What Are The Biggest Tires That Fit A Stock Trail Boss?

The Trail Boss is Chevrolet's trail-ready trim for both its Colorado and Silverado pickup trucks. However, many truck enthusiasts prefer to change the stock wheel and tire setup. What are the biggest tires you can fit on a stock Trail Boss? Here's what our research has uncovered.

When using the stock wheels and suspension, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss can accommodate tires up to 34.8 inches in overall diameter. Although some true 35-inch tires can fit, these bigger tires will cause some rubbing against parts of the wheel well.

On another note, a stock 2023 Colorado Trail Boss can handle up to 32.5-inch tires, while older year models can take up to 31.6-inch tires.

Would you like to know more about your tire upsizing options for the Trail Boss? Do read on because we've also included some important points to ponder before you invest your time and resources in a tire customization project.

A Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss displayed on the parking lot, What Are The Biggest Tires That Fit A Stock Trail Boss?

What's The Biggest Tire I Can Put On A 2021 Trail Boss?

The Silverado 1500 is Chevrolet's full-size, half-ton representative in the pickup truck segment. For decades, the Silverado nameplate has always been on the podium of America's best-selling trucks, often coming second only to the Ford F-Series.

Chevy Silverado 1500 Trail Boss Z71 on display at the 2021 Houston Summer Auto Show

The Chevrolet Colorado, in turn, is the Silverado's smaller brother competing in the mid-size truck segment. Although the Colorado lags far behind the Toyota Tacoma in mid-size truck sales, the former still often ranks within the top 5 of the segment.

The Trail Boss, in turn, is one of Chevrolet's trail-ready sub-brands or trims for both the Silverado 1500 and the Colorado. With off-road suspensions and factory-customized front lifts, Trail Boss trims can take bigger tires than other non-offroad trims.  

So how big of a tire can you fit in a Trail Boss?

Max Tire Size On A Colorado Trail Boss

Although the 2023 Colorado ZR2's 3-inch lift and suspension package make it the most off-road capable Colorado, the 2023 Colorado Trail Boss trim is no slouch whatsoever. With a 2-inch front lift straight out of the factory, the 2023 Colorado Trail Boss can still brave unfriendly roads confidently.

We should note, however, that the previous-generation Colorado Trail Boss only has a 1-inch front lift or leveling kit. These older year models can handle up to 31.5-inch tires on stock 17-inch rims. Some of the tire upsizing options are as follows:

  • 265/65/R17 - 30.6 inches
  • 265/70/R17 - 31.6 inches
  • 255/65/R18 - 31.1 inches
  • 265/65/R18 - 31.6 inches

The 2023 Colorado Trail Boss comes with stock 32-inch tires on 18-inch wheels. However, with the extra 1-inch lift over the previous years, the upcoming trail Boss can likely take on 32.5-inch tires.

Silverado Trail Boss Max Tire Size

Like its Colorado counterpart, the Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss also comes with a stock 2-inch front suspension lift. The additional wheel well clearance allows the Trail Boss to take on bigger tires than other Silverado trims.

The 2022 Silverado Trail Boss sits on a few stock wheel-and-tire combinations.

  • 255/80/R17 - 33.1 inches
  • 265/70/R17 - 31.6 inches
  • 275/65/R18 - 32.1 inches
  • 275/60/R20 - 33 inches

As we can see from the list above, the Silverado Trail Boss' stock tires can be as big as 33.1 inches straight out of the factory. However, the half-ton Chevy truck trim can accommodate up to 34.8-inch tires. Going for larger, 35-inch tires will cause some mild rubbing against the wheel well lining.

Here are some of the bigger tire sizes you can choose for your Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss.

  • 17-inch wheels
    • 34 x 10.5 / R17 - 34 inches
    • 255/85/R17 - 34.1 inches
  • 18-inch wheels
    • 295/70/R18 - 34.3 inches
    • 285/75/R18 - 34.8 inches
  • 20-inch wheels
    • 275/65/R20 - 34.1 inches
    • 285/65/R20 - 34.6 inches
  • 22-inch wheels
    • 285/55/R22 - 34.3 inches
    • 295/55/R22 - 34.8 inches

We should note, however, that not all tire manufacturers adhere to the exact measurements as they publish. To avoid any miscalculations, we suggest that you bring your Trail Boss directly to a tire shop to see which specific tire brands can fit.

How Do You Read A Tire Code?

Although tires provide their size specifications on the tire walls, the tire may not be readily understandable for some people. For example, let's use one of the Silverado Trail Boss' stock tire sizes:  275/65/R18.

  • 275 is the tire's width, measured in millimeters.
  • 65 is the tire's aspect ratio in percent format
  • R18 tells us that the tire is of radial construction and fits perfectly on an 18-inch wheel.

As we have mentioned earlier, not all tire manufacturers follow the exact same measurements as they publish for their tires. Furthermore, some tread patterns can actually make a tire bigger than others with the same tire size specifications.

To get the actual sizes of the tires, you may want to measure them yourself. Here's how.

What Is Overall Diameter Of A Tire?

