Best Running boards for old people and dogs - Double Cab

Hi all,
New members here and I'm sure we'll have plenty of questions in the coming months.
I haven't owned a truck in 40 years and don't own one yet but have had great luck with Toyota and Lexus sedans over the years. My wife and I are planning on retirement within a year and hope to do some travel trailer exploring soon after. We've decided an SR5 with double cab and 6.5 bed will be the tow vehicle (for an Oliver Travel Trailer weighing approx 6K Lbs) and we're thinking about options. Does anyone have opinions on what are the best running boards or steps for older folk and their dogs. We are function over form people for what that's worth. We also live in Minnesota and hope to snow-bird over the next decade or so. Any insight or advice would be appreciated!

 

My wife was not a fan of the predator side steps that came on my 20 Tundra. For me, it also became old always thinking about where my size 15 foot needs to be planted every time I get in and out of the car. I ended up getting Go Rhino RB20. These side steps have also made it much easier for the dog to hop in as well.

 

At first I love the predator steps, now I need something bigger for my daughter step up and down. How much you paid for your and from where if you don’t mind me asking

 

$557 shipped after a coupon code from a youtuber (I think its "untamed") who reviewed the side steps. That was the best deal I gound. I considered sliders with welded plates but saw them in person and didnt feel they had enough coverage for my big feet.

 

For dogs, make sure there are no gaps between the steps and the truck body.

Open type drop steps can be bad too.

Both are dangerous if they get their paws/leg stuck in there when jumping or or down....snap.

We have removed our entirely until I get some full top plate sliders that are right against the truck body/frame etc

 

you got the bed liner one ?

 

Yes indeed I did. It matches the OEM spray in bed liner I already had. During this recent snow and ice storm in my area, the bedliner texture was as grippy as usual.

 

Buy once, cry once.....Amp Steps.

 

Whicked gaps for dogs to get their legs stuck in their and snap off.

Just about the worst you can get for dogs jumping into the cab.

 

Ummm ok.

 

GoRhino RB10 here, makes it easy for the kids

 

I got rid of my nerf style boards and found a set of OEM running boards that came off a 2020 for $175. Much easier for my kids to get in and out now.

 

RB20s with the bed liner are about the best I have seen. No gaps, no slip and flat step surface.

 

I have the Bestop Powerboard almost half the price of AMP

 

I have Iron cross Patriot boards, wide step and aluminum with rubber step. Take a look online. There are always deals to be made on any step you want.

 

Are you just looking for general running board and step recommendations....or do you want them to be dog friendly?

Many are posting recommendations that don't take this into consideration as it is probably something most non dog owners don't even think about.

Some more info and suggestions here.

 

The oem steps that came on my truck are great. No gaps for dogs to get caught, and grippy enough even when wet.

 

Thanks, they need to be dog friendly or we won't get them.

 

Then watch the gap where they mount. That was the issue we had with our OEM Nerf bars. As soon as I found out it was a hazard, they came off (as you may have seen in the linked thread)

Go Rhino RB10/RB20 and maybe some of the Dominators, all look like they fit tight against the body with no gap for dog legs or feet.

 

A bit of a twist to the original question posted by OP...which running boards or side steps offer the greatest drop form the cab floor? I've been told side steps always offer more drop than running boards. Is that true? I really like the N-FAB Podium side steps and was told they have a significant drop. I think they would be good for my wife and I but I'm not sure they would work for our dogs. What do folks thing? Big drop and dog friendly. Suggestions?

 

I have the N-FAB Podium and like them but I don't think they are great for dogs. I think there are too many spaces that their legs could drop through. Took a picture to try and show you the drop.

 

People posting gorhino/sliders steps probably don’t own dogs, no offense. Gorhino are my favorite type of steps but since they have holes in them, a dog jumping up can get caught in it and break their paw. That’s why I never bought them and stuck with the oem running boards. Both my dogs use it and works great every time, doesn’t look too bad either.

 

I wonder if dog friendly and old people friendly can be had in the same step? I say this because the pic you posted would create problems for some old, or even just short people. It's too high to be a step (practically same height as floorboard), so it's awkward to use (in my short person growing older experience). I generally wind up with road grime on the leg of my pants when encountering that style of step.

On edit: looking closer at your pic, how far does the step pad drop from the rocker? Initially I thought it was basically level, on second look it might be a few inches lower?

On the other hand, the drop step I have is pretty good, but not ideal for dogs for reasons you have described. Another suggestion for OP - be aware plastic step pads can be treacherous when wet. I've almost busted my ass a couple times on mine - that's why I said earlier they were just "pretty good".

 

So question for the RB20’s and crewmax. If you have a dog ramp and rest it on the side steps your dog should be able to get in the truck easy correct. It’s looks like it by pictures I looked at. The reason I ask I’m waiting for my tundra pro crewmax and I’m thinking the rhino’s RB20’s will work with a ramp. Any thoughts? In case any body asks no my male cannot jump into the truck. He’s 106 lbs and had both ACL’s replaced during surgery.

 

Here’s a photo

 

What's the drop on that? I'd like to compare that to the NFAB podium picture. Thanks.

 

I second the Iron Cross Patriots. Very old people friendly with a wide step and a good grip. There is small gap between the step and the cab, so I guess it depends what kind of dog you have. I doubt it would be a problem for them getting down, but getting up may or may not be a problem. My old boy and young pup both get lifted in and out, so I don’t have any experience with the dogs.

 

Also, I have a set of the OEM KG running boards that I took off that would also probably fit your criteria. They fit tight to the cab with no gap and are also pretty wide.

 

i LOL’d when I saw the guy say my oem steps are same height as the floorboard. Here’s the measurements.

 

How big are the holes on the RB20's? From pictures they look under an inch so any dog with paws that small probably can't jump in to these trucks regardless I'd think.