SV Sprinter Van Side Steps, driver and passenger aluminum running boards in textured black powder coat

SV aluminum side steps installed on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van

Sandy Vans Sprinter side steps with a wide, dog-friendly solid step pad

SV Sprinter running boards mounted flush to the van pinch weld

Black aluminum SV side step on a Mercedes Sprinter for easy entry and exit

Detail of the SV Sprinter side step textured black powder-coat finish

SV side steps fitted to a high-roof Mercedes Sprinter, 144, 170 and 170 EXT

Sandy Vans Sprinter side steps in rust-free 3/16 inch aluminum plate

SV Sprinter running boards shown at the sliding door entry

SV Sprinter Van Side Steps for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500

SV Sprinter side step pad, safe footing for dogs and gear

Mercedes Sprinter van with SV side steps parked in the desert at Joshua Tree

SV aluminum side steps on a Mercedes Sprinter, coastal rust-free finish

Sandy Vans Mercedes Sprinter build with SV side steps out on the road

SV Sprinter Van Side Steps, black powder-coated aluminum product view

SV Sprinter side steps, compatible with the SV Side Ladder

Sandy Vans

SV Sprinter Van Side Steps

Name: SV Sprinter Van Side Steps
Brand: Sandy Vans
Price: 1499.0 USD
Rating: 5.00 (1 reviews)

$1,499.00

Product variants

Your shoulders will thank you. Climbing in and out of a high-roof Sprinter fifty times a day is one of those things you don't notice until it starts to wear on you. The SV Side Steps fix that: a wide, solid aluminum step that sits flush to the van and just works, every time you step up.

Built from 3/16" aluminum so they never rust, wide enough that your dog actually trusts them, and drilled with built-in accessory ports you'll wonder how you lived without. This is the step we wished existed, so we made it.

Fits: 2007+ Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 & 3500 (144" · 170" · 170" EXT, High Roof)
Not compatible with: Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes-Benz E-Sprinter

✔ 3/16" aluminum plate, zero rust, coastal-ready
✔ 6.5" wide step pad, solid surface, safe for dog paws
✔ Built-in 2" accessory ports for water fill, air inlet, or power passthrough
✔ Flush pinch-weld fit for a clean, low-profile look
✔ Step heights: ~13.5" ground to pad, ~10" pad to slider entry
✔ Compatible with SV Side Ladder and most 3rd-party side ladders
✔ Professional install available at Sandy Vans HQ, San Diego, free with purchase
✔ FREE shipping

Pickup available at Sandy Vans HQ

Usually ready in 2-4 days

See it on your van. Add the SV Sprinter Van Side Steps to your build in our 3D Van Builder and preview it on a real Sprinter before you buy.

Product Details

Getting into a high-roof Sprinter without steps is fine when you are fresh. Grab the door frame, hoist, done. Do that thirty times over a weekend and your shoulders will let you know. Side steps are not a luxury; they are what makes living out of a tall van practical every day.

We saw a lot of setups come through the shop with bolt-on tube steps from truck accessory catalogs. They technically fit the pinch weld, but the geometry is wrong for a Sprinter: too far forward, or hanging low enough to catch trail lips and parking curbs. We got tired of recommending better options that did not exist, so we built our own.

The result is a step that disappears into the van's silhouette when you are rolling and does exactly what a step should when you stop. No wobble, no creak. If it fits your van, it works. And if you are not sure it fits, email us before you order. We would rather answer your question than process a return.

Fitment & Compatibility

Fits: 2007+ Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 & 3500 — NCV3 (2007–2018) · VS30 (2019+) — 144" · 170" · 170" EXT — High Roof only

Drivetrains: RWD · 4x4 · AWD — all Sprinter drivetrains

Not compatible with: Ford Transit · Ram ProMaster · Mercedes-Benz E-Sprinter

Also fits these Sprinter-platform RV & upfitter builds:

Winnebago Revel
Storyteller Overland (MODE, Beast Mode)
Outside Van
Airstream Interstate & Atlas
Grech RV (Strada, Turismo, Terreno)
Pleasure-Way Plateau
Leisure Travel Vans (Unity, Wonder)
Coachmen Galleria
Midwest Automotive Designs
Jayco Terrain
Tiffin Wayfarer
Thor Tranquility

Fitment depends on your exact model, year, suspension lift, and body kit. Confirm with our team before ordering.

Not sure your build qualifies? Reach out to our team.

