Semi Truck Boot Brush Guide: Does it Really Keep Your Cab Clean?

Step-mounted boot brushes are aftermarket cleaning devices that attach to a truck’s exterior steps; this allows you to scrape off any mud, snow, or debris from your boots before entering the cab. 

Boot brushes have a sturdy metal housing mounted on or beside the actual step, which is filled with coarse bristles. 

As the driver climbs in, they can wipe their footwear on the brush, removing dirt and grime. Some drivers choose to make their own. 

One anonymous user, “droy,” said he created his own version of a boot brush by mounting a leftover mud flap onto the step plate. “I found a white mudflap with the ‘astroturf’ looking stuff attached to the back of the flap” (The Truckers Report, 2009)

Sure, it can be that simple. Just create a makeshift boot brush. But there’s a downside. Buying a well-designed, chrome-polished boot brush is an affordable accessory that’s worth every penny. 

Why Get a Boot Brush for Your Truck? 

Although a boot brush isn’t a must-have item, it offers a few great benefits: 

#1. Keep Your Cab Clean

By scraping off mud, sand, snow, or oil before stepping inside, drivers prevent build-up of grime on floor mats and pedals. You reduce how often the floor needs to be swept, vacuumed, or shampooed.

#2. Safety & Traction

Clean boot soles have better grip on pedals and steps, reducing slip hazards. Some step brushes (and especially step mats) provide a textured, non-slip surface on the step itself. In winter, brushing off snow and ice can prevent icy clumps from making steps slippery. Overall, it’s an accessory that helps you get some secure footing and pedal control.

#3. Added Professionalism

By keeping mud out, a boot brush can help drivers comply with cleanliness guidelines. It also projects a professional image – many operators take pride in a clean rig, and not tracking dirt inside contributes to that.

#4. Preservation of Cab Materials

By minimizing dirt and grit on the floor, boot brushes can extend the life of interior finishes. Gritty mud acts like sandpaper on mats and carpeting. Keeping debris out helps prevent wear-and-tear on flooring and reduces the chances of abrasive particles causing damage. It can, potentially, lessen the clogging of HVAC filters by dust and dirt.

#5. Convenience

A step-mounted brush makes it quick and easy to wipe off debris from your sole, even if you forget to do it ahead of time. 

Installing a boot brush is an easy, low-cost accessory to upgrade your cab to make it cleaner and safer.

Stainless Steel vs. Chrome Aluminum Boot Brushes

Step-mounted boot brushes come primarily in two material constructions for the housing/frame: stainless steel and chrome-plated aluminum. Both are popular. Here’s a comparison between the two.

Stainless Steel Brushes: A lot of products will use stainless steel (often 430-grade) for the housing and mounting brackets. Stainless steel is valued for its strength and durability – it can withstand heavy foot pressure and harsh weather without bending. 

It’s also highly resistant to rust and corrosion, so road salt and moisture won’t easily degrade it. Drivers in snow or coastal areas often prefer stainless for its longevity. 

These units usually have a polished or brushed finish that complements other stainless accessories. 

Pros: Extremely sturdy, long-lasting, rust-resistant; can be polished for shine. 

Cons: Slightly heavier than aluminum; typically a plain metal look (though can be shiny), which may not match chrome trim exactly. 

Cost can be moderate: many stainless boot brushes range around $40–$60 each, which is quite affordable for the robustness provided.

Chrome Aluminum Brushes: A popular alternative are boot brushes made of aluminum, often with a chrome-plated or highly polished finish. These have a bright chrome-like shine that appeals to drivers who love chrome accents. Aluminum is lightweight and naturally immune to rust (it won’t rust like steel; at most it oxidizes slowly). 

This means even if the chrome plating gets scratched, the underlying aluminum won’t red-rust. Aluminum brushes tend to be lighter-weight and corrosion-proof, and many have eye-catching designs. 

Grand General’s famous “Boot Caddie” is an example – it has a “chrome aluminum housing with replaceable brush” and reversible sides (one plain, one with a logo) for style. 

Pros: Lighter weight; excellent corrosion resistance; often more decorative (chrome plating, logos, even LED lights in some models). 

Cons: Aluminum is softer than steel – under extreme pressure or a heavy kick it may bend or dent more easily. Chrome-plating, if used, can chip or peel over time if not cared for. 

Also, the shiny chrome finish might require polishing to keep its luster. In terms of cost, chrome aluminum models are similar or slightly more – typically $40–$70 for a standard unit, with specialty versions (e.g. with LED lights) costing more.

To sum it up, steel frames offer maximum durability (great for heavy-duty use) while aluminum frames resist corrosion better and save weight. For most drivers, both materials perform well – the choice often comes down to aesthetic preference (matte stainless vs. mirror chrome) and brand availability. 

It’s worth noting that both types use heavy-duty nylon or polypropylene bristles that are UV-resistant and replaceable in many models, so the cleaning performance is similar. Many manufacturers even offer brush refills in various colors (black, blue, red, etc.) to replace worn bristles or customize the look.

Quick Tip on Using Boot Straps

If you’re frequently working in winter conditions with lots of road salt, buy stainless steel as opposed to chrome. A small chip in chrome could invite corrosion on non-stainless metals beneath. You could also just buy the material that matches your existing exterior chrome or stainless steel. 

