The Chevy Silverado has had a long-standing tradition of offering the Z71 off-road package. But starting with the all-new, 2019 model, all that has changed – since the 2019 Silverado introduces a new Trail Boss package that’s offered alongside the Z71 off-road package.
It’s important to understand how the Silverado TrailBoss and Z71 packages differ when shopping for and considering which new Silverado model to purchase. In fact, some of you have written in asking us how the Z71 package fits into the 2019 Silverado equation. So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compare them.
Trail Boss
The defining feature of the 2019 Silverado Trail Boss equipment group is the Z7X Suspension Package. Standard on the two Trail Boss models – the Trail Boss Custom and Trail Boss LT – the Z7X package is assigned RPO Code Z7X, and includes the following features:
- Off-road suspension
- 2-inch suspension lift and monotube shocks
- Hill Descent Control (JHD)
- Z82 Trailering Package
- Eaton rear locking differential (G80)
- Autotrac 2-speed electronic transfer case
- Skid plates (NZZ)
- High-capacity air filter (K47)
- Z71 hard badge
- High gloss black painted aluminum wheels sized 18″ x 8.5″
- Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires
The Trail Boss is technically not a package in and of itself, but rather a trim level that builds on the Custom and LT trims.
2019 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss
2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT with Z71 off-road package
Z71 Off-Road Package
By comparison, the Silverado Z71 Off-Road package includes the following content:
- Off-Road suspension
- Hill Descent Control
- Skid plates
- High-capacity air filter
- Z71 hard badge (on models with Z71 Off-Road Package and Protection Package)
- Eaton rear locking differential (G80)
- Autotrac 2-speed electronic transfer case
The Z71 Off-Road package on the 2019 Silverado is available on the Work Truck, LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country models.
The Split
So, the biggest difference between the two packages is that the 2019 Silverado Trail Boss gets a two-inch lift with monotube shocks and those awesome black wheels, while the Z71 does not. Put another way, the Trail Boss models start with the Z71 Off-Road package and then build on it by adding special shocks, a lift, along with black wheels and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires.
We should also mention that it’s a bit more complicated than that, since the two Trail Boss models carry different limitations in terms of packages and powertrains over simply adding the Z71 package to a 2019 Silverado model. That said, both models feature the 2-speed Autotrac Transfer Case and Eaton Locker rear differential.
| Trail Boss | Z71 Package | |
|---|---|---|
| Off-road suspension | Y | Y |
| 2-inch suspension lift | Y | N |
| Monotube shocks | Y | N |
| Hill Descent Control | Y | Y |
| Skid plates | Y | Y |
| High-capacity air filter | Y | Y |
| Z71 hard badge | Y | Y |
| Eaton Locker rear differential | Y | Y |
| 2-speed Autotrac Transfer Case | Y | Y |
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Comments
Well I believe the TrailBoss automatically comes with Z71 equipment. And they both have offroad suspension, so the chart is not accurate.
And you missed the two most important features no matter which model/package you’re looking at: 1. G80 auto locker, 2. 2 speed autotrac transfer case. Both of which are standard with Z71.. and since Z71 is included with Trailboss you also get them with the TB.
For me, it would be an RST with Z71, then get an aftermarket 3″ lift and 33″ tires – maybe duratracs, maybe wildpeaks, terraincontact seem to be entering as a very appealing option
Yeah you wrong. Go look up your info again.
GM also sells the Trail Boss parts as a separate package. One thing not mentioned in the article is that the Trail Boss uses different CV axles up front. I’m assuming they’re designed for high angle durability.
I love curvy girls and nice big boobs. Love, Dennis.
I just got home from looking at GMC Sierra AT4 and Chevrolet Trail Boss. I didn’t realize that final assembly was in Mexico. WTF!
GM lives off of the uninformed. And that $17k average profit they make on trucks? Closer to $20k on your Mexican truck. Money must grow on trees where you live. Still, you could have supported a company that builds their trucks in the US such as Ford, Toyota, Nissan.
80% of Silveradoa are built in Indiana. Just keep looking.
Most of the Trail Boss/AT4s are going to be big sellers.
The prices are insane. It is going to depreciate a minimum of 20% in 1 year. All that loss is on the suckers who buys it anywhere near sticker. I would not even look at these trucks unless they were a minimum of 12K off.
I would be more concerned where the engine and transmission are build. Ford builds a lot of their engines in Mexico. The 2018 Raptor has a 50% domestic parts content. A regular F-150 only slightly higher than that. And a smart truck buyer will do a little research on how those new for 2018 F-150 engines and transmission are working out. The 5.0 has some of the worst piston slap and oil consumption issues I’ve ever seen. The 5.0, 3.5EB and 2.7 EB all have new cam phaser issues for 2018 and a ton of guys have had to have heads and phasers replaced. Blip the throttle and when the engine speed starts to decelerate the timing chains rattles as it whips around and the phasers chatter. Ford did a software TSB update to “fix” the rattle but 98% of the time, the rattle comes back or just gets worse.
Also, GM builds over half of their 1500’s in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The Ram 1500 Off Road Package is similar to the Trail Boss and is available on all trim levels, with or without Air Suspension. It includes a 1″ lift on the 4 corner coil spring suspension and close to 3″ max on the air ride. All models have 4-Lo, 4-Hi and 4 Auto except the Rebel which has a beefier t-case, 33″ Duratracs, but lacks 4-auto. An E-locker rear end is included as well. Also, Rams are built in Sterling Heights MI.
And if you really want a super capable off road truck there is nothing out there right now that can compete with the 3/4 ton Ram Power Wagon. Everything from winch, sway bar disconnects and fully locking differentials. Oh and a nice solid axle in front.
BUT, there’s nothing more UGLY than a dodge!!! Sorry.
The Rebels with the coil spring suspension don’t have a lift. It has the same ground clearance as a regular Ram 1500. Only the air ride version comes with tiny lift. The air ride “lift” is pointless because ground clearance between the differential and ground is completely unchanged. Only larger tires results in more ground clearance. The Rebel forces you to have that hideous mustache/catfish grille, bottom of the barrel build reliability, an IFS that uses weak plastic control arms, weak ball joints, etc.
How much more is the “trail boss” package than the Z71 I’m pretty sure the local 4X4 shop could put in the 2″ lift and the spacial shocks for little to nothing compared to the cost of the trail boss vs Z71and with the saving go out and buy the wheels you really want. Perhaps add a front end locker as well if your going to get stuck do it right.
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