Rock Rails / Rubi Rails Weight

[Desert_Gladiator]

So, I'd seen conflicting estimates on the weights of the factory rock rails / Rubi Rails, so I figured I'd just make the following post for the record for anyone that wants to find this information in the future.

I've been doing what I can to keep the weight of my build down wherever possible/affordable, as I have the ecoDiesel and it's pretty heavy to begin with and I need to keep enough available paylod to be able to tow occasionally. One of the ways I decided to accomplish this was replace the factory Rubi Rails with some aluminum Romik steps. I went with the Romiks because they had the best balance of features, appearance and weight among the aluminum steps I looked at.

I got out the old bathroom scale and weighed the Rubi Rails that came off my '23 Gladiator. Each weighed 32.6lb (for 65.2lb total)
For what it's worth the Romik REC-TB I went with weighed 18.6lb each, including the brackets (for 37.2lb total or a weight savings of 28lb).

Obviously, these aren't going to hold up to any trail impacts, but we don't have much in the way of trees around here, and I've always been able to work around boulders that would otherwise be a problem... And if I were really grinding, I don't think the Rubi Rails would really be sufficient protection anyway. For the ability to help my wife be happier getting in and out, easier for the dogs, provide protection against door dings and rocks kicked up by the front tires, while also being a fair bit lighter, it was worth the trade off for me.

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[BearFootSam]

IME the rubi-rails are useful for mitigating damage due the relatively long wheel base. We have some protection by virtue of the tire sidewalls being the widest point of the vehicle below the mirrors and a good turning radius. But if you end up cutting it too close the rails take the hit instead of your rocker panel.

With the steps you've chosen you'll at least hear bad things happening before anything major happens.