What moves the off-road score most?

Ground clearance, a real 4x4 system, and factory trail hardware: skid plates, lockers, all-terrain tires. In roughly that order.

Is AWD the same as 4x4 for off-road?

No. AWD manages slippery pavement; a true 4x4 with low range is built for terrain. The score knows the difference even when the sales sheet blurs it.

Do off-road packages actually matter, or is it stickers?

The real ones matter a lot — a factory off-road package can add lockers, lifted suspension, and armor that would cost thousands aftermarket. The sticker-only ones add nothing, and score like it.

Why does a stock HD truck score lower off-road than a smaller truck?

Weight and geometry. A 7,500-lb crew cab with a long wheelbase drags its belly where a midsize walks through. Capability off-road isn't about size.

Will bigger aftermarket tires raise my score?

Published scores reflect the factory build. Upgrades change what the truck can do — they don't rewrite what it was born as.

Best Trucks for Off-Road

Ranked on real listings. Updated as inventory moves.

Off-road credit lives in hardware — lockers, low range, clearance, real tires. Not stickers on a tailgate.

#1G

Jeep Gladiator

The pick — Ground clearance 11.6" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Class-leading trail hardware.

Shop 78 scored listings

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Ram 2500

Ground clearance 14.3" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Class-leading trail hardware.

Shop 76 scored listings

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GMC Sierra 1500

Ground clearance 11.2" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Class-leading trail hardware.

Shop 127 scored listings

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Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Ground clearance 11.2" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Class-leading trail hardware.

Shop 166 scored listings

Chevrolet Colorado

Ground clearance 10.8" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Serious off-road hardware.

Shop 83 scored listings

Ford Ranger

Ground clearance 10.7" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Serious off-road hardware.

Shop 91 scored listings

GMC Canyon

Ground clearance 11.6" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Serious off-road hardware.

Shop 71 scored listings

Toyota Tacoma

Ground clearance 11" — capable off-road, Disconnecting front sway bar. Serious off-road hardware.

Shop 116 scored listings

Ford F-150

Ground clearance 13.1" — capable off-road, Two-speed transfer case (4Lo). Serious off-road hardware.

Shop 307 scored listings

#10

GMC Sierra 2500hd

Ground clearance 11.6" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Serious off-road hardware.

Shop 100 scored listings

#11

Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd

Ground clearance 11.6" — capable off-road, Locking front differential. Legit off-road credit.

Shop 134 scored listings

#12

Ram 1500

Ground clearance 11.8" — capable off-road, Two-speed transfer case (4Lo). Middle-of-pack off-road.

Shop 220 scored listings

Spec table

Model	Max Tow (lbs)	Max Payload (lbs)	Powertrains
Jeep Gladiator	7,700	1,720	3.6L Pentastar V6, 3.6L V6
Ram 2500	22,660	6,830	6.7L Cummins I6 Turbo Diesel, 6.4L V8 HEMI
GMC Sierra 1500	13,300	2,140	6.2L V8, 5.3L V8, 4.3L V6
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	13,300	2,280	5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, 4.3L V6
Chevrolet Colorado	7,700	1,490	2.7L Turbo I4
Ford Ranger	7,500	1,650	3.0L EcoBoost V6, 2.3L EcoBoost I4

How Goose scores Off-Road

Off-road capability is hardware you can point at, not a badge.

Frequently asked

What moves the off-road score most?: Ground clearance, a real 4x4 system, and factory trail hardware: skid plates, lockers, all-terrain tires. In roughly that order.
Is AWD the same as 4x4 for off-road?: No. AWD manages slippery pavement; a true 4x4 with low range is built for terrain. The score knows the difference even when the sales sheet blurs it.
Do off-road packages actually matter, or is it stickers?: The real ones matter a lot — a factory off-road package can add lockers, lifted suspension, and armor that would cost thousands aftermarket. The sticker-only ones add nothing, and score like it.
Why does a stock HD truck score lower off-road than a smaller truck?: Weight and geometry. A 7,500-lb crew cab with a long wheelbase drags its belly where a midsize walks through. Capability off-road isn't about size.
Will bigger aftermarket tires raise my score?: Published scores reflect the factory build. Upgrades change what the truck can do — they don't rewrite what it was born as.