Tube step rails vs running boards

[wicsmith1997]

Not sure if my terms are accurate hopefully you all know what I mean.

My 8 year old has a little difficulty getting into my 1997 4 door Explorer 4x4.

Functionally which work best and which is most secure between the step running bards and the tube step rails?

Please set me strait on the terminology if I'm wrong here.

 

[SirkXLS]

I have the rails "nerf bars" on the side and my 5 year old needs them, wanted to take them off but he'd be lost without them, its more of a looks thing really, at least with the rails you wouldnt have to remove any lower moldings or what not. Also my friend has the full steps and one is bent down from people jumping on it, never happened with mine.

 

[wicsmith1997]

I had a feeling the Nerf bars would be sturdier. I think a JY nearby has a set for $100. Least that is what www.car-parts.com reported.

 

[apuszczalowski]

Just my view, but I would think the step/running board would be easier and safer to get in and out of the vehicle with for children and elderly because they are usually wider, flatter and closed in. From my experience getting in and out of a vehicle using the nerf/tube step style step, they aren't as wide of a step and seem a little harder to use cause you have to be careful how you step on them.

Looks wise, the nerf/tube bars look much better on a 4x4

 

[BrianDye]

I had a sport with the nerf's, a 95 with boards, and now my 00 with boards. I HATE the boards.

Sport

95

00

The 00' is a crappy picture, but all in all, I would choose Nerfs anyday. The "skidpad" on the board always seems to look uneven (Bowing, bending) on the board itself, plus the boards seem less sturdy to me. The safer thing would be boards when it comes to slipping, because when I was on hills, and got out with wet shoes in my sport, id ALWAYS slip on the nerfs even on the plates you step on. I would find some "griptape" and fit some strips on them somehow if thats the route you take.


Also, once the mounts on the boards start rusting, you can tell EVERYTIME you step on them. (The 95' was a lemon, and had some decent rust, including the boards) and it cruched if you stepped on them hard enough.

 

[wicsmith1997]

I'm leaning toward the Nerf Boards and maybe some traction tap where grip matters.