The package also adds feature that improves day-to-day drive in the big truck.

Let's start talking about the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trailboss by acknowledging a simple reality — most people who buy off-road-capable trucks never actually take them off-road. For the most part, the four-wheel-drive systems in pickup trucks stay dormant in rear-wheel-drive. Like many others, I've purchased 4WD trucks because "I might need it one of these days," so I'm not throwing stones here. I'm just acknowledging that all that equipment is more psychological than practical.

But if the day ever comes when there's a serious terrain challenge between you and your destination, and you're behind the wheel of your truck, it'll be a good thing if that truck is a Chevy Silverado LT with the Trailboss package.

The Trailboss package goes on either the Custom 4WD or LT 4WD trim levels. Custom is a little more spartan, while LT is a little more luxurious. Choosing Trailboss with either of these trucks adds automatic 4WD, an electronic locking differential, hill descent control, snappy red recovery hooks, a two-inch body lift with Rancho monotube shock absorbers, underbody skid plates, and 18-inch gloss black wheels wrapped with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires.

You can still choose the driveline you want with a Trailboss. Chevy will produce your truck with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder, 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter V8, or the 3.0-liter Duramax inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. The diesel costs more than anything except the big 6.2-liter V8, but it's worth it. The diesel offers the same torque as the big V8, but gets substantially better fuel economy. The diesel and the V8 options come with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the four-cylinder gets eight speeds.

The automatic 4WD is one of the big reasons to choose a Trailboss. This system allows you to use the traditional high-range and low-range 4WD system, but also adds an Automatic mode. This mode works more like the AWD system in a car or SUV. You can drive along with rear-wheel-drive, saving fuel, but if the truck detects wheel slip, it can engage the 4WD system on the spot to give you extra traction. That works for you whether you're in your driveway or out on the trails.

The rest of the Trailboss package is useful on those occasions when you're really off-road. The two-inch lift sets the Silverado above other 4WD trucks, and the locking differential and hill descent control are good for traction on loose surfaces. To get a more capable off-roader, you'll need to buy the over-the-top ZR2 off-road trim.

The rest of the Silverado LT Trailboss is the same as other Silverados. You're getting a comfortable well-equipped truck with features like trailer sway control and a trailering package with hitch camera guidance. The central infotainment display is a huge 13.4-inch touchscreen that supports everything modern, including voice control from Google. Just say, "Hey Google" and ask for what you want.

The Trail Boss Premium package also adds a bunch of nice features like a trailer brake controller and trailer blind spot alert, Bose sound system, leather interior, and a 360-degree surround vision camera system.

The bottom line on the 2022 Chevy Silverado LT Trailboss is that whether or not you regularly go off-road, this truck can fulfill that promise in the real world. If you don't go off-road, it still looks great and you're getting a lot of premium features in a mid-priced full-size truck.

2022 Chevrolet Silverado Crew LT Trailboss 4WD

Base price: $52,000

Price as tested: $62,570

Type: Full size pickup

Engine: 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel (277 hp, 460 lbs-ft)

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

EPA estimated mileage: 20/23

Overall length: 231.9 inches

Curb weight: 5,240 pounds

Final assembly: Silao, Mexico