Ram 1500 Running Boards and Nerf Bars: How to Choose

This guide is for Ram 1500 owners choosing a step into the cab: a full-length running board, or a nerf bar or side step with footing at each door. The decision turns on which Ram 1500 you have, which cab, and how much standing surface you want.

What to check first on your Ram 1500

• Which truck. Our pages split the Ram 1500 into the 2009-2018 truck, the 2019-and-newer truck and the 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic. A 2019 or later Ram can be either one, and a step for one is not automatically a step for the other: the Go Rhino RB20 kit below says Not Classic in its title.
• Which cab. Running boards and side steps are cut to the cab length they are listed for, so a Quad Cab board and a Crew Cab board are different parts. Where a title below names no cab, the fitment table on the product page does.
• Kit or brackets. Some step listings are complete kits with brackets, others are brackets only for a board sold separately. The title says which.

Running boards, nerf bars and side steps

A running board is a flat step along the side of the truck below the doors, giving a wide standing surface for getting in and out of the cab. A nerf bar or side step is a bar or step mounted to the rocker panel that gives a foothold, typically with a step pad at each door. If your Ram sees salted roads all winter, read what the maker says about the material and finish: Go Rhino, for one, describes its RB20 Slim as zinc-coated galvanized steel with a bedliner coating. For a side-by-side look at the types, including power steps, see Running boards vs nerf bars vs power steps.

For the 2019-and-newer Ram 1500

• Go Rhino RB20 Slim Running Boards Kit, 19-22 Ram 1500 CC 4DR (Not Classic): for the 2019-2022 Crew Cab, four doors. Go Rhino says the RB20 Slim fits tighter along the cab than its RB Series, for more ground clearance off-road. The board is 5 1/2 inches across at its widest point, against 7 1/2 inches for the original RB20, and tapers toward the rear. It is 16-gauge zinc-coated galvanized steel with a protective bedliner coating, the kit includes the boards and mounting brackets, and Go Rhino calls the installation no-drill.
• Carr LD Step, XP3 Black Powder Coat, Pair (2019-2023 Ram 1500): a two-piece black side step set. Carr says the LD step has a wider and deeper stepping surface that extends further than its other steps, for easier access to the vehicle. Side step bars mount to the rocker panel and are cut to the cab length they are listed for, so check the cab in the fitment table.
• Rolling Big Power RBP Stealth Power Running Boards, 19-21 Ram 1500 Quad Cab: a black cab-length running board set titled for the 2019-2021 Quad Cab.

For the 2009-2018 Ram 1500

• Rolling Big Power RBP Stealth Power Running Boards, 09-18 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab: the same style of black cab-length board, titled for the 2009-2018 Quad Cab.
• Go Rhino Running Boards, 2009-2018 Ram 1500 and 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic: one part titled for both the 2009-2018 truck and the 2019-2024 Classic, and the one step in this guide named for the Classic. The title names no cab, so check the fitment table.

Shop by truck and brand

• By truck: Running Boards for 2019-2026 Ram 1500, Running Boards for 2009-2018 Ram 1500 and Running Boards for 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic.
• By type: Truck Running Boards and Truck Steps: Nerf Bars & Side Steps.
• By brand: Go Rhino Running Boards, Go Rhino Nerf & Step Bars and Carr Nerf & Step Bars.

Each product page lists the years, makes and models it fits. Use the vehicle selector to confirm your year and cab before you order; we ship across Canada and prices are in Canadian dollars.

FAQ

Will a step for the 2019+ Ram 1500 fit my Ram 1500 Classic?

Not unless its title says so. The Go Rhino RB20 kit is titled Not Classic. The Go Rhino running boards titled for the 2009-2018 Ram 1500 and the 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic are the step in this guide named for the Classic.

Does it matter if I have a Quad Cab or a Crew Cab?

Yes. Running boards and side steps are cut to the cab length they are listed for, so a Quad Cab board will not match a Crew Cab. Rolling Big Power titles its boards for the Quad Cab; the Go Rhino RB20 kit is titled for the Crew Cab (CC 4DR).

Should I get a running board or a nerf bar?

A running board gives a wide, full-length standing surface below the doors. A nerf bar is a tubular step on the rocker panel, usually with a step pad at each door.

Do I have to drill to install a step?

Go Rhino calls the RB20 Slim kit a no-drill installation. For the other steps here, the product page says what the install needs, so read it before you start.