The Cab Size Trap: Why Your New Silverado Running Boards Don't Fit
Share
You just installed a premium 3-inch leveling kit and massive 33-inch mud tires on your 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500. The truck looks incredibly dominant, but now your spouse and kids are struggling to climb into the cab. Worse, every time you slide out, you are physically crushing the outer foam bolster of your expensive driver's seat.
You need side steps immediately. You go online, search for "Silverado Running Boards," and buy the first heavy-duty set you see.
A massive, 80-pound freight box arrives. You pull the steel bars out, slide under your truck, and try to line up the mounting brackets with the factory holes in your rocker panel. They are completely off. You look at the length of the step, and it ends halfway across your rear door.
You just fell directly into the Cab Size Trap.
Because Chevrolet manufactured the K2XX Silverado in three completely different cab configurations—Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab—the length of the rocker panels and the spacing of the mounting holes drastically change. If you own a Crew Cab but accidentally order Double Cab steps, you are stuck with an 80-pound piece of steel that physically will not bolt to your truck.
You don't have to pay massive return shipping fees. You just need to verify your doors.
In this guide, we explain exactly how to identify your Silverado's cab size before you buy. We'll show you why sliding out of your truck is ruining your seats, how Go Rhino boards protect you from door dings, and why AMP Research PowerSteps are the ultimate upgrade for lifted trucks.
Compare Premium Step Upgrades
Hidden PowerSteps, Welded Drop-Steps, or Bedliner Armor?
|
Step Style |
Top Brands |
Build / Coating |
Best For |
|
PowerStep |
AMP Research |
Die-Cast Aluminum. |
The Ultimate Premium Upgrade. Drops down instantly when you open your door to provide a massive, 6-inch wide illuminated step. The second you shut the door, they tuck completely out of sight, restoring 100% of your factory ground clearance. |
|
EpYx / Nerf Steps |
N-FAB |
Welded Steel Tube. |
The Aggressive Off-Road Look. Features a massive main tube tucked tight to the body with individual, welded drop-down hoops at each door. Coated in a heavy-duty textured black powder coat for extreme grip. |
|
RB20 / Dominator |
Go Rhino |
Galvanized Steel. |
Maximum Rocker Armor. Raptor-inspired, wide, flat boards that sit tight against the truck. Acts as an impenetrable shield against gravel thrown by your front tires and physically blocks standard cars from dinging your doors in parking lots. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Running Boards)
Do I have to drill into my Silverado's frame to install these steps?
No, they are 100% bolt-on.
Chevy engineered the 2014-2018 Silverado with pre-drilled mounting locations directly inside the inner rocker panels. Premium running boards from Go Rhino and N-FAB include specialized heavy-duty brackets and clip-nuts that slide directly into these factory holes. You simply tighten them down with a standard socket wrench—no drilling required.
Will AMP Research PowerSteps freeze and get stuck in the winter?
No, the dual-motors are heavily weather-sealed.
This is the most common myth about power steps. AMP Research uses military-grade, OEM-quality electric motors designed to power through ice, snow, and mud. If a massive block of ice physically prevents the step from deploying, the motor has a built-in safety sensor that automatically stops it from burning out. Simply kick the ice away, and they will operate flawlessly.
Can these running boards actually prevent parking lot door dings?
Yes, fixed boards are the ultimate defense.
If you install a massive, wide steel board like the Go Rhino RB20, it sits further out than your truck's doors. When a careless driver in a low-sitting sedan parks next to you and flings their door open, the edge of their door will violently smash into your heavy-duty steel running board instead of your expensive Chevy paint.
Armor the rockers. Step up safely.
Ditch the struggle and protect your factory seats. Bolt on massive, heavy-duty traction or upgrade to hidden, illuminated power steps. Shop our verified collection of 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 Running Boards.