obvious - no step to catch on rocks during a trail run, and full step access at the trailhead or work site. For on-road daily drivers, the aesthetic benefit is real: a truck with power steps looks cleaner than one with a static board running along its full length.
The price premium is real as well. Quality power step kits typically run from roughly $600 to $1,200 depending on the truck and cab style, and you should verify current pricing directly with the retailer before budgeting because prices shift. The AMP Research PowerStep Xtreme uses thicker materials for heavy-duty use and runs toward the upper end of that range. Installation requires tapping into the door-ajar or door-open wiring signal, which adds complexity compared to a simple bolt-on running board.
Materials - What Actually Holds Up
The finish that looks good in a product photo and the material that holds up through three winters in the upper Midwest are not always the same thing. Here is what to know before you commit.
Aluminum
Extruded and cast aluminum is the most widely used material in quality aftermarket running boards. Aluminum does not rust, which matters enormously in states where roads are salted from November through March. A board with a quality powder coat or anodized finish will look presentable for years of daily use in road-salt environments.
The key quality indicator is extrusion wall thickness. Thin-wall extrusions flex under load and eventually crack at the bracket mounting points. A step rated for 300 pounds of static load is only useful if the extrusion is rigid enough that it does not visibly deflect when you step on it. Reputable brands publish wall thickness and load ratings - if a product page lists neither, treat that as a warning sign.
Steel
Steel is heavier and structurally stiffer than aluminum at the same thickness, but it will rust if the coating is compromised. Quality steel steps use heavy-gauge material with a textured black powder coat, sometimes over a rust-inhibiting primer coat. For a work truck in a dry climate, steel running boards represent solid value - they are often less expensive than comparable aluminum products and will hold up well if road salt is not a factor.
In the rust belt - New England, the Great Lakes states, the upper Midwest - aluminum is the better long-term choice. Steel under constant salt exposure will pit and eventually fail at the brackets even with quality coating, because road debris and normal use chip the finish over time at the high-contact points.
Polymer and Composite
Some running boards use injection-molded polymer for the main body or the step surface. Polymer does not rust and is lighter than either aluminum or steel. Budget polymer products, however, crack in cold weather and fade in UV exposure within a couple of seasons.
Higher-end composite boards often combine an aluminum or steel structural spine with a polymer outer shell. This gives you the corrosion resistance and clean appearance of polymer with the structural integrity of metal. These products frequently look more OEM and less bolt-on than traditional aluminum boards, which is an advantage or disadvantage depending on the aesthetic you want.
F-150 Running Boards and Steps - Fitment Notes
The Ford F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the United States, which means the aftermarket for F-150 side steps is enormous. The scale creates both opportunity and risk - more quality products exist for the F-150 than for almost any other truck, and more cheap imitation products are designed to appear alongside the real ones in search results.
The most important fitment dimension for any F-150 purchase is cab style. Ford offers the Regular Cab, SuperCab (with smaller rear suicide doors), and SuperCrew (full four-door). Running boards are matched to one of these three configurations, and the sets are not interchangeable. A SuperCrew board runs longer than a SuperCab board, and using a SuperCab-length board on a SuperCrew leaves the rear passengers without step coverage at their door.
The 14th-generation F-150 (2021 to present) introduced the PowerBoost hybrid. These trucks carry a battery pack along the frame rails in positions that affect some bracket mount points. If you are outfitting a 2021 or newer F-150, verify the fitment list specifically includes the PowerBoost variant if your truck has it - most quality brands document this, but not all.
The 13th-generation F-150 (2015 through 2020) has a slightly different rocker panel profile than the current generation, and brackets are not always cross-compatible between generations. Verify the product year range covers your exact model year and does not lump the 13th and 14th generation together under a single listing.
Silverado and Sierra Steps - Generation and Configuration Notes
The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra share a platform and use the same bracket mounting points, so most running boards and nerf bars that fit the Silverado will also fit the Sierra of the same generation and cab configuration. Cab styles are Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab - matching the same three-tier approach as Ford but with different actual cab dimensions.
The current fifth-generation Silverado (2019 to present for the 1500, 2020 for the HD) has a notably taller ride height than the fourth-generation (2014 through 2018), especially in LTZ and High Country trims that ship with larger tires. This makes running boards more practically useful on current Silverados than on the previous generation, and also means bracket reach and geometry differ between generations.
