Big Man Needs Strongest Nerf Tube And Brackets.. Which Ones?

Lazlo · February 10, 2010

I'm looking for suggestions on which nerf tubes and brackets and type of installation would be best for a big man's daily usage. My head is spinning on the volume of information alone on these modifications. Collectively, the group must have it's favorites and could give me the reasons for it. I'm just looking for which is considered the gold standard.

Thanks,

Bryon

imollison · February 10, 2010

Hey there Byron,

Having worked in a dealership for a little and having installed several types, the ONLY (IMO) difference in running boards/ nerf boards is where do they mount on the truck. Only two types that I know of.....There are some that actually mount to the truck body with a whole lot of screws OR the type that actually mount to the frame and the body mounting bolts. IMO the best and strongest are the ones that mount via the trucks body mounting bolts, but hey I have been know to be wrong, just ask my wife LOL.

The best ones for you are the ones that you like, not us. The first question I have is how big are you? DO you have any problems with your feet? Knees? The reason I ask is simple......if you get a tube style, you will have a very small surface area that can get very slippery when wet.....the flatter oval style gives you more area to rest your foot when getting in and out......

You are probably wondering what I have......I had no choice in the type of board as I wanted a wheel to wheel style and only found one type and that was a tube with a small flat area for a step at the doors. What can you do??? My wife said I could get them....so I did.

Hope this helps a little in your choice......ask how they mount.....BTW most body mount ones you can actually install at home in as little as an hour saving you a nice little bit of money.

Ian

Lazlo · February 10, 2010

Hey there Byron,

Having worked in a dealership for a little and having installed several types, the ONLY (IMO) difference in running boards/ nerf boards is where do they mount on the truck. Only two types that I know of.....There are some that actually mount to the truck body with a whole lot of screws OR the type that actually mount to the frame and the body mounting bolts. IMO the best and strongest are the ones that mount via the trucks body mounting bolts, but hey I have been know to be wrong, just ask my wife LOL.

The best ones for you are the ones that you like, not us. The first question I have is how big are you? DO you have any problems with your feet? Knees? The reason I ask is simple......if you get a tube style, you will have a very small surface area that can get very slippery when wet.....the flatter oval style gives you more area to rest your foot when getting in and out......

You are probably wondering what I have......I had no choice in the type of board as I wanted a wheel to wheel style and only found one type and that was a tube with a small flat area for a step at the doors. What can you do??? My wife said I could get them....so I did.

Hope this helps a little in your choice......ask how they mount.....BTW most body mount ones you can actually install at home in as little as an hour saving you a nice little bit of money.

Ian

Ian,

Your assessment of the frame mounted tube being the strongest, confirms what I had suspected. While I have no trouble with feet, legs, I know that whatever tube I select is going to get "stressed" while assisting me to get my 350 lbs into the cab. Most literature I see has an outside limit right at my weight. While I think the tubes will be OK, I figure that the brackets are going to be what takes the bulk of the load. So, any recommendations as to who has the beefiest ones will aid my decision making process.

There are so many to choose from, but precious little on the specs of the mounting hardware. So, again to the group: what would you recommend to me?

Thanks again,

Bryon

knightr · February 10, 2010

I don't know what the weight limit is, but the GM OEM 6" ovals are the sturdiest ones that I have found.

There is absolutely no give when I step on them(215lbs).

I had them put on at the dealer and they mount with four brackets to the underbody(ECSB).

r1byker · February 10, 2010

I installed Westin Platinum Oval nerf tubes; they bolt to the brackets which bolt to the frame using the same bolts that hold the body to the frame. They seem pretty strong but I'm just a little guy (160 lb.). Other heftier people have used them without a problem.

mato27 · February 10, 2010

I installed Westin Platinum nerf tubes; they bolt to the brackets which bolt to the frame using the same bolts that hold the body to the frame. They seem pretty strong but I'm just a little guy (160 lb.). Other heftier people have used them without a problem.

I have this same setup, I have jumped up and down on these many times (200 lbs), and have not heard/seen any creaking or movement from them.

BruceW · February 10, 2010

I have these factory oval steps

They seem very stiff. I have a neighbor of similar weight to you who rides with me frequently and they seem to work fine for him. I have only had this truck since 12/31/09 so I have not really tested the steps.

My previous Dodge had round tubes. They were fine with the neighbors weight. The survived being stuck into the mud several times and even bumping into the side of a bridge while parking without any damage. I was really surprised the bridge did not damage them. I am sure that I had more than 500 pounds of people standing on the Dodge steps several times.

These are what was on the Dodge

chaser841 · February 10, 2010

I am about 250 and don't seem to have much of a problem with mine. I do get a little creeping noise, but they feel secure. I have a set of Iron Cross Automotive nerf bars. If I had the money, I would have went with the GM OEM bars because of all the mounting brackets on them.

mato27 · February 10, 2010

I'm looking for suggestions on which nerf tubes and brackets and type of installation would be best for a big man's daily usage. My head is spinning on the volume of information alone on these modifications. Collectively, the group must have it's favorites and could give me the reasons for it. I'm just looking for which is considered the gold standard.
Thanks,

Bryon

Wish you lived closer, I have a Brand New set of Chrome Westin Platinum bars that I would sell you

music · February 10, 2010

My 3" GM (OEM) round bars are very stout. The rocker-panel mount system GM put on these trucks seems very strong to me, as there is no noticeable flex in them.

ffthornton · February 10, 2010

I have a set of 3" round steps on my truck. I am 270 and my give a little but not much. When I first put them on I jumped up and down on them to test them out and they have held up. They mount to the fram via the cab mounts.

jrrod2004 · February 10, 2010

Not Nerf bars but instead Luverne Mega Step (Not the O-Mega Step) :

(Sample Pic: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...o%3D1%26um%3D1)

I vote these because they use the No Drill body mount method but they have the largest "available contact" area on any step that I have seen for aftermarket products.

Source: http://www.luvernetruck.com/Product_Line/M...m_megastep.html

wages999 · February 10, 2010

I have nerf bars rated at 350lbs that mount to the frame at the cab mounts. Right after I got them, my dad and brother decided to test how stong they were. They held both of them (500lbs) and didn't flex. A friend of mine (280 lbs) has nerf bars that mount to the rocker panels on his '01 F-150. His rocker panels are starting to bend where they are mounted.