Fleet ordering guides provide commercial, government and rental fleets, as well as fleet management companies, with detailed information about the vehicles and option packages available to them. A closer look at these guides can unearth treasures hidden to the retail buyer.

We poured through the 2017-model-year guides of the three Detroit automakers and identified options and vehicles available exclusively to fleets. A detailed list of option equipment for Chevrolet trucks and vans follows, as well as an overview of police vehicles not available to retail buyers. Earlier articles outlined fleet equipment offered by Fiat Chrysler and Ford.

"Our commercial customers have unique vocational needs and usage for their vehicles," said John Schwegman, director of commercial product and medium duty for GM Fleet. "It is critical that we continue to listen to our voice-of-customer needs and continue to offer the right features and options for the commercial market."

Chevrolet offers several commercial packages for its Express full-size van, including the Ambulance Package, Paratransit Package, and Shuttle Bus Package for the cutaway model with special equipment for those users. The ambulance package adds a heavy-duty 6-speed transmission, heavy-duty locking rear differential, 33- or 57-gallon fuel tanks, dual 145-amp alternators, dual 770 CCA batteries, and high idle switch.

Chevrolet offers a box delete option for its Colorado mid-size pickup rear-wheel-drive extended cab paired with a 3.6L V-6 engine that allows fleets to add a service body or stake body. Fleet buyers can also delete the rear seat with the Colorado Work Truck extended cab for improved cargo capacity.

As one of the fleet industry's most widely-adopted vehicles, the Silverado offers a wide variety of fleet options, including box delete.  Fleet packaging for Silverado Work Truck and LT trim pickups offer more flexibility than is available to retail customers with less content in the fleet packages and more free flow options.

For the truck's interior, the WT Fleet Convenience Package for the Work Truck trim includes outside, heated power mirrors, a remote locking tailgate, keyless entry, and power windows (regular cab). Fleets may also order a power driver’s seat on WT models. The LT Fleet Convenience Package for the LT trim includes a 10-way driver's seat with bench seat, LED front fog lamps, rear-window defogger and 110-volt power outlet. Crew Cab and Double Cab also include dual-zone climate control in the package. The LT Fleet Plus Package includes universal home remote, power adjustable pedals, rear sliding window and rear window defogger.  Finally, Silverado 1500 fleet buyers may also order the Safety Belt Assurance System which prevents the vehicle from being shifted out of park until the driver seat belt is fastened.

On the exterior, fleet buyers of the Silverado 1500 and 2500HD models can order Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac MT (Mud Terrain) tires on WT and LT models without an appearance package.

There are also numerous Special Equipment and Special Paint options available of which some are only available to fleet buyers.

Chevrolet offers a multitude of OnStar packages for fleet Silverado pickups that extend service beyond the six months of factory service, including an additional six, 18 or 30 months of Protection, Security, or Fleet Guidance service. Fleets can also add 4G LTE of 12GB for one year or 24GB for two years. Fleets can also extend SiriusXM satellite radio beyond the three months from the factory for nine months, 21 months, or 33 months.

For the Silverado 3500HD Chassis Cab, fleet-only options include the ambulance, fire, and rescue package that includes graphite-colored rubberized-vinyl floor covering, wide track rear axle, Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel V-8 engine and Allison 1000 6-speed automatic transmission.

For the Suburban and Tahoe large SUVs, General Motors offers the 1FL fleet package with unique content such as steel wheels, vinyl flooring, and third-row seat delete (Tahoe only).

Chevrolet's seven Low Cab Forward models are offered to commercial users, but General Motors doesn't offer any specific options for large fleets for direct ordering.

All Chevrolet models offer an option known as Fleet Free Maintenance Credit, which provides a credit in lieu of free oil changes, tire rotations and inspections (up to two) during the first 24 months and 24,000 miles.

General Motors also offers modified versions of several models to law enforcement, including the Silverado 1500 Special Service Vehicle, pursuit-rated Tahoe Police Vehicle, Tahoe Special Service Vehicle, Suburban 3500HD, and Impala IFL LS with the 3.6L V-6 engine.