Fit & test functional running board steps on a VW T5 camper

In this video I install a pair of Sherwood Runningboard type side steps from Vanstyle on my SWB 2014 VW T5.1
They are primarily to improve access, but also keep the sides of the van cleaner and look really good.
I also think they are a bit of a bargain.
This video is in no way sponsored and i purchased these at full price directly from Vanstyle.
Here is a link to the same items if you are interested.
If you make a purchase, be sure to let them know where you saw them. (Maybe i will get an easter egg😉👍)
www.vanstyle.c...
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[@petersiklosi1966]

Hi John, I noticed that the two sidesteps are not perfectly identical, rather they are the mirror images of each other. The black diagonal stripes are more numerous in one direction than the other. Watching your video I guess you could have put the two sidesteps up the other way round. In that case the centre black trapezoids would correspond better to the point where the back end of the front door and the front end of the back door meet, thus giving a better visual effect. A small thing, not even sure it would work, but thought I would mention it anyway. Best, Peter

[@UdoIBress]

ok... looks good and is functional. 👍

[@vdubster]

I’ve got AT tyres and a suspension lift. My wife and kids hate me now 😂. Needless to say steps are on my to do list.

[@ToTheGarage]

Very happy with mine after plenty of vigorous use. And i like the look

[@leonjazmine3399]

Hi im looking for a set of steps so its easier for the kids to get in and out What have these been like after being used ??

[@ToTheGarage]

No issues at all and I'm no featherweight. I'd be lying if I said they don't move at all when you step on them. (probably about 5mm) but that's the flex in the van's underbody sheet steel. The steps and the brackets have no flex in them at all.

[@liamhockey9189]

Thanks for video just used to assist in doing the job , should just send a link 2 this video instead of instructions

[@ToTheGarage]

Ha Ha. Tell them that Liam. I might get some discount next time😁. Thanks for watching pal.

[@stko4157]

Good morning, great job yesterday we installed the steps based on your video, well shown, thank you. I just have a question about installing the hand grip at the door, how to install it, did you drill into metal or plastic? Please let me know, thank you.

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi. Glad to hear that the video helped. If you mean the handle on the A pillar in the cab, it was standard on the Highline specified vehicles. There are threaded mounting holes on the metal work behind the plastic trim. I dont know if the holes are there on all vans and they just add the handles and trim pieces with holes in on the highline.

[@dexterx9862]

Nice

[@fortythree8911]

Useful video thanks! One question - are they robust enough with stepping in and out after a few months use? Reason I ask is after reading some poor feedback on steps, and brackets flexing and bending. (I saw some flexing on them at around 17:50)

[@ToTheGarage]

No problem at all👍They do move slightly as you have spotted but that is the Floor pan of the the van flexing slightly rather than step or bracket bending. The effective pivot point of the step is under the sill, so if you get 1 mm of movement in the floor pan as the steps load up, then that will look like 3mm at the outer edge of the step. There is also the movement in the vans suspension which tends to make it look worse than it really is. I dont think you will find any solutions except tombar mounted rear steps that dont flex at all. But I would happily invite a 20 stone gent to have a bounce on mine. (🤔 sounds wrong😁). Some step kits have only got one mounting point to the van on each bracket. These are worse than useless and should only be used for cosmetic steps /sidebars etc. Also the steel thickness used by different manufacturers for their brackets varies wildly, so beware. Thanks for watching @fortythree8911

[@justice4g]

Nice, I was close to ordering a much less stylish but auto sliding one through alibaba for my Elgrand a while back, it was pretty cheap but freight was crazy at the time, might have to revisit it now. Was fuel economy the main reason for the switch to the VW or was it other things like engine access?

[@ToTheGarage]

Purely fuel consumption. Also fuel prices were at their highest ever in the UK while i had the Elgrand. Dont get me wrong. I am certainly a VW van fan. But the T5 is not such a nice, comfortable or entertaining drive as the Elgrand. But they are pretty good as comercial based vehicles go, and i decided to plump for a pre converted camper to help keep my work accomodation costs in check.