handling/feel of TE vs SR5, due to tires or suspension, or both?

[mountaindog]

When shopping for my 2010, I test drove both a TE and the SR5 I eventually purchased. I noticed that the TE, being designed for more off-road, was less forgiving in the handling, where slight steering wheel movement pulled it far in any direction (almost like when you drive on grooved pavement in a hwy construction zone). Can anyone tell me if this is due to the type of OEM A/T tires on the TEs, or due to the suspension, or both?

Reason I'm asking is I'm researching tires for my SR5 v6 4x4. I'm worried about next winter and I don't feel confident with the OEM Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts for very long, esp. this not being full-time AWD. I'm wondering if I go to an A/T tire like the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armours, that it will feel the way the TE felt driving, unless that difference was also due to the TE's suspension or something else?

I'm looking at:
1. Goodyear Wrangler SA
2. Michelin LTX A/T 2

I do mostly local and hwy driving but live on a partial dirt road in an area that gets heavy snow in winter, will occasionally go on washed-out dirt/rocky roads for camping and hiking trips, and when hwy driving will sometimes be towing a trailer that weighs about 3500 lbs on long vacations. I don't think I need anything more agressive then those two above.

Right now I'm averaging 20.5 mpg combined driving on my SR5 and I'd like it if I can keep it in that range when switching, but I know I can't have everything.

Husband thinks I should just get a set of winter snow tires and keep the OEMs, but I'm not crazy about how they did on a wet dirt road recently and not sure how well they handle towing either, plus I'd rather not deal with switching out tires each season.

Suggestions welcome, thanks.

 

[4RBob]

did the TE have KDSS? mine does not. i think tires definitely impact the handling. i just traded out my Duncrap's (got $425 trade-in) for BFG AT's (stock size, load range C) and i noticed an improvement in handling, specifically the "wandering" you mentioned.

of the 2 tires you mentioned, the Wrangler SA's will be better on those "off-road" excursions and the Michelin's will be better for towing. a friend of mine had the Wrangler SA's on his Jeep and they did surprisingly well off-road (real off-road). my brother runs the Michelin's on his F250 for towing a pretty large travel trailer and he's very happy with them.

 

[mountaindog]

did the TE have KDSS? mine does not. i think tires definitely impact the handling. .

Darn, I guess that would be helpful to know if the one I drove had the KDSS or not, but at the time I was so confused by all the features and electronic do-dads on the TE that I didn't even know what that was.

Thanks for the insight on your tire experience, though, maybe it was just those Dunlops that I didn't like the feel of.

I was wondering if the Michelin LTX A/T 2s would be better for towing than the GYSAs, and since that actually may be the scarier thing I'll be doing with this vehicle, the Michelins may be better for me, esp. if they are decent in snow too.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

You'll probably get more wear out of the LTX's too.

 

[WRM1]

My TE with KDSS has the Bridgestone Duelers and tracks perfectly. One reason we bought the TE instead of the SR5 was we thought the ride is better in the TE, as is the handling. The low profile tires on the Limited made the ride much harsher, which was a big reason we didn't get a Limited.

 

[Gstick]

When shopping for my 2010, I test drove both a TE and the SR5 I eventually purchased. I noticed that the TE, being designed for more off-road, was less forgiving in the handling, where slight steering wheel movement pulled it far in any direction (almost like when you drive on grooved pavement in a hwy construction zone). Can anyone tell me if this is due to the type of OEM A/T tires on the TEs, or due to the suspension, or both?

Reason I'm asking is I'm researching tires for my SR5 v6 4x4. I'm worried about next winter and I don't feel confident with the OEM Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts for very long, esp. this not being full-time AWD. I'm wondering if I go to an A/T tire like the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armours, that it will feel the way the TE felt driving, unless that difference was also due to the TE's suspension or something else?

I'm looking at:
1. Goodyear Wrangler SA
2. Michelin LTX A/T 2

I do mostly local and hwy driving but live on a partial dirt road in an area that gets heavy snow in winter, will occasionally go on washed-out dirt/rocky roads for camping and hiking trips, and when hwy driving will sometimes be towing a trailer that weighs about 3500 lbs on long vacations. I don't think I need anything more agressive then those two above.

Right now I'm averaging 20.5 mpg combined driving on my SR5 and I'd like it if I can keep it in that range when switching, but I know I can't have everything.

