TOWING BY THE DOZEN WITH SILVERADO
Was the Silverado LT Trail Boss the toughest vehicle on our CAOS Tough Tested 2022 course? Let’s find out
February 2022, Barmara, the SA summer heat intensified conditions on our two already-challenging CAOS Tough Tested 2022 test courses. The red herrings came particularly thick and quick on the Mega Test Track, where 11 apprentice off-road drivers tackled a water crossing, wombat holes, a dirt speed track, a sand trap, and a dirt hill climb.
Twelve RVs followed the multi-obstacle track over four race days at the Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park: a few 2.5t+ tare dual-axle vans, some sporty single axles comprising pop-tops and hybrids, pop-up style campers, and a rear fold rounding out the mix. A solid brief for any tow vehicle.
So was the Silverado LT Trail Boss up to it? Let’s find out!
Ready from the Get Go
To safely tow so many different-sized RVs across the terrain, our apprentice drivers needed a vehicle tailored for towing offroad. That’s exactly how CAOS Tough Tested 2022 executive producer Warren Parrot described the Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss tasked for the job.
“The Silverados are purpose built for that environment. Every single one of our participants was blown away with how it performed, which was great feedback really,” says Warren.
Our CAOS Tough Tested team chose the Silverado LT Trail Boss with the standard factory-fitted lift-kit, monotube shocks and 18in alloy wheels shod in mud terrain for clearance on our Mega Test Track obstacles. “Previous years, when we have done similar tests, we have modified vehicles [to suit the terrain]. This time round the LT Trail Boss was able to do everything we asked of it.”
And with a GCM of 6804kg and 2481kg at the kerb including the standard Trailering Package, the numbers were right across the board.
Auto Locking Diff
Built upon a light, strong steel frame, all Chevy Silverados available through GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) come with the Z71 Off-Road package which includes upgraded monotube shocks, metal underbody shield, off-road bump stops, all-terrain tyres and more. The Autotrac 2-speed transfer case enables auto- locking at the rear diff so our drivers could concentrate on braking accelerating, and picking their lines. There was ample dust and a sand trap on the course, too; thankfully, Chevy fits a heavy-duty air filter to protect the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine and 10-speed auto transmission.
The live rear-axle suspension with semi-elliptic multileaf springs provided enough payload for the varying ball weights, with leafs in two stages to manage ruts without foregoing comfort.
On the Hill Climb, the Silverado LT Trail Boss never lagged even when towing 2700kg+ through the dirt tapping into that 313kW of power. The EcoTec3 is an alloy small-block engine with advanced lubrication, keeping things sweet even in low gear under the baking sun. And with 624Nm of torque, it swallowed the wombat holes.
Cylinder Control
During the past year, the What’s Up Downunder crew has used Chevrolet’s popular V8 to haul vans and kit across Australia. Being high performance, the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine requires high octane fuel, but it has a reliable reputation and plenty of power. Our teams found that the Silverado MY21 range delivers excellent comfort when towing; “Because they are so powerful you don’t really feel the load behind you when you’re cruising unless you’re braking or powering up” says Warren.
That comes as no surprise given the Silverados cycle through 10 gears and will only use cylinders as required. Indeed, unencumbered, highway cruising from Melbourne’s South East suburbs to Airlie Beach with the engine well run in, we came close to the claimed 12.7L/100km driving the LTZ Premium (using high octane fuel). Macca reported 13L/100km unladen using 98 octane in the Silverado LT Trail Boss, averaging close to 23L/100km towing 3t on and off-road.
