Truck Steps Ideal to Use for Camping

Camping is an outdoor activity enjoyed by many. It can be for a solo camper who enjoys nature or a fun way to spend time with your friends and family. Aside from essential camping equipment and gear, it is crucial to have reliable truck accessories to make camping less complicated.

Why Use Truck Steps?

Are you the type of pickup owner that usually rides with passengers in the cab? Do you typically use the truck bed for cargo? Do you have a roof rack installed on your vehicle? If your answer is yes to all these questions, you should consider using reliable aftermarket accessories such as truck steps.

The truck steps are also called step bars in some instances. For daily driving around town, they provide convenience to drivers and passengers. However, they are also ideal to use on the campgrounds. If you love camping, adding step bars to your pickup adds functionality to it.

Step bars are a must-have add-on to your vehicle, significantly if you often place your camping stuff onto the truck bed. For people who tend to lose their balance quickly, the surface of the step bars provides additional support. You can easily step onto them without worrying about slipping off. They serve as support when climbing up or down from the truck bed.

Benefits

Let’s face it. Not all people are 6-feet tall. That’s why there are truck accessories available for those who may need assistance to reach the cab, bed, or roof of their pickup.

Here are the benefits you can get from using step bars for your vehicle:

• You may use it as a platform when setting up a tent on the truck bed.
• It provides accessibility when you’re trying to reach the items stored on the truck bed.
• It gives you a boost when you’re reaching some stuff you placed on the roof rack.
• It provides support when getting in and out of the truck’s cab.
• It gives extra protection for the fender wells.
• It shields the underside body of the vehicle, so nothing gets caught underneath.
• It protects the sidings when you bump the vehicle on rocks or pavement.
• It makes the factory hitch more practical if it is not often used for hauling.
• If you usually camp with your kids, step bars with an anti-slip surface ensure their safety whenever they climb in and out of the vehicle.

Installing step bars will make your truck more accessible. They are also handy to use during your camp trips. Certain types may work better than others for truck campers, so you must evaluate the designs and features based on your preferences and needs.

Types

Step bars will last for many years even if you constantly drive to harsh outdoor conditions during your camping adventures or off-road trips. Manufacturers design their truck step products so that they do not take too much space on the underside of the vehicle. They can help you get into your truck easily, especially if you have to load some equipment or items for setting up camp.

To understand truck steps clearly, let us categorize them into different types:

Running boards

Running boards have simpler designs, and they blend in with the factory look of the truck. The frame is rectangular, flat, and long. The length starts from the front tire's end to the front of the rear tires.

Some running boards are made with full-length tread length. They have a solid construction to ensure durability. They are also ideal for truck drivers who normally transport stuff on the truck's roof.

A few brands include a slip-resistant surface to their running boards. That guarantees the safety of the passengers going in and out of the vehicle. Their large solid surface can help passengers stabilize their feet and weight as they climb up or down the cab or bed.

Nerf bars

Some nerf bars are shorter than the door length of their intended application, while others may be longer to accommodate the cab length. In terms of width, they are thicker because of the tubular construction.

You can typically see nerf bars on smaller cars and SUVs because they add a sporty look to the exterior. However, the tubular design makes this type stick out farther and lower than running boards.

It can be difficult to step onto the nerf bar's surface compared to running boards, especially for elderly passengers. It is recommended for one person at a time to walk on the bar to ensure an adequate foothold. They are also not suggested for off-roading since they are more prone to damage.

Hitch steps

Hitch-mounted steps give you a leg up, making it easier to reach your truck's bed and roof. It is the most popular step for truck campers because of its functionality.

A hitch step provides a platform for you to step onto, which boosts you approximately 4 to 8 inches off the ground. The height depends on the hitch and the vehicle's ground clearance height. They have a similar purpose with running boards and nerf bars.

Hitch steps are available in front or rear mounts. For rear-mounted, you can install it into the truck's receiver hitch. For other products, you can plug it into the hitch harness of the trailer. You can keep the step in the receiver hitch if you don’t typically use it for towing. You may remove the accessory easily and store it in your truck toolbox once you need the hitch for hauling.

This step for pickups comes in various shapes, colors, and materials. Some products are made of plastic, while others are made with single and double metal steps. Particular hitch step designs have a tubular form with a slip-resistant surface. You may also find flat, narrow ones with a non-slip stepping pad for added safety. Other brands have unique designs, such as the 2-in-1 multi-purpose hitch step with a built-in LED brake light.

Camp ready

Hitch steps, running boards, and nerf bars are excellent accessories to add to your vehicle. These types of truck steps provide stability and support when running errands in town or going out into nature.

When getting the camping equipment out of your roof rack or truck bed, use the step bars as a platform for stepping. They are perfect for truck owners who transport items on the truck’s roof during off-roading adventures. They can help you step up or down with ease during your outdoor adventures.