Not going rock climbing. Sr5 or trail?

[cjacob316]

I can personally attest to the fact that any 4wd model will take you places you never dreamed it would go.

I completely agree with this, and for a while I never really swayed one way or another, and it's why I only mentioned the on road advantage to KDSS.

Anytime I see people suggest the SR5 in a situation like this because "it's cheaper" and you can "build a nice rig with the savings" or a "Trail doesn't make sense for light off roading" I think they vastly under value the SR5. Quite frankly, around here, there isn't much of a price difference. Right now there is a TEP for only $100 more than a 2wd SR5P

 

[Z0MBIEproof]

Test drive both thoroughly, pick the one you feel would fit your needs and comfort.

For me it was the Trail Ed. Comfort on-road w/KDSS and capability off-road.

But to each their own, I won't knock the SR5 as it is a great SUV.

Good luck on your choice IMO you can't go wrong either way.

 

[theknack]

Based on your description, any t4r is more than adequate, including the 2wd. If all you want to do is get a little dusty then either trim will outperform your needs. That's not meant to be a knock. Everyone on the forum loves to see an upgraded t4r but nobody gives 2shits if you don't, do what's right for you.

 

[mattleegee]

Just buy "it" and dont look back!

 

[mnofpeace]

1engineer said it best...but of course i have a couple pennies in my pocket too...

yes, as my signature says, SR5 owner here, but i will only be doing fire roads, trails, and snow driving...but i do love seeing how capable the SR5ers on the forum are, how they prove daily that their rigs can do whatever they desire them to do...for a price.

TEs are bad-assed, no doubt. and they have the extras to make you feel like you can go anywhere. there is a reason, if you go looking online for reviews, 8 out of 10 are reviewing the Trail model. Toyo obviously wanted to show them off over the base and even the lux LE's. and their technical abilities are without question.

but another way to look at things; i have always thought, trucks, cars, motorcycles...your motor vehicle should inspire you on more than one level. driving it, sure, but also when you walk up to it in a parking lot, or when you look out at it from your home. if you buy something you didn't truly want, then that hits you every time you look at it on approach. but if you buy exactly what you wanted, each walk up or glance or wash...it makes you feel that much better about your purchase. if you buy what you 'settled' for, then...that hangs over you like a dark cloud over Charlie Brown.

Both SR5s and Trails will suits your needs...IMHO, and 1Eng can correct me, but an SR5 is probably about 80% of what a TE is as far as capability--you already know the drive trains are the same, running gear are close, all of the hard parts are pretty similar, but which one will fill that want for you? Will an SR5 make you whole, and be that blank-canvas that you want to create your own personalized rig with? Will the Trail be that perfect truck that you can keep stock for a while with and be happy, then when you do make a few changes it will just be an augment to that perfect tool that you always wanted?

I know personally...a Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer would have 'fit' my family needs for a mid size SUV. They both would have pulled us thru the snowy winters, and down a few fire trails. But would they also have satisfied my need for a TRUCK? Would either have been as tough and dependable in 2yrs, in 6yrs, in 12yrs and 150k miles...? Or as i walked up to either of them in a parking lot, having seen soccer moms driving them all over the place, would a little piece of me have died inside?

Right...i got what i wanted...cuz i aint no dayum soccer mom...though my son did play his 1st season of soccer this spring...but anyway, you get what im saying...

...i think i spent more than 2 cent here...take the dime and keep the change :wink2:

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Always your decision, and don't let your pocketbook sway you. If you are making monthly payments for years then you need a vehicle that will satisfy you for years.

Personally I didn't like all the fancy gadgetry of the LTD, and wanted the smoother ride of KDSS. Toss in the need for heated seats and a moonroof and a Trail Premium was the only one left on the list.

From what I gather elsewhere in the forums, if you don't feel compelled to get KDSS then the Trail isn't a requirement as the SR5 is almost as capable. If you go as far as needing locking the rear diff then chances are you're already prepared to get yourself unstuck anyway. Crawl control and terrain select seem more gimmicky and just change subtle routines in the computer modes, not a selling point.

 

[Chipper78]

I think you'll find that the few extra dollars for the trail is money well spent. If you go light off roading then you'll enjoy the confidence of having "more truck" than you need. Not to mention that all of the gadgets and gizmos would be under warranty, unlike any aftermarket add ons you might install if you ever do more than light off roading. I bought a trail for the family because I liked the way it drove on the road and I like having the locker and atrac for when I do take it off the pavement, which is very limited. I'd always rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. If you can swing it financially I think I the trail is the way to go.

 

[Mikey01]

I take my stock SR5 in some pretty nasty places, I barely need to put it in 4 wheel drive. The truck is very capable the way it is built. I have been over the differentials in sand, mud, crossed rivers, and gone up and down steep soft dirt hills.
Not once have I gotten stuck, when closer to civilization I try a lot. It is amazing what ATrac can do.
There has been only one road I haven't gotten it down. The truck was to wide and the rocks to big. The only thing it needs is strong skid plates and good rubber, mine is still on the stock highway tiers.
That said I am thinking about getting a TRD Pro because I like the manual transfer case and it's exactly what I am thinking of doing to my SR5. I think if you drive freeways and light off road you would probably like KDDS, I don't think it's really meant for heavy off road use. What ever you choose I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

[ScotchMau5]

Who are you? Are you out of middle school yet?

OP, I have had both. Since you are not going off road buy whatever you want because even though all these guys are flexing their internet muscles very few ever go off road to any extent. I can personally attest to the fact that any 4wd model will take you places you never dreamed it would go. Also there is no such thing as a vehicle that won't get stuck. They all will depending on the stupidity of the driver. Vehicles never get stuck. Drivers do.

Well said. I don't get off road as much as I would like to...

 

[jbjones85]

I went through a similar debate. SR5P or TEP and when it came down to it the price of the TEP (w/KDSS) was only about ~$2K more than the SRP and for the 2K I feel like I got a lot of additional value over the SR5.... KDSS, nicer wheels (IMHO) that I will not change out immediately, hood scoop (I like it), rear locker, possibly better resale in the future (although i plan to keep a long time so probably not a very solid argument).

As others have said though take a look at your individual situation and go from there.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Around here an SR5 can handle anything except rocks over 9 inches tall; ledges over 12 inches tall; loose talus slopes over 40 degrees. I cannot imagine that the rear locker would make any difference at all - - -

And mine hits the trails regularly........ Just add good tires.

 

[MLPbrian]

save some extra mony and get an Inferno TRD Pro, make all the non-trd pro 4runner drivers jealous.

 

[alext72888]

save some extra mony and get an Inferno TRD Pro, make all the non-trd pro 4runner drivers jealous.

I think I would annoy myself with that color. Good for halloween though.

 

[off-road runner]

If you want a Trail , get a Trail. I made the mistake and bought an SR5. I wanted a Trail, but I couldn't stomach the nearly $40,000 price tag. Two weeks after the purchase I started having regrets. To top things off, the payment wasn't that much more. So, I was essentially paying for a vehicle I no longer wanted.

This ^^^^. You may regret getting an SR5 but chances are you won't regret getting a trail. Not a big deal if you change cars every few years but if you keep them for 10 years... get what you really like.

 

[elemint]

Have you ever even heard of someone be stuck with 4r? If you bring a shovel and a tow strap etc. is more of a guarantee than some electronic crawl modes etc.

You may not want to do those things now but you may change your mind as time goes on. I bought a LE and am already searching lockers because I too don't want to get stuck somewhere during my "back roads" adventures. TE comes with many things you may want to help you out in a jam.