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Top 10 Running Boards & Side Steps for the 2015–2020 Ford F-150
Updated: February 2025 | Reviewed by the TruckBench Team
The 2015–2020 Ford F-150 sits at a comfortable height for most adults but becomes a genuine stretch for shorter passengers, kids, and anyone loading gear into a lifted or leveled truck. Running boards and side steps also provide meaningful rocker panel protection on America’s best-selling truck — important for long-term resale value.
The 13th-generation F-150’s frame and body mounting points differ from the previous generation and are specific to Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew configurations. Always confirm your cab style and 2015–2020 (P552) compatibility before ordering.
Quick Picks — Jump to Your Favorite
- AMP Research PowerStep XL — Best Overall
- N-Fab Nerf Steps — Best Nerf Bar
- Rough Country Oval Nerf Bars — Best Value
- Ford OEM Running Boards — Best OEM Fitment
- Westin Pro Traxx 5 Oval Bars — Best Mid-Range
- Tyger Auto 5″ Oval Side Steps — Best Budget Pick
- Go Rhino RB10 Running Boards — Best Heavy-Duty
- Lund 5″ Oval Curved Nerf Bars — Best Mid-Range Nerf Bar
- AMP Research PowerStep Xtreme — Best for Lifted Trucks
- Ionic Pro Stainless Oval Bars — Best Polished Look
#1: AMP Research PowerStep XL — Best Overall
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Editor’s Choice
“Fully automatic power-deployable steps that disappear flush when driving — the best experience on a truck used daily by a range of passengers.”
AMP Research’s PowerStep XL automatically extends when any door opens and retracts flush against the rocker panel when closed. The XL features a wider 14-inch step pad over the standard 12.5 inches. Aluminum construction, weather-sealed motors, plug-and-play wiring into the F-150’s factory door sensor circuit. Available for SuperCab and SuperCrew. 3-year warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Power Retractable |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Step Pad Width | 14 inches (XL) |
| Operation | Auto-deploy on door open |
| Cab Styles | SuperCab, SuperCrew |
| Warranty | 3 Year |
Pros: Fully automatic deployment — Maximum ground clearance when retracted — Wide 14″ step pad — Plug-and-play wiring — Well-established P552 fitment history
Cons: Premium price — Adds electrical complexity — Professional install for most owners — Confirm P552 SuperCab vs. SuperCrew SKU
Price: ~$920–$1,100 depending on cab style
Check Price on Amazon → | AMPResearch.com →
#2: N-Fab Nerf Steps — Best Nerf Bar
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best Nerf Bar
“Clean, purposeful tube steps with step pads positioned precisely for the F-150’s cab floor height — one of the most durable finishes in the category.”
N-Fab’s nerf steps use a 3-inch round tube profile with textured powder coat that resists chipping far better than typical nerf bar finishes. No-drill frame mounting. Available in gloss black, textured black, and polished stainless for all F-150 cab styles. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Nerf Bar / Tube Step |
| Tube Diameter | 3 inches |
| Material | Steel |
| Finish | Textured Black / Gloss / SS |
| Install | No-drill frame mount |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Aggressive tube-step look — Extremely durable powder coat — Multiple finish options — No-drill frame mount — Lifetime warranty — Proven P552 fitment
Cons: Narrower step surface than running boards — Less rocker panel protection than full boards
Price: ~$360–$510 depending on cab and finish
Check Price on Amazon → | N-Fab.com →
#3: Rough Country Oval Nerf Bars — Best Value
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Value
“An aggressive 4-inch oval profile at a price that leaves budget for other mods — a natural pairing for an F-150 already running Rough Country’s lift kit.”