Husband thinks I should just get a set of winter snow tires and keep the OEMs, but I'm not crazy about how they did on a wet dirt road recently and not sure how well they handle towing either, plus I'd rather not deal with switching out tires each season.

Suggestions welcome, thanks.

If you tow 3500 lbs, I believe that you would want at least a 6 ply tire. (load range C)

LT tires (6 C, 8 D, 10 E) have more plys in the sidewalls vs P-metric (4 ply) tires. Thus making the ride harsher because of the stiffness of the tire. And they feel more planted, so you won't get that "rolling under feeling", like when you go into a turn a little too fast.

If you encounter rocks quite often, and need good traction in mud or snow, its pretty tough to beat the BF Goodrich All Terrain KO's. They come in a Load Range C, and Load Range E for our OEM size 265/70 R17. I am going with the "C" when I get my new 17" x 8" wheels. I think that the 10 ply would be too stiff on smooth asphalt or concrete hiways.

This is just my opinion, and some may not agree with everything that I mentioned.

 

[John4RunnerTE]

I thought the Trail Ed had the Bridgeston Dueler H/T and the SR5 had the Dunlop Grand Trecks, but maybe they either?

 

[Quentin]

I thought the Trail Ed had the Bridgeston Dueler H/T and the SR5 had the Dunlop Grand Trecks, but maybe they either?

My SR5 has the Bridgestones.

 

[4RBob]

I thought the Trail Ed had the Bridgeston Dueler H/T and the SR5 had the Dunlop Grand Trecks, but maybe they either?

It's hit or miss, I think it might be a regional thing.

 

[mountaindog]

My TE with KDSS has the Bridgestone Duelers and tracks perfectly. One reason we bought the TE instead of the SR5 was we thought the ride is better in the TE, as is the handling. The low profile tires on the Limited made the ride much harsher, which was a big reason we didn't get a Limited.

That's really interesting that you had the opposite experience I had between the two models in test-driving, and it makes me wonder if the SR5 you tested had those Dunlops on them and maybe that is why you didn't like the ride as much. I didn't test a Limited. I wish I knew what tires that TE had that I drove, I'll see if I can find out.

I really like the looks of the TE best, but I don't really need things like the multi-terrain assist and crawl control, prefer the leather seats since dog hair/mud/drool are easier to clean, and I didn't want the cargo tray, so that left the SR5. I do love the vehicle and think it handles great, I just wish the exterior didn't have such low rocker panels and bumpers.

Gstick, thanks for the advice on the load ranges. It appears the Michelin LTX ATs come in either standard load or E, and the E would probably be too stiff. I see the GYSAs come in a C though.

 

[Titanpat57]

I know asking about tires is like asking about which toothpaste is best...

I like the Bridgestone Dueller AT Revos, I think they have great traction and are a good LT tire.

I think Gstick pegged it..at least get a LT instead of P to tow, I'm only going to be towing aroand 2,000lb. but have seriously been debating getting rid of the stockers.

Good luck, Pat

 

[Clemsonfan15]

How often do you tow? How important is ride quality?

I don't think you would have any problems with a "P" tire, but if you tow a lot going up to a C would probably be worth it.

 

[mountaindog]

How often do you tow? How important is ride quality?

I don't think you would have any problems with a "P" tire, but if you tow a lot going up to a C would probably be worth it.

Not sure if you mean me or Pat, but we are towing only a couple of times a year for now, in summer, we won't be towing frequently until we retire (and by then I'd be on a different set of tires anyhow), so maybe a P is fine for now as you suggest.

Pat, your stock tires on your TE are which - Dunlop or the Dueler H/Ts? You don't have the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos yet, but you know them? I see they have great reviews on TireRack and on this forum, so I'll add them as a 3rd possibility.

 

[WRM1]

That's really interesting that you had the opposite experience I had between the two models in test-driving, and it makes me wonder if the SR5 you tested had those Dunlops on them and maybe that is why you didn't like the ride as much. I didn't test a Limited. I wish I knew what tires that TE had that I drove, I'll see if I can find out.

I really like the looks of the TE best, but I don't really need things like the multi-terrain assist and crawl control, prefer the leather seats since dog hair/mud/drool are easier to clean, and I didn't want the cargo tray, so that left the SR5. I do love the vehicle and think it handles great, I just wish the exterior didn't have such low rocker panels and bumpers.