For the Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD, confirm whether the product is specifically rated for the HD chassis. HD trucks use a wider frame and different rocker panel geometry than the 1500, and a board listed only for the 1500 will not have correct brackets for the HD. Most major brands sell 1500 and HD fitments as separate part numbers - check both the year and the series before adding to cart.
Ram 1500 and 2500/3500 Steps - Fitment Quirks to Know
The Ram 1500 switched to a fully independent rear coil-spring suspension with the fifth-generation truck, known as the DT platform (2019 to present). This changed the frame and body geometry enough that brackets made for the fourth-generation DS platform (2009 through 2018) do not transfer over. When shopping for a Ram 1500, the single most important thing to confirm is whether the product listing specifies DT (2019 and newer) or DS (2009 through 2018) compatibility. Using the wrong generation bracket kit leads to a step that is crooked, loose, or simply will not reach the mounting points.
Ram's three cab styles present a less common quirk. The Regular Cab and Crew Cab are straightforward. The Quad Cab, however, uses rear-hinged doors that open in the opposite direction from conventional doors. Running boards work fine on Quad Cab trucks, but the reverse-opening rear door changes how passengers approach the step - a nerf bar with a clearly defined step pad at each door position can feel more intuitive on Quad Cab trucks than a continuous flat board, because the passenger is stepping forward rather than swinging outward into the board.
Ram trucks also have a relatively deep rocker panel profile compared to the F-150 and Silverado in most configurations. Some running board bracket kits designed primarily for Ford or GM trucks need longer or differently angled hardware to reach Ram's mounting points cleanly. Quality Ram-specific kits account for this, but verify the bracket dimensions if you are comparing a generic "fits all trucks" product against a Ram-specific listing.
For the Ram 2500 and 3500, the same rule applies as with the Silverado HD - the heavy-duty platform uses different frame geometry than the 1500 and requires HD-specific bracket kits. Do not assume a 1500 listing transfers to the 2500 or 3500.
Brand Comparison: Who Makes What and How It Holds Up
AMP Research produces the PowerStep, the most recognized power retractable step on the market. The electric motor, linkage, and control module are generally reliable, the warranty is competitive, and replacement parts are available - that last point matters more than it seems when you are buying a motorized accessory that will cycle thousands of times over the life of the truck. The PowerStep Xtreme adds thicker construction for heavy-duty use. If power retractable steps are your direction, AMP Research is the brand most installers have experience with and the one most likely to have ongoing parts support years from now.
Westin produces a broad lineup including the Pro Traxx Oval Nerf Bar, HDX Running Boards, and Molded Running Boards. The HDX line uses heavy aluminum construction with a textured, non-slip step surface and is a practical choice for a work truck where durability matters more than aesthetics. The Pro Traxx nerf bars represent good value in the oval tube category and are available in both four-inch and five-inch diameters with step pads at each door position.
N-Fab is a Colorado-based manufacturer known for tube steps and nerf bars with clean welds and a semi-gloss black powder coat. Their products are made in the USA, which matters to many buyers, and the weld and finish quality is noticeably better than typical import products at a comparable price. The Podium Step is a popular choice on lifted trucks because of its protective hoop design around the step pad.
Rough Country offers running boards and nerf bars at a lower price point than the brands listed above. For a non-lifted daily driver on a tighter budget, Rough Country gets the job done. The coating and bracket hardware are lighter-duty than Westin HDX or N-Fab, and the step surfaces are narrower on some models, but the products are widely available and generally straightforward to install.
LUND has been in the running board category for decades and offers a range from budget molded boards to aluminum-constructed options. Their Terrain Running Boards use composite construction that holds up well in road-salt environments and sits closer to OEM-style appearance than most aftermarket options. LUND is a reasonable mid-tier choice when a clean, less aggressive look is the goal.
How to Read a Fitment Chart Without Getting Burned
Nearly every running board and side step product is sold with a fitment chart listing compatible years, models, cab styles, and sometimes trim levels. Reading these charts correctly prevents the most frustrating outcome in this category - receiving a product that looks right but does not mount correctly to your specific truck.
- Model year range: Confirm the exact year range rather than assuming a nearby year transfers over. A bracket designed for 2019 through 2023 may not share mounting points with a 2024 if the manufacturer updated the body geometry mid-cycle.
- Cab style: This is the single most common fitment mistake. SuperCrew, SuperCab, and Regular Cab are not interchangeable for Ford. Double Cab and Crew Cab are not interchangeable for Silverado. Quad Cab and Crew Cab are not interchangeable for Ram.
