How we researched this guide
We compared six side-step products across four families — wide flat boards, oval nerf bars, drop steps and a powered retracting step — checking each against its maker’s own documents: APS iBoard manuals and listing data, Tyger Auto’s Rider and Star Armor listing specifications, OEDRO’s technical details, Westin’s Sure-Grip spec tables, and AMP Research’s PowerStep part data for the 76151-01A kit, including its warranty and capacity figures.
For the ownership side we reviewed owner and service material in truck communities — the F150Forum-hosted Ford running-board service guide, a Silverado owner story on TorqueNews, and retailer Q&A mirrors for the Tyger lines — and paraphrased the recurring themes in each review, linked to the source. We do not test running boards and we print no prices. Running boards are fitment-specific, so every button in this guide names the exact truck, cab and years it was verified for.
The 30-second answer
For most truck owners the APS iBoard 6-inch is the running board to buy: the widest flat aluminium step here, a full-length grip pad and a 500 lb maker rating. On a budget, the Tyger Rider oval bar is the value pick, with a lower 300 lb rating on its listing. Lifted trucks belong on the OEDRO Two-Stair drop step; trucks that work rocky ground suit the Tyger Star Armor. The Westin Sure-Grip is the traditional rubber-tread board — board and mounting kit are sold separately. If ground clearance is sacred, the powered AMP PowerStep retracts out of the way entirely. Confirm your cab in the fitment table below and browse our truck running boards archive before ordering.
Top Pick: Best Wide Flat Board
APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards
Best if kids, older passengers or work boots use the step every day: a 6 in solid aluminium board with a full-length corrugated pad gives the widest, flattest footing in this guide, and APS rates it for 500 lb.
Best Value Oval Nerf Bar
Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars
Best if you want the classic oval-tube look at the lowest commitment: carbon steel tube, textured E-coat finish and a bolt-on rocker mount. The honest limit is the rating on this listing — 300 lb, the lowest here.
Best Drop Step for Lifted Trucks
OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps
Best if your truck sits high: a two-stair layout with a 4 in drop step splits the climb, the second stair doubles as roof and bed access, and OEDRO rates the steel bar at 550 lb per side.
Best Armour-Style Nerf Bar
Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars
Best if the step also has to guard the rocker: a patented tri-tube carbon steel bar with a dual-girder underside and star step pads, rated by Tyger at 500 lb per side, with pre-welded brackets.
Best Traditional Rubber-Tread Board
Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards
Best if you prefer a rubber tread over a metal pad: an extruded aluminium board with a full-length rubber step area, sold in universal lengths with a vehicle mounting kit bought separately — read the fitment note before ordering.
Best Powered Retracting Step
AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play
Best if clearance matters as much as access: the aluminium step deploys when a door opens, retracts flush when it closes, carries a maker rating of 600 lb per side and lights the step with built-in LEDs.
Quick compare: the six picks at a glance
| Product | Type | Step width | Material | Maker-rated capacity | Warranty | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS iBoard 6-inch | Flat board | 6 in | 6061 aluminium | 500 lb | Limited, varies by listing | Check Price |
| Tyger Rider 3.5-inch | Oval nerf bar | 3.5 in tube | Carbon steel, E-coat | 300 lb (this listing) | 5-year | Check Price |
| OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair | Drop step, two-stair | 6 in class, 4 in drop | Carbon steel | 550 lb per side | Not published | Check Price |
| Tyger Star Armor | Nerf / armour bar | Star pads on 2 in tube | Carbon steel tri-tube | 500 lb per side | 5-year | Check Price |
| Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch | Flat board | 6 in | Extruded aluminium, rubber tread | 300 lb | 5-year (brushed board) | Check Price |
| AMP PowerStep Plug-N-Play | Powered retracting | Full-length textured step | Extruded aluminium | 600 lb per side | 5-year / 60,000-mile | Check Price |
Fitment shown per listing: APS button = Ford F-150 2015–2026 SuperCrew (plus Lightning and Super Duty Crew). Rider button = Ford F-150 2015–2022 SuperCrew. OEDRO button = Ford F-150 2015–2025 SuperCrew and F-250/F-350 2017–2024. Star Armor button = Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon 2015–2026 Crew Cab only. Westin button = the 85 in brushed board only — the vehicle mounting kit is a separate part. AMP button = Ford F-150 2015–2020, all cabs. On every listing, select your truck, cab and years before ordering.
Running board finder
Tell us your truck and cab, who uses the step most, and what matters more — a wide flat grip, a lower drop step, or keeping your ground clearance. Every result points at one of the six picks in this guide, with its button. Listings are fitment-specific: the button shows the fitment we verified; select your exact truck, cab and years on the listing.
How to choose truck running boards
Board vs nerf bar vs power step
A flat board gives a continuous stepping surface along the whole cab — the safest choice for mixed passengers. A nerf bar is a tube with pads only at the doors: lighter, tighter to the rocker, better clearance, less footing. A powered step splits the difference: a full board when the door opens, nothing hanging down when it closes, at the highest cost and the only wiring job in this guide.
