Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a vehicle roof rack component and a vehicle ladder. The vehicle body has a roof body part and a side body part. The side body part defines a wheel well of the vehicle. The vehicle roof rack component is installed to the roof body part. The ladder is detachably installed to the vehicle body. The ladder extends from the roof body part and over the side body part to the wheel well.

Abstract: A ladder assembly is disclosed that is configured for use with a vehicle. The ladder assembly includes a case and a ladder defining a longitudinal axis. The case include at least one engagement member that is configured for releasable engagement with the vehicle such that the ladder assembly is removably connectable thereto. The ladder is reconfigurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and is pivotably connected to the case to allow for adjustment in an angular orientation of the ladder. In certain embodiments, the ladder assembly may further include one or more locking mechanisms that are configured to fix the angular orientation and/or the vertical position of the ladder.

Abstract: Running boards for vehicles are disclosed that each include a rail with one or more steps. The step(s) are releasably connectable to (supported by) the rail (e.g., via a plurality of removable mechanical fasteners) to allow for removal of the step(s) when additional ground clearance is necessary and/or desirable, such as, for example, during off-road use of the vehicle. The rail of each running board is connectable to an underside of the vehicle (e.g., via brackets) such that the rails are positioned to absorb impact from external objects, such as, for example, rocks, boulders, stumps, etc., traversed during travel across uneven ground, and thereby protect the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the rails may include internal supports (e.g., stiffening ribs) to increase the strength and/or the rigidity of the rail, and, thus, increase the protection to the vehicle provided by the running boards.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a ladder. The vehicle body has a roof panel body structure and an underside body structure. The ladder has a first end and a second end. The first end is mounted to the roof panel body structure. The second end is mounted to the underside body structure so that the ladder is mounted to the vehicle's roof surface and to an underside surface of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a vehicle roof rack component and a vehicle ladder. The vehicle body has a roof body part and a side body part. The side body part defines a wheel well of the vehicle. The vehicle roof rack component is installed to the roof body part. The ladder is detachably installed to the vehicle body. The ladder extends from the roof body part and over the side body part to the wheel well.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a tailgate, a ladder and a counterweight. The tailgate is movably attached to the vehicle body. The ladder is attached to the tailgate at a first lateral side of the tailgate. The counterweight provided to the tailgate at a second lateral side of the tailgate. The second lateral side is opposite of the first lateral side to provide a counterbalance to a weight of the ladder.

Abstract: A running board for a vehicle is disclosed that includes: a body; a plurality of retainers that are connected to the body so as to collectively define a receiving space; and an insert that is configured for insertion into the receiving space. The body of the running board includes: a deck; an outer flange that extends downwardly from the deck; and an inner flange that extends downwardly from the deck in generally parallel relation to the outer flange. The outer flange includes at least one opening forming a decorative element, and the insert is configured for engagement with the plurality of retainers to thereby secure the insert in generally parallel relation to the outer flange adjacent to the decorative element.

Abstract: A vehicle step mounting assembly includes a vehicle frame member, a first mounting bracket and a retractable step assembly. The first mounting bracket is attached to the vehicle frame member, with the first mounting bracket being cantilevered from the vehicle frame member in an outboard direction. The retractable step assembly has a second mounting bracket and at least one step retraction link attached to an underside of the second mounting bracket. An upper side of the second mounting bracket is attached to the first mounting bracket.

Abstract: Running boards for vehicles are disclosed that each include a rail with one or more steps. The step(s) are releasably connectable to (supported by) the rail (e.g., via a plurality of removable mechanical fasteners) to allow for removal of the step(s) when additional ground clearance is necessary and/or desirable, such as, for example, during off-road use of the vehicle. The rail of each running board is connectable to an underside of the vehicle (e.g., via brackets) such that the rails are positioned to absorb impact from external objects, such as, for example, rocks, boulders, stumps, etc., traversed during travel across uneven ground, and thereby protect the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the rails may include internal supports (e.g., stiffening ribs) to increase the strength and/or the rigidity of the rail, and, thus, increase the protection to the vehicle provided by the running boards.

Abstract: A vehicle step mounting assembly includes a vehicle frame member, a first mounting bracket and a retractable step assembly. The first mounting bracket is attached to the vehicle frame member, with the first mounting bracket being cantilevered from the vehicle frame member in an outboard direction. The retractable step assembly has a second mounting bracket and at least one step retraction link attached to an underside of the second mounting bracket. An upper side of the second mounting bracket is attached to the first mounting bracket.

Abstract: A running board for a vehicle is disclosed that includes: a body; a plurality of retainers that are connected to the body so as to collectively define a receiving space; and an insert that is configured for insertion into the receiving space. The body of the running board includes: a deck; an outer flange that extends downwardly from the deck; and an inner flange that extends downwardly from the deck in generally parallel relation to the outer flange. The outer flange includes at least one opening forming a decorative element, and the insert is configured for engagement with the plurality of retainers to thereby secure the insert in generally parallel relation to the outer flange adjacent to the decorative element.