Better Roads

than 3/16-inch. So read the product descriptions closely before buying to learn what material and what thickness is used for a particular accessory. "A good manufacturer will use a combination of materials to provide strength where it's needed and to keep its products affordable," says Adam Wiegmann, owner of 4X Innovations (www.4xinnovations.com) in Platteville, Wisconsin. "We use 1/8-inch-thick DOM (drawn-over-mandrel) tubing in places that need strength, because it's manufactured from stronger steel. Hot-rolled electric weld (HREW) tubing is about half the price, but it's not as strong." BED ACCESS STEPS Another type of step to consider are those that allow you to access toolboxes and the bed without straining to reach up and over the bedside. Several companies, including AMP Research and Bestop, have bed steps that attach via flipdown brackets. Such steps are positioned at the front and rear corners of the bed. These are very convenient in both use and function. Most can hold 300-400 pounds, so even the biggest worker around the jobsite can access the bed or toolboxes a little easier. We have found them to be easy to install and one of those add-ons that you couldn't live/ work without. STEPUP TO NERFS Protecting the lower rocker panels (and door bottoms on the newer vehicles) is a big concern for pickup and SUV owners because that's one of the easiest areas to damage – and the most expensive to repair. Running boards, tubular steps, nerf bars and "rock sliders" offer different levels of protection – but only if they are designed PRODUCT SHOWCASE Rugged Ridge Crew A complete line of high-quality and sturdy 3-inch tube steps designed to fit any pickup or SUV are available from Rugged Ridge Off Road. They can be ordered in a black finish or stainless steel. A 4-inch-diameter tube model is available to fit Crew Cabs, as well. These tubular side step bars make it easier to get into a lifted or stock height truck, and are offer all-welded construction for durability. ruggedridgeoffroad.com; (770) 614-6101 Bestop TrekStep Rear-Mount Identical to the Side-Mount product from Bestop (bestop.com), but designed for use beneath the rear bumper, TrekStep RearMount retracting step is spring loaded and tucks up with the tip of your toe for good ground clearance and hands-free operation. Works with the tailgate up or down. bestop.com; (800) 845-3567 Big Country Widesidder With a selection of side step bars ranging in size from 6 to 3 inches and shape from round to oval, with lengths to fit just about any cab length and style truck, Big Country Auto has the contractor covered. The newest products are the 5-inch Widesidder Platinum Side Bars that feature polished stainless steel construction, super-grippy step pads for safer entry and exit, and no-drill installation brackets for most applications. bigcountryauto.com; (866) 444-3818 Owens Products Commercial Board You can choose from a handful of Owens Products' running board styles, but for the rough and tumble workday the Commercial Board Series should be the first choice. These heavy-duty boards are built of .100-thick diamond tread and a 4-inch riser are offered with welded end-caps or bolt-on stone guards and end caps. Custom brackets give these boards superior strength and fast and easy installation. owensproducts.com; (800) 726-9367 correctly. One-piece, wheel-to-wheel rock sliders are your best buy in true nerf bars because they support the entirety of the rocker panel to prevent damage and the vehicle can take an obstacle amidships without damage. Good rocker protectors are made from heavy-duty steel, typically snug-up close to the rocker panel where they take the hit instead of the body. Nerf bars, which sit up to an inch or more away from the vehicle's lower bodywork provide slightly less body protection, but they have the added benefit of being a step if needed. Look for those made from heavy tube and with welded on steps PROPICKUP DIGITAL PP0813PG046-49_Steps Nerf Bars.indd 48 7/12/13 10:24 AM

• Cover
• BETTER Bridges: Big River Bridges Getting Smarter: The four bridges that span the Mississippi River to join Mississippi to Arkansas and Louisiana are getting major Intelligent Technology System upgrades to make them safer and to improve traffic management
• ROADSCIENCE: A Good, Long Life: In Part IV of our series Building Roads that Won't Fail, Tom Kuennen looks at some of the tools that civil engineers can use to design pavements that keep performing as they should over the longest time possible. Such thin
• APPLICATIONS & INNOVATIONS: Managing Winter: It's year-round job, but now is one of the most important periods in making sure your winter months will be safe and productive. FMI's Brian Moore says managers now should be focused on a few key areas that can
• Lattatudes
• Kirk Landers
• Advertiser Index
• Marketplace