Your choice of the style of nerf bar or running board depends on the following factors, the look of the side step bars and the function it provides your vehicle. There are different styles of nerf bars according to functionality and these will affect the overall look of your vehicle.

The double bend style is a step bar that is lower to the ground which allows easier access when getting in and out of the vehicle. These nerf bars have both their ends bended back towards the vehicle and bended down towards the road with the length parallel to the truck sides. There are also nerf bars with a lower step area that is welded to the outside edge, providing a lowered area for stepping on.

The wheel-to-wheel nerf bars have a total length extending from the front part of the rear wheel to the rear part of the front wheel. These bars serve as safe stepping area when reaching items from the bed of the truck, reaching items like the tool box in the front of the truck bed, and cleaning or washing the roof or upper part of your truck.

The add-a-step style is designed for those vehicle owners who have passengers with limited mobility and have trouble reaching the step bar, like the toyota step bar; or the running board. An additional step is added to the nerf bar constructed from 3” diameter tubing that bolts directly and attached to the nerf bars but is lowered than these bars. This is specially made for small kids and elderly people who find it difficult to climb the steps. This is helpful in assisting them get in and out of the vehicle with ease.

The traditional nerf bars is designed with a 90-degree bend at both ends. This is the part attached to the frame of the vehicle with the use of a mounting system unique to the particular model, make and year your vehicle was manufactured. These bars come in chrome-plated, black powder coating, buffed aluminum, and stainless steel finishes. These are mostly manufactured using the 3″ diameter tubing.

The oval tube steps provide a wider and flatter step area which is safer than the other styles. Since it is hard to bend an oval for more than 45 degrees, the bars are mounted with brackets to make them easy to attach to the main body of the bar, rather than at the ends where the brackets are then fastened to the frame of the vehicle or the body with the holes for mounting. This is one of the reasons why most oval tube steps have limited bends at the ends, or may not bend at all. The width of the oval surface is from 4″ or 5″ wide where a space exists between the bar and the side of the vehicle.

Knowledge of these different styles of nerf bars is important to be able to choose the right ones for your needs.

Trucks nowadays are manufactured higher and higher off the ground which makes it difficult to enter or exit the truck. To solve this dilemma, truck running boards are installed to these trucks. It makes boarding very easy and prevents the straining of the leg and lower back. It also allows keeping the luggage in and out of the truck without completely entering the truck.

Truck boards can be made from a wide variety of materials. They include fiberglass, heavy duty aluminum, ABS molded, steel, stainless steel or chrome. Some are made of clad aluminum and polyethylene. These are manufactured to make them resistant to rust, corrosion and oxidation. They are made to be more resistant to corrosion by chrome plating and hence are more durable. You can choose from a dull to shiny or to a matte finish depending on the design you want for your truck. A computer software design is used to create truck running boards to make it a perfect fit. Some have adjustable end caps finish that allows running board adjustment to get the custom fit appearance.

Each and every material adds strength and style to your truck. The capacity of these running boards can be as low as 300 and up to 500 pounds. Its surfaces can be gritty or smooth – with an abrasive set of non-slip strips to avoid a slip and fall. Running boards that have grooved patterns drain water away from the stepping surface like the dodge truck running boards. These non-sip treads are very useful in snowy winter when the chances of slipping are very high. You can also clean your shoes that have mud, dirt and even grime with these boards before entering to protect the carpet and floor mats.

Running boards are either lighted or without lights. The lighted running boards have a small light that shines under the door to help you see the side step at night. It is a personal choice of the truck owner to get one depending on his or her desire. However, having one of these lighted boards can help in getting into the truck especially when parked in the dark areas.

Truck boards can be customized by painting your desired color so that it will match the truck exterior. These truck running boards are available in retail, wholesale and thru online shops. They can be easily installed by following the guides and instructions that came with the running boards.