When the Going Gets Tough: The Best Used Pickups for Rough Weather

A fresh blanket of snow can certainly help to set a cozy, seasonal mood, but it’s a little less charming when you’re behind the wheel. While it’s easy to blame Mother Nature when unexpected blizzards and low temps wreak havoc on the road, it’s important to remember that old Nordic proverb: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

The same applies to vehicles. Your chosen automotive outfit can make all the difference when dealing with icy winter conditions, and if you’re tired of sliding through intersections and finding yourself mired in deep snow or spring mud, it might be time to start browsing used trucks for sale near Troy.

Between their heavy-duty construction, 4WD design, and ample ground clearance, today’s pickups are really the perfect solution for poor-weather driving. Join us as we review some of the best options from the last couple of years and learn how the right pickup can put you on the path towards driving dominance.

Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss

Available Since: 2019

The Custom Trail Boss is the Silverado 1500’s most accessible off-road option, allowing drivers to confidently tackle tough weather while still staying well within their budget. Depending on the model year, you can find the wallet-friendly trim paired with a 4.3-liter V6 or a 2.7-liter turbocharged I-4 as the base engine. However, the optional 5.3-liter V8 and 3.0-liter turbo-diesel represent two logical upgrades if you’re looking to improve the truck’s towing and efficiency credentials.

The diesel is especially alluring, allowing the Silverado 1500 to pull up to 13,400 lbs and easily surpassing the rest of the lineup with up to an EPA-estimated 29 MPG on the highway with 4WD. The Duramax turbo-diesel I-6 also leads the way in low-end power, with 495 lb-ft of torque on tap in 2023 and later models, which can make all the difference in low-traction scenarios.

The Custom Trail Boss routes its considerable output through a 4WD powertrain that’s paired with an AutoTrac two-speed transfer case complete with 2WD, 4WD Auto, 4-High, 4-Low, and Neutral settings. The trim also gains an automatic locking rear differential that’s especially helpful when encountering deep snow or mud. By forcing both rear wheels to turn at the same rate, the rear differential delivers consistent traction when the going gets a little rough.

Custom Trail Boss owners will enjoy an elevated driving experience both literally and figuratively, thanks to a Z71 off-road suspension package that adds a set of Rancho shocks and two inches of additional ground clearance that’ll see you float above muddy pits and snow drifts. The trim includes all the goodies one would expect from an off-road model, like underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, as well as some tech-forward additions, like a Hill Descent Control system that takes over braking and acceleration duties, allowing drivers to focus on navigating tougher stretches of the road.

Ford F-150 Tremor

Available Since: 2021

The debut of the 14th-generation F-150 in 2021 saw Ford grace the industry’s most popular pickup with an exciting new option. The F-150 Tremor shakes up the trim ladder with an off-road-inspired design that includes standard 4WD, 33-inch all-terrain tires, a purpose-built suspension, and more.

This rugged rig is a far cry from the original Tremor package on the 2002 Ford Ranger pickup, which was actually built around a 485-watt Pioneer sound system complete with a 10-inch subwoofer. The new version is a little less likely to earn you a citation for disturbing the peace, and is worth a closer look if you’re looking for a value-packed off-road pickup that knows how to mind its manners on paved surfaces.

The trim borrows its 4WD transfer case from the legendary F-150 Raptor, and while the lifted suspension ups the pickup’s poor weather profile, it’s the Tremor’s selectable drive modes that really up the ante. The drive mode system allows Troy drivers to customize the F-150’s rear locking differential, stability and traction control, throttle response, and shift points to excel on a wide range of terrain.

Dedicated settings include Normal, Sport, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Deep Snow/Sand, and Mud/Rut. The Tremor even adds an additional Rock Crawl setting to the mix, and while it’s unlikely to see any action on your daily commute, it could come in handy on your next off-road outing.

