One thing becomes obvious the moment you start shopping for Chevy Silverado accessories: there’s whole wide world of products available, from extra storage bins to tonneau covers to floor mats, from a multitude of manufacturers. You can make your truck up just the way you like it, turning it into a well-stocked off-roader, the perfect job site companion, or something else altogether, with just a few well-made aftermarket parts and accessories.
But given the sheer volume of accessories available, it can be hard to know what to get. Should you buy the tonneau cover from Brand A, or is it worth the extra money to spring for Brand B? Are splash guards really worth it, or are they mostly ineffective at performing their stated job?
If you find yourself suffering from this kind of analysis paralysis, overwhelmed by the overabundance of options, don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this list of some of the best Chevy Silverado accessories currently available, by combing the market for the best made, most practical and universally useful items out there. Note that this isn’t a list of goods to transform your Silverado into a beastly off-road rig; there are other guides to help you do that. Rather, this is a list of the things that every (or almost every) Silverado driver should consider owning, whether hitting the trails is on the agenda or not.
Onto the list:
Table of contents
1. Editor's Choice: BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 Radial Tires
You don’t have to take your Chevy Silverado off the pavement, but if you do plan on it, and you don’t have the off-road-ready Trail Boss model, some good all-terrain tires are among the first Chevy Silverado accessories you should look at. One option worth considering is the BFGoodrich T/A KO2 all-terrain tire. Engineered to be as competent on the road as they are on the trail, these tires provide a good all-around solution for folks who use their trucks as commuter vehicles. They feature tough, split- and bruise-resistant sidewalls, specially formulated tread rubber that’s made for superior gravel road endurance, and stone ejectors to keep the treads clear for consistent performance. The staggered shoulder blocks provide traction in soft soil and deep snow, making it one of the most versatile tires out there.
2. Best Bed Security: Rough Country Low-Profile Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
A tonneau cover protects your truck’s bed – and whatever’s in it – from weather, prying eyes, and would-be thieves, making it among the most essential Chevy Silverado accessories available. There are a ton of tonneau cover options available, but for the money, we recommend this low-profile hard tri-fold unit from Rough Country. It’s sleek, with a textured black finish that’s made to last; it’s durable, with aircraft-grade aluminum construction and a sturdy mounting solution; and it’s secure, with a clever cable-latch system that keeps the cover locked whenever the tailgate is locked. And best of all, it achieves all this at an affordable price point.
3. Best Multi-Purpose Accessory: Smittybilt X2O Gen3 Waterproof Winch
Winches are most often associated with off-roading, where they are used to help get the off-roader unstuck out on the trail. But that doesn’t mean you have to venture off the pavement to see the benefits. Sometimes snow piles up, and you might need a helping hand getting free of a massive snow drift. And sometimes, you might need to pull a fence wire tight or move a small boulder out on the job site.
For its price, the Smittybilt X2O-12 Gen3 punches above its weight. This 7-hp winch is rated at 12,000 pounds, giving you plenty enough overhead for most scenarios, and it comes furnished with sturdy braided synthetic rope. It’s also waterproof, so you don’t have to fret if the unit sees a bit of rain, and it comes with Smittybilt’s Lifetime Warranty.
4. WeatherTech Custom Mud Flaps for Chevrolet Silverado 1500
There’s a common misconception that splash guards are only useful off-road, or when winter turns especially nasty, but that’s not true; road debris is everywhere. Splash guards deflect that debris safely away from the sides of your truck, preventing paint chips that could later turn into rust, and they minimize the chances you’ll damage someone else’s vehicle by kicking something up. These WeatherTech splash guards, custom formed for the new 2019+ Chevy Silverado, are among the best. Customers like that they offer more protection area than the OEM splash guard sets, and that they don’t require any drilling for installation, as drilling into sheet steel promotes rust.
5. Smittybilt Adventure Box
The Smittybilt Adventure Box is a flexible, durable bed storage solution for keeping tools, adventure gear, and general supplies – pretty much whatever you might need on your next trip. That’s all fine and well, but what we really like about the Adventure Box is its sturdy construction. It’s made of strong, 16-gauge steel that can withstand just about anything you’re likely to throw at it, coated in matte black to resist corrosion. It’s also quite accommodating, measuring nearly four feet long; it has gas-charged struts for easy opening; and it’s lockable for security.
Out of all the items on this list, why did editor’s choose tires as their top item?
It doesn’t matter what you use your Silverado for, changing out the stock tires to a good set of all-terrain tires can improve the handling of your truck both on and off-road. Other items on this list may be more valuable to one group than others. If someone is using their truck primarily for work purposes, having an off-road accessory, like a winch, might not be as important for their needs. Likewise, someone who is using their Silverado for off-roading may not need a toolbox or tonneau cover. Swapping out to a good set of tires is a great upgrade regardless of what you use your truck for.
When choosing a winch for my Silverado, which is better to buy? One with steel cable or synthetic rope?
Both have pros and cons, but it ultimately comes down to which works better for you. Steel cable is less expensive and requires less maintenance (yes, synthetic rope requires maintenance) but has its downfalls. Steel cable is susceptible to kinking, rusting and even breaking, but can withstand the elements better than synthetic rope can. The advantages of synthetic rope are that strong and reliable, but it is susceptible to harmful UV rays if not maintained properly and needs to be inspected regularly for abrasion damage.
Additional Resources
- Tire Selection 101: The Basics for Picking an Off-Road Tire
- The Best Winches and Why You Need One
- Best Off-Road Lights
Recent Updates
11/17/2021: Updated product descriptions, updated product links, ranked product, added FAQ and added additional resources
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