Rough Country’s oval nerf bars deliver an aggressive look at a price well below premium brands. Black powder coat, textured non-slip step pads, F-150-specific brackets that bolt on without drilling. Lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Oval Nerf Bar |
| Tube Size | 4-inch oval |
| Material | Steel |
| Finish | Black Powder Coat |
| Install | No-drill bolt-on |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Aggressive look at a low price — No-drill installation — Solid powder coat — Textured step pads — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Thinner steel than premium brands — Finish can show wear faster than N-Fab — Confirm P552 fitment
Price: ~$155–$225 depending on cab style
Check Price on Amazon → | RoughCountry.com →
#4: Ford OEM Running Boards — Best OEM Fitment
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: OEM Pick
“Designed alongside the truck — the cleanest, most seamless integration with the P552 F-150’s body lines.”
Ford’s factory running boards attach to factory hard points and match the P552 F-150’s body lines exactly. Wide step surface, non-slip texture, composite finish. Available through Ford dealers and Amazon.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | OEM Running Board |
| Generation | P552 factory-specific |
| Fitment | Factory hard point mount |
| Step Surface | Wide, textured non-slip |
| Finish | Black composite |
| Source | Ford Dealers / Amazon |
Pros: Perfect P552 fitment — Matches F-150 body lines exactly — Factory mounting hard points — Maintains OEM aesthetics
Cons: Premium OEM pricing — Limited style customization — Availability varies by dealer
Price: ~$400–$620 / set
#5: Westin Pro Traxx 5 Oval Bars — Best Mid-Range
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Mid-Range
“A meatier 5-inch oval tube with more step surface area than a 3-inch nerf bar — a solid middle-ground for the F-150.”
Westin’s Pro Traxx 5 provides more step surface area than standard nerf bars while maintaining the tube-step look. Polished stainless or black powder coat finishes, F-150-specific bracket mounting without modification, grippy step pads. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Oval Tube Step |
| Tube Size | 5-inch oval |
| Material | Stainless Steel / Steel |
| Finish | Polished SS or Black |
| Install | No-drill frame mount |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Wide 5-inch oval for more step surface — Polished stainless option — No-drill installation — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Polished finish requires more maintenance — Heavier than aluminum — Confirm P552 fitment
Price: ~$285–$430 depending on finish and cab
Check Price on Amazon → | WestinAutomotive.com →
#6: Tyger Auto 5″ Oval Side Steps — Best Budget
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Budget
“Sharp-looking 5-inch oval steps for under $200 — Tyger’s value formula delivers on the F-150.”
Tyger’s budget oval steps have a clean black powder coat finish, well-positioned step pads with generous texture, and F-150-specific brackets for bolt-on installation without drilling. 1-year warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Oval Tube Step |
| Tube Size | 5-inch oval |
| Material | Steel |
| Finish | Black Powder Coat |
| Install | No-drill bolt-on |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Pros: Very affordable — Good-looking 5-inch oval profile — No-drill installation — F-150-specific brackets — Wide textured step pads
Cons: Thinner steel gauge than premium — 1-year warranty — Finish may wear faster in harsh climates — Confirm P552 fitment
Price: ~$140–$205 depending on cab style
#7: Go Rhino RB10 Running Boards — Best Heavy-Duty
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best Heavy-Duty
“Full-length rocker panel coverage in heavy-gauge steel — the right choice for an F-150 that works for a living.”
Go Rhino’s RB10 boards are heavy-gauge steel with a textured black powder coat, nearly 5 inches of flat step area, and full-length rocker panel coverage on SuperCrew models. Deeply textured surface handles mud and wet boots without slipping. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Full-Length Running Board |
| Material | Heavy-Duty Steel |
| Step Width | ~5 inches |
| Finish | Textured Black Powder Coat |
| Coverage | Full rocker panel |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Extremely durable heavy-gauge steel — Full rocker panel coverage — Wide flat step surface — Deep texture grip — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Heavier than most options — Aggressive look may not suit all builds — Confirm P552 fitment
Price: ~$450–$615 depending on cab style
Check Price on Amazon → | GoRhino.com →
#8: Lund 5″ Oval Curved Nerf Bars — Best Mid-Range Nerf
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Mid-Range Nerf
“A gentle curve that follows the F-150’s lower body line for a more integrated appearance.”
