Running Board Mounting Kits

• Investing in accessories that make your vehicle easier to access or use is highly important. One feature that can improve usability in your pickup truck or SUV is a running board.
• If you purchased a second-hand running board or your running board came without mounting brackets and bolts, you’ll definitely need to get a separate running board mounting kit.
• Another reason to buy a running board mounting kit is when the old bolts and brackets on your running board have become damaged.
• A running board mounting kit typically includes a complete set of brackets and bolts needed for fixing the running board to the mounting points in your truck or SUV.
• Three factors to consider when buying a running board mounting kit are material, build quality, and compatibility.
• The cost of a running board mounting kit ranges from $80 to $400. The exact price of the kit will depend on a variety of factors, including what’s included in the kit, the running board and vehicle it’s designed for, the brand of the kit, and the materials used.

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pickup trucks, and other similar types of vehicles offer a wide range of benefits for drivers who are looking for a vehicle that’s perfect for heavy-duty use. Because SUVs and trucks are multifunctional workhorses, these vehicles typically have a vast selection of accessories designed to improve the original vehicle’s power, performance, towing and hauling capacity, and ride quality.

But there is one aspect of SUVs that can get overlooked — usability. Many SUV and truck owners spend a small fortune on performance and style, but not on usability. However, investing in accessories that make your vehicle easier to access or use is also very important. A running board is one feature that can improve usability in your pickup truck or SUV.

Running boards are small stepping surfaces that are located at the foot of a truck or SUV’s door and sometimes in older cars and smaller crossovers as well. Most running boards are made of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, or any combination of these three. These materials make for a sturdy, long-lasting running board that is able to support immense weight.

True running boards are flush mount running boards. These running boards lie flat and are mounted flush to the vehicle’s mounting points. They also span the entire length of the cab or the sides of a vehicle. There are some alternatives to running boards such as side steps or nerf bars, but true running boards offer the most stable stepping surfaces for any truck or SUV.

Now that you’re aware of the benefits of having a running board on your vehicle, especially if you’re running larger tires or have a lift kit installed, it’s time to talk about mounting them securely on your vehicle. To ensure that your running board will stay in place, it’s essential to use a high-quality running board mounting kit to install it.

Generally, running boards come with the necessary mounting hardware. However, if you purchased a second-hand running board or your running board came without mounting brackets and bolts, you’ll definitely need to get a  separate running board mounting kit. In some cases, manufacturers of high-quality running boards cut corners by throwing in subpar mounting brackets and bolts with their product. In this case, it’s better to get a running board mounting kit made from higher quality materials to protect your investment.

Another reason to buy a running board mounting kit is when the old bolts and brackets on your running board have become damaged. Because of the location of the running board on your truck or SUV, its mounting components are highly susceptible to corrosion damage or damage from rocks and other road debris hitting them while you’re driving. A running board that has severely damaged mounting hardware can become detached at any point. When this happens, it can result in injury to anyone who is using the running board to climb up or down from the vehicle. This is why it’s important to get a new running board mounting kit and replace the damaged components as soon as possible.

A running board mounting kit typically includes a complete set of brackets needed for fixing the running board to the mounting points in your truck or SUV. Aside from the brackets, a standard kit will also include several mounting bolts for running boards. The number of components included in a running board mounting kit depends on the running board and vehicle combination it’s made for.

Running board mounting brackets are often overlooked, but they are just as crucial as your running board in ensuring that your stepping surface is secure and stable. Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a running board mounting kit.

Material

 Steel is the most common material used for running board mounting brackets and bolts. They’re usually painted with a black, matte powder coated finish to improve their resistance against corrosion. If you want tough running board mounts and are happy to replace them every couple of years or so, powder coated steel running board mounting brackets and bolts should be good enough for your needs.

Another popular material is aluminum. Aluminum running board mounting brackets are naturally resistant to rust, and they are also more lightweight. Unfortunately, they are more expensive compared to regular steel running board mounts. If you’re willing to spend more for better quality, durability, and corrosion resistance, get some aluminum running board mounting brackets.

Build Quality

The materials used for the running board mounting kit components play a huge part in determining their durability, but build quality is also an essential consideration. Finish is an important thing to look into. High-quality powder coated finish is crucial to ensuring that the mounting hardware can withstand being constantly exposed to rain, snow, salt, or heat. You might also want to check out some forums to get more information about the durability of a running board mounting kit from those who have  already tried and tested it.

Compatibility

Lastly, it’s important to ensure compatibility when shopping for a running board mounting kit. Running boards, and therefore running board mounts, aren’t universal, so it’s important to get a kit that is completely compatible with your running board and vehicle. Ensuring compatibility also ensures easy, no-drill installation which means that you can DIY this task without using any special tools.

There is a practically limitless number of running board and vehicle combinations out there, so it only follows that there’s also a wide range of running board mounting kit options. The sheer number of running board mounting kits means that the price range for this particular accessory is pretty wide as well.

The cost of a running board mounting kit ranges from $80 to $400. The exact price of the kit will depend on a variety of factors, such as kit inclusions, the running board and vehicle it’s designed for, the kit’s brand of, and the materials used.