Strength of running board mounts?

[Ed F]

Hi, Guys. New to this forum and in fact new to Ram. Just got my brother’s ‘old’ 2017 Express QC long box Hemi 4x4 with 16k miles after he went to a ‘19 F-150. I’ve had plenty of Fords in the past and have mounted dozens of running boards. Looking under this truck I have 3 spots that have open holes where brackets would go. My concern is that it doesn’t look like any mount would have very good leverage for supporting a board. I’ve read some guys say that all the Ram boards flex and that’s the way it is. The last Super Duty I owned had 4 large brackets that mounted inside the rockers at least 10 inches vertically and didn’t move at all. This truck had no boards and I’m thinking of doing without them except for my wife climbing in. It’s stock height and compared to the F-350 this truck is almost a lowrider.
Do you feel that a set of factory takeoffs is the way to go or is there a standout aftermarket set? I’d prefer aluminum or stainless. Nothing powder coated that will rust before the winter gets here. Thanks for your opinions.

 

[Graygoose]

Ive had no issues with either of mine.

 

[BOWERSFJ]

N-Fab bars are fine ... But their powder-coating sucks a$$ ... The do have stainless ... I have factories now, and they are fine with my 215ness steppin on em


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[Ricks Ram]

I have the AMP power steps on my 14. I weigh 255 Lbs and I don't feel much flex at all when I step on them.

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[Fitz-0518]

Not all step rails flex. You will find in the archives of this forum, under this subject some great posts. Many have found that the cheap ebay step rails flex. Most found that the Westin step rails do not. It all depends on what manufacture you choose, how they are attached and made. The $69 ones will flex and rust

 

[WY-Dave]

Stockers and with my fat ass, the don't flex. I still will try to find the mounts to throw some in the middle

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[OEDRO]

They don't flex.

 

[TC323i]

I’ve had 600 pounds on my amps and while they do flex some I’ve never had issues with either of my trucks.

 

[wgreggking]

Have the tyger three tube, Son and I = 470lbs total, jumping up and down no problemo.

 

[PoMansRam]

My brother installed a set of the Oedro 4" running boards as pictured above on his 2019 classic. They look nice, fit nice and no noticeable flex, although the kit was missing one bolt which was frustrating. He also managed to strip out one of the pressed in nuts in a step because he was then in a hurry with his cordless impact. LOL. Not sure how he fixed that.

I don't care for the mounting system on the truck at all though, with the thin metal in the rocker panel, the use of nut/bolt plates, etc, but that's the way it is with lots of today's pickups. You're smashing dissimilar metals together. It's going to grind together, flex/move/wear and rust over time in rust belt use no matter what you do.

 

[Srt-cummins]

I have a set of the mopar/ram black running boards on mine and they are weight rated to 500lbs. My brother has a set of the eBay I-boards and they are weight rated to 350lbs. I have never had mine flex, even when myself(385lbs) and my brother(240lbs) stepped on them getting in the truck at the same time. The truck did lean to the drivers side but the boards held strong. Now, my brothers I do feel flex when just I step on them, even now that I’ve lost about 40lbs and am under their weight rating.

I think so long as you buy a good reputable brand they will be fine. Just my two cents though.

 

[pdvirgin]

I had the AMP Rsearch powersteps dealer installed on my 15 Crew Cab, never an issue, when it got hit by a drunk driver I pulled them off and then installed them myself on my 2017 Crew Cab. I have not had any issues and no flex either, I love that they fold up whenthe door close, and fold out with a nice flat surface for my elderly parents to be able to get in and out of the truck easily. Well worth the extra money in my opinion.

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[Nick Redmond]

I HAD factory running boards until I pulled off the road in the mountains in some red clay and slid it into a ditch and it ripped them out the rocker panels. And that was with 35s and a 4in lift. I’m planning on fabricating some frame mounted rock sliders/running boards but haven’t had time