The Ram 1500 is a versatile truck, and you can add accessories to it to make your driving experience better and more comfortable. A running board is an add-on that’s convenient, practical, and stylish.
Running boards help you and your passengers get in and out of your truck or SUV. They also help prevent road debris from hitting the doors and side panels of your vehicle. Running boards also act like doormats, in a way, because they provide a space where people can wipe the soles of their shoes before entering your vehicle. Some people also use running boards as a way to improve their vehicle’s looks.
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6 Best Running Boards for the Ram 1500
If you’re still on the fence about getting running boards for your Ram 1500, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve listed down all the best running boards for the Ram 1500 so you can pick the perfect one for your truck:
Luverne Running Boards
Luverne is one of the most trusted brands in the aftermarket industry. It has a vast product line that consists of high-quality parts and accessories. Luverne prides itself on using the latest technology in manufacturing products that make one’s driving experience more convenient.
Luverne running boards for the Ram 1500, in particular, are known for their durability and traction. Its products are coated with a corrosion-resistant finish and are available in different styles. All of its running boards come with a lifetime Luverne limited warranty and a five-year warranty on the finish.
Key Features:
- Made from high-quality materials
- Excellent traction and durability
- Engineered to OE standards
Aries Running Boards
Aries Automotive has been a producer of exterior vehicle components and accessories since 1997. This California-based company has become a household name for truck and jeep owners. It’s well-known for having developed an extensive line of high-quality products.
Ram 1500 running boards made by Aries are highly durable. They’re available in various colors and finishes, such as powder-coated chrome and powder-coated black. You can also choose from aluminum, steel, and carbon steel running boards. Best of all, its products come with a lifetime Aries limited warranty with a three- or five-year warranty on the finish.
Key Features:
- Highly durable
- Provides solid and stable step with maximum traction
- Made with premium materials
Dee Zee Running Boards
Dee Zee’s running boards for the Ram 1500 are a great investment because they’re made with the highest-grade materials in world-class facilities. What’s special about its products is that they’re built to withstand any road and weather conditions. Dee Zee-brand running boards are easy to install and come in a lot of designs and styles that allow you to customize your truck’s look. Dee Zee products come with a limited lifetime warranty or a three-year limited warranty and are available in a lot of colors and finishes, including silver, diamond brite, and powder-coated black diamond plate.
Key Features:
- Tough and works in any weather condition
- Made of high-quality materials and engineered to OE standards
- Install-ready
Westin Running Boards
Westin Automotive Products has been around since 1977. This California-based company has been a leading manufacturer of truck accessories for decades. It offers a wide range of accessories and products for the automotive aftermarket. Its goal is to provide products and services that will always match and exceed expectations.
True to form, Westin running boards for the Ram 1500 do exceed expectations. These products provide maximum traction and stability without sacrificing style and functionality. Westin running boards are available in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum variants and come with a three-year or Lifetime Westin limited warranty.
Key Features:
- Provides maximum traction in any weather condition without sacrificing style
- Long-lasting corrosion protection
- Stylish, durable, and engineered to OE standards
Go Rhino Running Boards
Go Rhino was established in 1975 and has been in the aftermarket business for more than 40 years. It has become the go-to brand for accessories and add-ons for light trucks and SUVs. Go Rhino is ISO9001-certified and prides itself in making high-quality accessories.
Go Rhino’s Ram 1500 running boards are made of the highest quality materials and have a protective coating to prevent corrosion and minor scratches from forming on the surface. Its products come with a lifetime Go Rhino limited warranty with a three- or five-year warranty on finish.
Key Features:
- Provides easy access to front and back doors
- Durable and works in any weather condition
- Available in cab and wheel-to-wheel coverage
Bestop Running Boards
Established in 1954 as a small upholstery shop in Boulder, Colorado, Bestop has since become a leading manufacturer of soft tops and other truck accessories. It’s well-known for its Jeep Wrangler accessories, but it eventually branched out to produce parts for other makes and models.
