I took mine (2020 Tahoe) on some mild trails that included deeply grooved two tracks and some pretty challenging (for this stock vehicle) rocky stretches. I was worried about the stock running boards and the low front valence, but when you I thought about it even though the boards reduce your ground clearance in the line between front and rr wheels, they also offer some moderate protection to your rocker panels and lower door edge. I also found that the stock low valence under the bumper actually served more as a warning feeler than an impediment, of course, if this was a GMT400 or earlier truck I wouldn't need the warning at all. The main issue with these trucks clearance wise is the jounce because of the softly sprung suspension.
I did notice that the stock running boards also serve a very necessary function, they protect the gap between the door and the rocker which unlike older cars, where that gap essentially faces between zero to negative 40 degrees (downward from horizontal) the 2015-20 Tahburban's gap faces 100% vertical, or toward the ground. With the boards removed, water, mud, crap etc. will get flung up there and onto the seals and stuff. The boards also protect the lower body from stuff thrown up from the front tires.
For myself, I'm tepidly planning on some kind of non-step cover that fits fairly snug to the inboard edge of the rocker and curves out and away from the rocker on the outboard side just enough to cover the lower door gap and not be tempting as a foot hold.
Or.
Actual rocker guards that bolt to the frame.
None of these is on the market so all of this would need to be fabricated.
Oh boy . . . .
