What's normal runningboard wear?

[GA_Rivian]

I bought some of these runningboards from evbase a bit over two years ago aftrer we took delivery of our R1T. They've worked ok and haven't been abused, but we travel gravel and muddy roads on a regular basis (7 mi of a 65 mi trip regularly). I've noticed them rusting and the black finish worn off down to bare metal where I step in and out of the cab. Is this expected / normal wear? They only have a 1 year warranty so we're well past that. I sent an inquiry to evbase and haven't heard back.

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[godfodder0901]

I bought some of these runningboards from evbase a bit over two years ago aftrer we took delivery of our R1T. They've worked ok and haven't been abused, but we travel gravel and muddy roads on a regular basis (7 mi of a 65 mi trip regularly). I've noticed them rusting and the black finish worn off down to bare metal where I step in and out of the cab. Is this expected / normal wear? They only have a 1 year warranty so we're well past that. I sent an inquiry to evbase and haven't heard back.

Par for the course for @EVBASE. Try @EV Sportline next time.

 

[Thedude]

Pretty normal for any brand on any vehicle. You’re sandblasting them every time you drive on anything but the cleanest asphalt and grinding them with anything in the soles of your shoes every time you step on them.

 

[godfodder0901]

Pretty normal for any brand on any vehicle. You’re sandblasting them every time you drive on anything but the cleanest asphalt and grinding them with anything in the soles of your shoes every time you step on them.

Then why is there no issue with the rest of the vehicle? Driving down a dirt road is not sandblasting.

 

[Thedude]

Then why is there no issue with the rest of the vehicle? Driving down a dirt road is not sandblasting.

Driving down a dirt road is sandblasting. What do you think comes off your tires when they’re rolling over loose terrain? Most vehicles have little mud flaps to help protect the rocker panels and most rocker panels are painted with a thicker, more durable paint coating as compared to the rest of the vehicle.

 

[godfodder0901]

Driving down a dirt road is sandblasting. What do you think comes off your tires when they’re rolling over loose terrain? Most vehicles have little mud flaps to help protect the rocker panels and most rocker panels are painted with a thicker, more durable paint coating as compared to the rest of the vehicle.

No way. If that were the case, there would be significant wear on every vehicle that drives on dirt roads. I drive on dirt roads daily and have for years. There is no detectable wear from this whatsoever.

 

[Thedude]

No way. If that were the case, there would be significant wear on every vehicle that drives on dirt roads. I drive on dirt roads daily and have for years. There is no detectable wear from this whatsoever.

I guess you're just somehow lucky. There is visible wear on every vehicle I’ve ever owned that’s driven frequently on dirt and gravel roads. Every brand of side step I’ve used to include custom made rock sliders all exhibit wear from road debris and gravel kicked up by tires. Even with mud flaps you will still hear gravel ping off the bottoms of your sliders/steps.

 

[Time2Roll]

Mine are Goat Fabrication and look fine with 8 months of pavement use.
If they have the same fate I will be looking for stainless.

 

[jnc007]

I bought some of these runningboards from evbase a bit over two years ago aftrer we took delivery of our R1T. They've worked ok and haven't been abused, but we travel gravel and muddy roads on a regular basis (7 mi of a 65 mi trip regularly). I've noticed them rusting and the black finish worn off down to bare metal where I step in and out of the cab. Is this expected / normal wear? They only have a 1 year warranty so we're well past that. I sent an inquiry to evbase and haven't heard back.

I am traveling so i can’t be more specific. I had the same thing within a year (?) 18 months with either evbase or sportline. I reached out to them and provided photos. They sent me almost replacement parts for the whole thing. Doesn’t hurt to ask

 

[SwampNut]

Pretty normal for any brand on any vehicle. You’re sandblasting them every time you drive on anything but the cleanest asphalt and grinding them with anything in the soles of your shoes every time you step on them.

Lol, no. I’ve had GOAT sliders on three vehicles for over 15 years with a lot of off road usage and no such issues. I’ve had no good experiences with Evbase.

 

[slillie]

I bought these 1-1/2 years ago. They still look brand new...but I don't do a lot of off-roading. I did a lot of research and these were the best bang for the buck in my opinion. They are stainless steel black, single welded piece. No screwing separate plate to the main frame of the running board.

https://www.realwheelsev.com/produc...s-steel-side-steps-black-powder-coated-finish

 

[fastwheels]

Par for the course for @EVBASE. Try @EV Sportline next time.

I will second the recommendation for EVSportline. I got a set of their first batch for my R1T, and they are showing little if any signs of wear - and they get salt spray all winter.

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