Running Board or Nerf Bar: How About Both?

So, you bit the bullet and lifted your vehicle. Countless hours have been spent researching suspension geometry, adjusting the gear ratio, and recalibrating the speedometer. Approach and departure angles are dialed in, and every last millimeter of possible ground clearance has been maximized. Finally ready to tackle the wilderness, you realize one small, over-looked detail: Climbing into the truck now feels like a journey to the summit of Everest.

We feel you. Heck, some stock trim levels on modern vehicles create a problem for our short kings out there. In lieu of carrying around a stepladder, you’ll need to drop back in to the automotive aftermarket and nab a solid set of running boards or side steps. But which style is right for you?

Take a look at the two most common side step solutions below, and learn a little about what differentiates each. Then, check out the new ROAN step system from N-FAB. Part running board, part side step, this hybrid provides a truly unique step up!

Running Boards

Breaking down the term, “running” here denotes the length of travel. That is, these boards generally run from wheel to wheel. The “board” comes from the shape they take, which is not too dissimilar to a board of lumber.

Running boards have a larger footprint when compared to side steps. The stepping area of a running board, is well…all of it. Side bars usually only have a portion directly under each door in which to get a foothold. So, if you’re someone who is constantly mounting and adjusting things on the roof of your vehicle or likes to have a little more sure-footing when entering and exiting the cab, that extended stepping area of a board makes life a whole lot easier. Running boards can be made of sturdy plastic, aluminum, steel, or some combination of each. They can even come in a motorized form as well.

While running boards are a very functional and practical option, many models do have a bit of a homely look. The big, chunky, often gray appearance doesn’t exactly scream “modern” – even if the industry has spruced up their aesthetic over the past decade. (When I think running boards, I can’t help but envision the plastic behemoths common on many older minivans—or in my family’s case, conversion vans.)

That said, some manufacturers have successfully updated the traditionally staid running board – like N-FAB.

N-FAB’s Growler system is worthy of its name, sporting a noticeably aggressive tread. Providing ultimate traction, the Growler running board is great for vehicle owners who regularly see messy jobs or bad weather. Those rugged aluminum teeth will scrape mud and snow from boots and stand up to corrosive road salt and moisture.

Side Bars/Side Steps

There’s a slew of other names that side bars are referred to throughout the aftermarket—side steps, nerf bars, step bars—but they generally all mean the same thing. Usually tubular in shape, these bars feature designated step pads under each door. The bars can either run wheel to wheel, like running boards, or just the length of the door. Side bars also traditionally stick out a little further and lower from the body of the vehicle. So, while they may look sturdier, they are more prone to damage when going off the beaten path.

While certainly better-looking, side bars generally aren’t as safe or functional as their running board counterparts, since they lack that complete stepping surface that runs the width of the vehicle. This makes them a lukewarm choice for those with families or anyone with diminished mobility. (Heck, even as a strapping side bar owning 30-something myself, I’ve lost track of how many times I banged my shin or completely missed the step bar entirely while entering and exiting my vehicle—especially in dim lighting.)

There are still many sure-footed step bar options on the market, like these Podium LG steps from N-FAB.

N-FAB’s Podium LG and SS Steps offer side bar lovers an expanded and enclosed sure-grip step plate for safer access. Fitting high and tight to the body of the vehicle for a clean, modern look, the Podium LG and SS Steps are crafted from heavy-duty stainless steel and feature a fully welded, one-piece construction for better strength and ease of installation.

The Best of Both Worlds

Those who longed for the functionality of a running board with the styling of a nerf bar will be happy to meet N-FAB’s newest recruit: the ROAN. As the manufacturer puts it: The ROAN finds the line between a conventional running board and an armored side step and then obliterates it!

Unlike any board you’ve ever seen, the ROAN is constructed with a supremely sturdy fully-welded 12-gauge steel top plate surrounded by a 1.75” OD perimeter tubing. This structure allows for maximum security and strength, featuring a load-tested capacity of 475 lbs.

The oversized 5.5” x 21” louvered step plate perfectly positioned under each door allows for sure-footing when entering or exiting the vehicle in any weather condition, wet or dry. And the textured black powder coat finish comes with the peace-of-mind of a 5-year warranty.

Since N-FAB knows most people are not rolling around in a bone stock truck, it included an adjustable mounting system, so ROAN boards will work on lifted vehicles. In the same spirit, the company made its step plates removable. That means, you can add your own custom paint or personalization. Additionally, ROAN Boards come with all necessary mounting hardware and easy-to-understand instructions – no guesswork necessary.

When it comes to boards or bars, there’s no need to choose between style and substance any longer. The ROAN has both.

Check out the ROAN and all of n-Fab’s legendary product lineup at www.n-fab.com