When you’re at your Chevy Silverado 1500 dealer checking out the new lineup, it’s easy to get caught up in performance and capability specs. Don’t get us wrong, how the engine functions and how much your Silverado 1500 can haul and tow are essential for choosing a new truck. But Chevy didn’t just make a bed on wheels; they made a fully designed vehicle full of special features to make your life more convenient, comfortable, and safe.
These enhancements make the Silverado 1500 an all-around great vehicle, no matter if you’re using it for work at the job site, plan to hit the trail, or even just pick up your partner for a date night in style. We want to take a look at a few of these small but mighty features that you might otherwise miss to help you make a more informed decision about the right Silverado 1500 for you.
Exterior Features
Chevy has added several available and standard features to the exterior of the Silverado 1500 that make it a better and more capable truck. Here are a few of our favorites that we think you’ll love, too.
Multi-Flex Tailgate
Instead of a traditional tailgate, some Silverado 1500s come with a Multi-Flex tailgate. It works like a Swiss army knife does, flexing to accommodate your needs during a variety of tasks you might be using your bed for. The primary gate acts as any normal tailgate does, but you can also fold down an easy-access inner gate to give yourself more room to reach into the bed without lowering the whole thing.
There are also primary and inner gate load stops that prevent items from shifting around. If you plan to work from your truck, a special configuration of the Multi-Flex tailgate lets you essentially make a work surface for yourself. Fold the primary gate down and position the inner gate upright to make a stable desk that can accommodate your laptop or anything else you need to work from.
Bed Lighting
While we’re in the back, another feature we love is the LED lighting in the cargo area. These lights illuminate the entirety of the bed, helping you see your cargo and be able to arrange it better, even at night. This certainly beats holding a flashlight in one hand while trying to rearrange your stuff with the other. It’ll also help keep you from tripping over that 2×4 you forgot you put in the back. It’s easy to take these for granted, but we guarantee you’ll miss them when using a truck without bed lighting.
Tailgate Step Lights
Speaking of features that can help keep you safe, the tailgate rear step lights do a similar job as the bed lights. They help you see, so you don’t miss a step during low-light conditions. This is especially important when you have your hands full, and a fall could be seriously dangerous.
CornerStep Rear Bumper
The tailgate step lights wouldn’t be much use now if there weren’t also steps to use to climb up into the cargo bed. These steps are located in the corners of the bumpers so you can get into the bed without having to scramble up from either side. They’re made out of the same durable material as the bumper and can usually hold a payload of 300 – 500 lbs. Just one more thing, making it safer and easier to haul cargo.
Interior Features
The bed makes up a significant portion of the Silverado’s capability, so it makes sense that extra lights, gate configurations, and steps have been added to supercharge the exterior. But Chevy didn’t forget about the inside. There are loads of great safety and convenience features for drivers and passengers alike inside the new Chevy Silverado 1500.
Wireless Charging Pad
We seem to be on our smartphones at all times. Often, it is for something important; maybe your boss called you, or maybe you’re just blasting music out of your phone’s speakers. You shouldn’t be messing around with cords while driving, so if you forget to plug your phone in, you might get to your destination and find you don’t have any battery left. Chevy has fixed this issue by adding an available wireless charging pad. Now, drivers just need to place their phones on it and hit the road; their smartphones will charge automatically without the need for cords that can get tangled. This adds convenience and helps drivers stay connected when they’re on the move.
Power Outlets
Your smartphone isn’t the only thing you probably want to keep charged and connected when you’re on the road. Especially if you need your work laptop or your kids have their tablets with them on a road trip. That’s why Chevy includes multiple USB and 12-Volt Outlets throughout the cabin, depending on the year and trim of the truck. This can also be vital when you’re out in the backcountry and away from civilization. If you’re like so many with a ‘go-bag’ stashed in the back in case of emergency, you can power your emergency radio, heater, or even electrical fire starter with the help of your truck.
Upfitter Switches
Certain trim levels can have upfitter switches added to the dash to enable electrical connections with aftermarket accessories. Essentially, these switches are primed to have things like extra lighting, winches, air compressors, or even sirens installed for folks in patrolling professions. If you get a Silverado 1500 with upfitter switches, the possibilities for customization are seemingly endless.
Console Safe
If you’re on the road a lot, especially for work, getting a Silverado 1500 with the available lockable console safe is a must. You can securely stow your valuables away from prying eyes and potential theft. Sometimes, you can’t help but leave your valuables unattended in your truck, and this will give you added peace of mind while deterring criminals.
Rear-Seat Reminder
This system serves to alert the driver to check the back seat under certain conditions. For example, the alert might be shown when there is a certain amount of weight in the back seat, indicating there might be a pet or a child left back there. We know you’re busy, and sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a potential oversight like leaving your child in a hot car. Chevy is there to help you avoid dangerous scenarios you might not even think about on a day-to-day level.
A Variety of Enhancements to Elevate Your Daily Drive
When visiting your local Chevy dealership, make sure to spend some time poking around all these (and other) great smaller features. Climb around the bed, test out the steps, and check to see if there’s a lockbox or wireless charging pad. Think about which types of extra features will serve you best. Are you going to be on the job site or the highway more? Ask questions to your dealer and make sure you understand the full scope of features that come with your new Chevy; there are probably more than you expect. The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a truck that needs to be experienced in person to truly be understood, and we think you’ll understand the moment you step behind the wheel.
