Ride quality on long trips question

[Batang.Gapo]

Did a 6000 plus mile month-long trip in Feb - March from Atlanta to San Francisco and San Diego via Nebraska and Wyoming going out and Nevada, Utah and Nebraska returning. Found the 4Runner to be very comfortable doing 475 to 525 miles per day on the trip legs. As others have noted, the truck can tend to wander some at highway speeds, but mine is fully stock including the Dunlops. Gusty winds can toss it around a little.

Wow that was indeed a long drive. I wanted to visit places enroute to San Diego, California, USA from Toronto, Canada sometime next year. This coming summer, we're planning to travel to Florida. A good start to test 4Runner.
Could not wait to drive 4Runner.

Thanks everyone for all your feedback, keep it coming...

 

[Batang.Gapo]

I notice a lot of complaints about wind though I've never particularly noticed it in my Limited. Have I just missed it or is it a bigger problem on SR5s?

In my short distance test drive of Limited, I've noticed that wind noise as well. But the comfortable ride negates it

 

[ckon]

I notice a lot of complaints about wind though I've never particularly noticed it in my Limited. Have I just missed it or is it a bigger problem on SR5s?

I didn't mean "wind noise", though that is a minor problem, too, I meant the complaints of light steering and wandering in the wind. Wondering if that's a bigger problem on one model vs. another, Limited, Trail, or SR5 since they're all different in the suspension department.

 

[mtbnole]

mine seems great in the wind, much more so than my old xterra....

 

[scanny]

I notice a lot of complaints about wind though I've never particularly noticed it in my Limited. Have I just missed it or is it a bigger problem on SR5s?

You need to drive at at least 75 mph in windy weather. 4Runner is tall so I think it is expected, my previous Ford Escape didn't like strong winds on highway as well. And I don't think it's specific to a T4R trim, although I think that good tires might help a little bit.

 

[ckon]

I've never had any problems to speak of with any of my 4Runners in the wind. At least nothing on "normal" windy days. I've always thought they performed better than expected considering how boxy and tall they are.

OTOH, VERY strong gusts are a problem for most vehicles. Come to think of it, I drove a 2010 SR5 that I did think was a lot more "soft" handling because of the 17" wheels and no KDDS or XREAS. Maybe that's what accounts for the difference. I would expect the Limited to handle quite a bit differently on the road and in the wind because of the low profile tires and the XREAS suspension.

 

[khopem5]

Drove to Kentucky and Back from New Hampshire for a hunting trip over two thousands miles and it was surprising good on gas and comfortable. Cruises better at 75 I think .

 

[lastcall18]

For me.. it's any gusty wind can make my sr5 do half lane maneuvers keeping the wheel strait.... I'm totally stock... of course cross winds are the worst...

 

[scanny]

For me.. it's any gusty wind can make my sr5 do half lane maneuvers keeping the wheel strait.... I'm totally stock... of course cross winds are the worst...

My is stock too with Bridgestne factory tires but I can't say it's that bad. Maybe because I keep tires at 34psi or maybe winds are not that strong in my area : )

 

[gamer]

We drove from Calgary to Ottawa for 3.5 days in July and again Ottawa back to Calgary at the end of August for the same period. Stopped at hotels for sleep and fast food joints for lunch. The truck drove like a dream for my wife and I. We drove the flat prairies, the ruggedness of north Superior and the Urban rot of southern Ontario. I didn't for a moment feel uncomfortable or confined, it was a great highway hauler. Even the gas mileage, as compared to my 96 Tahoe v8 was almost 50% better. I ride on the stock Yoko's with no real mods to the vehicle. Looking forward to a trip this summer as well. Who knows with the dollar climbing I may have to head south and look for some cheaper accessories....Just remember its a truck.

 

[desertred]

In my short distance test drive of Limited, I've noticed that wind noise as well. But the comfortable ride negates it

The one thing I DON'T miss on my 3rd gen is the HIGHLY annoying wind howl across the side view mirrors! No issues with any wind noise with my 5th gen. Its proven to be the most quiet vehicle I've owned to date.

 

[greasypaperbag]

When it's just me driving and it's windy (I live in the mountains of VA), my car does tend to meander in the wind because of the high profile especially on the highway. I don't have that problem when my car is fully loaded with stuff.

 

[homeyclaus]

When it's just me driving and it's windy (I live in the mountains of VA), my car does tend to meander in the wind because of the high profile especially on the highway. I don't have that problem when my car is fully loaded with stuff.

I noticed that too - when piled full of stuff and people my T4R just drives plain better. Less bounce, less wandering, less funny business, more comfort.

 

[JB.]

I didn't mean "wind noise", though that is a minor problem, too, I meant the complaints of light steering and wandering in the wind. Wondering if that's a bigger problem on one model vs. another, Limited, Trail, or SR5 since they're all different in the suspension department.

Full time 4WD will track a little straighter so in that respect there can be a difference in feel.

 

[Japsfinest]

I drove from FL to PA and back in 48 hrs.

I drove their with a uhaul car trailer empty and towed a car back. The truck performed marvelous. Zero complaints on the comfort handling and or braking.

 

[mtbnole]

I drove from FL to PA and back in 48 hrs.

I drove their with a uhaul car trailer empty and towed a car back. The truck performed marvelous. Zero complaints on the comfort handling and or braking.

wow, sounds like a fun drive. how did you do that so damn fast?