Step width and grip surface
Width is the safety spec. A 6 in board takes a whole boot flat; a 3.5 in oval tube asks your foot to balance on a curve. Grip matters just as much: full-length corrugated pads (APS) and rubber treads (Westin) keep working when wet, while small smooth pads on steel bars are the first thing owners call slippery in frost. If kids or older passengers ride daily, buy width and texture first.
Weight capacity, read per listing
Makers rate boards per side, and the number follows the listing, not the brand: in this guide the same maker prints 300 lb on one bar and 500 lb on another. Treat the figure on the exact ASIN’s spec table as the rating, keep two feet and a load of firewood inside it, and remember that brackets, not the board surface, are usually the weak link on long crew-cab spans.
Cab fitment and bracket mount
Crew, extended and regular cabs are different part numbers, full stop — a SuperCrew board will not meet the brackets of a SuperCab truck. Most fixed boards here mount to the rocker panel with bolt-on brackets using factory holes; frame/body-mount systems exist on heavier kits. Confirm cab style from the rear doors, not the badge, and read our truck mounting guide for how factory-hole mounting should feel when it is done right.
Material and rust: aluminium vs steel
Aluminium boards (APS, Westin, AMP) cannot rust through; their enemy is coating damage and oxidation where stones break the finish. Carbon steel bars (both Tygers, the OEDRO) are stronger per dollar and shrug off knocks, but every chip in the powder coat is a future rust spot, so E-coating under the powder — which all three steel picks here have — is the detail that decides how they look in year three.
Ground clearance loss
Every fixed board hangs below the rocker and gives back clearance the truck maker published — on a stock full-size truck with roughly 8–10 in of clearance, a board and its brackets can be the first thing a rock or a snowbank finds. Drop steps hang lowest of all, by design. If you drive rocky trails, choose a tight nerf bar like the Star Armor, or the retracting PowerStep, and route through the calculator above.
Cab configurations and typical step lengths
Board length follows the cab, not the bed. The lengths below are drawn from the listings checked for this guide; use them to sanity-check any listing that promises one board for every cab.
| Truck | Cab configurations | Typical cab-length board | Source basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | Regular Cab, SuperCab (2 full + 2 rear-hinged doors), SuperCrew (4 full doors) | 81–85 in (AMP kit 81 in; OEDRO board 83 in) | AMP 76151-01A and OEDRO listing dimensions in research notes |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500 | Regular, Double Cab, Crew Cab | 85 in board (Westin 27-6150) + separate mounting kit | Westin attribute table in research notes |
| Ram 1500 | Quad Cab (smaller rear doors), Crew Cab (full rear doors, more legroom) | 85 in class (APS Ram listing: 85 x 6 x 3.25 in) | APS listing data and Ram cab comparison in research notes |
| Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon | Extended Cab, Crew Cab (4 full doors) | Crew-Cab-only bar (Star Armor TG-AM2C20178) | Tyger fitment note: Crew Cab only |
| Toyota Tacoma | Access Cab, Double Cab | Shorter than full-size: 54 in board family in Westin applications for 2005–2014 trucks | Westin application data in research notes |
Rule of thumb from the table: a mid-size Double Cab takes a materially shorter board than a full-size crew cab. A listing that will not state a length or a cab is a listing to skip. More cab and fitment context lives in our Tacoma guide and F-150 guide.
Running boards by budget
| Tier | What you get | Example pick from this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest spend | An oval steel nerf bar, bolt-on, with a modest per-side rating | Tyger Rider 3.5-inch |
| Mid tier, flat board | A wide aluminium board with a full-length grip pad | APS iBoard 6-inch |
| Mid tier, traditional | An extruded board with a rubber tread; budget for the separate mounting kit | Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch |
| Upper mid, lifted trucks | A drop step that splits the climb, plus roof access | OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair |
| Upper mid, work and trail | Tri-tube rocker protection with step pads | Tyger Star Armor |
| Premium | A powered board that retracts flush, with lights and the longest warranty structure | AMP PowerStep Plug-N-Play |
Types of truck side steps
| Type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat board | Widest, most continuous footing; shelters the rocker from stone spray | Hangs lowest of the fixed types; long spans can flex at the ends | Families, work boots, dogs — APS and Westin here |
| Nerf bar / drop step | Tighter to the body (nerf) or lower to step on (drop); strong steel tubes | Pads only at the doors; drop steps sacrifice the most clearance | Lifted trucks and trail trucks — Rider, OEDRO and Star Armor here |
| Powered retracting | Full board when needed, full clearance when parked; lit step | Highest cost; wiring, motors and linkages to maintain; winter slush care | Clearance-critical and premium builds — AMP PowerStep here |
Detailed reviews: the six picks in full
Each review follows the same pattern: why it earned its award, the maker’s own specs, who it fits, honest watch-outs, and what owners report — with the fitment of the verified listing printed in the fineprint under every button.
Top Pick: APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards
Top Pick: Best Wide Flat Board — for families and work boots
Why the APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards is our pick
It solves the basic running board problem better than anything else here: getting a whole foot, flat, onto a surface that still grips when wet. The 6 in solid aluminium board with a corrugated pad running edge to edge is the footing kids, older passengers and muddy work boots actually need, and aluminium removes rust-through from the worry list.
APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards key specs
- Type: flat running board, cab length
- Step width: 6 in
- Material: 6061 aircraft-grade aluminium, solid one-piece board
- Finish: matte black powder coat
- Step surface: full-length corrugated non-slip pad
- Maker-rated load capacity: 500 lb
- Mount: rocker panel, brackets and hardware included
- Drilling: required on some APS applications — check your kit
- Fitment of verified listing: Ford F-150 2015–2026 SuperCrew, Lightning 2022–2026, Super Duty Crew 2017–2026
- Warranty: limited; term varies by APS listing (see watch-outs)
APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards: fits and best for
Crew-cab family trucks and work trucks alike. The verified listing covers the current F-150 SuperCrew and its Super Duty cousins; APS sells an iBoard part number for most full-size and mid-size trucks, each with its own brackets. It is the pick we would put on a truck that carries children or older parents daily, because the step never asks anyone to balance on a tube.
APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards pros and watch-outs
- Widest flat footing in this guide at 6 in, with grip the full length of the board
- Solid aluminium construction: no rust-through, and lighter than a steel board
- 500 lb maker rating is at the strong end for a flat board
- Board doubles as a stone-spray shield for the rocker and lower doors
- Warranty term genuinely varies between APS listings — confirm it on yours before ordering
- Some APS applications need drilling at the rocker; not every kit is purely bolt-on
- A flat board hangs lower than a nerf bar, so trail clearance suffers
- Long crew-cab spans can flex slightly at the very ends under a heavy mid-step
APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards: what owners report
Owner and service material for aluminium boards is consistent: the boards themselves shrug off winters, and the arguments are about the finish. Ford’s own running-board service guide, hosted by F150Forum, separates cleanable oxidation from impact damage that breaks a coating — the right lens for any coated aluminium board. APS-specific guidance lives in the iBoard manual, which repeats the 500 lb rating and the full-coverage pad design.
APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards: who should not buy
You run rocky trails where the rocker is a skid surface, or your truck is lifted enough that a flat board still leaves a tall first step. In the first case take the Star Armor below; in the second, the OEDRO drop step or the powered AMP.
APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards: pair it with
Pair it with a folding tyre step for roof and bed access instead of standing on the board’s outer edge — the verified tyre step is in the safety section below. For the rest of the truck, start from our best truck winches guide.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Ford F-150 2015–2026 SuperCrew Cab — select your truck, cab and years on the listing.
Wash the pad grooves out monthly in winter: packed grit and ice turn the best corrugated pad smooth. More upkeep rhythm lives in our maintenance checklist.
Best Value: Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars
Best Value Oval Nerf Bar — for the classic tube look on a budget
Why the Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars is our pick
It is the simplest honest product in this guide: a 3.5 in oval steel tube per side, textured black over an E-coat, bolted to the rocker with no drilling. It earns its place on value and on Tyger’s 5-year warranty — and it keeps that place only because we print its real limit, the 300 lb rating on this listing, everywhere it appears.
Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars key specs
- Type: oval nerf bar, cab length
- Tube: 3.5 in oval
- Material: carbon / alloy steel tube
- Finish: textured black powder coat over E-coating
- Step surface: textured pads at the doors
- Maker-rated capacity: 300 lb for this listing (see watch-outs)
- Mount: rocker panel, bolt-on, no drilling per maker
- Part number: TG-SS2F35058
- Fitment of verified listing: Ford F-150 2015–2022 SuperCrew, F-250/F-350 Super Duty 2017–2022 SuperCrew
- Warranty: 5-year no-hassle against manufacturing defects
Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars: fits and best for
Stock-height F-150 and Super Duty SuperCrew trucks whose passengers are adults who want a step and the oval-bar look, not a platform. The Rider line also sells SuperCab variants under different part numbers — the cab note on the listing is the whole game, because this ASIN is SuperCrew only.
Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars pros and watch-outs
- Lowest commitment in this guide, with a real 5-year maker warranty behind it
- Bolt-on rocker mount using the maker’s brackets; no drilling per Tyger
- E-coating under the powder coat is the right rust defence for a steel tube
- Oval tube sits tighter to the rocker than a flat board, keeping more clearance
- 300 lb is the lowest rating here — not the bar for two adults and cargo at once
- Tube footing is a curve, not a platform: the least sure step for kids and older passengers
- Steel tube will eventually rust at stone chips; budget a touch-up habit
- Some roundups print 500 lb for the Rider line; the ASIN-specific table says 300 lb — trust the table
Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars: what owners report
Tyger’s own Q&A material, mirrored on the Rider listing pages, is unusually straight: 300 lb per side, not height-adjustable, carbon steel tube with a powder E-coat, and a warning to confirm cab size with the dealer before ordering. The full spec table for this ASIN is on the TG-SS2F35058 listing mirror. Owner coverage beyond retailer Q&A is thin for this exact part, and we say so rather than dressing it up.
Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars: who should not buy
Your regular passengers are children, older riders, or anyone who needs a flat, wide target — take the APS board. And if two adults will stand on one side together, the 300 lb listing rating rules this bar out; the OEDRO and AMP are rated far higher.
Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars: pair it with
Pair it with rated recovery basics if the truck works off pavement — our essential accessories guide covers the kit that belongs behind the seat.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Ford F-150 2015–2022 SuperCrew Cab — select your truck, cab and years on the listing.
Re-torque the rocker bolts after the first week. Oval bars announce loose brackets as a click on entry long before anything is unsafe; the fix is a wrench, not a warranty claim. The same habit anchors our install guide.
Best Drop Step: OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps
Best Drop Step for Lifted Trucks — two stairs, 550 lb per side
Why the OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps is our pick
A lift kit creates a problem no flat board solves: the first step is simply too high. OEDRO’s two-stair layout answers it directly — a 4 in drop step for the climb in, and an upper step that doubles as a standing point for the roof and the front of the bed. The 550 lb per side maker rating is the strongest of any fixed step here.
OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps key specs
- Type: drop step, two-stair layout
- Drop: 4 in step-down
- Main tube: 76 mm carbon steel
- Finish: black powder coat, textured
- Step surface: grooved step plates
- Maker-rated capacity: 550 lb per side
- Dimensions of verified listing: 83 x 7 x 5 in; 67 lb the pair
- Mount: bolt-on using factory holes, no drilling; brackets not pre-welded
- Part number: BHOK5GT
- Fitment of verified listing: Ford F-150 2015–2025 SuperCrew, F-250/F-350 2017–2024
- Warranty: not published in the listing data — printed as such, never guessed
OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps: fits and best for
Lifted and big-tyre F-150 SuperCrew and Super Duty crew cabs, and owners who load roof racks or reach over the bed rails weekly — the second stair is built for exactly that. On a stock-height truck the drop is unnecessary; the APS or Rider will serve you better and hang higher.
OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps pros and watch-outs
- Two-stair layout genuinely lowers the effective first step on a lifted truck
- 550 lb per side is the highest fixed-step rating in this guide
- Factory-hole bolt-on install with no drilling per OEDRO
- Upper stair doubles as roof and bed-front access
- A drop step hangs the lowest of anything here — the wrong choice for rocky trails
- Brackets are not pre-welded, so assembly takes longer than the Tyger bars
- Warranty term is not published in the listing data we could verify
- Two-stair look is aggressively styled; it will not suit a stock, chrome-trim truck
OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps: what owners report
Owner themes for two-stair steps, reflected in the listing’s own Q&A style copy, centre on the geometry: the drop makes a lifted truck usable for shorter passengers, and the raised centre step gets used for roof cargo far more than owners expected. The recurring cautions are equally practical — keep the grooved plates cleared of mud, and remember the low step is the first thing to meet a high kerb. Full technical data for this part is on its Amazon listing.
OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps: who should not buy
You drive trails where clearance is survival, or your truck is stock height and the drop would put the step closer to kerbs than to your foot. Clearance-critical trucks belong on the AMP PowerStep; stock trucks on the APS.
OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps: pair it with
Pair it with a roof-side habit: use the upper stair, never the door sill, for rack loading. If the truck also tows and recovers, our heavy-duty truck winch guide is the companion read.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Ford F-150 2015–2025 SuperCrew Cab — select your truck, cab and years on the listing.
After fitting, stand on the drop step and rock gently before the first drive: any bracket flex shows up now, while the bolts are still easy to reach. Fitment discipline like this is the theme of our mounting plate guide.
Best Armour Bar: Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars
Best Armour-Style Nerf Bar — rocker protection with a step
Why the Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars is our pick
Most steps are furniture; the Star Armor is also armour. Its patented tri-tube structure puts a dual girder under the rocker, so the bar that helps you climb in is also the first thing a rock meets. Pre-welded brackets and a 500 lb per side Tyger rating make it the serious trail-truck pick in this guide.
Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars key specs
- Type: nerf / armour bar, cab length
- Structure: patented tri-tube, dual girder underside
- Main tube: 2 in diameter carbon steel
- Finish: dual-stage E-coating + textured black powder
- Step surface: star-pattern metal step pads
- Maker-rated capacity: 500 lb per side
- Mount: rocker panel, pre-welded brackets, bolt-on, no drilling
- Maker install estimate: about 20 minutes
- Part number: TG-AM2C20178
- Fitment of verified listing: Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon 2015–2026 Crew Cab only
- Warranty: 5-year for US customers against manufacturing defects
Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars: fits and best for
Mid-size crew cabs that work: the verified listing is Colorado and Canyon Crew Cab, and Tyger is explicit that it fits no other cab size. The Star Armor line covers full-size trucks under other part numbers. Choose it when the truck sees gravel, ruts and trail edges weekly and the rocker panels already carry the scars to prove it.
Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars pros and watch-outs
- Tri-tube dual-girder design protects the rocker as well as stepping
- 500 lb per side Tyger rating, double the Rider’s listing figure
- Pre-welded brackets make this the fastest serious install here
- Dual-stage E-coat under textured powder is the right finish for a steel bar
- Step pads are pads, not a platform — narrower footing than any flat board
- Steel construction is heavy, and chips will rust if left bare
- The verified ASIN is mid-size Crew Cab only; full-size owners must pick their own part number
- Armour styling is polarising on a street-only truck
Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars: what owners report
The Star Armor’s line data, mirrored in the Star Armor spec table, backs the two claims owners repeat most: the pre-welded brackets really do make for a short bolt-on job, and the dual-girder underside is why buyers cross-shop it against rock sliders. The honest owner caveat travels with it: it is slider-inspired protection, not a rated rock slider, and the pads want a brush-out after muddy days.
Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars: who should not buy
Your passengers need a wide flat target, or your truck never leaves pavement and would be paying for armour it never uses. Families belong on the APS or Westin; pavement trucks on the Rider.
Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars: pair it with
Pair it with the recovery kit a trail truck should already carry — see our pickup truck winch guide for the pulling side of the same build.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon 2015–2026 Crew Cab — select your truck, cab and years on the listing.
Wash the underside girders after salted-road weeks: the dual-girder design that protects the rocker also shelves road grit. A hose now beats a wire brush in spring; our winch cover guide makes the same point for recovery gear.
Best Traditional Board: Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards
Best Traditional Rubber-Tread Board — board and kit sold separately
Why the Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards is our pick
The Sure-Grip is the running board in its classic form: an extruded aluminium board, a full-length rubber tread you can feel through a boot sole, moulded end caps and a rubber close-out flange against the rocker. It earns its place for the tread and the universal-length system — and it carries the guide’s most important fitment warning, printed below in full.
Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards key specs
- Type: flat running board, universal lengths
- Step width: 6 in
- Material: extruded aluminium base board
- Step surface: full-length slip-resistant rubber tread
- End caps: injection-moulded polymer; 1 in rubber close-out flange
- Maker-rated capacity: 300 lb (Westin spec tables)
- Board lengths: 54 / 69 / 72 / 79 / 85 / 93 in
- Mounting kit: sold separately, vehicle-specific — not included with board-only part numbers
- Part number of verified listing: 27-6150, 85 in brushed aluminium pair (board only)
- Fitment: applications include Silverado/Sierra 1500 2007–2026 and Ram 1500 2011–2026 with the correct kit
- Warranty: 5-year on the brushed board; black-finish boards carry a shorter term — verify the kit
Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards: fits and best for
Owners who want a rubber tread and a factory-style look, willing to buy the system the Westin way: board length first, then the mounting kit for their exact truck. The 85 in board matches full-size crew-cab length on Silverado, Sierra and Ram trucks.
Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards pros and watch-outs
- Rubber tread grips in the wet in a way metal pads do not
- Extruded aluminium board cannot rust through; finish damage stays cosmetic longer
- Universal lengths let older and less common trucks get an exact cab-length board
- Optional Westin light kit exists for owners who want a lit step
- Mounting kit is a separate purchase — the board alone fits nothing
- 300 lb rating is at the modest end of this guide
- Warranty term depends on finish; listings conflict, so verify before ordering
- Some applications require drilling per the Westin spec tables
Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards: what owners report
The long ownership story for rubber-tread boards is written on trucks like the Silverado in the TorqueNews owner piece: years of boots wear the coating at the front doors first, and owners end up debating a gritty refinish versus replacement. The Sure-Grip’s defence is material — an aluminium board under the tread does not turn that wear into rust. Full spec tables are on CARiD’s Westin pages and the 85 in board’s attributes on the 27-6150 listing.
Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards: who should not buy
You want one box, one evening, done — the board-plus-kit system will frustrate you, and the APS is the single-box flat board. You also should not buy it for heavy daily loads: 300 lb is 300 lb.
Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards: pair it with
Pair it with the correct Westin mounting kit for your truck — that is not an upsell, it is the product. Budget both parts before comparing its cost with the all-in APS kit; our accessories archive covers the add-ons that follow.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown is the 85 in brushed board only — the vehicle mounting kit is a separate part. Select your truck and kit on the listing.
Order board and kit in the same week and dry-fit the brackets before the board goes on: length mistakes are free to fix on the ground and expensive on the truck. The same dry-fit discipline runs through our budget truck guide.
Best Powered Step: AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play
Best Powered Retracting Step — 600 lb, LED-lit, disappears when parked
Why the AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play is our pick
The PowerStep is the only pick that refuses the fixed-board compromise. Open a door and a full aluminium step deploys, lower than a fixed board sits; close the door and it retracts flush, returning every inch of ground clearance and the truck’s clean sill line. AMP rates it at 600 lb per side — the highest figure in this guide.
AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play key specs
- Type: powered retracting running board
- Material: extruded / die-cast aluminium alloy, anodised Teflon-coated finish per AMP
- Pivot hardware: stainless pins, self-lubricating bushings
- Step surface: full-length high-texture powder coat
- Lighting: integrated LED step lights
- Safety: pressure-sensitive anti-pinch technology
- Maker-rated capacity: 600 lb per side
- Wiring: Plug-N-Play harness via the OBDII port — no cutting or splicing on this application
- Part number: 76151-01A; kit includes boards, linkage arms, harness, control module, LED kit, hardware
- Fitment of verified listing: Ford F-150 2015–2020, Regular Cab, SuperCab and SuperCrew
- Warranty: 5-year / 60,000-mile
AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play: fits and best for
Lifted trucks, clearance-critical trail trucks, and any owner whose passengers need the lowest, widest step but whose weekends need nothing hanging under the rocker. The verified kit is the 2015–2020 F-150 in every cab; AMP sells a part number per truck family, and the Plug-N-Play versions are the ones to buy — the older hardwired kits are a longer afternoon.
AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play pros and watch-outs
- Deploys lower than fixed boards sit, then retracts to full clearance
- 600 lb per side is the highest rating in this guide
- LED step lights and anti-pinch sensing are standard, not options
- Plug-N-Play OBDII harness avoids cutting the truck’s wiring
- By far the highest cost and the longest install in this guide
- Motors, linkages and a control module are moving parts a fixed board never has
- Winter slush and ice around the linkages need attention to keep deployment clean
- The verified kit ends at the 2020 F-150; newer trucks need their own AMP part number
AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play: what owners report
Retailer and owner coverage of the 76151-01A kit, summarised on the 76151-01A product data page and PartsHawk’s kit page, returns to two themes: the deployed step sits low enough to change who can use the truck comfortably, and the retracted truck simply looks and clears like it has no steps at all. The NAPA listing confirms the OBDII Plug-N-Play installation route for this part.
AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play: who should not buy
Your budget is a fixed-board budget, your truck lives in deep winter slush you will not hose off, or you need a step today with hand tools only. The APS gives you most of the footing for a fraction of the commitment.
AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play: pair it with
Pair it with a battery habit: a powered step is one more electrical citizen on the truck. Our winch battery guide covers the battery side of accessory-heavy trucks, and the electric truck winch guide the pulling side.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for Ford F-150 2015–2020, all cabs, part 76151-01A — select your truck and years on the listing.
Run the steps through a full deploy-retract cycle after the first wash and after freezing nights: catching a stiff linkage early is a lubricant job, letting it strain is a motor job. Electrical accessories reward the checks in our winch use guide too — inspect before you need it.
Spec comparison: all six picks side by side
| Spec | APS iBoard | Tyger Rider | OEDRO Two-Stair | Tyger Star Armor | Westin Sure-Grip | AMP PowerStep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Flat board | Oval nerf bar | Drop step, two-stair | Nerf / armour bar | Flat board | Powered retracting |
| Step width | 6 in | 3.5 in tube | 6 in class | Star pads on 2 in tube | 6 in | Full-length step |
| Drop / deployment | Fixed | Fixed | 4 in drop | Fixed | Fixed | Deploys on door open, retracts on close |
| Material | 6061 aluminium | Carbon steel | Carbon steel | Carbon steel tri-tube | Extruded aluminium | Extruded aluminium |
| Finish / tread | Powder coat, corrugated pad | Textured E-coat powder | Textured powder, grooved plates | Dual-stage E-coat powder | Rubber tread | High-texture powder coat |
| Maker-rated capacity | 500 lb | 300 lb (this listing) | 550 lb per side | 500 lb per side | 300 lb | 600 lb per side |
| Mount | Rocker panel | Rocker panel, bolt-on | Factory holes, bolt-on | Rocker panel, pre-welded brackets | Vehicle kit (separate) | Body mounts + Plug-N-Play wiring |
| Drilling | On some applications | No (per maker) | No (per maker) | No (per maker) | On some applications; kit separate | No cutting/splicing on Plug-N-Play |
| Lighting | None | None | None | None | Optional light kit | Integrated LED |
| Warranty | Limited, varies by listing | 5-year | Not published | 5-year | 5-year (brushed board) | 5-year / 60,000-mile |
| Verified fitment | F-150 SuperCrew 2015–2026 | F-150 SuperCrew 2015–2022 | F-150 SuperCrew 2015–2025 | Colorado/Canyon Crew 2015–2026 | 85 in board; Silverado/Ram applications with kit | F-150 2015–2020, all cabs |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
No score row: a single number would hide the only facts that decide this category — cab fitment, footing width and how much clearance you can afford to lose. The table above is the comparison; the calculator is the shortcut through it.
Fitment & installation
Start with the cab, because everything else follows from it. Crew, extended and regular cabs place their doors — and therefore their bracket holes — in different places, and every maker in this guide sells a separate part number per cab. Our truck running boards archive organises the options by truck for exactly this reason. Most fixed boards here mount to the rocker panel: brackets bolt into factory holes or pinch-weld points, the board hangs on the brackets, and final torque comes only after both sides sit level. Rocker mounts are strong enough for the ratings printed above because the load spreads across several brackets; frame and body-mount systems, like the PowerStep’s linkage mounts, trade a longer install for a step that carries its load into the body mounts. Torque every bracket to the maker’s spec, in the maker’s sequence, then re-check after the first week — the same discipline our winch install guide and winch sizing guide demand of any bolted truck hardware. The powered step adds one job: wiring. On the Plug-N-Play AMP kit the harness reads door signals through the OBDII port, so there is no cutting or splicing; route the harness away from exhaust heat and moving linkages, and test a full deploy-retract cycle on both sides before the trim goes back. If a board rocks, clicks or sits visibly off-level on the driveway, it is telling you a bracket is swapped or a bolt is short of torque — fix it there, not at highway speed.
