There's a big flaw in how the running boards were designed for these trucks, as soon as it gets mild enough the loose snow along with road salt and sand pack right up against the doors and if the temps drop off quickly like it does where I live the doors are frozen shut. The only way to get the doors open is to chip away at the build-up which sucks to have to do on a new vehicle.

 

how else exactly would you design a "platform" designed to be stepped on to get through the door? I agree that they suck, but not for the reason you mention...

if it's that much of an issue in Ontario, take them off for the winter?

 

There's a better option out there, the service manager at my dealer is after Ford to have them replaced on every truck they've sold... The new ones he explained would also be platform style but would most likely eliminate the issue. Oh and taking them off is not happening!