Vehicle manufacturers often offer equipment and appearance packages with their vehicles as a way of conveniently bundling features—rather than having customers shop for them only a la carte, they are offered in a series of trims or can be added onto existing trims. In the case of the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs the 2022 Ram 1500, there is no shortage of trim and package offerings between the two pickups. At every trim level, there are a handful of different packages for shoppers to choose from.
However, sifting through these options can be overwhelming, especially when there are a dozen other decisions to make when purchasing a new car. To help narrow it down, I’ve picked my favorite options for each trim level.
Silverado Work Truck
The Silverado Work Truck trim is the no-nonsense, fleet-oriented pickup. Lofty comforts and nifty technology features are minimized in order to keep costs ultra-low. For a truck like this, the best package will be one that packs a good value, like the Safety Confidence Package.
It’s relatively affordable and undoubtedly makes the Silverado safer to drive, with features like forward collision alert, emergency braking, and front pedestrian braking. It also equips the vehicle with cruise control, a 4.2” driver information center, and steering wheel audio controls.
Silverado Custom
The Rally Edition makes the Silverado Custom feel more expensive than it is. It completely transforms the look of the vehicle with the addition of several black accents, including bowtie emblems and “Chevrolet” lettering. The Rally Edition Silverado Custom also has assist steps—making it easier to get in and out of the truck—as well as a spray-on bedliner, which protects the bed from damage.
Silverado Custom Trail Boss
The Realtree Edition of the Silverado Custom Trail Boss makes the perfect hunting companion. Its camouflage accents on the truck bed, hood, and interior are courtesy of Realtree, who’ve been mastering the art of camo since the 1980s. It also includes all-weather floor liners, which are sure to come in handy after a day of tromping around in the woods. The Realtree Edition is one of the more unique package offerings by both vehicle manufacturers; while it’s designed to blend in while in the woods, it’s sure to stand out on the road.
Silverado LT
When climbing up the trim ladder, the Silverado LT will be the first to offer Chevy’s 3.0-L Duramax turbo-diesel inline-6, making it the perfect choice for the Max Trailering Package. Diesel engines are great for towing, and with the Max Trailering Package, the Silverado LT will maximize its towing capability. Additions include heavier-duty springs, specialized shock tuning, and enhanced cooling systems.
Silverado RST
The Convenience Package II is one of the most generous packages for the Silverado RST. It is largely tech-based, adding 120-volt outlets to the instrument panel and bed, USB ports, and a rear sliding power window. This package also tacks on an 8” color touchscreen, an HD rear-vision camera, and a Bose premium sound system.
Silverado LT Trail Boss
The Silverado LT Trail Boss already comes standard with a slew of off-road friendly features, like a 2” factory lift and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires. To make this pickup even more adventure-ready, the Advanced Trailering Package is here. It’s fairly inexpensive, but will make towing campers, trailers, or anything else that much easier to move.
Smart features include Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, which displays a guideline on the rear vision camera and shows a close-up of the hitch—to help drivers line up properly when backing up toward a trailer. The Advanced Trailering Package also includes the Trailer Tire Pressure and Temperature Monitoring System. This feature monitors the temperature and pressure of trailer tires in order to preemptively detect blowouts.
Silverado LTZ
When added to the Silverado LTZ, the Safety Package II completely transforms the driving experience. It’s a safety package and includes your typical safety features, like forward collision alert and front pedestrian braking, but it also adds on driver assistance features, like lane keep assist with departure warning and the life-changing adaptive cruise control.
Silverado High Country
The Silverado High Country is already chock full of premium features straight from the factory, like 20” wheels and a power tailgate. To really up the ante, tack on the High Country Deluxe package. It includes the Safety Package II features mentioned above and also adds on a ton of additional features: wheel locks, upgraded all-season tires, a power sunroof, and adaptive ride control. The latter creates a more responsive ride via automatic adjustments to the suspension based on driving conditions.
Ram Tradesman
The Ram Tradesman is the bare-bones, base trim of the bunch, but it doesn’t have to look that way. The Sport Appearance Package adds tons of features that give the pickup a slick look. It includes body-matched front and rear bumpers, as well as a body-matched grille surround. Functionality is improved too, with the addition of fog lights, carpet floor covering, and front and rear floor mats.
Ram Big Horn
Safety comes at a low price with the addition of the Level 1 Safety Group to the Ram Big Horn. It’s one of the less expensive packages offered, and it packs in several safety features. Advanced braking assist, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and pedestrian emergency braking are all included. Additionally, this package adds on a 3.5” display cluster and an automatic-dimming rearview mirror.
Ram Laramie
The G/T Package offered with the Laramie trim packs several additional sporty features. Included are leather/vinyl seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. It also gets an upgraded air intake system, courtesy of Mopar, and off-roading rubber floor mats, also by Mopar. Several design elements in line with the G/T theme are included on both the Laramie’s interior and exterior, like a bright pedal kit and sports performance hood.
Ram Rebel
The Rebel 2 Equipment Group is on the pricier side of Ram’s packages, but it certainly adds value to the pickup with its host of premium features. These include a Wifi hotspot, a 115-volt outlet, heated front seats and steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, power-folding mirrors, and the remote start feature, just to name a few.
Ram Limited Longhorn
If you’re opting for the Ram Limited Longhorn, you can’t go wrong with the Southfork Edition Group. It isn’t too costly, but lets you spend money where it counts. It includes all-terrain tires, a full-size spare, a multi-function tailgate, and a tailgate ajar warning lamp. It boosts style and comfort as well, with a unique instrument cluster and premium leather bucket seats.
Ram Limited
To celebrate the Ram’s 10th Anniversary, Ram is releasing a special 10th Anniversary Edition of the Ram Limited. It makes a huge aesthetic impact with quilted leather bucket seats, suede headliner, and a jeweled rotary shifter. It also includes an upgraded sound system by Kardon, cargo tie-down hooks, and a multi-function tailgate. There’s no shortage of chrome detailing, and an exclusive paint color is offered with this Ram iteration as well.
Ram TRX
The TRX is the Ram’s best off-road performance trim. That being the case, the available packages skew expensive. If you want to squeeze in more luxury without breaking the bank, you can add on the Carbon-Fiber Package, which adds carbon fiber accents throughout the interior. Carbon fiber is one of the most coveted materials in vehicles due to its light weight and durability—not to mention its sleek elegance.
Whether you’re a fan of the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 or a 2022 Ram 1500, you really can’t go wrong. Both are high-performing, good-looking, distinguished pickups that have carved out their own space in the market. The cornucopia of trim levels and options make these trucks highly customizable, as well. Anyone stressing over the staggering number of possible configurations should know that, regardless of trim level, packages, etc., they’ll end up with a capable pickup at the end of the day.