Quick Comparison of the Top Boot Brush Products

There are several boot brush products on the market tailored for semi-truck steps. Below is a comparison of some of the top-rated and widely used options, highlighting their construction, features, and customer feedback:

Installation Details and Step Compatibility

Installing a boot brush is generally a straightforward DIY task, but it does involve some considerations:

Universal Fit: Most aftermarket boot brushes are designed to fit standard semi-truck steps, which are usually in the 16″ to 24″ width range. 

The brush units themselves are around 7–8″ long, so they can mount on various step types (deck plates, fuel tank steps, battery box steps, etc.) as long as there’s a flat surface or flange to bolt onto. Before you buy one, measure the surface area of the mounting spot. 

Universal brushes come with adjustable brackets or simply a flat base that you drill through, so they accommodate different truck models (Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Volvo, etc.). 

The Clean Cab strap-on brush can even wrap around round tube steps or foldable RV steps, due to its flexible strap design.

Mounting Method: Traditional boot brushes (metal housing types) require drilling 2 to 4 holes in the step or step frame for mounting bolts. Installation typically takes 30–45 minutes:

1. Mark the position on your step – usually near the outer edge of the bottom step so you can easily scrape your boots while standing on the ground.
   
   
2. Remove the brush insert if the design allows (many have an end cap you unscrew to slide the brush out, exposing the bolt holes).
   
   
3. Drill holes in the step using a metal drill bit (5/16″ or 3/8″ common). Use the brush housing as a template for hole spacing (e.g., ~8.3″ apart as noted by some manufacturers).
   
   
4. It’s recommended to drill a small drain hole in the step or under the brush area if one isn’t already present. This allows water, mud, and gunk to escape instead of pooling inside the brush housing.
   
   
5. Bolt on the brush housing using the supplied hardware (typically stainless or zinc-coated bolts, nuts, and washers). Some kits include a rubber mounting gasket or pads – install those between the brush and step to reduce vibration and protect the step’s finish.
   
   
6. If not included, applying a drop of thread-locking compound on the bolts is wise, since truck steps vibrate a lot; this prevents the bolts from loosening over time.
   
   
7. Re-insert the brush and secure any end caps.

No welding or special fabrication is needed – just basic drilling and bolting. Many drivers handle it with common tools (drill, wrench) in under an hour.

Compatibility: Boot brushes are generally “one size fits all” for any make of semi-truck. They are commonly seen on Freightliner Cascadias, Kenworths, Peterbilts, Volvos, Macks – you name it. You just need to find a flat spot on the step. Some trucks have perf-grated steps for slip protection. Even so, you can still mount a brush by drilling through the perforated pattern or on the side lip of the step. 

Universal brushes often have slim profiles (2–3″ tall) so they tuck nicely on the step edge. If your step is part of a battery box, ensure there’s clearance underneath for the bolt nuts (usually not an issue). In rare cases, if a step is very full (ex. a toolbox step covered in diamond plate), you might need to get creative with placement.

Multiple Brushes: Some drivers install two brushes - one on each side of the step. 

Maintenance: Installation is largely “set and forget,” but it’s good practice to periodically tighten the mounting bolts (during routine inspections) and clean out the brush itself. You can use a hose or pressure washer to clean the brush frame and bristles. 

Overall, installing a boot brush is a moderate DIY job that most operators or mechanics can handle easily. The key is proper positioning and secure attachment – once mounted, these brushes can endure years of abuse, scraping boots daily at 70+ mph winds and all weather.

Customer Reviews and Feedback Trends

Boot brushes for semis, though small accessories, have garnered a lot of positive feedback from drivers.

Here are some common themes from reviews and user reports:

• Effective dirt removal 
• Quality, durable design 
• Easy to install 
• Stays secure on a vibrating truck (some high-priced options like the “Sym-Mat” use zip ties for extra sturdiness)

Negatives or Issues:

• Bristle wear and tear (requires replacement)
• Missing mounting hardware 
• High Prices (common on high-end options like LED Boot Caddie)

A lot of drivers mention that a boot brush is one of the “best accessories” to add, simply because it saves them from constantly cleaning the cab floor. 

Price Range & Where to Buy Your Next Boot Brush

Outfitting your truck with a boot brush is really inexpensive, and there are options to fit different budgets:

It’s common sense. Well-known brands cost more. Higher quality base materials and bristles cost more. At the end of the day, it’s about what works and what doesn’t. 

Whether you get a high-end artificial grass step mat, ranging between $80 to $90, or a functional bare-bones boot brush unit (metal housing with some bristles), ranging from $20 to $60, both can get the job done. 

You can also find a middle-of-the-road price point in a no-drill cab brush for $35 on Amazon. Cheaper products might mean you’ll have to replace them more frequently over time.

Replacement brush inserts (depending on your make/model design) cost about $15–$25 if you ever need one.

Where You Can Buy Boot Brushes

First and foremost, you can get them at 4 State Trucks or other aftermarket sellers. 

Physical Truck Stops: If you’re on the road, you can usually stop off and get a boot brush in a nearby truck store. 

Manufacturer Websites: You can order them directly from the manufacturer, like United Pacific, Grand General, and more. 

Buying Tip: Prioritize reputable sellers – either established truck accessory stores or known brands on marketplaces. 

Once purchased, that’s it. No ongoing upgrades. You might replace your brush insert every few years.

Whether you get a gleaming chrome caddie or a robust stainless scraper or a full step mat – this small, affordable accessory can really be worth your while.