Running boards function primarily by providing a stable step to make it easier to enter and exit a vehicle.
How They Work: Providing a Step
Running boards are accessory steps installed on the sides of vehicles like trucks, vans, and SUVs. Their main mechanism is simple: they create a lower platform extending from the vehicle's body, reducing the height difference between the ground and the vehicle's cabin.
Specifically, running boards are designed to drop down about three inches from your vehicle's pinch weld, which is the reinforced seam typically found along the bottom edge of the vehicle's body. This downward extension creates a convenient stepping point. By shortening the vertical distance needed to step into the vehicle, they make it easier for you to enter and exit the cab.
Key Characteristics
Based on their function and design, running boards have several typical features:
- Width: They are usually four inches or wider, providing a substantial platform to step onto.
- Length: They can run the entire length of your vehicle's cab or extend the full length to provide an additional step near the vehicle's bed.
- Attachment: They attach securely to the vehicle's frame or body, often utilizing the pinch weld area.
- Purpose: To serve as a step, particularly beneficial for taller vehicles, children, older passengers, or anyone with mobility challenges.
Benefits of Using Running Boards
Installing running boards offers practical advantages:
- Improved Access: The most significant benefit is the ease of entry and exit.
- Reduced Strain: They help reduce the strain on knees and hips when climbing into a vehicle.
- Protection: They can offer some protection to the lower sides of the vehicle from road debris, though this is not their primary function.
- Aesthetics: Many vehicle owners install them to enhance the look of their truck, van, or SUV.
In essence, running boards work by creating a lowered, stable step that bridges the gap between the ground and the vehicle's floor, simplifying the process of getting in and out.
