I have a van, with driver's, front-seat passenger's, and double rear side doors. I can get three decent steps (Carr or whatever) for it for maybe $100, less on EBay. Or I can go to a wrecking yard and get running boards instead, for $100, in good shape.

What are the pros and cons? I would go for the running boards in a minute, but fairly often I see them dented-- don't know how that happens.

Advice?

 

I drive a '02 E350 for a living. This one has the full wheel to wheel running boards. The last, ('99) E350 had the steps.

Put 475,000 miles on those steps with people using them three times a day, usually loading and unloading 8 - 10 passengers each one of three trips. The steps only worked loose a couple of times but had to watch real close in bad weather as they would pick up the road dirt and water.

Got 160,000 miles on the running boards in 13 months. Have not had any problems with them. They stay real clean in the bad weather. They protect the sides of the van much better than the steps could. The passengers have stated that they feel more secure with the boards rather than the steps.

As far as the bending of them, I really think that is carelessness on the owners part. I have three other drivers and we have not had any damage done to ours at all.

I would really recommend the running boards over the steps.

Yes, that mileage on the '99 is correct. 475,000 in 39 months with only an alternator and a fuel pump stoping it at any time. The fuel pump went out on a Fri night with no repair till Monday and the boss went out and bought the '02 to replace it. This is on the 5.4l gas and automatic. These vans get 405 miles per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.