12 Great Full-Size Trucks That Are Ready to Head Off-Road

There was a time when, if you wanted to take your truck out for some serious adventures away from paved roads, any model you could get from the factory was in need of a big custom job. You’d need a lifted suspension, new shocks, and maybe even an upgrade to your 4×4 system—the whole nine yards. However, as off-roading has grown in popularity and automotive technology has progressed, automakers have started to offer trucks that are ready to hit the trails fresh off the assembly line. And while the most hard-core off-road trims were at first generally reserved for midsize models, there are now many great full-size trucks that are just as rugged as they are roomy.

If you’re looking for off-road capable trucks for sale near Lake County, you can’t go wrong heading to Salida to visit us here at The Faricy Boys Automotive. Not only do we have a state-of-the-art website that lets you browse our inventory, take care of financing, and make service appointments from the comfort of your home, as well as a friendly and helpful staff ready to answer your questions and offer all the help you need, we also have a comprehensive lineup of quality American trucks. From Chevy and GMC to Ford and Ram, we have plenty of options for you to choose from, so you can find an off-road ride that feels tailor-made to your needs. Whether you’re a casual hobbyist or a full-fledged enthusiast, we’ve got something that’s just right for your lifestyle and your budget.

#1 – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71

Not every off-road truck has to be a pricey model that’s stacked with every rugged feature you can think of. If you’re just looking for something that’s a little more capable on Rocky Mountain roads and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, you can keep things simple by opting for a Silverado 1500 with the Z71 Off-Road Package. This package can be added to the humble WT trim for a nice entry-level option that doesn’t bump up the price with too many bells and whistles. The package gives you an automatic locking rear differential and two-speed transfer case for improving traction on a variety of surfaces, hill descent control to help you tackle steep grades, a heavy-duty air filter to keep dust and other debris at bay, and skid plates to keep underbody components protected.

#2 – Ford F-150 Rattler

Introduced for the 2023 model year, the Rattler package gives the F-150 its own entry-level option. Built off the XL trim, the Rattler features skid plates, an electronic locking rear differential, hill descent control, and shock absorbers tuned for off-road conditions. It also gives you a set of all-terrain tires to give you the grip you need to explore the Colorado wilderness.

#3 – Ram 1500 Rebel

Ram is well known for delivering a particularly smooth ride while also offering plenty of capability. This makes the Ram 1500 a good choice if you want both a hardy off-roader and a comfortable vehicle for daily driving on the streets of Lake County. The affordable Rebel trim comes standard with a lifted suspension for extra ground clearance, front and rear Bilstein performance-tuned shocks, and a set of all-terrain tires.

#4 – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss

Chevy’s Trail Boss trucks are a good compromise between the basic Z71 package and the highly capable but pricey ZR2. The Custom Trail Boss has more comfort and convenience features than the WT and provides all of the upgrades in the Z71 package, plus a two-inch factory lift, power-retractable assist steps, red recovery hooks, and mud-terrain tires. The LT Trail Boss has all that, plus an upgraded infotainment system with a larger screen, among other extras.

#5 – Ford F-150 Tremor

Ford’s version of a middle-of-the-road off-road trim is the Tremor. This gives the F-150 selectable drive modes to easily optimize settings for your situation, skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a Trail Control system that’s basically cruise control for off-roading—it keeps the speed constant so you can focus on steering on twisty mountain paths. The Tremor also allows you to upgrade to a powerful 3.5L twin-turbo V6 engine and add on a modular front bumper that’s compatible with accessories like powerful winches that can come in handy out on the trails.

#6 – GMC Sierra 1500 AT4

If you’re a fan of the Silverado’s quality build but don’t think its style is quite right for you, you’ll want to check out the GMC Sierra 1500, which is built on the same platform. The Sierra’s AT4 trim packs a powerful and torque-heavy diesel engine under the hood and sports a two-inch factory lift, an off-road suspension with monotube shocks, a two-speed Autotrac transfer case, an automatic locking rear differential, and protective underbody skid plates. It also has an exclusive jet-black interior decked out with heated and ventilated leather front seats.

#7 – Ram 1500 TRX

Now, we’re heading into the category of extremely capable off-road trims that are fully equipped and ready to tackle anything Colorado has to throw at them. If you’re shopping used, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the Ram 1500 TRX, which ran from the 2021-2024 model years. This beast is ready to provide thrills with its powerful supercharged HEMI V8 engine and can keep you comfy even at high speeds with a beefy suspension system and Bilstein remote-reservoir dampers.

#8 – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2

The Silverado 1500 ZR2 lets you know its purpose at first glance with both rugged styling features like black trim and serious cues of an off-road truck like red recovery hooks, mud terrain tires with deep tread, and bumpers cut to provide the highest possible approach, departure, and breakover angles. This trim comes standard with Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear electronic lockers, and large aluminum skid plates that provide plenty of coverage.

#9 – GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X

If you want many of the same features of the Silverado 1500 ZR2 in a slightly different package, you can try the Sierra 1500 AT4X on for size. On top of the DSSV dampers, locking differentials, and capable powertrain, you’ll also get available American Expedition Vehicle (AEV) parts like a stamped-steel front bumper capable of supporting a winch and a stamped boron steel front approach skid plate. You’ll also find a more luxurious cabin to help you wind down and relax after an exciting day on the trails around Lake County.

#10 – Ram 1500 RHO

For the 2025 model year, Ram bid farewell to the TRX and its supercharged HEMI V8 engine, but it brought in a worthy replacement in the form of the Ram 1500 RHO. The high-output Hurricane twin-turbo I-6 under the hood is more efficient and plenty powerful for tearing up the trails, sending the truck from 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. Much of the equipment from the TRX is carried over to the new model, and there are some new goodies as well. You’ll get a long-travel suspension system with adaptive damping that adjusts to different types of terrain, a full floating rear axle with a rear electronic locking differential, and a total ground clearance of 11.8 inches.

#11 – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison

Introduced to the Silverado lineup for the 2023 model year after making a splash on the midsize Colorado years before, the ZR2 Bison trim is part of a collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles and adds even more off-roading equipment. On top of everything on the ZR2, you’ll get AEV stamped steel front and rear bumpers boasting heavy-duty recovery points, hot-stamped boron steel skid plates protecting vital underbody components, steel rocker panel protection, and exclusive 18-inch AEV wheels with a gloss black finish.

#12 – Ford F-150 Raptor

No list of off-road trucks would be complete without the iconic F-150 trim that has launched a thousand copycats. The F-150 Raptor has been around for a while, but rather than resting on its laurels, it has continued to evolve and improve over the years, bringing more horsepower, more specialized features (like Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist), and more fun. Whether you opt for the twin-turbo V6 Raptor or the even more high-powered Raptor R with its supercharged V8 engine, you’ll have everything you need to make the Rockies your playground, from heavy-duty skid plates to sport-tuned shock absorbers in the front and rear to huge all-terrain tires wrapped around beadlock-capable wheels.