Running Boards Compared: Fixed Bars vs Power Steps
The AMP Research PowerStep is our top pick for lifted trucks and shorter passengers thanks to its retracting step. The Westin PRO TRAXX 4 Oval Nerf Bars offer the best balance of price and durability, and the Tyger Auto TG-RS Star Armor Kit is the budget choice that still covers the full cab.
If getting into a lifted truck is the actual problem, the AMP Research PowerStep solves it more completely than any fixed board, dropping only when a door opens. For most owners the Westin PRO TRAXX 4 Oval Nerf Bars deliver the practical benefit at a fraction of the outlay, and the Tyger Auto TG-RS Star Armor Kit is the value pick that still gives a full length step surface.
Running boards look interchangeable in listings and are not. A round nerf bar gives a narrow foot placement that is awkward in work boots, an aluminium board sits wider but adds width to a vehicle that may already be tight in a garage, and some kits need drilling into the pinch weld while others clamp to factory mount points. We compared step widths, drop heights, mounting hardware, finishes and load ratings, then ranked seven current options by the type of truck and driver each suits.
What to look for
Nerf bars, running boards and power steps are not the same thing Nerf bars are tubes with step pads at the doors, running boards are continuous flat platforms, and power steps retract when unused. Bars keep clearance and cost less, boards make rear seat access easy and add width, and power steps do both at a much higher price. Choose by who uses the vehicle. A single driver in work boots is fine with bars, while children and older passengers benefit from a full board.
Check mounting method before you order Most quality kits bolt to factory mounting points inside the rocker panel, requiring no drilling. Cheaper universal kits sometimes call for drilling into the pinch weld, which removes the paint barrier and invites rust in salted regions. Read the fitment notes for your exact year, cab and bed configuration, since a crew cab kit will not cover an extended cab correctly.
Finish and material decide how they age Powder coated steel is strong and cheap but rusts wherever the coating chips, which is common at bracket contact points. Aluminium will not rust through and weighs less, though it scuffs and can bend under a heavy impact. Stainless looks best longest and costs more. If the vehicle sees winter road salt, treat corrosion resistance as the primary specification rather than a nice extra.
Step height, width and boot size The useful measurement is the drop from the door sill to the top of the step, not the board’s own dimensions. A step that sits too high offers little help getting in, while one that sits very low catches driveways and kerbs. Width matters if you wear work boots, since a narrow round tube gives an uncomfortable foot placement in wet conditions.
The shortlist, ranked
AMP Research PowerStep Electric Running Boards
A motorised board that extends when a door opens and tucks away when it closes, which keeps ground clearance and the vehicle profile intact. For a lifted truck used by shorter family members it changes daily usability more than any fixed bar can. Installation involves wiring into the vehicle, so it is the most involved fit here.
Pros
- Retracts fully so clearance is unaffected
- Widest and lowest step when deployed
- Cleanest look with the doors closed
Cons
- Costs far more than fixed boards
- Motors and wiring add failure points
Westin PRO TRAXX 4 Oval Nerf Bars
Oval tube bars with wide moulded step pads that give a far better foot placement than round tube designs. Westin’s fit kits are vehicle specific and use factory mount points on most trucks, which keeps installation to a couple of hours. Owners report the powder coat holds up well through winters with road salt.
Pros
- Wide step pads suit work boots
- No drill fitment on most trucks
- Durable finish in salted conditions
Cons
- Step surface only where the pads sit
- Tube shape collects road grime
Tyger Auto TG-RS Star Armor Kit
A full length side step that covers the cab rather than offering two isolated pads, which makes rear seat access much easier. The textured tread runs the length of the board, so foot placement is never a guess. Based on specifications it uses a bolt on bracket set matched to specific vehicle years.
Pros
- Continuous step surface for all doors
- Low outlay for the coverage offered
- Straightforward bracket installation
Cons
- Coating chips more easily than powder coat
- Traps snow and mud along the length
APS iBoard Running Boards
Aluminium boards with a broad, flat top and full length grip surface, aimed at owners who want a genuine step rather than a bar. The extra width is welcome climbing in with wet boots and less welcome in a narrow garage. Aluminium construction means it will not rust, though the finish can scuff.
