Running boards are one of the devices that many drivers have installed on their trucks. It has become one of the favorite accessories that many drivers will often add to make getting on and off the truck easier.
However, installing any additional equipment on the truck will also affect the truck’s speed or fuel use. Do running boards affect gas mileage? What is the fuel consumption level if you use running boards? Let’s find out the detailed information in the article below to have an objective view and the most accurate assessment.
What Are The Benefits Of Running Boards For Trucks?
Before learning about the benefits of running boards, we need to learn about the definition, structure, and intended use of this product for trucks. From there, you will have an overview of the benefits and considerations to choose the right product for your own use.
What Are Running Boards For Trucks?
As you know, trucks often have a higher chassis design than conventional vehicles. The purpose of trucks is usually to carry goods or serve adventures. Therefore, the high ground clearance will be an advantage to moving on difficult roads and avoiding collisions with the undercarriage.
However, high ground clearance will also make it difficult for drivers or customers to get on or off the vehicle. In particular, for many people with limited height, getting on or off a truck with a high chassis is often prone to accidents. So many drivers decide to add running boards to their trucks.
Currently, there are two main types of running boards on the market, automatic and fixed. Manufacturers often use materials such as aluminum profiles, stainless steel, or chromium-plated steel alloys. Steel versions are produced in a variety of colors to match the make of each truck.
Running boards made of aluminum are often more prone to wear and tear than products made of steel. Therefore, recent products often have magnesium and other alloys added to their aluminum profiles to improve their quality.
What Are The Benefits Of Running Boards?
Here are some of the key benefits running boards will bring to truckers.
- Assist drivers and passengers for easier boarding or disembarkation.
- Make the truck cleaner because the driver or customer can remove dirt from the shoes with running boards before entering the truck.
- Protect the truck body from debris caused by tires splashing during vehicle movement. Because rocks, gravel, or sharp objects can hit the truck body and cause them to distort. With running boards, obstacles will be directed outside the truck body.
- Some types of running boards can also act as rock sliders or shock absorbers to protect the truck body from collisions or other off-road hazards.
- Protect the car body from rust or the impact of long-term use. Because the car door part will often be worn out due to frequent opening, closing, and collision with the force from the driver’s foot or hand.
- In particular, running boards will also help you protect the paint from being scratched by external influences.
Do Running Boards Affect Gas Mileage?
Running boards bring many benefits to drivers. However, many drivers still wonder if these products will affect fuel consumption. Is the fuel consumption of this product high?
Running boards will increase wind resistance and reduce airflow along the sides and bottom of the truck so they can affect gas mileage. The installation of any additional equipment will increase the weight and pressure on the truck. So it will affect the truck’s energy consumption.
However, according to experts, the level of fuel consumption when installing more running boards is not significant. So you don’t need to worry too much about the fuel consumption of this product. If you want to maximize fuel economy, you can search for products with lightweight materials or consult with automotive experts to choose the most suitable product for your truck.
Is Automatic Running Boards Better Than Fixed Type?
Currently, there are many types of running boards on the market with many different sizes and shapes. Each type will have different costs and benefits. In particular, you can choose one of two types of running boards: automatic or fixed. Here are some benefits when you use automatic running boards.
Automatically Free Up Space
When you drive an off-road vehicle, you run the risk of hitting rocks, ramps on the road, or obstacles all over the place. So, if you use a stationary running board, there is a risk of collision in narrow terrain. However, if you use the automatic running board, you can adjust it to retract and easily overcome narrow terrain with many obstacles around.
Improve Fuel Efficiency
When you own a large car, the fuel factor is a top priority for many drivers. The fixed running board has a major aerodynamic disadvantage so it can create drag and cause the truck to use more fuel. However, when you use the automatic running board, you can turn it on or off to suit your needs. You can turn this off once you’ve boarded and driven in a safe area. From there, you will free up space for the truck and not affect fuel consumption.
Height Adjustment
Running boards with height adjustment mode will be a superior advantage compared to fixed products. Depending on the intended use in each area, you can adjust the height of the running boards to make it easier for people to get on or off the vehicle.
Limit Adding Weight To The Truck
If you live in an area with a lot of snow, mud, or obstructions everywhere, using automatic running boards will be more beneficial. Fixtures can pull in thick layers of snow, mud, or obstructions if they cling. As a result, your truck will have to bear a new weight and lead to more fuel consumption. However, if you use automatic running boards, you can eliminate this situation. Also, this unit will not be damaged or rusted by salt or substances in snow, mud, or rainwater.
Conclude
Running boards are a device that brings many benefits to truck drivers such as moving easily, protecting the body of the vehicle from gravel, stones, or sharp objects, avoiding frequent impacts on the car door, and avoiding collisions with the body of the vehicle.
When you add this device to the truck, it will also create wind resistance and affect the truck’s aerodynamics. Therefore, the truck will also consume more energy. However, according to experts, this fuel consumption is insignificant. So you don’t need to worry too much about this.
You should consider using automatic running boards instead of fixed devices to adjust to each use and situation. Therefore, you will save fuel for the truck and not affect the space around the vehicle when moving.