Bestop running boards for the Ram 1500 are built to withstand any driving and weather conditions. Bestop products are covered by a three-year/100,000-mile Bestop limited warranty.
Key Features:
- Install-ready with no drilling required
- Manufactured to OE standards
- Operates in all weather conditions
Running Boards: Pros and Cons
Running boards are useful and stylish, but they can have a few disadvantages as well. We’ve listed all the pros and cons of getting running boards for your Ram 1500 truck so you can be better informed before making your purchase.
Pros
- Great if you have small children or elderly/infirm passengers
- Protects your vehicle from road debris that can scratch your doors and body panels (especially if you frequently drive off-road)
- Keeps interior clean
- Easy to install
- Comes in a wide range of sizes and styles
- Many have added features for your convenience
Cons
- It’s harder to get under your truck, especially if you’re making repairs or looking for something
- Weight limit depends on the material you choose
- Needs constant cleaning and checking of gripping surface
When Should You Get New Running Boards?
Many truck and SUV owners get running boards for purely aesthetic purposes. After all, running boards do give a rugged look. But that’s not the only reason some people are getting new running boards.
Given their positions, running boards take quite a lot of beating, especially if you drive through hard snow, ice, or on unpaved roads. Rocks and debris that are flung upwards by your tires can scratch the surface or leave dents on the running board or even damage the rubber grips. The gripping surface may also crack and peel off over time, making it difficult for people to step safely into the vehicle, especially when it’s wet. In other words, it’s time to get new running boards when your old ones can’t do the job properly.
What to Consider When Getting New Running Boards for Your Ram 1500
The most important factors you have to consider when getting new running boards for your Ram 1500 are quality, cost, and value. Quality, of course, is a no-brainer: no one wants to step on an unstable and poorly-built running board and get injured as a result. The second most important thing is the cost. You may have different budgets if you’re doing custom work on your Ram 1500 versus if you’re just replacing an old one. If you go over your specific budget for something that doesn’t do the job, no one wins.
The third most important factor, which is value, depends on the quality and cost of the product you’re about to purchase. You wouldn’t want to spend a disproportionate amount of money on a product that’s not going to last you that long, so you carefully try to look at which product is great both quality-wise and budget-wise.
But aside from quality, cost, and value, there are other things you have to consider before taking your pick:
Coverage
In terms of coverage, there are two types of running boards: wheel-to-wheel and the cab-length. Wheel-to-wheel running boards extend from the front wheel to the rear wheel, and in some cases, provide an extra step so you can access the bulkhead area of the truck bed from the side of the vehicle. On the other hand, cab-length running boards run the length of your truck’s cab.
Material
Running boards can be made of different materials. Plastic ones, though incredibly affordable, aren’t exactly built to last and are mainly used for aesthetics. However, you may be able to find molded plastic running boards with an aluminum base for additional support. Steel is also a common material used for running boards. They’re made to last and can withstand a lot of weight and use. You can get stainless or carbon steel running boards on the market, but aluminum ones are also available. The catch is these metal running boards are a bigger investment than plastic ones. There are also running boards made of fiberglass or diamond-plated steel, but these may cost more than steel or aluminum ones.
Additional Features and Special Designs
There are many running boards out in the market that have additional features and special designs that make them more convenient to use. A common special feature is a boot scraper, which helps the passengers clean the soles of their shoes before entering the vehicle. Another common additional feature is LED lighting. This feature helps improve the visibility of the stepping surface. It’s very useful, especially if you’re traveling at night or in low-visibility conditions.
As for design, retracting running boards are perfect if you want the convenience of having running boards but don’t necessarily like how they look on your Ram 1500. They’re also great for passengers who are prone to tripping over or who are unable to easily step into the vehicle (i.e. children and the elderly). These running boards use a mechanism that allows them to swing open from underneath your truck whenever the doors are opened. If you’re looking for a new running board, it’s good to explore and compare additional features to make sure you get a product that addresses both your wants and needs.
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