The Benefits of Running Boards
Accessorizing your car or truck is one of the best ways to make improvements without the expense of a completely new vehicle. A common addition to most trucks, especially if its height makes it difficult to get into, are running boards. A vehicular running board is a narrow step fitted under the side doors of a tram, car, or truck. The origin of the name running board is not known, but the first running boards predate vehicles and were installed on carriages as early as the 17th century. It helps passengers enter the vehicle and is more common in trucks and vintage cars which have significantly higher ground clearances than today’s vehicles. Although modern cars have been lowered, running boards remain a desired attachment for many large car and truck owners.
In the early 20th century, nearly all automobiles were equipped with running boards. The need for running boards stems from the design of early automobiles. The first cars were designed with narrow, high bodies bolted to the chassis. In addition to this, most roads were unpaved, meaning tall, narrow wheels and tires were needed to power through the ruts, mud, and snow. As such, getting into a car was no easy feat. The addition of running boards significantly diminished the challenges of entry, and could sometimes be wide enough for adults to sit down or even lie down on. The term could also be applied to the walkways atop railway boxcars. Until the adoption of the air brake, running boards were used by brakemen to travel from car to car to apply hand-operated brakes. When hand-operated brakes became obsolete, the running board was still used as an important observation point to pass hand signals to the train engineer when cars were being switched.
Apart from cosmetics, running boards offer three advantages: vehicle protection, ease of entry, and cleanliness. The protection offered by running boards is one of the main reasons people attach them to their vehicles. The addition of running boards can protect your car or truck from being chipped by rocks or other loose debris one might encounter on a road. This is especially beneficial for those who travel on heavily used roads such as freeways, or rural country roads that may not be maintained as well as those in populous urban areas. The use of running boards will ensure that any damage to your door and side panels is kept to a minimum.
Another practical benefit of running boards is the ease of entry they provide. Trucks and larger vehicles are often raised higher than normal cars and can be difficult to access. This can make the seemingly simple process of getting into a vehicle a struggle, especially for older people or very young children. A running board provides a helpful step up, making entry a much more easily-achieved task. The final benefit of running boards is that they can go a long way in keeping the interior of a vehicle clean. Because anyone entering the vehicle must first step up onto the running board, it is likely that some or all of any dirt or mud on your shoes is wiped off before entering, therefore preventing it from transferring from your feet to the carpets.
For running boards of all types and much more, look no further than Aviation Axis, a trusted supplier of parts for a wide range of industries. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we are an online distributor of aircraft parts as well as parts pertaining to the aerospace, civil aviation, defense, electronics, and IT hardware markets. We’re always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7-365. For a quick and competitive quote, call us at 1-714-705-4780 or email us at sales@aviationaxis.com.
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