Best Running Boards for Trucks
Compare wide, slim and wheel-to-wheel truck steps, with vehicle-specific fit, ground clearance and installation checks.
Compare Current OptionsA running board is useful only if it gives the right foothold without becoming an obstacle. Truck owners often shop by appearance first, then discover that a board is too short for the rear door, projects too far for trail use, or needs a different bracket kit. This guide separates cab-length platforms, slimmer steps and wheel-to-wheel designs so the trade-offs are visible before ordering.
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01 Truck running boards by use case
Four published product families selected for meaningful differences in step width, profile, length and material.
The RB20 uses an angular full-width tread with drainage perforations and boxed steel ends. Its 7.5-inch platform gives more foot area than a slim-profile board.
The RB20 Slim retains the perforated steel tread and corrosion-protection approach while using a 5.5-inch step profile closer to the body.
The HDX Drop Wheel-to-Wheel design adds a third stepping position behind the cab to improve access to items in the truck bed.
Westin offers R5 bars in black aluminum or polished stainless configurations, with vehicle-specific lengths and mounting kits. The wider oval surface differs from a compact tubular nerf bar.
02 Step and mounting comparison
Dimensions are product-family specifications where stated; vehicle-specific kits and materials must be confirmed for the exact SKU.
| Running board | Step design | Mounting / length | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Rhino RB20 Running Boards | 7.5-inch step · 16-gauge galvanized steel | Cab-length · vehicle-specific kit | Best wide fixed platform |
| Go Rhino RB20 Slim Running Boards | 5.5-inch step · 16-gauge galvanized steel | Cab-length · vehicle-specific kit | Best for tighter clearance |
| Westin HDX Drop Wheel-to-Wheel Nerf Bars | Steel · textured black finish | Wheel-to-wheel · third step position | Best for bed-side access |
| Westin R5 Nerf Bars | 5-inch oval step family | Aluminum or stainless variants | Best broad tread alternative |
03 Four truck-step options
These evaluations compare published design features, not claimed real-world durability tests.
Go Rhino RB20 Running Boards
The RB20 uses an angular full-width tread with drainage perforations and boxed steel ends. Its 7.5-inch platform gives more foot area than a slim-profile board.
Best fit: Everyday access for families or work trucks where generous step width is a priority.
Everyday access for families or work trucks where generous step width is a priority.
Check exact year, make, model, cab style and included bracket kit; fitment is not universal.
Product documentation: Brand product or category page. Features are based on published descriptions, not hands-on testing.
Check PriceGo Rhino RB20 Slim Running Boards
The RB20 Slim retains the perforated steel tread and corrosion-protection approach while using a 5.5-inch step profile closer to the body.
Best fit: Trucks where reduced side projection matters more than maximum step width.
Trucks where reduced side projection matters more than maximum step width.
A narrower platform is less forgiving for large footwear; verify rocker-panel and mounting compatibility.
Product documentation: Brand product or category page. Features are based on published descriptions, not hands-on testing.
Check PriceWestin HDX Drop Wheel-to-Wheel Nerf Bars
The HDX Drop Wheel-to-Wheel design adds a third stepping position behind the cab to improve access to items in the truck bed.
Best fit: Drivers who frequently reach into a pickup bed as well as entering the cab.
Drivers who frequently reach into a pickup bed as well as entering the cab.
Drop-style steps can reduce obstacle clearance. No-drill installation applies to most, not all, supported vehicles.
Product documentation: Brand product or category page. Features are based on published descriptions, not hands-on testing.
Check PriceWestin R5 Nerf Bars
Westin offers R5 bars in black aluminum or polished stainless configurations, with vehicle-specific lengths and mounting kits. The wider oval surface differs from a compact tubular nerf bar.
Best fit: Drivers preferring a continuous oval-step appearance with multiple finish options.
Drivers preferring a continuous oval-step appearance with multiple finish options.
Material, drop, length and brackets vary by configuration. Confirm the precise R5 application rather than assuming the same construction for every variant.
Product documentation: Brand product or category page. Features are based on published descriptions, not hands-on testing.
Check Price04 Seven fitment and safety checks
Fit the truck first. Do not assume all trims, wheelbases or cab configurations use the same brackets.
- Verify cab length and door count: Crew, extended and regular cabs may need different lengths. A board for the same model year can still be wrong for your cab.
- Confirm vehicle-specific brackets: Order the exact kit for make, model, year and cab. Universal descriptions do not establish mounting compatibility.
- Compare actual usable step width: A 7.5-inch platform is easier to place a boot on than a 5.5-inch slim step, but extends farther from the body.
- Consider terrain clearance: Drop steps and low hanging boards may catch obstacles sooner than tucked-in slim designs.
- Check wet and muddy traction: Perforations and tread textures help drainage; no board guarantees slip prevention. Clean ice and mud before use.
- Review finish and corrosion care: Steel, stainless and aluminum have different corrosion behavior. Inspect brackets and fasteners, especially in salted-road climates.
- Install to the specified torque: Follow the manufacturer manual and retorque schedule. Do not improvise mounting points or exceed the rated step load.
05 Choose a step for how you drive
Family truck or frequent passengers: prioritize a wider continuous tread such as Go Rhino RB20, after verifying the cab-specific mounting kit.
Rough trails or tight parking: consider the narrower RB20 Slim, while recognizing that it is not a substitute for rated rock sliders.
Work truck with frequent bed access: a wheel-to-wheel design with a rear step, such as Westin HDX Drop, solves a different problem from a cab-only board.
Appearance and finish: Westin R5 offers oval profiles and material choices, but exact construction varies by application.
For carrying cargo rather than improving entry, see our hitch cargo carrier guide; those accessories serve a separate purpose.
06 Frequently asked questions
Are running boards and nerf bars the same?
The terms overlap in retail listings. Running boards generally provide a longer stepping platform; nerf bars often use tubes or narrower step pads. Compare actual shape, width and mounting.
Do truck running boards fit every cab style?
No. Even within one truck model and year, regular, extended and crew cabs may need different lengths and brackets.
Are wider running boards always better?
No. A wide step improves foot placement but can project farther from the truck and affect obstacle clearance.
Will I need to drill holes to install them?
Many model-specific kits use factory mounting points, but not every truck or configuration is no-drill. Check the exact application instructions.
Which type is best for accessing the truck bed?
A wheel-to-wheel design with a rear stepping position, such as Westin HDX Drop Wheel-to-Wheel, is more useful for reaching over the bedside than a cab-only board.
Are running boards the same as rock sliders?
No. A step board should not be treated as a structural off-road rock slider unless its manufacturer explicitly rates it for that purpose.
07 Fit comes before finish
Choose a wider platform for easy everyday entry, a slim profile when side projection matters, or a wheel-to-wheel step if you regularly reach into the bed. The deciding purchase detail is not the brand name alone: verify the exact cab, mounting kit, step clearance and load instructions.