Chevrolet has made a determined effort to provide off-road-ready variants of the Silverado 1500 to its customer base. The ZR2 was a late addition to the Silverado family, but the Trail Boss had only appeared a few years earlier. The Silverado 1500 existed for roughly a decade before these off-road superstars were added to its family, and Chevy was smart to expand on the many personalities of the Silverado 1500. It’s been a top-selling truck for a long time, and there was no good reason Chevy should lose business to competitors that had a heavier focus on off-road trucks; all they had to do was beef up some suspensions, add aggressive tires, get some locking differentials and the like, and—suddenly—they could give their Silverado 1500 a rugged makeover. But for many, the different off-road options can be a bit of a blur…
The descriptions and defining characteristics of the Silverado’s ZR2 and LT Trail Boss trims can almost seem the same. However, if you’re looking for a Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale, pay close attention because it’s clear that these two vehicles appeal to different drivers. If you’re debating getting the LT Trail Boss or the ZR2, then it’s time we get clear on for whom each of these trims is tailored. They’re both excellent off-road beasts, but they shine in slightly different settings: one for tackling treacherous terrain and the other for enjoying rough roads.
The ZR2: For Extreme Environments
Both the ZR2 and the LT Trail Boss are designed for environments that are rougher than what you find at a typical construction site or agricultural area. If you know you’ll be leaving paved roads, might encounter some potholes and small boulders, and could drive through muddy topography, you’ll do both with either of these trims.
However, the ZR2 is designed for more extreme off-road environments. It’s a good idea to think of it this way: the LT Trail Boss is great if you might find yourself in some trouble, while the ZR2 is tailored to those who go looking for trouble. (Fun trouble, but trouble nonetheless.)
Gnarly Goodyear Territory Tires
Let’s start with the tires. The ZR2 trim gets Goodyear Territory MT (which stands for “mud terrain”) tires. These robust rollers offer excellent traction and are designed for improved performance. So, if you don’t want to be ginger with your truck while going over rough roads, these tires can handle what you throw at them. In fact, they have brilliantly designed tread blocks, pitched at different angles to make sure you’re almost always certainly making contact with the ground.
Some of the blocks on the Goodyear Territory tires are also scalloped, so they can essentially scoop away mud and dirt; they also boast little “stone ejectors” that spit out small rocks that could otherwise get stuck in the tread. Finally, the shoulder blocks are made extra tough to stay rigid during cornering. These tires were a strategic choice on the part of Chevrolet; they communicate to drivers that the ZR2 is made for off-road enthusiasts.
It’s important to note that the ZR2’s tires don’t have the three-peak mountain snowflake—thus, they are not made for freezing temperatures or winter weather conditions; they’re made for off-roading in moderate temperatures and are not suitable as snow tires.
Better Command in Unpredictable Settings
The ZR2’s stand-out off-road features don’t stop at the tires. Chevy designed the ZR2 with improved approach and departure angles. Practically speaking, this means the ZR2 can tackle some extreme inclines and declines without any impact to its underparts. The off-road cut front bumper helps with that, too.
You’ll also get electronic locking front and rear differentials in the ZR2. These differentials can instruct the front and rear axle to lock up so the wheels spin at the same rate, which can help you get out of mud ruts and similarly sticky situations.
It’s also worth noting that the ZR2 has Chevy’s Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine, which delivers the maximum towing capability of the Silverado 1500. So the ZR2 can get to your destination, no matter how rough the road, and tow your camper or boat there with you.
The LT Trail Boss: For Rough Roads
The LT Trail Boss, as said before, is great for getting you out of tricky situations. It’s best for those who need a good everyday truck with slightly enhanced capabilities than the regular Silverado 1500 LT trim.
Winter-Ready Off-Road Tires
One main difference between the ZR2’s tires and the LT Trail Boss’s tires is that the LT Trail Boss has Goodyear DuraTrac MT tires, which are rated for severe snow. Like the ZR2’s tires, the Trail Boss’s also have special treads that improve traction in mud, but they also do so in snow. So, the LT Trail Boss—should you keep its standard tires—is better for snowy areas.
Further enhancing these tires’ snow-readiness are the self-cleaning shoulder blocks that remove slush and ice. Naturally, these can remove mud in off-road settings, too, but you won’t get the rock ejectors or special rigid corners you get on the ZR2’s tires.
A Rear Locking Differential
While the ZR2 has front and rear locking differentials, the LT Trail Boss only has a rear locking differential. This is another difference that shows the LT Trail Boss is intended more for everyday driving in less-than-ideal conditions rather than extreme off-roading.
Do note that the LT Trail Boss has a couple of other features that make it great for snowy conditions. One of these is a two-inch lift with the Z71 off-road package; this lift makes it less likely that piles of snow or slush make contact with your truck’s undercarriage. It also has power-retractable assist steps, which are a nod to the more day-to-day nature of this truck. Assist steps are very passenger-friendly features; they are likewise nice to have in snowy conditions, as they give people a chance to hop up and wipe off their feet before getting into your truck.
Excellent Trims for Two Different Kinds of Drivers
These two trims of the beloved Silverado 1500 are both more rugged than the standard LT trim. It’s no wonder why off-roaders or anyone who has to work in unpaved environments turn to these two trims on a regular basis.
It is also important to note that they are for two somewhat different environments. If you are looking for a truck for serious recreational off-roading—to seek out the roughest roads—the ZR2 is the way to go; its Goodyear Terrain MT tires, front and rear locking differentials, improved approach/departure angles, and front-cut bumper make it ready to tackle all sorts of ground.
The LT Trail Boss is best for those who don’t seek out aggressive off-road environments but might find themselves in unpredictable conditions. It’s also best for snowy conditions because of its tires—and its two-inch lift and assist steps make it ready to travel over several inches of snow and help you and your passengers get in and out safely.
When you get to know these two trims closely, you can see that they each deserve a place in the lineup as they each serve a specific purpose.
