With off-roading becoming big business for the major auto manufacturers in recent years—especially Ford, Ram, GMC, and Chevy—there’s been an upswing in the availability of off-road trims. Chevy, in particular, has been ramping up its competitive edge with off-road trim availability across the Silverado and Colorado. Of course, newer off-road trims mean there’s also a boom in used off-road trucks, too. If you happen to be looking to grab a used pickup truck to indulge in pathways without paved roads, you’re probably running the numbers and gauging what best suits you when it comes to durability, reliability, and affordability. If you were shopping for a used off-road pickup from a used Chevy dealer as a way to get your hands on something affordable and capable, then your choices will likely fall to the Trail Boss trims.
Just how good are the used Silverado Trail Boss models, and what are their advantages for those looking to get into off-roading? There are ample reasons available, from functionality and features to price and drivability. As you ponder diving into off-roading with a used pickup truck, keep these reasons at the forefront of your mind if you happen to come across a used Trail Boss.
You Can Hit the Dirt for Less Than a ZR2
The ultimate off-road version of the Chevy Silverado is the ZR2. This is the high-end consumer variant of the Baja race truck. The ZR2 made its debut with the 2022 model year Silverado, but starting at $71,895, it is quite expensive for those on a budget. Thanks to features like the Multimatic DSSV dampers, tires, and race-tuned suspension, the ZR2 certainly gives you what you pay for. However, even a used ZR2 will cost quite a bit. There is a solution in the form of a used Trail Boss, which won’t ruin your bank account.
If off-road travel on a budget is your thing, and you’re all about spending your weekend warrior gusto hopping dirt dunes and tearing up muddy tracks away from the strict regulations of city driving, then the Trail Boss hits the spot like an arrow on a paper bullseye. Thanks to the Z71 suspension upgrade kit, rugged exterior, and mud-terrain tires, you can still kick up dirt and run mud-wild with the Trail Boss on all manner of off-road tracks and trails. Even better is that a used Custom Trail Boss or LT Trail Boss can be acquired on the used market for a fraction of the price of the ZR2.
You Can Still Customize and Outfit the Trail Boss
Many people are under the impression that if you get a specific model, you have to stick with it as-is, but that’s not always true. In some cases, some vehicles are designed to be upgraded, altered, modified, and improved. The highlight of the Trail Boss is that it’s not only designed to handle all the basics of off-road travel but can also be upgraded as you see fit, from improved driveshafts and springs to off-road upfitting kits and cargo bed modifications.
Getting a used Custom Trail Boss or LT Trail Boss provides a wealth of opportunities for additional upgrades, both big and small. If you want some basic off-road features, you can add mud flaps or rocker protection to the Silverado. If you want to get more hardcore, you can add bull bars, sports bars, additional lighting, windshield mounts, improved shocks, larger tires, or even an extended lift kit. Buying used lets you save money to reinvest into upgrades. It makes for an excellent money-saving opportunity, in addition to opening up all sorts of options when it comes to customizing your used Trail Boss exactly the way you want.
Used Trail Boss Models Have Everything You Need for Off-Roading
Even if you are short on cash and upgrading isn’t something you can do within the foreseeable future, buying a used Custom Trail Boss or an LT Trail Boss still gets you into a worthwhile off-roading lifestyle. The basics provided for the Custom and LT Trail Boss are designed to keep the truck running as it should, both on the road and off the road. Not only is the Trail Boss a decent daily driver but it’s also designed to tackle most of everything you need for all manner of different off-roading disciplines.
The lift kit, shocks, tires, and ability to shop for a used Trail Boss with the 6.2L V8 or the 3.0L Duramax turbo diesel are great options for those who need the torque and power to breeze through everything, from casual trail runs to more complex off-roading tasks such as mudding, hill climbs, or rock crawls. The added benefit of the Trail Boss having multiple drive modes also improves the truck’s viability for the different off-road disciplines.
An Affordable Overlanding Opportunity
Off-roading isn’t always just about trails, dunes, race tracks, and crawling. There is also the survivalist lifestyle that many find appealing with overlanding. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to get the most out of the Trail Boss when it comes to an overlanding truck, the options and ability to turn it into a wilderness machine are there, thanks to the cargo box and the ability to add accessories like an overlanding rack, tent space, and more, plus the ability to tow a cargo trailer.
With the right tow package, rack, and cargo dividers, you can bring all of your necessary survival gear with you on your journey. The Trail Boss has a proper suspension lift kit thanks to every Trail Boss model coming with the Z71 off-road suspension package, making your journey off the beaten path that much easier. It is convenient when you can enjoy the great outdoors with nothing but you, your gear, and your truck. If you are looking for a low-cost, affordable, efficient way to overland, a used Trail Boss is an excellent way to go.
A Used Trail Boss Is a Great Starter Off-Road Truck
One of the common topics when it comes to off-roading is just how efficient, or lacking some trucks, models, or accessories are for the hardcore off-roading enthusiasts. One of the things that isn’t talked about quite as much is how one gets into off-roading for the first time. What is a good truck for casual off-roaders? What is durable, reliable, equipment-rich, and capable when it comes to making your journey into the great unknown?
A used Trail Boss is the perfect starter truck for those looking to get into off-roading. It has all of the basics right out of the gate, with the necessary powertrain options, suspension tuning, and interior cabin features to make basic off-roading possible for those who are dipping their toes into off-road trails, racing, mudding, hill climbing, and more for the first time. The lower cost of entry and the high scalability of features make the Custom and LT Trail Boss models well worth it for those who want something basic enough to dabble in off-roading, but also domestic enough to handle daily driving, workloads, and commuting. Having an affordable used starter off-road truck in the form of the Trail Boss is a great way to start exploring your off-road side and potentially turning it into a full-time hobby.
