Qualities to Look for in a Side Step

There are two primary reasons that truck owners decide to install a lift kit on their favorite pickup: looks and functionality. Most lifted truck owners love how their truck looks with the kit. It can make a pickup stand out in a crowd, and it gives drivers an unparalleled view of the road. Other truck owners need the extra few inches of ground clearance that a lift kit provides. If you routinely drive off-road, for either work or recreation, a little bit of extra ground clearance is never a bad thing.
Once a lift kit is installed, the next issue to address is the practical challenge of getting into and out of the vehicle. Those extra 3 or 4 inches may not sound like much until you start to realize what it takes to get seated behind the wheel day after day.
The solution to the problem is simple: side-entry steps. However, no two steps are made alike. The team at Spyder Industries is well-versed in manufacturing truck accessories. Here are some tips on what to look for when selecting a side-entry step.
Ideal Step Drop Height

A side step with minimal drop height is about as useful as a screen door on the bottom of a boat—it technically fills the need but is of absolutely no practical use. Ideally, you want at least 4 inches of drop on your step, which is enough to offset or exceed the height of most lifted trucks. The rationale is straightforward. Many truck manufacturers have been in business for more than 100 years now. They know the amount of standard ground clearance pickups need. A low step for a lifted truck makes entry and egress as natural as can be expected.
A Stable Platform
A step is only useful when you don’t have to think about it. If you have steps in your home, odds are you could walk up and down them blindfolded. Safety and common sense say that’s not a good idea, but the point is you know and trust the steps well enough to theoretically do so. Conversely, your first instinct when ascending a new set of stairs for the first time is to grab the handrail.
Spyder Industries side steps are built with 5 inches of depth, which is enough support for drivers with the biggest feet. Get into the cab by planting the ball of your foot squarely in the middle of the wide step. Exit by finding the step with your heel. The wide platform not only accommodates big feet, but also the big boots that protect them.
Surface Area: Less Is More
The holes in side steps for lifted trucks have nothing to do with aerodynamics. They have everything to do with your safety. Shoes and boots tend to pick up and carry the mud, slush, dirt, and debris that you must walk through on a daily basis. The holes in your side step make sure that it doesn’t get as slick as the parking lot you just crossed. Plus, the holes offer extra traction and are designed to grip the aggressive treads found on most boots.
Spyder Industries makes some of the best side steps for lifted trucks. Established in 2009, Spyder Industries prides itself on making quality truck accessories right here in the USA. Contact us today to learn more!