AMP PowerSteps vs. Fixed Boards: Is the $1,600 Price Tag Actually Worth It?
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You just bought a gorgeous Silverado 1500 Trail Boss. It sits high, rides great, and looks incredibly aggressive.
But your spouse and kids are already complaining about the massive, awkward climb just to get into the cab.
You definitely need steps.
You go online, look at the premium options, and immediately see two vastly different price tiers:
- Fixed Steps (Go Rhino, Body Armor 4x4): ~$400 to $600. Rugged, simple, aggressive, and always there.
- AMP Research PowerSteps: ~$1,600+. Electric, retractable, hidden, and highly advanced.
Is an electric motor really worth 3x or 4x the price of a solid steel board?
If you care about off-road ground clearance and sleek aesthetics, the answer is a resounding Yes.
Fixed drop-steps hang down permanently. On a highly capable truck like a Trail Boss or ZR2, this severely reduces your "breakover angle"—meaning you are much more likely to dangerously snag a rock or a log while off-roading. They also visually interrupt the clean, high-riding body lines of the truck.
AMP PowerSteps operate flawlessly. They hide flush against the rocker panel when you are driving (perfectly preserving your ground clearance and sleek aesthetics), but they physically drop down lower and wider than almost any fixed step the exact second you open the door, making cab entry effortless.
In this guide, we compare the pros and cons of both styles to help you decide if you should save the cash on aggressive steel sliders, or splurge on the legendary AMP robotics.
Compare Premium Step Styles
Motorized, Drop Steps, or Heavy-Duty Sliders?
|
Step Style |
Top Brands |
Function |
Best For |
|
Power Retractable |
AMP Research (PowerStep) |
Hidden. |
Luxury & Clearance. Automatically drops down 6 inches when the door opens, then tucks perfectly flush against the rocker panel when closed. |
|
Heavy-Duty Slider |
Go Rhino (RB20/RB30) |
Protection. |
Overlanding. A raptor-style, wide steel board coated in thick bedliner. Protects rocker panels from flying rocks and trail damage. |
|
Drop Step (Hoop) |
Body Armor 4x4 / Go Rhino |
Off-Road Look. |
Lifted Trucks. Features aggressive, welded drop-down hoops that help you easily reach the cab on a lifted Trail Boss or ZR2. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Running Boards)
Do I need to drill holes into my truck to install these?
No, absolutely not.
The 2019+ Silverado 1500 (New Body T1) is one of the easiest trucks on the market to install running boards on.
The Process: Simply look under the rocker panel (the painted metal directly below the doors). You will see several small plastic plugs. Pop them out with a flathead screwdriver to reveal the factory-welded, pre-threaded holes. Your new premium brackets from Go Rhino or AMP Research bolt directly into these exact holes.
What is the actual difference between Crew Cab and Double Cab steps?
Physical Length and Bracket Placement.
- Crew Cab: The board is significantly longer (usually around 85 inches) to safely cover the massive rear passenger door.
- Double Cab: The board is shorter (usually around 75 inches). If you accidentally try to install Crew Cab boards on a Double Cab, the steel board will extend past the cab and dangerously hit the bed of the truck when the frame flexes.
Will running boards hide the ugly DEF tank on my 3.0L Duramax?
Yes, they do an incredible job of it.
On the 3.0L Duramax diesel, the large plastic DEF tank hangs conspicuously low on the passenger side, ruining the truck's profile. Installing a set of wide, Raptor-style boards (like the Go Rhino RB20) or the motorized AMP PowerSteps does a fantastic job of visually blocking the tank from the side, giving the truck a much cleaner, aggressive, and finished look.
Step up comfortably.
Get the boost your family needs and hide that ugly frame rail. Shop our verified collection of premium 2019–2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 Running Boards.