Chevy Silverado Running Boards and Nerf Steps: How to Choose

This guide is for Chevrolet Silverado owners choosing a step to get into the cab: a full-length running board, or a set of nerf steps with a pad at each door. The type is the first decision; the second is matching the step to your Silverado's years and cab, because steps are cut to the cab they are listed for.

Running boards or nerf steps

The makers describe the two families plainly:

• Running boards are a flat step mounted along the side of the vehicle below the doors, giving a wide standing surface for getting into and out of the cab. They give a full-length step below the door opening and are cut to the cab length they are listed for.
• Nerf bars are tubular steps mounted to the rocker panel, typically with a step pad at each door. The nerf steps below are titled "cab length", meaning they run the length of the cab rather than the whole side of the truck.

Some running boards are electric. Go Rhino titles one kit below a Voltstep Electric Running Board Kit; our guide Running boards vs nerf bars vs power steps sets out how powered steps compare with fixed ones.

What to check on your Silverado

• Generation. Step titles follow the Silverado's body years: the products below are titled 2007-2013, 2014-2018, 2019-2023 or 2019+. Match the title's years to your truck.
• Cab. Titles name the cab where it matters: Crew Cab, Double Cab or Extended Cab. Steps are cut to the cab length they are listed for, so the cab in the title must match yours.
• 1500 or HD. Some steps are titled for the 1500 and the heavy-duty trucks together, others for the 1500 only.

Each product page lists the years, makes and models it fits; use the vehicle selector to filter to your truck.

Running boards for the Silverado 1500

• Go Rhino 2019+ Silverado 1500 4Dr Crew Cab Pickup Voltstep Electric Running Board Kit (20404887PC): titled for the 2019 and later Silverado 1500 Crew Cab with four doors, in a powder coat finish. The product page lists what the kit includes.
• Go Rhino Running Boards, 2014-2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 (20404787PC): a Go Rhino running board set titled for the 2014-2018 Silverado 1500. The title does not name the cab, so confirm yours in the fitment table before ordering.

Nerf steps

• Rolling Big Power Nerf Step, 19-23 Silverado/Sierra 1500 Crew, 20-23 GM HD: black, cab length nerf steps from Rolling Big Power. The title names the 2019-2023 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab and 2020-2023 GM HD trucks; check the product page for the exact HD fitment.
• Lund Terrain HX Step, Black Cab Length Nerf Steps, 07-13 Silverado/Sierra 1500 Crew Cab: for the older body, titled for the 2007-2013 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab.

Shop by Silverado and by brand

Vehicle pages gather the running boards matched to one Silverado: Running Boards for 2019-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2014-2018 Silverado 1500, 2007-2013 Silverado 1500 and 2007-2014 Silverado 2500/3500 HD. Go Rhino has two brand pages, Go Rhino Running Boards and Go Rhino Nerf & Step Bars; Lund's steps are under Lund Nerf & Step Bars. For every option, browse Truck Running Boards and Truck Steps: Nerf Bars & Side Steps.

Steps sit low along the rocker panel, right in the slush and road salt of a Canadian winter, so rinse them with the rest of the underbody when you wash the truck.

FAQ

Are running boards or nerf steps easier to step on?

Running boards give a wide, full-length standing surface below the doors. Nerf bars are tubular steps, typically with a step pad at each door. Which suits you depends on how you get in and out of the truck.

Will Silverado steps fit a GMC Sierra?

Only when the title names the Sierra. The Rolling Big Power and Lund steps here are titled Silverado/Sierra 1500; the two Go Rhino running boards name the Silverado only.

Do I need to know my cab size?

Yes. Steps are cut to the cab length they are listed for, and titles name Crew Cab, Double Cab or Extended Cab where it matters. Count your doors and check the fitment table.

Do these steps fit a Silverado 2500 HD?

The Rolling Big Power nerf steps are titled for 20-23 GM HD trucks as well as the 1500; confirm on the product page. For other HD steps, start at the 2007-2014 HD page or the category pages with the vehicle selector.