Safety essentials
Step on the pad, not the edge. Every board here is rated at its step surface. Standing on the outer edge multiplies bracket load and is how boards flex and bolts loosen.
Treat every step as slippery when icy. Ice defeats corrugated pads, rubber treads and grooved plates alike. Clear the step before passengers use it, and never let a child climb in unassisted on a frozen board.
Re-torque brackets on a schedule. A click or a rock underfoot is a loose bracket announcing itself. Check bracket torque after the first week, then with every tyre rotation.
Never exceed the per-side rating on your listing. Ratings follow the listing, not the brand — in this guide they run from 300 lb to 600 lb per side. Two adults plus cargo belong on the higher-rated picks.
Keep powered steps clear. The PowerStep’s anti-pinch sensing is a backstop, not a plan. Keep feet, straps and dog leads clear of the linkages while the step deploys or retracts.
Wash the underside in salt season. Steel bars rust from the chips you cannot see and brackets corrode in trapped grit. A hose under the rocker is the cheapest safety part on the truck.
Three accessories that earn their place next to these boards:
HitchMate TireStep (Heininger) — a folding step that hangs on the tyre for roof and engine-bay access, rated by its maker at 400 lb on a 22 x 10 in platform, so nobody has to balance on a board’s outer edge to reach the roof:
Red Cat Anti-Slip Adhesive Tape Strips — clear vinyl pre-cut grip strips (1 x 15 in, 16 to a pack) whose maker lists trucks and running boards among their outdoor uses. Lay two strips per step pad, as the maker recommends, and they restore bite to a worn smooth pad for a season:
TEKTON 24330 3/8-inch Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench (10–80 ft-lb) — a compact 3/8-inch wrench TEKTON sizes for cars and trucks. Bracket torque is a number in the maker’s instructions, and this is the tool that hits it — its 10–80 ft-lb range covers the bracket figures the makers in this guide print:
The wider accessory picture lives in our essential accessories guide and the accessories archive.
Troubleshooting: common running board problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Board flexes at the far end | Long crew-cab span on too few brackets, or a bracket bolt short of torque | Re-torque in the maker’s sequence; confirm every bracket for your cab is fitted — long cabs use more brackets than short ones |
| Rust spots on a steel bar | Stone chips through the powder coat, left bare | Clean to bright metal, prime and touch up; in salt season, wash the bar weekly and treat chips when they appear, not in spring |
| Slippery when icy or frosty | Ice film defeats every tread pattern | Clear ice before use; add outdoor grip tape to smooth pads; treat the board like a frozen step, because it is one |
| Bracket rattle or click on entry | Bracket bolts relaxed after the first weeks of use | Re-torque all bracket bolts; check for a swapped left/right bracket if the rattle survives torque |
| Powered step deploys slowly or unevenly | Slush, ice or grit packed around the linkages, or a low battery | Clear the linkages, run a full cycle, and check battery health; never force a frozen step by hand |
| Board sits off-level or rubs the door | Brackets seated in the wrong holes for the cab, or final torque done before alignment | Loosen, level both sides against the rocker line, then torque in sequence — cab part numbers are not interchangeable |
Who should NOT buy these running boards
Anyone who will not confirm their cab. Crew, extended and regular cabs are different part numbers in every line here. Guessing from a photo buys a return shipment; two minutes checking the rear doors buys the right board. Start from the cab table above and the running boards archive.
Anyone expecting a nerf bar to be a rock slider. The Star Armor is slider-inspired and genuinely protective, but no step in this guide is a rated slider. If your rockers take real hits, buy real sliders and accept their narrower step.
Anyone whose passengers need a platform, buying a tube. Kids, older passengers and dogs need width. A 3.5 in oval bar is a fine adult step and a poor family step; the APS and Westin boards exist for your truck.
Anyone in deep-winter slush buying powered steps casually. The PowerStep is excellent and also the only pick with motors and linkages living in the slush zone. Buy it if you will hose the linkages; buy a fixed board if you will not.
Anyone ordering the Westin board without its kit. Board-only part numbers fit nothing until the vehicle mounting kit joins them. If the two-part purchase annoys you, the APS is the same idea in one box.
Final verdict
Top Pick — APS iBoard 6-inch Running Boards: Check its price — verified fitment: Ford F-150 2015–2026 SuperCrew Cab — select your truck, cab and years on the listing.
Best Value — Tyger Auto Rider 3.5-inch Oval Nerf Bars: Check its price — verified fitment: Ford F-150 2015–2022 SuperCrew Cab — select your truck, cab and years on the listing.
Best Drop Step — OEDRO 6-inch Two-Stair Drop Steps: Check its price — verified fitment: Ford F-150 2015–2025 SuperCrew Cab — select your truck, cab and years on the listing.
