New Owner Trail Edition questions

themaestro

themaestro

New member
Hello there 4runner experts:

I currently own a GX470. Its time to move on and I am thinking about a Trail 4Runner. I have a couple of questions.

1. Can you really not get Nav/JBL and/or entune with the Trail edition?

2. What real world mileage are you getting? Not what the computer says, I mean real mileage. My GX tells me I get 16 but I really get 14 if you calculate it the old fashioned way.

3. Has anyone towed anything major with a 5th gen? I have an Air Nautique that my GX pulls just fine but I have a 6500 rated distributing hitch and a V8. How is the 4R with towing?

I really appreciate it guys.
Here's Some photos of the GX having fun:
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1) I ordered my TE with KDSS, cloth mats and standard 8 speaker minimal stereo, no Entune. That's exactly what I got.
2) Not enough miles yet to say (still on 1st tank of gas).
3) I don't tow anything, so I can't help you
 
Looking through various threads it looks like you can get Entune on the trail edition, but not the limited nav? But no JBL option at all?

Also, to clarify the towing concerns, I have a pre-2005 GX so I have 235HP but 320 lb/ft of torque, so I would be gaining HP but losing torque. Also the GX has auto leveling rear suspension, which is nice.
 
1: Yes you can.
2: I get about 19 or so on the hwy with 285's
3: I doubt a 4runner will pull that boat very well. The towing capacity for a 2012 4Runner is 5,000 lbs. An Air Nautique 230 weighs 4,400lbs DRY without the trailer.

The GX470 is the same basic frame as the 4Runner but with a V8. The Lexus is a little more luxurious and the 4runner is a little more purpose built.

What you are doing is trading in an Infinity g37 for a 350z.

EDIT: oh nevermind. Those pre 2005 v8s were not the best. But still wont do much for you in the way of towing.

Or better idea...sell the boat and make a bad ass 4runner! Swimming is free!

They changed the Nav in 2012 for some reason. Now it has a small screen and "apps". I do not think you can get the JBL anymore.
 
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On 2010-2011 you can get the JBL 15 speaker, 7" Nav as an option. On the 2012 model the only option is Entune - both entune/nonentune system come with the same 8 speaker setup.

I get 17.x city driving only with my stock TE, but I try not to mash the petal.

No experience on towing yet, but there are lots of threads about the subject.



:)
 
Pickup new Trail Edition and Trailer in May. No experience with the truck or Towing yet, but beginning in June I'll have over 3,000 miles of towing my corvette across the country and other vehicles to share experience with you.
 
Thinking I'd be looking at a Sequoia...

2 V-8s to choose from, larger wheelbase, 6 speed, adjustable suspension, 7,000# towing, etc. You could maybe tow that boat with a 4R, but you wouldn't be happy and neither would the 4R.

EDIT: Is this accurate? "An Air Nautique 230 weighs 4,400lbs DRY without the trailer". If so, with gear and people, you're outta the 4Rs league.
 
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Of course you can pull that with your 4runner.

If this guy can pull his boat with an s2000 than I'm sure you can pull that boat with a 4runner. I bet it won't pull it as well as your GX does but it will get the job done.

gallery_8217_1130_1094966443.jpg
 
My boat is 3500 lbs dry. So with gear, gas, and trailer, its right at the 5000 mark. i towed it with a 2002 3.4L tacoma a few times, and it was pretty sketchy, so I figured with the 4.0L I'm gaining almost 100HP it couldn't be too bad. Fortunately I don't tow it too far, only about 10 miles or so.
 
i have a 2012 TE with entune nav.

driven about 3500 miles on it in a little over a month. i get 19-20 mpg on my daily commute. been on two trips to vegas and was between 23-24 mpg... i do however drive with an egg under my foot.

no towing yet so can't help ya there.
 
themaestro said:
My boat is 3500 lbs dry. So with gear, gas, and trailer, its right at the 5000 mark. i towed it with a 2002 3.4L tacoma a few times, and it was pretty sketchy, so I figured with the 4.0L I'm gaining almost 100HP it couldn't be too bad. Fortunately I don't tow it too far, only about 10 miles or so.
Click to expand...

10 miles? You'll be fine.
 
FWIW,

I used my 2011 SR5 (same engine as the TE) to tow a U-Haul full of stuff and weighing a little over 4500 pounds some 1100 miles beginning at 400 feet above sea level and ending at 6200 feet above sea level.

The vehicle performed fine but you could hear the engine drop to a lower gear and work hard when going up long, steep grades.
 
OK so forget the towing question, I think I have that resolved.

So from what I gather you CAN get Nav on the trail edition, but not JBL?
 
In 30K miles I am getting a lifetime average of 20.1 mpg, calculated by hand. My advice is to test drive, test drive test drive before going from the Lexus to the Toyota. Towing that boat 10 miles is no problem. Towing it 1,000 miles would be a problem. You can get entune as I rode in one with it a few days ago. Good luck and test drive a lot.
 
bofa said:
There was another thread a couple of months back about a guy that got a T4R and traded it in within 6 months for another Lexus because he wasn't happy. It might help you with your decision. For me, the T4R exactly what I want, but it might not be for everyone.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/109692-said-goodbye-her-after-only-6-months.html

Just ignore the drama. :hiding:
Click to expand...

There is so much to that thread. The guy obviously didn't do his research before he bought the vehicle.

The 2010 L200 he ended up going for USED is still $20k more. To each their own. For the price of a 200 series LC the 4Runner is a more capable off road machine IMO. The 200 Series might be the least capable LC ever made, and is a far cry IMO from what a LC should be.

But if off roading isn't you thing, and you like wood in your car, leather, and a v8 then go with a LC, or a Lexus GX. A new Lexus GX will tow that boat just fine. Its only $10k more for the base model.
 
Yep, wasn't trying the rip a scab off an old wound, but since the OP is coming from a similar vehicle I figured it might be helpful.
 
:wtf: you guys drive So Gay

My mileage is MUCH less than 20 mpg.

I have kept a log and all receipts since new. The BEST mpg was 19.3 and that only happened once. Typical has been ~16.
 
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