| Nerf bars may not ring a bell with you as a truck | | | | Generally, sports bars extend from just behind the |
| owner, but chances are that you are familiar with | | | | front wheel well to just behind the door on both the |
| them, at least visually. These are the chrome or | | | | driver or passenger sides (some are only on the |
| painted metal accessories that are used below the | | | | driver side). These devices are very good at |
| driver and passenger door on some trucks to give | | | | protecting the vehicle from rocks and helping drivers |
| better access to the cab by acting as a step up. | | | | and passengers enter and exit the vehicle. Usually, |
| Sometimes they are mistakenly referred to as side | | | | sports bars will have a combination of urethane step |
| steps, though those are completely different in looks | | | | pads installed as foot pads to help with grip when |
| and function in these truck accessories. | | | | getting in and out. |
| Nerf bars actually got their start on the racetrack, | | | | Wheel to Wheel |
| being fitted to single seat racecars for use in passing | | | | Wheel to wheel nerf bars extend from just behind |
| maneuvers. A "nerf" is technically a slight bump, or | | | | the front wheel well to just before the rear wheel |
| nudge, used to facilitate a pass on an asphalt oval | | | | well. Unlike sports bars, these are rarely installed as |
| racing track. While that may have been their origins, | | | | single item. The main purpose for this type of nerf |
| they have come a long way since then. They are | | | | bar is to allow easier access to the bed of the truck, |
| now fitted to many different vehicles (typically | | | | as well as to help driver and passenger enter and |
| trucks and SUVs) for aid in getting in and out of the | | | | exit the vehicle. These will have a combination of |
| cab of the vehicle. They also play a role in protecting | | | | urethane inserts for foot pads, usually one or two |
| rocker panels and the bottom of doors when a | | | | near the door and a single large on at the bed of the |
| vehicle is taken off road. | | | | truck, though some will have a pair (or even 3) at |
| Typically available in three different materials or | | | | the rear of the bar. |
| finishes: chrome, powder coated steel and stainless | | | | Nerf bars are not just a good idea for help getting |
| steel, these color differences are almost completely | | | | into the truck; they can make your truck more |
| cosmetic and lack the required functionality that | | | | unique, as well. They offer a rugged appearance that |
| heavy duty truck owners demand of their | | | | many consumers find desirable for their trucks. |
| accessories. There are two types of nerf bars | | | | Whether you own a domestic vehicle like a Chevy, |
| popular with today's truck owners: | | | | Ford or Dodge or an import truck like a Toyota or |
| Sports Bars | | | | Nissan, you can find several different styles of nerf |
| These nerf bars are the traditional short version. | | | | bar that will fit your needs. |