Gstick, thanks for the advice on the load ranges. It appears the Michelin LTX ATs come in either standard load or E, and the E would probably be too stiff. I see the GYSAs come in a C though.

With the tickle from your comment, the SR5 we test drove did have Dunlop Grand Treks on it. I remember commenting that they were the same tires we had on the Prado we owned in the Middle East, and that I hoped we would have them on the TE we ended up buying. The Grand Treks are a very popular tire in Qatar, I saw them everywhere. They work very well in sand at pressures of 12-15 psi, and have a decent ride on the roads there.

 

[Titanpat57]

Not sure if you mean me or Pat, but we are towing only a couple of times a year for now, in summer, we won't be towing frequently until we retire (and by then I'd be on a different set of tires anyhow), so maybe a P is fine for now as you suggest.

Pat, your stock tires on your TE are which - Dunlop or the Dueler H/Ts? You don't have the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos yet, but you know them? I see they have great reviews on TireRack and on this forum, so I'll add them as a 3rd possibility.

My TE came with the Dunlops, which I wasn't real happy with. I did buy a set of 4 TE wheels and tires for the new trailer build from a fellow member with only about 500 miles on them, and those are the Bridgestones.

I think I may put the Bridgestones on my truck and use the originals as a spare, and the on the trailer. Then maybe next year I'll get the LT Revo's all the way around (truck and trailer)

I had the Revos on my Titan and loved them. My 4R is my daily driver, and with a 90 mile round trip commute, I'm not looking to take a major hit on the MPG. I do want to tow as safe as possible, and I think a LT tire is the way to go. I'm not planning any real crazy off roading, and as far as camping, I won't stray to far far from home, although the P tire will handle it, I'd feel better with a LT.

It's enough to drive ya' crazy...lol.

Pat

 

[4RBob]

It's hit or miss, I think it might be a regional thing.

I was at the dealer today. Apparently it's not even a regional thing. They had 2 TE's and one had Bridgestone's and one had Dunlop's.

 

[bergx7]

I felt that the handling of KDSS was noticeably improved over the standard suspension (flatter ride, less nosedive, etc). I drive under virtually identical conditions to you (mostly highway with some mild off-road and lots of snow!) and I swapped out the OEM tires for Bridgestone Dueler Revo 2's the very same day I picked up my 4Runner. They aren't as agressive looking as I would have liked but they ride GREAT and are very good in wet/snowy conditions and are quiet on the highway. My local tire shop gave me $250 for the 4 stock tires

http://customwheel.com/custom_wheels/images/Dueler%20A.T%20Revo%202.jpg


P.S. I would order tires from Luke at Tirerack. Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels

He knows his stuff and their prices are good.

 

[Gstick]

I would love to upgrade to the Revo 2's, but I think that they only come in a Load Range E, in the LT tire. (265/70 R17)

 

[Ryan_S]

I would love to upgrade to the Revo 2's, but I think that they only come in a Load Range E, in the LT tire. (265/70 R17)

Nope
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2

I had revo 2s on my jeep and loved them as an AT tire. They were surprisingly good in the snow.

 

[mountaindog]

I felt that the handling of KDSS was noticeably improved over the standard suspension (flatter ride, less nosedive, etc). I drive under virtually identical conditions to you (mostly highway with some mild off-road and lots of snow!) and I swapped out the OEM tires for Bridgestone Dueler Revo 2's the very same day I picked up my 4Runner. They aren't as agressive looking as I would have liked but they ride GREAT and are very good in wet/snowy conditions and are quiet on the highway.

Thank you for your additional observation on the KDSS and the recommendation on the Revo 2s.

I was able to pull up the emailed quote for the TE that I test drove, and it defintely did NOT have the KDSS with Nav upgrade, since it was not listed and the MSRP was only $36,704 rather than $40K. It looks like the TE without KDSS has the same exact suspension as my V6 4WD SR5 based on the specs on the Toyota website? So I guess the only difference in handling between the two models I must have felt was simply the tires? Wow, that was a big difference though, I'm surprised it affected my judgement of the handling between the two models that much.

Thank you everyone for the info and advice, I learned a lot here! I'm leaning toward the Revo 2s but it may depend on where I end up getting them and whether I can get anything for my stock tires with 1000 miles on them.