Pros
- Broadest fixed step here
- Aluminium will not rust through
- Grip surface runs the whole length
Cons
- Adds noticeable width to the vehicle
- Reduces side clearance off road
Smittybilt SURE STEP Side Bar
A tucked in tube bar with individual step pads, shaped to keep clearance on trails where a wide board would catch rocks. It is the pick for a Jeep or a truck that leaves pavement regularly. The narrower step is a fair trade for not tearing a board off on an obstacle.
Pros
- Tucked profile preserves trail clearance
- Sturdy tube resists rock strikes
- Long standing fitment support
Cons
- Narrow step area compared with boards
- Rear door access is less convenient
Dee Zee NXc Extruded Aluminium Running Boards
Extruded aluminium boards with a replaceable tread insert, which is the detail that keeps them looking presentable after several winters. Weight is higher than a tube bar but the load rating is generous. Owners in salted regions report they outlast coated steel bars.
Pros
- Replaceable tread rather than a worn surface
- Corrosion resistance suits salted roads
- Solid feel with no flex underfoot
Cons
- Heavier than tube alternatives
- Fewer fitments than the biggest brands
Raptor Series 5 inch OEM Style Slide Track Running Boards
Slide track mounting lets you position the brackets along the board rather than at fixed points, which helps on cabs where factory mounts sit awkwardly. The profile mimics dealer fitted boards closely enough that most people will not spot the difference. Fit takes longer because the tracks need aligning carefully.
Pros
- Adjustable bracket positioning
- Close to a factory appearance
- Reasonable price for aluminium
Cons
- Alignment during installation takes patience
- Grip strip is narrower than full width tread
Side by side
| # | Model | Type | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMP Research PowerStep Electric Running Boards | Electric retracting board | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Westin PRO TRAXX 4 Oval Nerf Bars | Oval tube nerf bar | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Tyger Auto TG-RS Star Armor Kit | Full length side step | Best budget | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | APS iBoard Running Boards | Aluminium running board | Best for wide step surface | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Smittybilt SURE STEP Side Bar | Tube side bar | Best for off road use | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Dee Zee NXc Extruded Aluminium Running Boards | Extruded aluminium board | Best for long term durability | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Raptor Series 5 inch OEM Style Slide Track Running Boards | Aluminium board, slide track mount | Best factory look | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
Do running boards require drilling?
Most vehicle specific kits bolt into existing factory mounting points and need no drilling. Universal kits and some older applications do require it. The listing fitment notes state this clearly, and it is worth confirming before ordering if you live where salt is used on roads.
Will running boards reduce ground clearance?
Fixed boards and bars sit below the rocker panel and do reduce usable side clearance, which matters off road and on steep driveways. Tucked tube bars keep more clearance than wide flat boards, and electric power steps retract completely so clearance is unaffected when driving.
Do they affect fuel economy?
Any change to the airflow along the side of a vehicle has some effect, though owners generally report the difference is too small to notice against normal variation from load, weather and driving style. Weight is the larger factor with heavy steel bars.
How long does installation take?
A bolt on nerf bar kit is typically a one to two hour job with hand tools and a second pair of hands. Slide track boards take longer because of alignment. Electric power steps require wiring into the vehicle and are a half day job or a professional installation.
Are power steps reliable in winter?
Manufacturers seal the motors and linkages against weather, and owners in cold regions generally report reliable operation, though ice buildup can slow deployment. Periodically clearing packed snow and salt from the linkage is the maintenance that matters most.
What weight can running boards hold?
Quality boards and bars are commonly rated in the hundreds of pounds per side, which comfortably covers an adult stepping up. Ratings vary by product, so check the listed load figure if the boards will be used as a work platform for roof access.
Can I fit boards to a lifted truck?
Yes, though the step becomes less useful on a big lift because the boards mount to the body and rise with it. This is exactly the case where a power step earns its price, since it drops well below the rocker line only when needed.
Do running boards damage paint?
Correctly fitted kits using factory points do not, but grit trapped between a bracket and the rocker can wear through paint over time. Cleaning behind the brackets occasionally, and adding protective tape at contact points during installation, prevents the problem.
The verdict
For most trucks and SUVs the Westin PRO TRAXX 4 Oval Nerf Bars hit the right balance of step usability, durable finish and straightforward fitment. Owners of lifted trucks, or families with shorter passengers, will get more out of the AMP Research PowerStep despite the price. The Tyger Auto TG-RS Star Armor Kit remains the sensible pick when full length coverage matters more than a premium finish.