The Tremor’s go-anywhere attitude is a major selling point, but the off-road trim also happens to be one of the most well-rounded models in the F-150 lineup. Powered by Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged V6 (a V8 option was added in 2023) engine, the Tremor is never hurting for power with the ability to churn out 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. The brawny engine even manages to achieve an EPA-estimated 24 MPG on the highway with 4WD.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost is also the go-to option in terms of towing, with a lineup-leading 14,000 lb capacity. However, the Tremor’s weighty off-road equipment and specialized suspension see that number reduced to 10,900 lbs. Throw in a satisfying slate of comfort, convenience, and safety tech like cruise control, a power-locking tailgate, lane keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor, and it’s easy to see why the Tremor sent shockwaves through the pickup segment upon its release and is still an amazing used truck today.

Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2

Available Since: 2022

The Chevy Silverado 1500 has carved out quite a reputation for its ability to tackle tough weather over the last 27 years, but 2022 marked a major milestone for the full-size model. Midway through the Silverado’s fourth generation, Chevy put the pickup world on notice with the debut of a new, off-road-ready trim in the ZR2. Inspired by the acclaimed Chevy Colorado ZR2, the Silverado 1500 ZR2 pulls out all of the stops to turn the brand’s bestselling pickup into a go-anywhere adventure vehicle.

The trim features Chevy’s most advanced 4WD system, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as the off-road arsenal is concerned. Chevy swaps the standard tires for a massive set of 33-inch all-terrain tires that let the truck chew through loose terrain while also raising its ground clearance. Add in the factory-installed lifted suspension, and you’ve got a Silverado 1500 that floats some 11.2 inches above the ground—more than a three-inch improvement over the standard model.

The centerpiece would have to be the Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers, which leverage high-performance racing technology to create a smooth, reliable ride that’s ready to tackle everything from inclement weather to extreme off-road conditions.

Enhanced skid plates protect crucial underbody components while a full-size spare tire ensures you’ll always be prepared for whatever the road might throw at you. The ZR2 also includes a set of paddle shifters that offer drivers increased control over the standard 6.2-liter V8 engine, and adds a front electronic locking differential to match the rear diff found on the Silverado 1500’s other off-road options.

The Silverado 1500 ZR2 might actually be overkill when dealing with mild weather conditions and off-road environs, but it’s sure to come in clutch when Troy is hit by significant snowfall or the deceptively deep mud puddles that accompany the spring thaw.

If you really want to stampede through snow, mud, and other rough terrain, look no further than the Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison Edition package. Crafted alongside the off-road experts at American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), the ZR2 Bison Edition entered the lineup in 2023 and sees the pickup gain a full arsenal of off-road armor, including steel rocker panel protection, improved skid plates, and upgraded front and rear bumpers that substantially improve the pickup’s approach and departure angles.

The ZR2 Bison Edition might be a little much for your daily commute, but any pickup that allows you to confidently plow through a snowbank while your neighbors are still scraping away with their shovels is certainly worth a closer look.

Brave the Storm at DePaula Chevrolet

While we narrowed our list down to two specific Silverado 1500 models, the truth is that the entire trim ladder could have made the cut. While the base Work Truck might not feature all of the exclusive off-road gear found on the Custom Trail Boss, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison Edition, every version of Chevy’s full-size pickup is designed to handle conditions that would leave lesser models shaking in their snow tires. High-end options like the LTZ and High Country introduce legitimate luxury into the mix while still providing safe, consistent performance on slick roads.

The Ford F-150 Tremor might not be able to match some of the go-anywhere potential of the Silverado 1500 ZR2, but its accessible starting price when buying used and customizable drive mode system make it worthy of a closer look if you’re looking to explore options outside of Chevy’s umbrella. Whether you’re looking for a used truck for snow, mud, and rough weather driving, a premium pickup that packs all of the latest comfort and infotainment tech, or a no-nonsense workhorse that can tow and haul with the best of them, DePaula Chevrolet is here to help.