Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss Shines Brightly in the ZR2’s Shadow

The world of extremes has reached off-roading trucks. Models like the Chevrolet ZR2, GMC AT4X, and extreme off-road variants from Ford and Ram now come equipped with features and capabilities that, a decade or two ago, would have required substantial aftermarket investment. For those who enjoy off-roading, the temptation to dive into one of these extreme vehicles can be strong. However, there is value in taking a step back, which is what Cars.com explored when it tested a Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss Z71. Twin Falls Chevrolet shares its insights. 

From the badging, one might assume that Z71 is a trim level of the Silverado 1500 model line. However, it is actually a package available on most 4×4 Silverado trim levels that includes: 

• Automatic locking rear differential 
• Hill Descent Control 
• Heavy-Duty Air Filter 
• 2-Speed Autotrac Transfer Case 

That may not seem like radical hardware, but there are many other items that must be ordered with it, including: 

• 17″ 265/70R17 all-terrain, blackwall tires 
• 17″ 265/70R17SL all-season, blackwall spare tire  
• External auxiliary transmission oil cooler 
• 3.23 rear axle ratio 
• External engine oil cooler 
• 170-amp alternator 
• Automatic locking rear differential 
• Skid plates 

You also need to upgrade from the standard TurboMax engine to either the 5.3-liter Ecotec V8 or the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six. 

Trail Boss is a trim level; you can get a Custom Trail Boss or LT Trail Boss. The key Trail Boss enhancement is a 2-inch lift, bringing minimum ground clearance up to 10.9 inches. It also comes with the four Z71 features, as well as many of the Z71 required items like the automatic locking rear differential and skid plates. 

Cars.com chose a mid-level LT Trail Boss Z71 equipped with the Duramax turbodiesel. As the editor states from the beginning, “It’s a lotta truck.” While it may not leap from the dunes like the ZR2, it navigates through the roughest and muddiest two-tracks with minimal compromise on everyday drivability. Any raised truck will exhibit more lean in the turns, but Cars.com discovered: “The Silverado handled better than I expected. It rode beautifully, too, with jolts from even the craggiest Dallas roads sopped up by those package-specific Rancho shocks and fat tire sidewalls.” 

The editor also praised the Duramax’s power delivery. “Preternaturally smooth for a full-size truck with a diesel engine, its 495 pounds-feet of torque means it lurches forward from stoplights like a freight train, while its 305 horsepower means it pulls to the upper range of highway speeds with comparable ease.” EPA ratings for the 4WD Duramax are up to 22/26/24 mpg city/highway/combined, and there is a 24-gallon fuel tank to spread the fuel stops out to nearly 500 miles. The 13,300-pound maximum towing capacity, courtesy of the Duramax’s 495 lb-ft of torque, the ten-speed transmission, and the upgraded oil and transmission fluid coolers, is certainly impressive. 

Cars.com’s tester was priced at $69,700. Most of that amount was allocated to the drivetrain and chassis enhancements; however, it also featured the premium Bose audio system, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The truck boasts the Google built-in operating system behind its 13.4-inch screen and 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. This setup includes native Google Maps, the surprisingly capable Google Assistant voice recognition system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Nevertheless, this truck falls in the middle of the extensive Silverado model line, meaning there are numerous creature comforts available in higher models.  

Unless you seek to push your truck and yourself to the limits off-road, the Trail Boss will deliver everything you ask of it and still look and feel reasonable for your daily business. Check out the Trail Boss models at Twin Falls Chevrolet and see how enjoyable a little bit of restraint can be.