The Silverado Trail Boss takes Chevrolet’s brand’s iconic pickup to a new level of off-road capability, adding equipment like a two-inch suspension lift, Rancho monotube shock absorbers, a high-capacity air filter, skid plates, Hill Descent Control, and an automatic rear locking differential. However, buyers aren’t limited to just a single Trail Boss trim level. In fact, there are two variants on offer – including the Trail Boss Custom and the Trail Boss LT. We have stacked the two trim levels side-by-side in this GM Authority comparison.
Let’s start with the mechanical specs. The standard engine in the Silverado Trail Boss Custom is the naturally-aspirated 4.3L V6 LV3, which produces 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, mated to GM’s 6-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the standard motor in the Trail Boss LT is the naturally-aspirated 5.3L V8 L84, which produces a more potent 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, mated to GM’s new 10-speed auto. From the onset, the starting price of these two models is roughly $7,000 apart, before adding any options.
Buyers looking at the Silverado Trail Boss Custom, however, can spec theirs with a more potent engine via the optional, naturally-aspirated 5.3L V8 L82. The L82 makes the same 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque as the L84 in the Trail Boss LT, but it has the less advanced Active Fuel Management system as opposed to the L84’s Dynamic Fuel Management feature. Another key difference is that the L82 in the Trail Boss Custom continues to be mated to the 6-speed auto. Meanwhile, the optional powertrain option for the Trail Boss LT is the atmospheric 6.2L V8 L87. The L87 is the most powerful engine on offer for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and it offers 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while being mated to the 10-speed auto box. The difference in the starting prices of these two models is about $8,000.
Finally, the Trail Boss Custom can also be optioned with the L87 V8 with the 10-speed automatic transmission. That combination raises the starting MSRP to $46,365.
Axle selection is another point of departure for the two Silverado Trail Boss models: the Trail Boss Custom pairs the standard V6 engine with a 3.42 unit. The Custom’s two optional engines pair to a 3.82 axle as standard, or a 3.72 axle with the Max Trailering Package.
The Silverado Trail Boss LT, meanwhile, is equipped with a 3.23 axle as standard, or a 3.42 axle when equipped with the Max Trailering Package.
Trail Boss Custom
Trail Boss LT
On the outside, the Silverado Custom Trail Boss mounts black sideview mirrors and halogen headlights as standard. The Custom’s standard exhaust setup is a single side-exit pipe with a polished tip (with the standard V6), while the optional V8 engines add a dual integrated exhaust.
By contrast, the Silverado Trail Boss LT gets glossy black sideview mirrors and LED headlamps, or high-intensity LED headlamps when equipped with the Midnight Edition package. The LT also gets a dual integrated exhaust across the range. It also offers wheelhouse liners (with the optional Bed Protection Package). The feature is not offered on the Trail Boss Custom.
Both Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss models get the 18″ x 8.5″ high gloss black painted aluminum wheels as standard, and both offer the 20″ x 9″ painted aluminum wheels with a machined face and gray accent pockets as an option. However, only the LT can be optioned with another set of 20″ x “9” black painted aluminum wheels from the factory (those these can be purchased after the fact).
The final area where the two Silverado Trail Boss model variants differ is in the cabin, with the Custom offering a 40/20/40 split-bench configuration, and the LT offering either a front 40/20/40 bench with covered armrest storage and under-seat storage, or front bucket seats with a center console.
The seating materials are also different, with the Custom covered in cloth, and LT covered in cloth as standard or with leather as an option.
