Early last week, we reported that the Chevrolet Silverado HD Z71 Sport Concept that debuted at the 2019 SEMA Show was slated to hit production for the 2021 model year. However, despite sharing a common off-roader theme with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss, the Z71 Sport still falls short of being a full-fledged heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss model.
As we covered previously, the Chevrolet Silverado HD Z71 Sport package is still expected to include a number of off-roader cues, including new black wheels wrapped in knobby all-terrain rubber, plus a black grille treatment. That said, the HD Z71 Sport still won’t have the mechanical features needed to make it a true heavy-duty Silverado Trail Boss, the most important of which is a suspension lift. Indeed, one of the key features on the Silverado 1500 Trail Boss is the two-inch body lift.
Consequently, without a heavy-duty Silverado Trail Boss in the lineup, Chevrolet has no direct answer to the Ford Tremor, the Blue Oval brand’s latest off-road package just released over the summer. Offered on F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickups, the Tremor package throws on new tires, skid plates, running boards, and more, plus the all-important suspension lift as well.
The new Ford F-250 Tremor.
The only GM product that can go toe-to-toe with the Ford Tremor is the GMC Sierra HD AT4, at least for now. That said, the Sierra AT4 is still a standalone trim level, whereas the Ford Tremor is a package offering. We previously posted a poll asking readers if they thought GM should offer the AT4 as an optional package instead, and the overwhelming response was in the affirmative.
For the sake of all those Bow Tie customers that love the prospect of adding a heavy-duty Silverado Trail Boss model to the lineup, here’s to hoping. In the meantime, make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
This is why I get disappointed with GM in general. GMC offers the AT4 Sierra 2500 and it’s a beast but it doesn’t have a 2” factory lift. It sits as high as any 2020 2500, GM please get real with your clients we are not all idiots.
Ford buyers are though. Any HD truck isnt a good off-road vehicle due to its insane weight and size. It will sink in mudcanf be unable to pass through tight corners. The AT4 is about as far as a HD can practically go. Ford should name the tremor package the “bro” package. Off road? Colorado zr2
I agree but some of us want a GM Truck that sits a bit higher from factory. The new 2020’s sit real nice all I want is 2 more inches. I don’t want to take my new rig to a shop where the sales guy tell you they are best and have a high school dropout do the labor.
I don’t see how Chevy or GM can really compete in this arena with the Super Duty. Or the Power Wagon either. They don’t have a solid front axle. A drop down frame with torsion bars just isn’t a great set up for off roading or suspension lifts.
SFA is over rated!!! Raptor, Original Hummer and Colorado ZR2 are all IFS.
Raptor is a totally different set up than the HD torsion bar suspension. The original Hummer was a plain old GM suv, nothing special about it. If you’re referring to the Humvee that’s completely different. It’s a Portal IFS set up. Again, nothing in common with the HD. The ZR2 is great, but like the Raptor even, it’s a completely different animal from the Super Duty or Power Wagon. What the HD crowd is after in this instance requires a SFA to accomplish properly.
Gm need to wake up change the suspension don’t just change a name and put fancy stickers
AT4 vs powerwagon?