OZK Customs + Owl Van Side Steps

Whether you call them rock guards, running boards, nerf bars or side steps… the component that gives you easy in-and-out access to your van can be one of the most practical and foundational parts of your conversion van upgrade. While it may seem a simple piece of machining, quality companies like Owl Vans put a lot of careful design into their wildly popular Sprinter Trail Side Steps and Transit Side Steps.

Crafted from Mandrel bent aluminum with a steel tread plate and textured black powder coat, these steps are as rugged as your next adventure. Designed with the off-the-beaten-trail camper van market firmly in mind, Owl Van’s Side Steps offer a lean, tighter step with an industrial, modern aesthetic that will upgrade the looks and functionality of your Sprinter or Transit van.

High and tight is the name of the game for good quality, durable side steps in the adventure van world. Both the Transit and Sprinter steps from Owl Vans are thoughtfully manufactured with a wide front step where it will be the most used, and an attractively tapered side step on the passenger side. This sleek, functional design is optimally sized to help your van navigate narrow, rough terrain without getting hung up on obstacles.

The only difference between the two sets is the driver’s side Sprinter Trail step, where the wide front step cuts down to a single pipe running the length of the van, offering a lower cost (and lower weight)option than some traditional side steps, while still protecting your van’s rocker. The Trail Side Steps can be installed on the standard 144” Sprinter, Revel, and Storyteller van models (with some extra brackets required for the latter). The standard Sprinter Side Steps (the Explorer model) can be ordered for the 144” and 170” lengths, and along with the Ford Transit side steps, offer full steps all the way down the van on both sides.

Owl Vans is one of those manufacturers that puts extra thought into everything they build, and these steps boast several thoughtful design features, such as considering any furry friends you may bring with you! The way these side steps are designed, the grip comes from the textured coating and the pattern, not from points or ridges in the step itself, making them friendly on pet paws (and bare feet!). And more importantly, the steps hug your Transit or Sprinter van without leaving a gap that your pet’s paws can slide into and get caught up. 

Both the Sprinter Trail and Transit Side Steps are also available with an oversized tread plate that also comes with an upturned outer lip, which adds traction and functions as a mud-scraper, a useful double-feature for where you get into and out of your vans the most. And as a final bonus mark for their versatility, these Side Steps include the Owl Vans’ signature laser-cut Sherpa hole pattern, making your steps one more place you can mount additional gear. (Trust us, on a long van adventure, every bit of space counts.) These are some of our favorite side steps for a reason.