| Custom Trail Boss | LT Trail Boss | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 4.3L V6 LV3 – 285 hp / 305 lb-ft torque | 5.3L V8 LV4 – 355 hp / 383 lb-ft torque |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto | N/A |
| Axle | 3.42 | N/A |
| Exhaust | Single side exit, polished | Dual integrated |
| MSRP | $43,495 | $50,095 |
| Optional Powertrain 1 | ||
| Engine | 5.3L V8 L82 – 355 hp / 383 lb-ft torque | 6.2L V8 L87 – 420 hp / 460 lb-ft torque |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
| Axle | 3.23 | 3.23 or 3.421 |
| Exhaust | Dual integrated | Dual integrated |
| MSRP | $44,890 | $52,590 |
| Optional Powertrain 2 | ||
| Engine | 6.2L V8 L87 – 420 hp / 460 lb-ft torque | N/A |
| Transmission | 10-speed auto | N/A |
| Axle | 3.82 or 3.722 | N/A |
| Exhaust | Dual integrated | N/A |
| MSRP | $46,365 | N/A |
| Exterior | ||
| Headlights | Halogen | LED or high-intensity LED3 |
| Tail lights | LED with signature | LED with signature |
| Mirrors | Black | High-gloss Black |
| Standard wheels | 18" x 8.5" High gloss Black painted aluminum | 18" x 8.5" High gloss Black painted aluminum |
| Optional wheels 1 | 20" x 9" painted aluminum with machined face and Gray accent pockets | 20" x 9" painted aluminum with machined face and Gray accent pockets |
| Optional wheels 2 | N/A | 20" x 9" Black painted aluminum |
| Wheelhouse liners | N/A | Optional4 |
| Interior | ||
| Cockpit configuration 1 | 40/20/40 split-bench seat | Front 40/20/40 bench seat with covered armrest storage and under-seat storage |
| Cockpit configuration 2 | N/A | Front bucket seats with center console |
| Seating materials | Cloth only | Cloth or leather |
- With Max Trailering Package.
- With Custom Max Trailering Package.
- With Midnight Edition.
- Included and only available with Bed Protection Package.
- All prices listed include destination charge but exclude tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. See dealer for details.
Ultimately, the Trail Boss Custom is set apart by a less powerful standard engine, halogen lighting, and cloth seating. By comparison, the Silverado Trail Boss LT is a more premium truck – with a more powerful standard engine (plus a 10-speed automatic transmission), LED headlights, and available front bucket seats as well as leather.
Which one of the two would you take? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I have ordered a 2020 TB Custom Dbl cab wit the 6.2. It just seemed like more for the money, I didn’t want the frills, I wanted a truck. Having to wait of course due to the pandemic.
Isn’t the 3.0L diesel an engine option on these trucks?
Nope. Not the Trail Boss.
I would have had an LT Trail Boss already, but for some odd reason GM decided not to make it in an double cab.
It doesn’t make any sense to me, but what do I know?
That is not true I have a 2019 LT with the double cab I’ve talked to some one that wanted a double cab as well but the dealer they got it from said it wasn’t an option which is not correct
I was told the double cab only comes in the Custom TB. On Chevy’s website, you can build the Trail Boss LT only with a crew cab.
I totally agree. I don’t need a crew cab but would like the LT Trail Boss in a double cab. Come on GM not everyone is a crew cab fiend.
Any further information concerning the 6 position tailgate as option on Silverados ?
I like both!
Not as of right now. Stay tuned 🙂
A center arm rest with no storage is stupid. We have a work truck and it has no storage at all in the center console. This makes no sense. I am a GM guy but they have to do better than this. With all the stuff we have to carry at work the more storage the better.
The axle ratios are off. There’s no such thing as a 3.72 or 3.82. And you can’t get the Max Trailering Package in any Trail Boss. Regardless of engine or trim, the 6 speed is 3.42 only and the 10 speed is 3.23 only.
Can you get either model without cylinder deactivation? Not buying a vehicle with that.
I assume the 4 cylinder doesn’t have it, but I don’t see that as an option on the Trail Boss.
Why? What’s wrong with it? Our 2010 Suburban with the 5.3 (with cylinder deactivation) has 180 thousand miles and it performs well. We’ve towed over 8000 lbs to. And it still gets 22 mpg on the highway. What’s there to complain about? Cylinder deactivation is great.
any word on the 6 position tailgate for the Silverado?
Some goof on Yahoo wrote that people may not be willing to buy a high end truck; but they forget that unlike a Harley Davidson motorcycle.. a Chevy truck of any shape or configuration can be used to haul things besides just passengers which means companies will still invest $50K on a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss LT because the truck will earn it’s place within a company.
Crazy, you can’t get heated seats on the Custom TB ! That’s ridiculous for a 45$k vehicle.
I have a 2020 trail boss custom i bought used with only 5k miles on it only thing i dont like is center seat console has no damn storage in it
why would you buy a trail boss with a center console? you can set six with a bench set!