Raptor Series Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many step pads are on nerf bars/oval tubes for my truck or SUV?

Generally there will be 1 step pad for each door.

• Standard Cab Trucks - 1 step pad per bar
• Extended Cab 2 Door Trucks – 1 step pad per bar
• Extended Cab 3 Door Trucks – 2 step pads per bar (both driver and passenger sides have 2 pads)
• Quad and Crew 4 Door Trucks – 2 step pads per bar
• Wheel-to-Wheel Quad and Crew 4 Door Trucks – 3 steps per bar (3rd pad is for rear bed access)

In most cases SUV nerf bars/oval tubes will have 2 step pads per bar.
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2. Your step pads look like a “saddle” on the tube. Other companies have a “recessed” style pad. What is the difference?

In addition to providing 15% more step surface than the competition, our Raptor Series step pads are less likely to fail and pop off the step tube. This is because on a “recessed” style pad water can collect and pool under the step pad. In the winter months this pool of water freezes and expands causing the “recessed” step pad to lift and pop off the step bar. Since our “saddle” style pads follow the contour of the bar, no water can collect or get between the pad and the tube. This will help ensure you have a solid non slip step pad on your tube for many years.

Raptor Series Saddle Style Step Pad

Competitors Recessed Step Pad

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3. Are the step pads covered under the warranty?

Yes! We stand behind our products and include the step pads under our lifetime warranty. No other manufacturer can offer that! Just call us with your proof of purchase and we will send you a replacement pad free of charge (no shipping included).
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4. What are the step pads made of?

All of our step pads are made of a black impact resistant ABS hard plastic. They are designed to provide a rugged non slip surface and covered under our lifetime warranty!
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5. What is the difference between cab length and wheel-to-wheel side steps?

Cab length side steps, the most common size, run the length of your truck or SUV's doors. Cab length steps have one or two step pads per side. Wheel-to-wheel models extend back to the rear wheel well, with an extra step for easy truck bed access. Wheel-to-wheel steps have 3 step pads per side.
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6. How much weight can these nerf bars and oval tubes support?

Raptor Series side step nerf bars and oval tubes can support approximately up to 500lbs. of weight at a time. Thanks to our high quality steel strength and factory mounting brackets, our products derive some of their holding capacity by mounting to the frame.
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7. Are these products DIY or Do-It-Yourself friendly?

Absolutely, they are very simple to install and only require basic hand tools. A typical installation can be completed in less than an hour. If you ever require assistance on an installation, our technical support team is available at 877-769-3765.
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8. Does the installation require drilling?

Not on most applications, however, the older Dodge (98-01support brace only) and Ford Explorer (02-05 if replacing factory step boards) do require drilling.
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9. Are all the brackets, nuts and bolts included in the kit?

Yes. Every set of our Professional Grade nerf bars, oval tubes, bull bars, and bed rails include powder coated brackets, all hardware, and detailed instructions.
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10. Are your side bar and oval tube brackets made of Stainless Steel?

No. Our brackets are not made of stainless steel. It is the same reason why GM, Ford and Chrysler don’t make stainless steel car and truck frames. It is simply not necessary. All this does is just increase the cost of the overall product. Our brackets are made with ¼ inch thick carbon steel and then powder coated. In the rare case that a bracket broke because of rust, we would ship you a replacement bracket for free! They are covered under our lifetime warranty!
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11. Will installing nerf bars or oval tubes void my vehicle's rust warranty?

Almost all of Raptor Series side steps and oval tubes bolt on to factory mounting points. These mounting points are the automakers approved place for attaching their own factory side steps. They will not void your vehicle's rust warranty.
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12. Does it require special care to maintain the finish on Stainless Steel?

No. They can be cleaned with mild soap and water and are safe to run through automatic car washes. We suggest a coat of wax on our products every time you wax your vehicle.
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13. What is the difference between Chrome and Stainless products?

Raptor Series products are made out of a 304 series stainless steel. They are polished to a mirror like finish with our 5 stage polishing process. Chrome nerf bars are dipped into a chemical bath hopefully without impurities and then dried. Stainless steel does not peel, ever. Many customers think our products are chrome because of the high lustrous shine!
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14. What type of Stainless Steel is do you use?

We use T-304 which has the highest chromium and nickel content of any stainless steel making it the most corrosion-resistant material in the industry. Be careful! Many other brands may use cheaper, different grades of stainless claiming that it will last the life of your vehicle. But in many cases these bars will start to rust only after 8 or 9 short months.
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15. Are you Black Products E-coated or Power Coated?

Which is better? Raptor Series black products are E-coated. On a Good-Better-Best quality scale, Paint is Good, Power Coated is Better and E-Coat is the Best. E-coat is an electrically charged coating like that of powder coating. The improvement is that E-coat is double-dipped for long lasting durability. The tube is first dipped in a pre-treatment Zinc Phosphate cleaner, then an electro coat bath. This removes far more impurities and encapsulates the tube in a phosphate/E-coat finish. The tube is baked in an oven that hardens and cures the protective E-coat finish. The result is a shiny black step tube that can withstand the elements for up to 10 years!
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16. Will your oval tube interfere or hit the factory or aftermarket mud flaps?

Raptor Series 4 inch and 5 inch oval tubes are designed to fit your vehicle providing a step surface while not interfering with other products, especially mud flaps.  Each application is custom designed to fit each vehicle so that factory or aftermarket mud flaps can be installed.
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17. How is the end cap attached to your oval tubes and what is it made of?

The stainless steel 4 inch and 5 inch Magnum oval tubes have a stainless steel end cap.  This end cap is tig welded and ground to a smooth finish.  It is then polished using our “Super Brite” technology so the end result is a beautiful solid tube of stainless steel.  Since E-coat technology will not hold to tig welds, we cannot duplicate this with black products as we do with stainless steel products.  On the black E-coat oval tubes we use a hard impact resistant ABS plastic cap.  This is attached by using a high industrial grade super glue like substance so it will never come off.  Most competitors and OEM use only one small screw to hold this black cap in place.  
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