Quick answer: The best aftermarket running boards for your truck or SUV are a matched system of boards, vehicle-specific mounts and the hardware required by the instructions. Check the exact SKU before buying: some listings include the mounting kit, while others sell the boards and brackets separately. Comparing those listings as if they contain the same parts can lead to an incomplete order.
For 2026, this guide compares four brands through that practical buying question: SNAILFLY, Westin, ARIES and AMP Research. The examples illustrate different ordering systems, rather than a tested performance ranking. Product information was checked on October 26, 2026. They do not all fit the same vehicles, and the listed contents should not be applied to every product from a brand.
Aftermarket running-board brands: what are you buying?
| Brand and example | Verified listing scope | What the buyer should check |
|---|---|---|
| SNAILFLY Explorer running boards | The 2020–2026 Explorer product describes included brackets and mounting hardware; the current product title also identifies mud flaps. | Match the vehicle and confirm the contents of this exact kit, including the mud-flap arrangement. |
| Westin Sure-Grip 27-6125 | The black running-board pair is listed with the mount kit sold separately. | Find the required vehicle-specific mount kit before comparing the complete purchase with another offer. |
| ARIES AeroTread 2061040 | This Explorer kit identifies boards 2051973 and mounting brackets 2051140 as its components. | Distinguish the complete-kit number from the individual board and bracket numbers. |
| AMP Research PowerStep | The series page describes a vehicle-specific installation kit with bracketry, hardware, wiring and motors. | Choose the exact application and review its electrical connections and installation instructions. |
These examples were selected because their published information makes a meaningful package distinction visible. A separately sold mounting kit is a catalog choice, not evidence that a product is inferior. The important question is whether your final order contains the correct combination for your vehicle.
SNAILFLY: a vehicle-specific fixed-board kit
The verified SNAILFLY Explorer product lists 2020–2026 fitment, aluminum construction, included brackets and mounting hardware, and installation at existing mounting points without drilling. It is a fixed-board option for buyers who want a continuously available step beneath the doors.
Begin with that application rather than selecting a board by approximate length. Confirm your trim and existing lower-body equipment, then check the supplied parts list and instructions. A no-drill description does not answer every question about access, cover preparation or alignment. Ask SNAILFLY Support for clarification before ordering if the configuration is unclear.
For another SUV or pickup, use the current SNAILFLY running-board collection. The Explorer kit does not establish fitment, included parts or installation requirements for another SNAILFLY application.
Westin: include the separate mount kit in your order
The Sure-Grip 27-6125 page lists a 72-inch black aluminum board pair and expressly states that the mount kit is sold separately. It also identifies an optional light kit. Board length and appearance therefore describe only part of the purchase.
Use the Westin application chart to identify the required mount kit for your exact vehicle. A board that appears in several applications can still need different brackets for each one. Do not choose the mounting kit by how similar the rocker panels look.
This ordering route can be straightforward once both part numbers are confirmed. Before paying, ask the seller to show the board number and mounting-kit number as separate line items. Keep optional lighting separate from the components needed to install the boards.
ARIES: a worked example of kit and component numbers
ARIES provides a useful example for shoppers comparing similar-looking listings. Its AeroTread 2061040 page lists 2020–2026 Ford Explorer applications and identifies the two components included in that kit:
- 2061040: the identified Explorer running-board kit.
- 2051973: the 73-inch black running-board pair, with mounting brackets sold separately.
- 2051140: the matching bracket-and-hardware listing, with the boards sold separately.
A listing for 2051973 alone is consequently different from a listing for 2061040. Check the seller's actual package description even when the hero photographs look alike. If the confirmed bundle already includes both components, adding the same bracket kit again could duplicate the order.
This is an ARIES catalog relationship for the stated example. It does not make those brackets interchangeable with the SNAILFLY Explorer kit, another AeroTread application or factory running boards.
AMP Research: a complete powered system still needs application checks
The PowerStep series page describes an included vehicle-specific mounting kit together with wiring and motors. It recommends professional installation and notes that drilling is required for selected applications. “Complete kit” therefore describes the supplied system; it does not mean every vehicle has the same installation process.
For a powered-board quote, identify the exact kit number and matching instructions before booking a shop. Confirm the specified connection method and any factory-equipment removal or preparation. Avoid assuming that a series-level feature or a different vehicle's installation video applies to your truck.
A powered system belongs on your shortlist when deployment and retraction are features you want. A fixed board can be a suitable choice when a permanently available step meets the access need. The contents check comes after that basic design decision.
Three checks that prevent an incomplete running-board order
1. Match the application before the board length
Write down the model year, make, model, trim and cab or door configuration. Include factory rocker accessories or other equipment relevant to the installation. For pickups, SuperCrew, SuperCab, Crew Cab and other body labels are not interchangeable. For SUVs, confirm the vehicle generation instead of relying on the model name alone.
2. Read the notes beneath the headline
Look for whether the offer is a pair of boards, a vehicle kit, brackets only or a replacement component. Then compare the package contents with the installation parts list. A generic product photo can illustrate the finished system without proving that every pictured component is included.
3. Compare complete offers
For each seller, record the board SKU, mount-kit SKU when required, included hardware, required additional items and installation quote. Compare the assembled purchase with another assembled purchase. A lower board-only price is not yet a lower complete-system price.
Before installation, lay out the received parts against the instructions. Resolve missing or mismatched items with the seller rather than improvising mounting hardware or combining unrelated kits. Use the specified fasteners, mounting locations and tightening instructions for the product you actually received.
Which brand belongs on your shortlist?
- For a vehicle-specific fixed kit: consider an applicable SNAILFLY product and confirm its listed contents.
- For a board-and-mount ordering system: consider Westin Sure-Grip after identifying both required part numbers.
- For explicit kit/component cross-references: use the ARIES product notes to distinguish the complete bundle from its separately listed pieces.
- For powered deployment: consider an application-matched AMP Research PowerStep and review the mechanical and electrical work together.
For a broader brand overview, see the running-board brand guide. For step shape and passenger access, use the SUV running-board buying guide. The purchase check here is narrower: confirm exactly which components the chosen listing supplies.
Frequently asked questions
Do aftermarket running boards include mounting brackets?
Some do, while others require a separate mounting kit. Use the exact SKU's contents and notes. The SNAILFLY Explorer and ARIES complete-kit examples differ from the Westin board-pair listing described above.
Can I reuse factory brackets with aftermarket running boards?
Do not assume that you can. Use only the combination specified for the new boards and vehicle. Similar length or bolt spacing does not establish an approved match.
Does a universal board fit every truck or SUV?
No. A board offered in standard lengths can still depend on vehicle-specific brackets. Confirm both the board and mounting application before ordering.
Does a complete kit guarantee no drilling?
No. Package completeness and installation method are different questions. Check the instructions for your exact vehicle and kit, including any drilling, trimming, wiring or factory-part removal.
Brand and product names identify the examples compared. SNAILFLY is an aftermarket brand; this article does not imply affiliation with the other manufacturers.