If you’re looking for a truck that can head off-road, you’re living in a time of plenty. It seems like just about every automaker that makes trucks makes rugged variants specifically designed for tearing up the trails these days, and now the trend has been going on long enough that you don’t have to shell out the cash for a brand-new pickup in order to get a purpose-built off-road model. You can save a few bucks and skip over the inevitable first scratch in the paint job by getting a used model.
Today, we’re going to take a look at used Chevy trucks for sale that have the equipment off-road enthusiasts are looking for. We’ll look at the midsize Colorado, full-size Silverado 1500, and heavy-duty Silverado HD and guide you through what trims, packages, and model years you should keep an eye out for during your search. Let’s dive in and see what each one has to offer.
The Midsize Colorado
If you’re looking for a used Chevy truck with serious off-road capability, the midsize Colorado is going to give you the most options to choose from. It’s often the first to receive a new off-road oriented trim that will then work its way up the size ladder to the full-size and heavy-duty trucks. You also might want to consider the reasons behind that strategy when shopping: smaller trucks can come in handy in a lot of off-road situations, from winding trails to getting stuck between a rock and a hard place.
The Full-Size Silverado 1500
The trusty Silverado is Chevy’s most popular nameplate. As a full-size truck, it offers more passenger and cargo space and comes with more powerful engines. So, while it’s more pricey than the Colorado, you get extra cabin space and towing capability for your troubles. Just know that you may need to restrict yourself to more recent model years if you want to get the most extreme off-road trims.
The Capable Silverado HD
If your primary priority is off-roading, you’re probably better off with a light-duty truck than a heavy-duty model like the Silverado 2500 HD or 3500 HD. These trucks are more powerful, but they’re also heavier and way more expensive. However, if you need a truck that can both tow extremely heavy loads and handle rough terrain, you can certainly find what you’re looking for in Chevy’s lineup.
The Z71 Package
The Z71 package won’t necessarily turn heads on the trail and make other off-road enthusiasts green with envy, but it will get the job done with the specialized suspension system and underbody protection necessary to get around safely away from the pavement. This package has been an option on the Colorado and Silverado for over a decade now, so you can look for it without keeping your search limited to more recent models.
The Trail Boss
Searching for a model with the Z71 package can be a little tricky since you have to dig into the details of the trucks you’re considering to see if the original owner decided to opt for an optional equipment package. If you want an easier shopping experience, you can look for a Trail Boss trim. Generally, a trim with the term “Trail Boss” in it will feature the Z71 package as standard fare. In addition, you’ll typically find a factory lift that provides you with extra ground clearance. There are a few different Trail Boss trims: on the Colorado, it’s a trim level all its own, but on the Silverado, it’s split into two. The Custom Trail Boss is a fairly affordable trim that has a standard lineup of equipment, while the LT Trail Boss has more comfort and convenience features on board but essentially the same level of off-road capability. Like the Z71 package, the Trail Boss name goes way back, so you can cast a fairly wide net.
The ZR2
If you’re looking for a hardcore off-road Chevy truck, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the ZR2. It’s a pricey option on any model, but it gives you your money’s worth in the form of extra equipment and unique design choices. It has a lift compared to Z71 and Trail Boss models and can fit bigger tires. The frame is also different to improve stability and accommodate a beefier suspension system complete with dampers that can handle uneven surfaces without breaking the necks of everyone in the cabin. It also has specially designed bumpers that allow for better angles of approach and departure, so you can handle steep inclines and roll over boulders and other obstacles if necessary. On top of the practical things, there are plenty of aesthetic improvements that give the ZR2 a rugged and ready appearance.
This trim made a splash when it first debuted on the 2017 Colorado, drawing comparisons to Ford’s Raptor trim and proving that the age of factory-built extreme off-road-ready trucks had well and truly arrived. Unsurprisingly, Chevy built on this momentum by bringing the trim to the Silverado lineup a few years later. The Silverado 1500 ZR2 first debuted for the 2022 model year, bringing the trim to a full-size model that could deliver even more power. The Silverado HD didn’t get its own ZR2 until the 2024 model year, so heavy-duty fans will have to do some searching to find recent models.
The ZR2 Bison
The absolute pinnacle of off-road Chevy trims is the ZR2 Bison. This special edition has all of the upgrades of the ZR2, plus exclusive equipment made by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) that offers a new level of protection against obstacles and the elements. This includes stamped steel bumpers with heavy-duty recovery points and boron steel skid plates to protect vital components. If you want some extra peace of mind in treacherous environments, then it’s worth keeping an eye out (and saving up some extra money) for this trim that pulls out all the stops. On the Colorado, the Bison has been around since the 2019 model year. The Silverado 1500 joined the party for the 2023 model year, and the Silverado HD brings up the rear with the 2024 model year.
How to Choose for Yourself
Clearly, every off-road truck has its own mix of pros and cons. Instead of trying to figure out which model is objectively “best,” it’s generally more helpful to think about which one is the best for you. There are a few key things you should keep in mind when making this decision. The first is the kind of off-roading you plan on doing in your truck. If you often tackle trails with lots of twists and turns, the midsize Colorado might be a better fit than the full-size Silverado. If you just want something for zooming through the open desert, size might not be an important consideration.
Of course, you need to balance your off-road needs with your budget. If you don’t do extreme off-road driving, you might be better off with a Trail Boss trim or Z71 package instead of splurging on the ZR2. But if you’re going to be tackling tricky maneuvers like boulder crawling, it’s well worth paying extra to get the equipment you need to drive safely in dangerous environments. Since every driver is different, there are sure to be plenty of other considerations that are specific to you. But once you understand your options and take a moment to think about your preferences and needs, it shouldn’t be too difficult to pick out a truck that will serve you well on- and off-road.