Lund’s curved oval bars follow the body contour rather than running in a straight line. Stainless option pairs especially well with chrome trim on Lariat and King Ranch F-150s; black finish suits off-road builds. Large textured step pads, no-drill mounting. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Curved Oval Nerf Bar |
| Tube Size | 5-inch oval |
| Material | Stainless Steel / Steel |
| Finish | Polished SS or Black |
| Install | No-drill bracket mount |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Curved design follows body lines — Polished stainless looks premium — Large textured step pads — No-drill installation
Cons: Polished finish requires regular cleaning — Confirm P552 fitment
Price: ~$250–$375 depending on finish and cab
#9: AMP Research PowerStep Xtreme — Best for Lifted Trucks
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best for Lifted Trucks
“Purpose-built for the extra ride height of a lifted F-150 — drops lower and extends further than the standard PowerStep.”
The PowerStep Xtreme drops lower and extends further outboard than the standard PowerStep, bridging the larger gap between ground and cab floor on a lifted P552 F-150. Same auto-deploy/retract operation, wide aggressively textured step pad. 3-year warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Power Retractable (Lifted) |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Extended Drop | Greater than standard PowerStep |
| Operation | Auto-deploy on door open |
| Best For | 2″–6″ lifted F-150 builds |
| Warranty | 3 Year |
Pros: Purpose-built for lifted F-150s — Auto-deploy/retract — Greater drop and outboard extension — Wide textured step pad — Maintains ground clearance when retracted
Cons: Most expensive option — Professional install — Overkill for stock-height trucks — Confirm P552 bracket fitment
Price: ~$1,100–$1,350 depending on cab style
Check Price on Amazon → | AMPResearch.com →
#10: Ionic Pro Stainless Oval Bars — Best Polished Look
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Polished Look
“Mirror-polished stainless steps that pair beautifully with the chrome accents on a Lariat or King Ranch F-150.”
Ionic Pro’s mirror-polished stainless oval bars are the show-quality option — head-turning finish complementing chrome bumpers on higher F-150 trims. F-150-specific brackets, no-drill installation, textured step pads. Lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Oval Tube Step |
| Tube Size | 5-inch oval |
| Material | Mirror-Polished Stainless |
| Finish | Mirror Polish |
| Install | No-drill bracket mount |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Best polished finish — Pairs perfectly with chrome trim — No-drill installation — Stainless durability — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Requires regular polishing — Shows water spots — Not for off-road or muddy use — Confirm P552 fitment
Price: ~$225–$325 depending on cab style
F-150 Running Board & Side Step Buying Guide
Know Your Cab Configuration
The 2015–2020 F-150 comes in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew. Running board and nerf bar lengths differ significantly between these — always order for your specific cab style. SuperCab boards are shorter than SuperCrew; Regular Cab uses a shorter single-step setup.
The Five Step Styles
Power Retractable — Auto-deploys on door open, retracts on close. Best overall experience for daily use.
Full-Length Running Boards — Wide, flat boards along the full rocker panel length. Best for families and frequent passengers.
Oval Tube Steps (5″) — Most popular style. Good balance of looks, function, and price.
Nerf Bars (3″) — Narrower, more aggressive off-road look.
Curved Nerf Bars — Body-line-following curve for a more integrated look.
Lifted F-150 Considerations
Lifted F-150s (particularly with leveling kits or 4″+ lift systems) create a significantly larger step gap that fixed running boards at stock height don’t adequately address. AMP Research’s PowerStep Xtreme is purpose-built for this. For fixed bars, verify “lifted truck compatible” listings and check step pad height against your specific ride height.
Rocker Panel Protection
The 13th-gen F-150’s aluminum lower body panels are lighter than steel but equally susceptible to road debris and parking lot dings. Full-length running boards like the Go Rhino RB10 offer the most comprehensive rocker panel protection.
Prices are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm P552 (2015–2020) compatibility and cab configuration before ordering. Replace YOURTAG-20 with your Amazon Associates tag. TruckBench earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.
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