Eight Ways You Can Get the Most Utility Out of a Used Chevy Silverado

There are so many different ways to get a lot of use out of a used Silverado 1500 during your travels throughout Albany. Mostly because all through the third and fourth generations, there were a lot of new and innovative additions made to the full-size pickup truck to give it far more utility and convenience than ever before. If you have been in the market for a good light-duty pickup and are interested in a used Chevy Silverado for sale in Albany, might we suggest you check out some select truck models for some noteworthy features here at DePaula Chevrolet?

In fact, we have compiled a list of some of the best ways to get the most utility out of a used Silverado 1500, especially if you’re looking for something that is feature-rich and also contains very utilitarian options. Whether for towing, cargo hauling, family use, or recreation, some of these features are definitely going to appeal to you more than others. But let’s go through the features, the tech, and the utility you can get the most out of with a pre-owned Silverado.

#1 – Push-Button Start and Remote Start

If you opt for a 2022 Silverado 1500 or later, all trims come standard with a push-button start. This enables you to quickly get in, get started, and get going without having to rely on putting the keys in and starting the truck the old-fashioned way. It’s a nice compliment to other features like remote power locks and remote start, which can also be utilized to help make getting around town and the convenience of getting going easier and faster than using key fobs. All you need to do is have the key fob nearby and press the push-button start, and you can get going. This adds an additional level of convenience to the Silverado and is definitely something to appreciate if you find yourself constantly in a rush.

#2 – Different Powertrains for Different Purposes

One of the more compelling parts about shopping for a used Silverado 1500 is that you have quite a few different options available when it comes to the powertrain selections. During the fourth generation outing, the Silverado 1500 provides multiple ways to indulge in the way you get around town. If you opt for a 2019 through 2021 model year, you have a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 that offers 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque, as well as the 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 310 hp at 348 lb-ft of torque. Further up the powertrain list, you have the 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-liter V8 at 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Finally, there is the 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel with 277 hp at 460 lb-ft of torque. Those are some varied options; you will have everything from a turbocharged 4-cylinder to a V8. Each one provides a different focus, with the V6 and 5.3-liter being all about performance, while the Duramax is about fuel economy and towing, and the 6.2-liter V8 is all about utility.

#3 – Cargo Bed Power Outlet

The third and fourth-generation Silverado 1500 models come with a cargo bed power outlet, and this is an excellent way to keep your gear powered and active when you’re out and about. Whether you’re hosting a yard party or tailgating at an outdoor event, the cargo bed power outlet in the Silverado 1500 is an excellent utility that just about anybody can find a use for when you need to power or keep an electronic device or tool charged. The ability to charge and power up your devices from the cargo bed is a nice addition for those who need to make use of simple devices while out and about, especially for light camping or hiking. For a used model it means not having to purchase a separate generator for some basic electronic devices you might bring with you on a road trip, and in a way, it can definitely help save some money in that regard.

#4 – Multi-Flex Tailgate

Easily one of the most useful features you can have on a half-ton pickup truck like the Silverado 1500. Introduced with the 2021 model year, the Multi-Flex Tailgate offers six different flexible positions for those who need a tailgate that does more than just open and close. You can use it as a primary gate for its main function, just like a normal tailgate, as well as a primary gate load stop for when you’re carrying a payload that extends beyond the limits of the cargo box, along with an inner gate for easy access to reach your payload.

You also have a full-width step option to make it easier to step up into the bed box, an inner gate load stop, and an inner gate work surface. This makes it great as a utility for things like fishing trips, recreational home renovation, basic work-site activity, or just simple family use such as getting groceries out of the back of the cargo box. The Multi-Flex Tailgate is easily one of the best features you can make use of from a used Silverado 1500.

#5 – Payload Capacity

A used Silverado 1500 offers you a lot of usability, especially when it comes to payload capacity. If you’re frequently hauling things in your truck for recreation or work, you can count on a used Silverado 1500 to get the job done. There have been very slight changes in the payload capacity over the years. For the 2020 model year, you had a top payload capacity of 2,250 lbs, but it was boosted up to 2,280 lbs for the 2021 model year, settled around 2,270 lbs for the 2022 model year, but anything after that tops out at 2,260 lbs. So either way, any used Silverado 1500 model you shop for will have a top payload capacity of just over a ton, which is super useful if you plan on using the truck to haul everything from simple plywood to heavy concrete packets.

#6 – Towing Capacity

Trucks that can tow are all the rage among light-duty pickup fans, and the Silverado 1500 has been one of the class-defining entries in the segment with its tow capacity. Used fourth-generation models will net you up to 13,300 lbs worth of towing capacity when you pair it with a 6.2-liter V8 or a Duramax turbo-diesel. With the towing capacity, you can tow a completely separate vehicle for a road trip, a large camper for a camping trip, a lengthy boat for an outing by the lake, or a cargo trailer for hiking, vacation, or family outings. The versatility is quite diverse when it comes to the towing capacity of the fourth-generation Silverado 1500, making it one of the most utility-rich options out there when it comes to a full-size pickup truck in the light-duty segment.

#7 – Off-Road-Ready Functionality

If your daily driver is more than just something you use to get to and from the store for necessities, groceries, or work, and you actually enjoy taking your truck elsewhere to tear up dirt roads or venture into the wilderness, then the Silverado 1500’s various off-road trims are a proper answer to your wishes. The fourth generation iterations have the Custom Trail Boss, the LT Trail Boss, and finally, the ZR2 as options for off-roading. The 2022 model year is when the ZR2 for the Silverado 1500 was introduced, giving it rally-inspired exterior modifications and racing suspension while being paired with the 6.2-liter V8. If you’re working on a budget, then the Custom Trail Boss or LT Trail Boss can make good alternatives. Plus, these off-road models are still more than capable when it comes to payload, towing, and other practical uses, so you still have plenty of functionality even with these specialist trims.

#8 – Super Cruise

The Super Cruise functionality definitely veers more toward the tech side than the utility side, but the fact that the Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system for the Silverado 1500 features hands-free driving with trailer functionality makes it worth that much more. Super Cruise adds a lot to its value, given the thousands of compatible roadways throughout America that it covers, making it more just a novel tech feature.

Super Cruise was first introduced by GM in 2017 for select models, but was rolled out to the Chevy Silverado in 2022. This gives you a variety of different model years to choose from if you’re shopping for a used Chevy Silverado for sale in Albany with the semi-autonomous driving feature. It’s definitely not a necessity, but it can add plenty of utility to the Silverado 1500. It’s especially useful if you don’t feel like stressing over driving to and from a destination and would rather let the truck drive for you, even if you are trailering cargo. That makes it a very worthwhile feature to have if you opt to shop for a used Silverado.