Best Armour Bar — Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars: Check its price — verified fitment: Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon 2015–2026 Crew Cab — select your truck, cab and years on the listing.
Best Traditional Board — Westin Sure-Grip 6-inch Running Boards: Check its price — verified fitment: the 85 in brushed board only — the vehicle mounting kit is a separate part. Select your truck and kit on the listing.
Best Powered Step — AMP Research PowerStep Plug-N-Play: Check its price — verified fitment: Ford F-150 2015–2020, all cabs, part 76151-01A — select your truck and years on the listing.
FAQ
Are running boards worth it on a truck?
For most owners, yes — the day a shorter, older or younger passenger uses the truck daily. A board lowers the effective step-in, protects the rocker from stone spray and gives muddy boots somewhere that is not the sill. On a stock-height truck driven only by tall adults, the honest answer is that they are a convenience, not a necessity.
What is the difference between running boards and nerf bars?
Running boards are flat platforms that run the length of the cab, giving a continuous step. Nerf bars are tubes with step pads only at the doors: they sit tighter to the body, keep more ground clearance and offer less footing. In this guide the APS and Westin are boards; the Tyger Rider and Star Armor are bars; the OEDRO is a drop step, a bar variant that hangs a lower step below the tube.
How much weight can truck running boards hold?
It follows the listing, not the brand. The maker ratings verified for this guide run from 300 lb per side (the Tyger Rider listing and the Westin spec tables) through 500 lb (APS, Star Armor) and 550 lb (OEDRO) to 600 lb per side for the AMP PowerStep. Read the figure on the exact listing you are buying, and remember it is a per-side rating.
Do running boards reduce ground clearance?
Fixed boards do: the board and its brackets hang below the rocker and become the lowest point on that side of the truck. Drop steps hang lowest of all. Nerf bars lose the least. A powered retracting step like the AMP PowerStep loses nothing when parked, because it folds flush under the rocker — which is the whole point of its price.
Are aluminium or steel running boards better?
Aluminium cannot rust through and is lighter, so it suits boards and wet climates; its weakness is coating damage turning to oxidation. Steel is stronger per dollar and takes knocks better, which is why the trail-oriented bars here are steel — but every powder-coat chip is a future rust spot, so look for E-coating under the powder, as the Tyger and OEDRO bars have.
Can I install running boards myself?
For the fixed picks here, yes: rocker-panel brackets, factory holes on most applications, basic sockets and a torque wrench. Tyger quotes about 20 minutes for the pre-welded Star Armor; allow an hour for a first board and longer for the OEDRO, whose brackets are not pre-welded. The AMP PowerStep is the exception — a half-day job with wiring, even in Plug-N-Play form.
Will running boards fit my extended cab if they fit a crew cab?
No. Cab styles are different part numbers because the doors, and therefore the bracket positions, differ. Every listing in this guide names its cab: SuperCrew, Crew Cab only, and so on. Confirm your cab from the rear doors — full-size rear doors mean crew; small rear-hinged doors mean extended — before ordering anything.
Do powered running boards work in winter?
They work, with care. The AMP PowerStep uses weatherproof motors and anti-pinch sensing, but slush and ice packed around the linkages can slow or stop deployment. Owners in salt country should hose the linkage area regularly in winter and never force a frozen step. If your truck lives in deep slush and will not get that care, a fixed board is the lower-regret buy.
Why is the Westin Sure-Grip sold without brackets?
Westin sells the Sure-Grip as a system: universal-length boards in six lengths, plus a vehicle-specific mounting kit. That lets one board length serve many trucks, but it means a board-only part number fits nothing until its kit arrives. Budget both parts, confirm the kit for your truck and year, and only then compare its total against single-box kits like the APS.
How do I stop running boards getting slippery?
Keep the tread clean — packed mud and grit defeat corrugated pads, rubber treads and grooved plates alike. In frost, clear ice before anyone steps. On a smooth steel pad that has polished with use, outdoor anti-slip grip tape restores bite for a season. And treat a wet board with the respect you give a wet step anywhere: full foot, hand on the grab handle.
Sources & changelog
Manufacturer and specification sources: APS iBoard manual (IB-F5176A); Tyger Rider TG-SS2F35058 spec table; Tyger Star Armor spec table; OEDRO BHOK5GT listing technical details; Westin Sure-Grip spec tables (CARiD); Westin 27-6150 attribute table; AMP 76151-01A kit data (PartsHawk); AMP 76151-01A listing (NAPA); AMP 76151-01A product data (ShopAbunda mirror).
Owner and context sources: Ford running-board service guide (F150Forum); Silverado owner board-wear story (TorqueNews); Tyger Rider Q&A mirror; AMP 76151-01A product data (Ubuy mirror); full-size truck dimensions roundup (SlashGear); Ram crew vs quad cab comparison.
Changelog — October 15, 2026: guide first published.
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo researches truck and recovery gear from maker documents and owner reports — no test mules, no invented figures. Read our about page and affiliate disclosure for how this site works.
Related guides
- Truck running boards archive — every board and bar by truck
- Best truck winches
- Best winch for Ford F-150
- Best winch for pickup trucks
- How to install a winch on a truck
- Essential winching accessories