Specifications

Material	3/16″ aluminum plate
Finish	Textured black powder coat
Step Width	6.5″
Step Height (Ground to Pad)	~13.5″
Step Height (Pad to Slider Entry)	~10″
Accessory Ports	Two 2″ ports (water fill, air inlet, or power passthrough)
Mount Style	Pinch-weld flush mount
Ladder Compatibility	SV Side Ladder & most third-party side ladders
Included	Driver & passenger steps plus mounting hardware
Made In	San Diego, CA
Shipping	Free shipping

What's in the Box

Driver-side step (×1)
Passenger-side step (×1)
Pinch weld brackets (×7)
Kicker supports (×2)
1/4″-20 button head screws, washers & lock nuts (×14 each)
3/8″ bolts, washers & lock nuts (×3 each)
Self-drilling screws (×20)
Printed install manual

Install Time3–4 hours

DIY FriendlyYes, but involved (plan a half-day)

Drilling RequiredYes, into the pinch weld

Pro InstallFree at SV HQ, San Diego

This is a confident DIY install for anyone comfortable working under a vehicle, but it is involved. Budget 3 to 4 hours. It uses a pinch-weld bracket system and does require drilling (a 1/4″ pilot and a 17/64″ bit), so mark your holes and measure twice before you drill.

How it goes:

Lift each step into position under the van and slide it forward until the bracket cutout meets the factory protrusion
Slide the pinch weld brackets through the step cutouts, push them up to the van, and mark the hole locations
Lower the step, drill the marked holes, and bolt the brackets to the pinch weld seam with the 1/4″-20 hardware
Reposition the step through the brackets, level it with a small consistent gap, and secure it with the self-tapping screws
Attach the two kicker supports to the middle brackets with the 3/8″ hardware, then tighten everything down
Repeat the process for the passenger side step

Full step-by-step photos are in the install manual (button below), and you can follow along on our YouTube video. Prefer to skip the wrenching? Professional install is free with purchase at Sandy Vans HQ in San Diego.

Tools You'll Need

3/8″ socket
11mm socket
14mm socket
14mm wrench
4mm Allen key
Socket wrench
Impact driver / drill
1/4″ drill bit
17/64″ drill bit

Download the install instructions (PDF)▶ Watch the install video

See all Sandy Vans install videos & manuals →

Not all Sprinter side steps are built the same. Here is what to look at before you buy, whether you go with ours or someone else's.

Aluminum vs. steel

Steel steps look fine until the powder coat chips. Then rust creeps in, fast if you park near salt water or drive winter roads. Aluminum stays rust-free for the life of the van. If you spend time on the coast, this is the single most important spec.

Step width and surface

Skinny tube steps give you a round bar to balance on. A wide, solid step pad (ours is 6.5″) gives you a real surface for a boot, and no gap for a dog's paw or nail to slip through. If a pet or kids use the van, go wide and solid.

Mount type and ground clearance

A flush pinch-weld mount tucks the step tight to the body so it keeps your clearance and does not catch curbs or trail lips. Low-hanging nerf bars sit lower and take the hits. Also know the difference between a step and a rock slider: a step is for daily access, a slider is for trail protection. See our Racks, Steps & Bumpers collection to compare.

Step height

Too high and every entry is a climb. Too low and it drags. Around 13.5″ from the ground to the pad is a comfortable first step on a stock-height Sprinter. If you run a lift, factor that in.

Ladder compatibility

If you plan to add a roof ladder, pick a step that lines up as the natural first rung so roof access is one smooth motion. Our steps pair with the SV Side Ladder and most third-party ladders.

Install and support

Check whether the step needs drilling, how long the install takes, and whether professional install is available. We offer free professional install at our San Diego shop. For more Sprinter build tips, visit our How-To blog.

Will these fit my 144″ Sprinter?

Yes. The SV Side Steps fit all Sprinter 2500 and 3500 wheelbases (144″, 170″, and 170″ EXT) from 2007 to present. Wheelbase does not affect the pinch weld location where the steps mount.

Do I really need to drill? Can I clamp these on?

Drilling is required. The steps bolt through the pinch weld channel for a secure, permanent mount. We do not offer a clamp version, because clamp mounts slip under load on a vehicle this heavy. If drilling is a concern, our team in San Diego does the install free with purchase.

Are these safe for dogs?

Yes. The 6.5″ textured step pad is one of the wider options on the market and gives dogs a solid surface with no gap to catch a paw or nail. Step height (~13.5″ from the ground) is accessible for most medium and large breeds.

Will they work with my factory side skirts or aftermarket body kit?

Reach out to our team for compatibility with specific side skirt or body kit setups. Include your van year, wheelbase, and the skirt/kit in question and we will give you a straight answer. Email contact@sandyvans.com.

Can I install these myself if I have never drilled into a van before?

Yes, with patience. The install is DIY-friendly but involved, and most customers with basic mechanical ability finish in 3 to 4 hours. Drilling into a van for the first time takes confidence, so if you are unsure, take advantage of the free install at our San Diego shop. It is the same price as doing it yourself.

Do these work with the SV Side Ladder?

Yes, they are designed to pair. The steps sit at a height that lines up naturally as the first rung of the SV Side Ladder, so roof access is one fluid movement. Both products mount to the pinch weld in the same zone.

Will I need to relocate my engine block heater?

On some builds, yes. If your Sprinter has the optional engine block heater, it may need to be relocated to clear the step mount. Reach out to our team if you are not sure whether your van has one. Email contact@sandyvans.com.

Still have a question? Email the team and you'll get a real answer.