Windsurfer413

I will have my 2012 GL 350 in a few days. Does anyone know how much weight the running boards can handle? The salesman didn't know. I weigh 200 lbs and stepped on them in the dealership. They did not feel very sturdy.

ddcha

I doubt you need to worry about that.

43221B

Agree, they are sturdy. You have nothing to worry about.

ddcha

another story if you're 350 pounds.

rickgi

Unless you're a "little person", the only practical use of the running boards is for roof access. I took mine off the first week, my pants remain cleaner, and, imho, it looks lots better.

Rick

DBV

We love the running boards and never had the pant leg dirty problem that we have read that other people have had. I think the GL looks much better with them.

MrPrometheus

I'll buy em off you if you want to sell them. I've got little kids who need a running board to get in and out of the car easier.

aggst1

I weigh 220 lbs and step on them every day. Never felt they are not sturdy. I agree with the above comment about getting your pants dirty. I usually step on it on the way out of the car so my pant doesn't touch it, especially during winter with salt etc

IMO the running boards make the vehicle look much nicer.

Windsurfer413

Thanks for the help everyone. I will see how the "dirty pant leg" issue works out. On the one hand, I am in my suit at work but OTOH also nice to have the boards to access my windsurfing equipment on the roof.

bosgl

Although they may feel flimsy, my brother and I will step on the same running board to put kayaks on the roof, and our collective weight is probably close to 400 lbs plus the weight of the kayak or canoe. No problems with any bending or anything like that.

GLsports

I'm 185 lbs and never once felt the boards flex or were not sturdy. Mine are really tough and feel tank like.
I'm also 'pro' the running boards as they're great for my kids to get in and any elderly passengers.
More than that I wash the GL with a bucket and sponge so can't imagine trying to reach over the roof without the running boards. Unless you have 5 foot long arms or use an extendible brush you'll have to open a door and stand on the door sill while you wash the roof - and then water drops in the car.......

Yeah to running boards!

MrPrometheus

I'm looking to buy some running boards and the cheapest OEM boards i can find are 1050 on formymercedes.com. Anyone know of any place cheaper? Has anyone tried the aftermarket brands that look exactly like the OEM's? If so, how is the build quality?

Max Blast

They sit on an extruded aluminum horizontal d-profile that is secured to the rocker panels by nuts and studs. You will not do any damage by standing on them. It's a very sturdy cantilever construction that the tread locked surface lies flat upon. It's easy to bend them by smacking into rocks; however, I do not recommend that method.

Windsurfer413

OK. I have had my new GL with the running boards since Monday. I love the look. While I don't mind them, my wife hates them. They do make it difficult to get out of the car as she has to step out farther with her leg, rather than step down. I am 6'4" so no problem for me.

aggst1

I hear you. My wife finds it easier to step on the board rather than stepping over it.