Do Running Boards Protect Your Truck?

Many truck enthusiasts ask, “Do running boards protect your truck?” Find out the answer in this article about the role of running boards. Installing running boards is a worthwhile investment.

What Are Running Boards Main Functions?

Provide a step

Running boards are a common accessory on trucks and SUVs. They provide a step between the ground and the door. For vehicles with taller chassis, ground clearance is reduced. At the same time, passengers can step on the running boards to climb in or out of the vehicle, making it easier to get in and out of the truck. Especially for children, the elderly, or people with limited mobility, stepping into a tall truck or SUV can be challenging. Running boards provide a safe place to land, preventing them from falling and getting injured.

Enhanced style

Running boards can be fixed to the side of the vehicle body. Not only does it provide convenience for passengers, but it also serves as a decorative addition and enhances the appearance of your truck or SUV, making your vehicle more aesthetically pleasing. Some running boards can also be customized to match the overall color of your vehicle. Truck enthusiasts can choose a stylish, rugged, or classic look. Running boards add a unique style to any vehicle. Customization options make every truck stand out on the road. In addition, some specific models can also improve aerodynamics, slightly reducing drag by smoothing the airflow of the vehicle.

How Running Boards Protect Your Truck?

Running boards have always been outstanding in terms of practicality and aesthetics. Its protection is a point that many truck owners overlook. The following are the three major protections it provides for trucks:

Prevent side damage

Running boards play a role in preventing damage to the side of the vehicle. Many car owners are always worried about accidental scratches and collisions that may cause dents on the side of the vehicle when they are off-roading or parking in a crowded parking lot. The existence of running boards adds a layer of barrier to the side of the truck to absorb the impact of some accidents. This protection reduces the risk of dents. Running boards can keep your car body intact.

Protect the truck from road debris and mud splashes

In addition to large impacts, we cannot ignore some small attacks. When you are driving on the road, some road debris will also pose a threat to the vehicle body. The gravel that pops out of the tires will peel off the paint and scratch the body. The splashing mud will dirty the exterior of the vehicle. When you install running boards, it can block these dangers and transfer them from the body, maximizing the protection of the vehicle and reducing the accumulation of mud on the truck. Make your truck cleaner and more beautiful.

Protect the paint and body of the vehicle

Although the fenders on our vehicles can help you isolate most of the mud and gravel, there will always be places where the isolation is not in place. With running boards, you can add another line of defense for your vehicle. Reduce the possibility of defects appearing on the car and protect the appearance of the truck.

The Limitations of Running Boards for Vehicle Protection

While running boards can provide a degree of protection for your truck, they are not excellent. This has to do with their primary purpose, which is to facilitate getting on and off the vehicle. Here are its limitations:

Running boards are not as durable as other off-road accessories like rock sliders or skid plates. First, running boards are primarily intended for convenience and light protection. In harsh off-road environments, running boards can bend, dent, or even break if they hit large rocks or stumps. In contrast, rock sliders are specifically designed to protect the underside of the vehicle from rocks and large obstacles.

Running boards may not cover all the areas of the truck that are susceptible to damage. Running boards provide protection, but not every part of the truck. The area above the running boards remains exposed. These unprotected areas can still be damaged by road debris. Running boards cannot protect against major collisions. Larger impacts can constitute serious damage. Running boards have limitations in terms of large-area protection, and vehicle owners must consider these limitations when deciding on running boards.

Running boards are not designed to offer any protection against more serious accidents or collisions. While they may help prevent minor scratches and dents, they will not absorb the impact of a collision or protect the body of the truck in the event of a rollover. If you are a car owner who often drives in harsh environments and wants reliable protection, bumpers, skid plates, or reinforced bumpers are more what you need.

Conclusion: Do Running Boards Protect Your Truck?

Running boards protect the lower part of your truck from small debris and road hazards during everyday city driving, and they also reduce scratches and dents caused by passengers. Running boards do protect your truck to some extent, but their protective capabilities are limited, and they are best suited for urban or light off-road use. If you want to go off-road in rough terrain, running boards can be challenging.