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Running Boards & Truck Steps

Running boards, nerf bars, and every way to close the gap

Running boards, nerf bars, and truck steps all solve the same problem: a lifted truck cab is a long reach. What separates them is how much of that gap they close and how they look doing it. This collection covers the full range from Go Rhino and AMP Research, sorted so you can shop by the style you actually want.

A running board is a wide, flat platform running cab length, and gives the biggest, most forgiving landing spot. Nerf bars are tube style, tucked closer to the rocker, with a step pad at each door. Rock sliders trade the step pad for a reinforced tube that takes an impact against rocks and curbs. Hoop steps split the difference with a dropped hoop at each door.

Electric running boards are the powered option: the board extends when a door opens and retracts flush when it closes, so you keep ground clearance and a clean profile. Bed steps solve the other reach problem, getting you up into the bed rather than into the cab.

Every kit here is vehicle specific and ships with brackets cut for one application, so the part number matters more than anything else on the page. Tell us the truck and we will confirm the exact kit before you order.

Choosing the right step for your truck

  • Widest, easiest stepA 6 inch running board gives the biggest flat landing spot at every door.
  • Tucked, classic lookA nerf bar keeps the tube close to the rocker with a step pad per door.
  • Rock and curb protectionA rock slider reinforces the rocker panel and still works as a step.
  • Clearance keptAn electric running board retracts flush when the doors close.
  • Getting into the bedA bed step drops down behind the rear tire or off the bumper.

Key capabilities

  • No drill installationKits bolt to existing rocker panel or frame holes on listed applications.
  • Vehicle specific bracketsEach kit ships with brackets cut for one truck, which is why fitment matters.
  • Steel and aluminum optionsAluminum resists corrosion in salt states; steel takes the heavier abuse.
  • Textured step padsAnti skid pads at each door for traction in rain, snow, and mud.
  • Fitment verifiedWe confirm the exact part number against your truck before it ships.

Ideal for

  • Lifted trucks where the cab is a long step up
  • Families getting kids and older passengers in and out daily
  • Off road builds that need rocker panel protection, not just a step
  • Owners who want ground clearance kept and pick a powered board
  • Anyone loading the bed who needs a step at the tailgate

Compare the lineup

ProductStyleMaterialLockingStand-out
Go Rhino 6" O.E. Xtreme II Running Boards Running board Steel No drill bolt on Widest flat stepping surface
Go Rhino V-Series V3 Nerf Bar Side Steps Nerf bar Aluminum No drill bolt on Only aluminum line Go Rhino builds
Go Rhino 5" O.E. Xtreme Low Profile Nerf Bar Side Steps Nerf bar Steel No drill bolt on Tucked, low profile look
Go Rhino Dominator Xtreme D2 Hoop Side Steps Hoop step Steel No drill bolt on Dropped hoop at each door
Go Rhino Dominator D1 Rock Slider Side Steps Rock slider Steel No drill bolt on Rocker protection that still steps
AMP Research PowerStep Power Running Boards Electric running board Aluminum Door triggered Extends on open, retracts flush
AMP Research BedStep Truck Bed Step Bed step Steel and composite Bumper mounted Step up into the bed

Related collections

Why shop with Truck Bed Barn

  • Free shippingOn every truck accessory in the catalog.
  • Free fitment checkText or call before you buy. We verify fitment to your exact truck.
  • Fast shipping1 to 7 business days from manufacturer warehouses across the US.
  • Real person on the phoneCall or text and reach someone who works on these trucks, not a call center.
  • Full manufacturer warrantyBacked by each brand's factory warranty, honored through Truck Bed Barn.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between running boards and nerf bars?
A running board is a wide flat platform that runs most of the cab length, so your foot lands anywhere along it. A nerf bar is a tube, usually 3 to 6 inches around, mounted tighter to the rocker panel with a textured step pad at each door. Running boards are easier to step on and better for kids and passengers. Nerf bars look leaner, weigh less, and keep more clearance. Both bolt to the same mounting points on most trucks.
Do running boards need drilling to install?
On listed applications, no. Kits ship with vehicle specific brackets that bolt to existing holes in the rocker panel or frame, so there is no cutting or drilling. Plan on roughly an hour with hand tools, and a second set of hands helps since a cab length board is awkward to hold level while you start the bolts.
Are electric running boards worth it?
They are if ground clearance matters to you. A powered board extends when a door opens and retracts flush against the rocker when it closes, so you get a low step when you need one and keep your clearance and approach angle the rest of the time. They cost more than a fixed board and add a motor and wiring, so it is a tradeoff between convenience and simplicity.
Will rock sliders work as a step?
Yes, though that is the secondary job. A rock slider is built to take the weight of the truck against a rock or curb and protect the rocker panel, so the tube is heavier and mounted to the frame. Most have a step surface, but the stepping area is narrower than a running board. If you wheel the truck, a slider earns its keep. If you just need an easier step, a board or nerf bar is the better buy.
How do I know which kit fits my truck?
Every kit is cut for one specific application, so cab configuration and sometimes bed length change the part number. Send us your year, make, model, cab, and bed length and we will confirm the exact part number before you order. That check is free and it is the whole reason our fitment guarantee works.
What is the difference between a bed step and a side step?
A side step, meaning a running board, nerf bar, slider, or hoop step, gets you into the cab. A bed step gets you into the bed. Bed steps mount off the rear bumper or drop down behind the rear tire, and they fold away when you are not using them.