Well, howdy there! Let’s yak about them pickup truck running boards, ya hear? I ain’t no fancy expert or nothin’, but I’ve seen my share of trucks and these here runnin’ boards, they’re somethin’ else.
What are these runnin’ boards, anyway?
Okay, so, these runnin’ boards, they’re like, well, like flat steps, see? They go along the sides of your truck, right under the doors. Makes it a whole heap easier to climb in and out, ‘specially if your truck’s a big ol’ fella, you know? Like them big trucks the fellas drive, you almost need a ladder to get in! So these boards are real handy.
Why you might want ’em
Now, why would ya want these things? Lemme tell ya, they ain’t just for show, no sirree. First off, like I said, they make gettin’ in and out a whole lot easier. My old knees ain’t what they used to be, and climbin’ into a truck can be a real pain. But with them runnin’ boards, it’s like walkin’ up a little step, easy peasy. My grandson clambers all over them when he comes to visit, easier than trying to climb on the tire to get in.
- Easy climbin’: Makes gettin’ in and out a breeze, even for us old folks and little ‘uns.
- Keepin’ it clean: They help keep the inside of your truck cleaner, too. You wipe your boots on ’em before you get in, so you ain’t trackin’ mud and dirt all over the place. Keeps the wife happy, and that’s what’s important.
- Lookin’ good: And yeah, they do make your truck look a bit fancier. Not that I care much about fancy, but some folks like it. Lots of shiny ones out there now, makes the truck look all dressed up.
- Safer Steppin’: If it’s been rainin’ or snowin’, them steps keep you from slippin’ and fallin’ when you’re tryin’ to get in or out. Nothin’ worse than bustin’ your behind on a slick day.
Pickin’ out the right ones
Now, there’s all sorts of runnin’ boards out there, more than you can shake a stick at. You got yer metal ones, yer plastic ones, some with lights, some without. How do ya choose? Well, it depends on what you need and what you like, I reckon.
Metal ones, like them stainless steel ones, they’re tough and last a long time. They can take a beatin’, that’s for sure. But they can be a bit heavy. Plastic ones, they’re lighter and cheaper, but they might not hold up as well. And then there’s all them different finishes, like chrome and powder coat. Chrome’s all shiny and fancy, but it can rust if you don’t take care of it. Powder coat’s tough and comes in all sorts of colors, so you can match ’em to your truck if you’re so inclined.
Think about how you use your truck, too. If you’re off-roadin’ a lot, you’ll want somethin’ tough and durable. If you’re just drivin’ around town, somethin’ lighter might do just fine. And don’t forget to measure, ya hear? You gotta make sure them boards are the right length for your truck, otherwise they’ll look plumb silly, or worse, not fit at all.
Putting ’em on
Now, puttin’ these runnin’ boards on ain’t too hard, even for an old gal like me. Most of ’em come with brackets and bolts and all that, and the instructions are usually pretty clear. But if you ain’t handy, you can always get someone to do it for ya. No shame in that. My nephew, he’s good with tools, he helps me out sometimes. Most places will install them for you if you don’t want to do it yourself.
Are they worth it?
Well, that depends on you, I guess. But in my book, yeah, they’re worth it. They make life a little easier, a little safer, and a little bit fancier, too. And that ain’t a bad thing, not at all. If you’re getting older like me, they really help out. And if you’ve got young’uns, they make it easier for them too. Saves ya having to lift ‘em up all the time.
So there you have it, my two cents on runnin’ boards. Hope it helps ya out some. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go feed them chickens. And after that maybe go for a drive into town, easy peasy with my runnin’ boards.
Tags: pickup truck, running boards, truck accessories, truck steps, side steps, nerf bars, step bars, truck upgrades, installation, truck safety, truck style
