Let’s Get Your Silverado Ready to Go Off-Road

Although a midsize truck can be a great option for hitting the trail, it comes at the expense of some cargo space, towing capacity, and overall ruggedness by not choosing a full-size model. We love the Colorado for going off-road, but there’s no denying that the Silverado is becoming a favorite for many of us when we want to enjoy a Saturday out on the trail. If you’re looking for a Chevy Silverado for sale to take off-road, then there are some very important things you need to watch for; not just a powerful engine, but specific trims and packages to keep in mind.

Today, we’re going to look at the 2022 Silverado, which has been updated with better off-road features than ever before, to see what you need to watch for when looking for a great trail-ready truck. You have three different off-road trims available on the Silverado, plus a package that can elevate any other trim to become a solid option for the trail. You’ll have to consider what sorts of trails you plan on hitting up and choose a truck that’s up to the task, but we’ll get you started and point you in the right direction for a great off-road Silverado.

The Custom Trail Boss

First off, let’s take a look at the three trims available for the Silverado that are designed specifically for going off-road, starting with the Custom Trail Boss. There are two Trail Boss trims that essentially take other trims offered on the Silverado and add off-road features to them, letting you get the impressive luxury and sophistication they offer while hitting the trail. The Custom Trail Boss features the upgraded standard engine: a 2.7L Turbo that delivers 310 hp and a massive 430 lb-ft of torque. This is arguably the best standard engine on a full-size truck you’ll find on the market, so it’s a great choice for going off-road.

This is combined with a two-inch factory-installed suspension lift, along with an Autotrac two-speed transfer case and standard four-wheel drive (4WD). You also get 18-inch high-gloss black-painted wheels on the Custom Trail Boss wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, plus a raised hood and hill descent control to assist with going downhill and maintaining vehicle control. This model has a heavy-duty air filter, skid plates, and Rancho monotube shocks that give it excellent ground clearance, as well as exceptional approach and departure angles. Inside the Custom Trail Boss, you’ll find a seven-inch infotainment display, a 3.5-inch monochromatic driver screen, a six-speaker sound system, cloth seating, and a ten-way power driver’s seat with a four-way manual front-passenger seat.

The LT Trail Boss

If you like the off-road features of the Custom Trail Boss but want some upgraded interior options and technology, then this is a great choice. It uses the LT trim, which has a number of advanced features compared to the Custom, as a basis and then turns it into a trail-ready machine. In terms of off-road features, it’s similar to the other Trail Boss model with the same engine, 2-inch factory suspension lift, 18-inch wheels with Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, and much more.

Inside the LT Trail Boss, however, you’ll find a nicely upgraded interior featuring a gorgeous 13.4-inch infotainment equipped with Chevy’s latest Infotainment 3 Premium system and Google built-in for added functionality. This model still has a six-speaker sound system, with cloth seating, a ten-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and all-weather floor liners in the front and rear. You get a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch color Driver Information Center, and several other upgrades throughout.

The ZR2

While the two Trail Boss trims are both excellent, if you’re looking for the ultimate off-roading experience in the Silverado, you owe it to yourself to check out the ZR2 trim. This is a brand-new option for the 2022 Chevy Silverado and has elevated what this truck can do on the trail. For starters, it features an incredible 6.2L V8 engine that delivers a whopping 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, along with standard 4WD and a two-speed Autotrac transfer case. The ZR2 also has new steel front and rear bumpers, unique skid plates, a hidden dual-outlet exhaust, and a ZR2 Suspension Package with a high-performance suspension and Multimatic DSSV dampers.

The ZR2 rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in massive 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud Terrain tires, with performance red recovery hooks and animated LED headlamps that go through a sequence before and after you drive; it’s not essential, but it’s a lot of fun. Inside the ZR2, you’ll find the 13.4-inch infotainment display, 12.3-inch driver information center, and a seven-speaker Bose Premium sound system with a Richbass woofer. It also has ten-way power driver and front-passenger seats that are ventilated and heated, along with heated rear seats and perforated leather-appointed upholstery.

This is, honestly, one of the most impressive Silverado models on the market, regardless of the fact that it offers incredible off-road performance. Only the High Country trim can compare to the robust selection of innovative tech features and comfortable luxury that the ZR2 offers. If you want to take your Silverado off-road while also enjoying everything this award-winning pickup can do, then the ZR2 is your Silverado.

The Z71 Off-Road Package

One of the best things about the Silverado, however, is that you’re not strictly confined to these three trim levels if you want to take your truck off the pavement. While they might be the simplest way to do it, and they’re guaranteed to perform, you can also choose a different trim for the Silverado and opt for an available off-road package. The Z71 Off-Road Package is offered on almost every 4WD model, excluding the Custom trim and the three aforementioned off-road trims that already include its features or better.

By adding the Z71 Off-Road Package to a Silverado, you get the Z71 off-road suspension that comes with the Trail Boss models, along with hill descent control, skid plates, and a heavy-duty air filter. With some models, this also includes a dual-outlet exhaust for boosted performance, along with all-terrain tires or Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, and a two-speed transfer case. There’s also a Diesel Off-Road Package available for certain models if you choose the available diesel engine, which includes the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires and an improved axle ratio for superior off-road performance.

An available Z71 Off-Road and Protection Package includes the impressive off-road features mentioned above and a Chevytec spray-on bed liner to help protect your truck’s bed while you’re on the trail. This is a great choice to ensure that your pickup stays in the best shape possible, even while conquering rough terrain and challenging paths. You can also choose some packages for the Trail Boss models that don’t impact performance but improve your driving experience, such as a Leather Package to upgrade the seats for the LT Trail Boss or the available Safety Package for more advanced safety features.

Other Considerations

Beyond these trims and packages, there are also more options and details to consider. For example, while the LT Trail Boss comes with 18-inch wheels, you can choose available 20-inch wheels with all-terrain or Mud-Terrain Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires as an upgrade. Similarly, dual-outlet exhaust and cat-back performance exhaust systems are available for some of these trims, along with a wide range of other upgrades that can improve performance or simply make your truck more enjoyable to drive on the trail. With so many great options to choose from, it helps to have someone by your side to navigate it all; that’s why we’re here at DePaula Chevrolet to make sure you get the perfect off-road Silverado. Come visit us today, and we’ll help you put together a truck that will take you everywhere you want to go.