First Drive: Chevrolet Trail Boss Custom

For many truck owners, the perfect truck isn't something you can buy, it is something to be built. While many buyers just want to write a check for a factory spec off-roader, that has a cool graphics package. For those who like to tinker and tune, Chevrolet has released the Silverado Custom Trail Boss, an off-road capable truck that is designed to be customized by the consumer.

The no-frills Custom Trail Boss reminds me of our old farm truck growing up, cloth bench seat, a normal size infotainment screen, it even has actual knobs to control the AC. It does have a 6.2-liter V8, Z71 off-road package, towing package, and most importantly Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, pretty much everything you need in a functional truck. The options on this test truck include a spray-in bedliner, off-road running boards, the safety confidence package, semi-automatic climate controls, bringing the grand total, after destination charges to $49,290. While nearly $50,000 is a lot of money, it isn't in the off-road truck world anymore where many top-tier models can get closer to $90,000.

The Custom Trail Boss offers the off-road equipment and rugged styling many truck buyers want, with the ability to modify the truck to their own specifications. Instead of spending $88,000 on a new RAM TRX, buyers can select their lift, shocks, tires, add a supercharger for more power, and still be thousands less than the factory off-road trucks like the Raptor or TRX. It even starts at over $3,000 less than the RAM 5.7-Hemi Rebel and offers more horsepower.

To put the Trail Boss to the test I took it on a road trip across the Southwest, taking on some of the most iconic off-road locations from the sand dunes of Glamis to back trails of Arizona and New Mexico. Not only did the trail boss perform all of its off-road duties but was smooth, comfortable, and quiet on the highway stretches in between.

The interior, while cloth, is far from basic, it has a fold-down armrest with storage, plenty of USB ports, fold-up rear seats for more cargo space, and rubber floor mats for keeping the carpets clean. While the basic infotainment screen is functional, many buyers today do expect a larger screen and that might be the only advantage that the competition has. If you are looking for an off-road capable truck for thousands less than the competition, the Chevrolet Silverado Custom Trail Boss is hard to beat. If you want a little more luxury, the LT Trail Boss is always an option.