A tire's overall diameter is the distance between two corresponding points on the tire's outermost circumference. When measuring the overall diameter, you should mount and inflate the tire on its specific rim size.

Moreover, the tire must not be installed on the vehicle yet. The overall diameter should be determined while the tire is not bearing any load and is sitting on level ground.

How Do You Determine Tire Tread Width?

Using the same conditions when measuring overall diameter, we can also determine a tire's width. Tire width, or tread width, is the distance from one sidewall to the other.  

When determining tread width, make sure that your measuring tape is completely perpendicular to the tire's upright axis

Tire Aspect Ratio Meaning

The tire's aspect ratio is the relationship between the tire's height and its width.

We measure tire height from the rim's outermost point to the corresponding point on the tire's outermost circumference. In other words, tire height is the circumferential width of the tire's sidewall.

When you divide the tire's height by its width, you will get the tire's aspect ratio. Based on our sample aspect ratio of 65, we know that the tire's height is 65% of the tire's width.

Is It Worth Getting Bigger Tires?

Wheels on the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Trail Boss Z71

Getting bigger tires is one of the easiest ways you can improve the appearance and performance of your truck. As long as the tires don't rub or scratch against your wheel well, you don't need to spend on a leveling kit or a complete suspension lift.  

Before you decide to upsize your tires, however, know that it has its pros and cons.

Is There A Benefit To Having Bigger Tires?

Offroading monster truck in the forest

Some truck owners modify their truck's suspension and wheel setups to get a "lowrider" effect. A big majority, however, prefer to upsize their tires to accentuate the ruggedness of their pickups.

Aside from aesthetic appeal, however, there are several advantages that come from larger tires.

Higher Ground Clearance

Even with stock suspension systems and factory rims, you can already increase your car's ground clearance just by upsizing your tires. With this added ground clearance, you also get a bump in some aspects that are important for off-roading activities.

  • greater approach angle
  • greater departure angles
  • better water fording/wading depth
  • greater ramp break-over angle

Better Traction

Bigger tires - specifically wider tires - have larger contact patches on the road compared to narrower ones. A larger contact patch means that you have increased traction and, therefore, better control over a moving vehicle.

With a higher level of traction, you can brave slippery, sandy, or snowy terrain with more confidence. Moreover, the increased traction also improves your truck's stability at highway speeds or during emergency cornering situations.

Are Bigger Tires Better Or Worse?

Although upsizing your tires will give you several advantages, the process also comes with some trade-offs.  

  • More expensive tires - bigger tires generally cost more than your smaller stock tire sizes
  • Slower acceleration - bigger tires generate more rolling resistance, making your vehicle accelerate slower
  • Heavier steering - the bigger tires' larger contact patches generate more friction against the road surface, especially when dry steering in tight areas.
  • Worse fuel efficiency - bigger tires strain the engine slightly more, leading to higher fuel consumption
  • Inaccurate speedometer reading - vehicles with larger tires will move faster than what their speedometers are showing.

When it comes to tire upsizing, most tire experts advise vehicle owners to stay within 3% of the overall diameter of the stock tires. However, some automakers design certain truck and SUV trim levels with bigger wheel well clearances that are ready for up to 15% tire upsizing.

How Much Is A Brand New Chevy Colorado?

2022 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab pickup truck

If you're in the market for a new mid-size truck, then check out this list of selected 2022 Colorado trims with their corresponding starting prices. These prices are accurate as of November 2022 based on Chevrolet USA's website.

  • WT 2WD Short Box Crew Cab - $ 29,530
  • LT 2WD Long Box Extended Cab - $ 30,430
  • LT 2WD Long Box Crew Cab - $ 34,395
  • WT 4WD Long Box Extended Cab - $ 31,530
  • Z71 4WD Long Box Crew Cab - $ 41,095
  • ZR2 4WD Short Box Crew Cab - $ 46,695

How Much Does A Silverado Truck Cost?

If you're looking for a new half-ton truck, you may want to start your online window shopping with the Chevy Silverado. Here are some of the current Silverado trims and their respective starting prices.

  • WT 2WD Regular Cab with Standard Bed - $ 36,395
  • WT 2WD Crew Cab with Standard Bed - $ 42,395
  • High Country 2WD Crew Cab with Short Bed - $ 61,595
  • WT 4WD Regular Cab with Standard Bed - $ 40,995
  • LT Trail Boss 4WD Crew Cab with Short Bed - $ 57,095
  • ZR2 4WD Crew Cab with Short Bed - $ 70,195

Wrapping Up

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss displayed on the parking lot

A stock Colorado Trail Boss can take larger tires up to 31.6 inches for the current year model and 32.5 inches for the upcoming 2023 model. On the other hand, a stock Silverado Trail Boss can accommodate larger tires up to 34.8 inches in overall diameter.

Thank you very much for reading. We hope that this article helped you narrow down your tire upsizing choices for a stock Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss.

For more interesting reads about tires and trucks, you may also check out these great articles.

What Is The Biggest Tire I Can Put On An 18-Inch Rim?

Can You Use Tires With Different Aspect Ratio Or Tread?

Why Do New Car Tires Wear Out So Fast?

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