How do you step into your tow rig?

bitternut · Jan 19, 2009

I just got a new Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD extended cab and wondered what the favorite nerf bars most people buy for stepping in and out of their trucks. Vehicle is kinda high for getting in and out of without some kind of step. The NASTA 100% STAINLESS seem like a good idea since even the brackets are stainless. The Westin appear to have quite a few good reviews also.

Anyone care to recommend a particular bar and or source for best price?

John Deere 3520 · Jan 19, 2009

western is the most popular step boards.

DieselPower · Jan 19, 2009

You could alway's get a pair of those fancy steps that swing out when you open the door and fold back in when you close it.

John Deere 3520 · Jan 20, 2009

Those steps that fold in and out seem cool but i think they would break easy folding in and out all the time. Seems like a problem waiting to happen i would just stick with the normal chrome or black tube steps.

jwstewar · Jan 20, 2009

I had a set of the Kodiak Sidewinders on my '97 and then I put a set on my '99. Had all kind of problems with them on my '97. I complained to Kodiak. They said they had redesigned them. So I bought another set for my '99. I ended up taking them off in probably '01 or so. Never worked right. They would get stuck down and then you had problems. If you didn't drive the truck every 2 or 3 days they would run the battery dead. Did that on both trucks. Finally I said screw it took them off and threw them away. Now I have nothing on it. Our Suburban which feels a little higher than our Silverado has factory running boards. I like them on it, but don't think I would like them on the truck. Not "rough" looking enough.

MikeD74T · Jan 20, 2009

A coworker put painted nerf bars on his 2002 Silverado that rusted out in 2 years in NH road salt. Replaced with stainless same brand ?? and still good. I have DeeZee running boards on my 2002 crewcab. Still look good & protect rocker panels better than nerf bars. MikeD74T

Diamondpilot · Jan 20, 2009

All three of my current Ford F-150, F-250, and F-350 came with chrome boards like these. No rust yet on either. The F-250 is a 04 and the F-350 is a 06.

Chirs

Scooby074 · Jan 20, 2009

Dad has a '03 F150 KR. It came from the factory with tube style running boards. Dealer said they were made by lund?. They rusted out pretty bad after only a year or so. Granted we use alot of salt on our roads but I wouldn't recommend them. Maybe if you can get something 100% stainless. Running boards are pretty handy though.

George2615 · Jan 20, 2009

bitternut said:
I just got a new Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD extended cab and wondered what the favorite nerf bars most people buy for stepping in and out of their trucks. Vehicle is kinda high for getting in and out of without some kind of step. The NASTA 100% STAINLESS seem like a good idea since even the brackets are stainless. The Westin appear to have quite a few good reviews also.

Anyone care to recommend a particular bar and or source for best price?

I bought a set of Westin bars at my local Pep Boys store. Got them in black stainless. Installed them in about a half hour. (But I have a lift and air tools in my garage) But even on your back with hand tools it shouldn't take much more than an hour to install. When I got my 07 2500HD 4x4 EC I was in the store looking for a set to fit and they didn't list my year truck since it was new at the time. I called Westin's toll free number on one of the boxes and asked them for the number that fit my truck. They told me the number and the store had them it just didn't show on the box that they fit the 07 (the ones that fit the 06 were the same). I installed them in July 07 and they still look like new (when there's no snow and ice on them). I think they were around $399.
The swing out ones wouldn't work for me in winter. They'd freeze up under the truck and I wouldn't be able to open my door. I didn't have a problem getting in and out of the truck without them, I bought them because the wife couldn't get in the truck. Of course that could be a good thing.

zzvyb6 · Jan 20, 2009

I had a set of the electric auto folders on my Yukon XL. Sometimes worried that my dog would get her paws caught on them but this was never the case. I had 2 bad knees at the time and they were wonderful. If you have them, you will use them. The permanent ones tended to cause my trucks to hang up in deep snow pack, while the auto jobs never were a problem. Either way, its great to have a boot scraper to use for keeping mud and snow out of the footwells. The Ladies really like them when skirts are short, and that encourages the wearing of short skirts. Mine were even handy at the boat launch in times of crisis when the truck needs to back in really far.