Which Used Chevy Truck Is Right for You?

You have a vast array of options available to you when you’re shopping for a vehicle, which can make the process feel pretty overwhelming. If you narrow things down to just trucks, you have a ton of options; narrowing it down further to used trucks, you still have a ton of options; and even if you only look at used Chevy trucks, you still have a huge variety. That’s why it helps to choose the right used Chevrolet dealer so you have people to help you sort through all of this and find what you’re looking for. Fortunately for you, that’s exactly what you’ll find here at Service Chevrolet with our amazing team of people.

While we’re always happy to answer all of your questions and work with you directly, we also know it helps to get things started on your own and figure out some details. To help with that, today we’re going to take you through some of the important things to consider when looking at used Chevy trucks to help you find the right one. To ensure you get the perfect vehicle, we need to work directly with you, but we can get you started today and assist with narrowing down all of those options. Just remember that the right answer ultimately depends on what you require from a truck and making sure you get something that delivers.

First, Consider Capability Needs

The first thing we do when trying to figure out which truck is right for us—whether we’re looking at new or used models—is consider what we need it to be able to do. You can try to skip this part and go straight to looking at different classes and models, but you’ll ultimately need to figure this out anyway, so it’s better to focus on it initially. Unfortunately, this isn’t something we can answer for you, but we can help you consider this subject. For starters, think about the weight limits you need your truck to be able to handle in terms of both payload and towing; make sure you’re pretty generous here and overestimate a little bit without going too crazy.

In addition to payload and towing, think about how you plan on using your truck each day because that’s going to guide some important decisions. Do you need something for basic commuting to job sites, or are you looking for a truck that can reach difficult locations through challenging terrain? Is it purely for use as a workhorse, or do you want something that’s perfect for having fun on the weekend, too? These are important considerations that will guide you as you look at different models, so be sure to figure these things out or at least have a rough sense of what you need your truck to be able to handle.

Second, Choose the Size That Works for You

Now that we have that out of the way, we can focus on some more specifics, and a great place to start is with the overall size and class that will work best for you. To start with, you should consider whether something smaller like the midsize Chevy Colorado will meet your needs or if you require the full-size power and functionality of something like the Chevy Silverado. That stuff you figured out above about capability and what you need from your truck will make this a lot easier, which is why we started with that first.

Even if you know you need the kind of power that only a full-size truck can deliver; you still have more decisions to make. When looking at used Chevy Silverado 1500 models, you can find an impressive range of different cab sizes and truck beds available—Chevy has offered five combinations of these for many years now. Consider how many passengers you need to have along with you on a regular basis, and choose the cab size that works best for this. Similarly, be realistic about the length of items you typically need to load up in your truck’s bed, and make sure you get a used truck with enough space for what you need.

Third, Look at Different Models

Now, the fun part—once you’ve got these basics figured out, you can start looking at different used Chevy trucks to find fantastic models that will work well for you. As we said a moment ago, if you want something with a midsize design, then the Colorado is an amazing choice that gives you impressive power and bold performance for its size. Due to its smaller design and robust capabilities, a used Chevy Colorado is perfect for heading off-road and taking on difficult trails: look for a Z71 model for serious off-road performance.

If you need a full-size truck, then the legendary Chevy Silverado is an amazing choice with a lot to offer. You have a huge variety of different Silverado models and trim levels to consider when looking at used pickups, so be ready to do a bit of navigating. In terms of trims, keep an eye out for a Z71 or Trail Boss model if you want to go off-road or go for a recent ZR2 model if you want truly exceptional capabilities out on the trail. If luxury and innovative technology are what you prefer, then you should look for a High Country model for the most impressive features on a Silverado. Finally, keep in mind that you have several Silverado models available, including the baseline 1500, a more-powerful Silverado 2500 HD, and an incredibly robust Silverado 3500 HD with dual rear wheels available to boost payload and fifth wheel towing capacities.

Fourth, Consider the Model Years

As you’re exploring all of these features and options, you’ll also want to keep in mind that there can be some important differences in the same truck model when going from one year to the next. Sometimes, a new model year will simply add a few new available options or a new exterior color, but the difference can also be much more dramatic. Going back to the Chevy Colorado, keep in mind that it received a major redesign for its second generation and the 2015 model year, then a facelift for 2021, and a third generation launched for the 2023 model year.

With the Chevy Silverado, you’re looking at an amazing truck that has dominated the market for more than 20 years, but you don’t have to go quite that far back with used models. Some key years to remember include 2016, when the third generation of the Silverado 1500 received a facelift, and 2019 when the fourth generation of the Silverado kicked off. The Silverado received a facelift and update for the 2022 model year, which is also worth remembering as you look at different options. These are all important because picking a 2022 model rather than a 2021 Silverado can drastically change things like Chevy’s standard engine and other major features.

Finally, Find the Perfect Truck

We know this has been quite a bit of information we’ve thrown at you today, but that’s why we broke it down into simple steps—take things one step at a time, and finding the right used Chevy truck becomes a lot easier. Of course, it’s still easier when you work with a dealership with friendly and knowledgeable people ready to assist you with everything you need, which is what you’ll find here at Service Chevrolet.

Once you know exactly what you require from your next pickup and narrow down your options so you can focus on some particular model years or trim levels, finding your next truck becomes much easier. Just remember to take your time to make sure you get everything you’re looking for and shop at a dealership that you can trust.

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