Since launching the new Trail Boss trim level for the Silverado 1500, GM has started to realize it has a bit of a hit on its hands. The financial reports for the second quarter of 2019 are in, and sales of the off-road-oriented version of the Silverado have come in way over GM's expectations. According to GM Authority, the manufacturer is responding by doubling production.

Chevy isn't just sitting on its laurels and pumping more trucks out though, and will now be offering the Custom Trail Boss and the LT Trail Boss levels with the Silverado 1500's top of the line 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine making 420 horsepower with 460 lb-ft of torque. If that's too thirsty for off-road truckers, the base model 4.3L V6 LV3 EcoTec3 is still available and the 5.3L V8 L82 EcoTec3 sits in the middle for the best of both worlds for 2020.

With the additional larger engine, it looks like Chevy will be capitalizing on the Trail Boss success as it takes the fight to the Nissan Titan Pro-4X, Ram 1500 Rebel, and Jeep Gladiator in what's shaping up to become a competitive space in the truck market. It appears off-road capable SUVs are getting too expensive as they get more luxurious but people still want the cargo capacity that dedicated recreational vehicles like Jeep's Wrangler can't deliver.

The Silverado Trail Boss trim is Chevy's first pickup truck to get the full off-road treatment with a factory lift on specialty off-road shock absorbers as well as options to get truly serious with a locking rear differential, skid plates, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires. And as we learned, when the Trail Boss is kitted out suitably it's not a Raptor competitor but it's very own and very capable thing.