Have you ever heard about running boards? The reps at Irvine car dealerships inform us that running boards can help hoist the driver and its occupants to get in and out of a pickup truck without any hassles at all. If you are searching for this type of accessory from a Toyota dealer near Irvine, keep reading to learn more about finding your ideal running boards for your Toyota Tacoma.
What Are Running Boards?
Before you get all gung-ho about heading down to Irvine car dealerships to purchase some running boards, it is a good idea you stick around and discover what running boards are all about.
Typically, running boards are located at the foot of a truck’s door. They have two main purposes. The first, and most obvious one, is that it acts as a step. This is crucial to have in taller trucks or if the truck passengers are vertically challenged.
Not having that extra step in some of those taller models from Irvine car dealerships can make you feel as though you need to hire climbing gear just to get in and out of your pickup.
As the wheels turn on your vehicle, debris such as rocks, dirt, and even destructive objects such as nails can get kicked up and hit your car. Installing a running board can prevent some of this debris from flying high enough to scratch and even damage doors and side panels.
A further advantage to running boards is that they are very good at maintaining the cleanliness of your truck or van. When used in this manner, running boards serve as a type of doormat – essentially a place where passengers can remove the dirt off their shoes before getting into their vehicle.
Running boards are readily available in many types of materials, including the following:
- Diamond-plate steel
- Plastic
- Fiberglass
- Rubber
- A tube-like structure that goes around the border of the vehicle
Because running boards are usually used as ladders, it is vital that they are always clean and dry to prevent anyone from slipping and hurting themselves. Some running boards come equipped with a built-in gripping surface that helps to improve traction; however, surfaces like these suffer from wear and tear. An excellent way to regain traction when the surface is exhausted is to use deck tape, the same tape skateboarders use to get a good hold of their boards.
When running boards first became a popular accessory on cars, they were normally on both sides of the vehicle to allow for better footing into and out of vehicles. The reason being is that vintage cars sat higher off the ground than today’s vehicles do. As newer models were released, their ground clearance was lower, and running boards became less in demand. Nonetheless, some vehicles maintain running boards just for aesthetic purposes.
Running boards give you that step that allows you to easily climb into taller vehicles like SUVs and trucks such as the Toyota Tacoma.
Some of the other advantages of running boards include:
- Improved aesthetics by adding a sleek look to your truck
- Preventing scratches and dents from affecting your vehicle’s paint
- Easy home installation without voiding your truck’s warranty
What Are The Different Types Of Running Boards?
Overall, the word running boards means anything on the side of the vehicle, outside, and underneath the doors of a truck or SUV. In a nutshell, a running board is another type of side step similar to nerf bars and rock sliders. These are the three main types available on the market.
Running Boards
Out of the three types of side steps, running boards are the typical, wide, fixed, and flat fixtures that go across the length of the truck from the front fender to the back edge or rear fender.
These boards have a flat surface that features rubber grips that run full length to make sure there is no slippage when anyone steps into and out of the vehicle. Running boards are usually made of stainless steel or thick plastic materials and placed on metal brackets. Most SUVs are equipped with plastic types, even though the most state-of-the-art from them all, next to newer trucks, often have nerf bars and powered retractable running board styles.
Nerf Bars
A far cry from running boards, nerf bars are tubular. They are found in round, oval ad even square-shaped. They come in cab length or wheel-to-wheel configurations.
Nerf bars are outfitted with indented treads to give a good grip close to each door. Other designs have textured surfaces to allow for the extra grip required for safely boarding the vehicle.
Nerf bars are affixed to a truck or SUV on the side underneath the doors. Many of them, still, have parts cut out in their lengths for the passengers’ feet.
Rock Sliders
Out of all the available types of after-market accessories, rock sliders give back a hard punch. Many truckers, who love to do some severe off-roading, have them installed on their vehicles.
You can get them in frame and body mounts. Keep in mind that they are not running boards by definition because they stay higher than the norm, but some have steps that certify them for the same purpose.
Rock sliders are good at protecting the undercarriage doors of a truck or SUV when off-roading.
They are on the whole metal bars that can also safeguard your vehicle from large rocks and other obstacles. Rock sliders are super strong, and many people find them similar to nerf bars because of their qualities and functionality.
Running boards are a crucial accessory to have for your SUV or truck. Besides being aesthetically pleasing to look at, they provide protection, make going in and out of the vehicle effortless, and help you maintain cleanliness.