What Is Chevrolet's Trail Boss?

Unpacking the bow-tie brand's midrange off-road truck trim level.

Benjamin Hunting | 

May 13, 2024 | 2 min read

Chevrolet

Given the popularity of off-road vehicles, truck builders have worked to offer as many options as possible to their loyal fans. This includes mid-tier trims, such as the Chevrolet Trail Boss, which provides a dash of style to go with its trail-ready chops without the expense of a dedicated, hardcore off-roader.

Chevrolet

The History of Chevrolet's Trail Boss

General Motors launched its Z71 off-road package on the 1992 full-size Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks. Later on, the company added some flash to the existing Z71's terrain-chomping abilities, but in a way that wasn't as hardcore — and costly — as the top ZR2 off-roader.

Enter the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Trail Boss, a new trim level that arrived a full year before the Colorado ZR2 hit showrooms. The original Colorado Z71 Trail Boss combined the Z71 package's off-road equipment (lifted suspension, locking rear differential, hill-descent control, tow hooks, low-range four-wheel drive) with several visual upgrades, including sidesteps, fender flares, a bedliner, unique rims wrapped in all-terrain rubber, and a light bar in the truck bed.

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What Does Chevrolet's Trail Boss Offer Today?

The version of Trail Boss trim currently available on Chevrolet trucks follows a similar playbook. Each model continues to carry forward its Z71 gear, which now includes more modern elements, such as a digital off-road performance display and off-road driving modes, on top of what has traditionally been a part of the package. The Trail Boss editions can then add details such as black trim, black rims, and all-terrain tires. More extroverted elements, such as the light bar, have been deleted from the Trail Boss mix.

Chevrolet

What Chevrolet Vehicles Can Be Ordered in Trail Boss Editions?

The Trail Boss trim can be found on the 2024 versions of the mid-size Chevrolet Colorado and full-size Silverado 1500 light-duty and Silverado HD heavy-duty pickup trucks, but there are a few differences.

The 2024 Colorado Trail Boss sits between the lower LT and the higher Z71 trims. It's only available with 4WD, so you get the upgraded TurboMax engine. It's worth noting that there's less standard equipment (in the form of cabin luxuries) than the pricier Z71 model, which is now offered as a separate trim level rather than an options package. This is despite sharing near-identical off-road features.

For the 2024 Silverado 1500, Trail Boss is treated as an add-on to either the Custom or LT trims and includes the features and equipment provided by those models. The Trail Boss equipment is available on the LT and LTZ trim levels for the Silverado HD.