Running boards... worth it?

2015 4x4. Older and heavier than I used to be, and my main reason for wanting running boards is so I don't screw up the seats over time getting in and out. All my weight is on the outside edge of the seat before my feet hit the ground. Maybe running boards would help? Thinking about the OEM all black, flat, not tube.

 

I purchased the OEM Flat Black running boards & am pretty happy with them, I think they look good, & function quite well, however I would be a lot happier if they were just a little wider, & maybe have an extra support, I am older also, not real big, 5'9" 175#, so the drivers side seems fine, the passenger side I fabricated a couple of brackets to help strengthen that side, as one of my friends is a stout fella & I was worried about it, overall I am pleased with them (Hope this helps)

 

I doubt it.
I have them (OEM) and I've never put my feet on them to get in or out.... They're kinda at the wrong height for a 'step stool'.

 

Wow... sounds like more than 175# and they may be a bit dodgy. Good info if indeed the case.

 

Yeah, I wondered about that... been trying to envision my foot on one of the running boards and springing down from that, but maybe that's stuipid

 

+1
I had the OEM tube steps and the height made it really awkward to use as a step. My parents had trouble getting in and out when them on. The best part of nerf bars is preventing a potential door ding.

 

Just get sliders instead, will save you from those pesky door dings

 

As you have stated, I also purchased running boards not to get my seat ruined when getting in and out. I don't think they help. But it's easier for my kids to get in and out of the truck. My wife wears long dresses and it's much easier for her to get in the truck now. In the end it was still worth buy. Mine are 5 inch oval.

 

Ah, door ding... good point. Would the flat boards also help prevent one? I'm nervous as hell about door dings... there's nothing on the Tacoma to (help) prevent one!

 

I installed them on my 2012 Tacoma. Removed and sold within weeks.

The door opening (height) is not high enough to step up and in like on a full size truck.

I had to step up and duck my head.

Some styles do look sharp on a Tacoma. But they didn't work for me.

 

I had the OEM running boards on my 2006 DCLB and liked them. I didn't use them as steps buy my wife did. They protect the bottom of your truck from rocks and mud too which is a bonus over the tube steps, which would protect a bit but not as much.

If I were looking at buying them new I would put the money towards some BAMF bolt on sliders built level to act as a step.

 

Yes. My 2015 came with some nice looking tubes, but as stated here and to Larrys' comment, they are a nuisance as you have to really duck down to use them. Might be OK on a Tundra. I'm old, about 5' 9" and way heavier than 175 lb. I just slide in. I will leave them on as I sometimes have small children in the back seat.

 

my neighbour installed the OEM boards and they sit real close to the sill/frame. i have a NASTA set of tubes and they sit further out and down than the oem's and may work for you. they're easy to install too. check out my profile pics. the tubes are shown on the truck

 

Nice looking ride you have there, Nobescare.

 

Like others have said, they're not really practical as steps. I had them on my '06 and had a nice wear spot on my seat from getting out. They did come in handy to reach the roof while washing the truck. Just didn't seem too sturdy though.

 

Okay this is my $0.02 on running boards. I've had experience with both the oval and flat types of boards that run the full length of the truck. The flat types tend to be located very close to the cab (almost tucked). This makes it very uncomfortable in my opinion when trying to get in AND out of the cab considering your legs are at awkward angles. Getting in the cab with the flats was probably worse that exiting because you almost "tripped" yourself when entering. Now, the oval tubes were an improvement in my opinion. They stuck out further from the cab, so you could easily enter without tripping. Getting out was more awkward with the ovals because mine stuck out pretty far. Looked like I was doing limbo (I'm 6'3"). I ended up settling without any boards and have loved my decision. It's one less thing I have to keep clean and not to mention I don't miss the shin banging. I recently lifted the truck around one inch and it's reasonably comfortable entering/exiting the cab. Hope this helped!

 

I put a set of Raptor boards on my truck. Not really necessary for getting in and out but well worth it to prevent door dings. My previous car had dings all over the side from where my wife parks beside me in the garage. The boards have solved that problem with my Taco. Well worth it to me.

 

He could get sliders

 

I've seen running boards ripped off trucks driven off road. Even on some deeply rutted dirt Forest Service roads. I had an 02 F-150 a few years ago that came with them. Took 'em off within a month.

 

I'll never off-road in my Tacoma unless I find that I need to, so that's not too much of a concern. At this point, after all the input, I'm down to just trying to prevent door dings. That would be worth it too.