- Platform or generation: Especially important for the Ram 1500 DT vs DS distinction and for HD trucks across all three brands.
- Exclusions by trim or package: Some trucks equipped with factory-installed assist steps or specific trim packages have different bracket locations. Higher-end fitment charts note these exclusions explicitly.
If a product page lists fitment as "fits F-150" without specifying cab style, that is incomplete information. Contact the seller and ask for the specific cab-style fitment list before ordering. Reputable sellers will answer immediately.
Also confirm whether mounting brackets are included or sold separately. Some nerf bar brands sell the bars and brackets under different part numbers. Ordering one without the other is a common and easy mistake to make when shopping from a catalog or marketplace listing that splits the SKU.
Installation Overview
Most running boards and nerf bars are designed for a two-person installation using basic hand tools - a ratchet set, torque wrench, and sometimes a trim panel removal tool for the rocker molding. The typical process is: remove the factory step bar by unbolting it from its existing brackets, install new mounting brackets in the existing holes along the rocker panel or frame, then bolt the running board or nerf bar to those brackets.
Bracket alignment is usually the most time-consuming part. The board needs to sit level along its full length and be positioned so the step surface falls directly below each door. One bracket set slightly higher than the others creates a visible twist that looks wrong and concentrates stress unevenly at the mount points over time. Take time to get each bracket at the same height before tightening anything fully, then recheck level after snugging down the first bolt on each bracket.
Power retractable step installation adds a wiring phase. The motor controller typically taps into the door-ajar or door-open signal wire at the fuse box, and the motor draws power from the battery. Most AMP Research kits include a wiring harness that uses existing plugs and connectors matched to your specific truck model year, which keeps the job manageable for anyone comfortable with basic automotive electrical work. Budget two to four hours for a complete power step installation on a first attempt, less if you have done it before.
No drilling into the frame or rocker panel is required for any of the major brands covered here, provided you have the correct bracket kit for your truck. The existing holes from the factory step bar - or the dedicated bracket mounting locations on trucks that came without a step bar - are the only holes you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will running boards from a SuperCrew F-150 fit a SuperCab F-150?
No. Running boards are cut and bracketed to a specific cab style. A SuperCrew board is longer than a SuperCab board, and using the wrong cab-style board leaves passengers without step coverage at their door. Always confirm the cab style listed on the fitment chart matches your specific truck before purchasing.
Do I need to drill into the frame or rocker panel to install running boards?
No, not with any reputable brand for these three truck families. Aftermarket boards bolt to existing holes along the rocker panel or frame rails - the same points used by the factory step bar. If a set of instructions directs you to drill new holes into the frame, stop and verify you have the correct bracket kit for your exact truck model and year.
What is the difference between a Ram 1500 DT and DS platform?
The DS platform covers 2009 through 2018 Ram 1500 trucks. The DT platform covers 2019 and newer Ram 1500s, which switched to a fully independent rear coil-spring suspension. That change altered the frame geometry enough that DS brackets will not transfer over. Most product listings specify which platform they fit - if they do not, contact the seller before ordering.
Are power retractable steps worth the premium over static running boards?
It depends on how the truck is used. For regular off-road or trail driving, power steps eliminate the ground-clearance penalty of a static board while still providing full step access when parked. For a strictly on-road daily driver, a quality static aluminum running board provides similar access at significantly lower cost and with no wiring complexity. The right answer is genuinely use-case dependent.
Can I install running boards on a lifted truck?
Yes, but standard flat running boards may end up sitting too high to be practical after a significant lift because the brackets still mount at the factory rocker panel height. Drop steps, hoop steps, or nerf bars with repositioned step pads are usually the better choice on trucks lifted three inches or more. Confirm the actual drop dimension of the step surface against your post-lift door sill height before purchasing rather than assuming a given product will work.
Do Silverado and GMC Sierra running boards interchange?
Yes, within the same generation and cab configuration. The Silverado and Sierra share the same platform and bracket mounting points, so a board listed for a Silverado 1500 Crew Cab will fit the same-year Sierra 1500 Crew Cab. Verify the generation matches - fifth-generation (2019-present) trucks use different brackets than fourth-generation (2014-2018) trucks, regardless of the brand of running board.
If you have questions about which running boards or side steps are the right fit for your specific F-150, Silverado, or Ram, reach out through the contact page. Knowing your model year, cab style, and whether the truck is lifted helps narrow the field quickly.