SR5 Off Roading Abilities Review?

[mnofpeace]

We've seen countless 'reviews' of Trial/OR & TRD Pro trims...and ive seen a few Limited reviews.

Has anyone seen or read a review of the abilities of a simple SR5?

I have read many times in here, the SR5 is about 80% of a Trail/OR, and that it can do way more than many of us are even comfortable of doing. I have also seen the many owner vids thru the outback of the US of A with their rigs, simple lifts, tire swaps, what have you.

I am just curious if any online publication or video site has taken the base model out for a test ride that they reported about. or is it that Toyo wont even give that model out to be tested in that way?

 

[salong53]

There's going to be very little difference. The only disadvantage mechanically when comparing the SR5 to the Trail (now TRD Off Road) is the locking rear differential. In 90% of situations, A-TRAC will work just as well as the locking diff.

 

[CalicoSR5]

We've seen countless 'reviews' of Trial/OR & TRD Pro trims...and ive seen a few Limited reviews.

Has anyone seen or read a review of the abilities of a simple SR5?

I have read many times in here, the SR5 is about 80% of a Trail/OR, and that it can do way more than many of us are even comfortable of doing. I have also seen the many owner vids thru the outback of the US of A with their rigs, simple lifts, tire swaps, what have you.

I am just curious if any online publication or video site has taken the base model out for a test ride that they reported about. or is it that Toyo wont even give that model out to be tested in that way?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l30uuTJarP0


All stock, even tires.

 

[mnofpeace]

ive had mine off road a bunch of times, so i know what it sort of CAN do...i am meaning more sort of like TFL and EverymanDriver/stuck in the ice pond have taken those models, and giving you feedback on how it performs...that sort of thing. TestDrivenTV has another good vid on the tubez...also a Trail & OR model.

i realize, after studying the press material, that the SR5s difference are the electronic gadgets, the slightly skinnier tires, and the slightly skinnier stablizing bar...and thats about it. But i was just wondering if anyone had seen some sort of more official review.

Im good with the 80% number...and ive seen enough owner vids, where they are matching the get-along with thier buddies to know that the SR5s are no slouches...

oh well...

 

[mnofpeace]

TestDrivenTv even has 5 or 6 different video reviews, all are Lts or Trail/ORs...

the SR5 couldnt even get a mention...

 

[Xtremluck]

My SR5 has seen extensive off road use in a huge variety of terrain. CA Mountains, UT deserts, BC forests, etc. I've never been in a situation where a 5th gen trail/TRD Pro was able to get up something I couldn't. Like mentioned earlier ATRAC is probably enough for 95% of the off road driving most people will ever do. It's not as elegant as lockers but it gets the job done.

Having said that I deeply regret not waiting to get a trail. I will eventually install front/rear lockers but its going to be a pretty big hassle now.

 

[borfoo3]

Doubt Toyota or any other manufacturer would lend the lowest spec model like an SR5 to an editor for review purposes. Can't show off the fancy gizmos and specs that way.

 

[BobsTrail]

There's going to be very little difference. The only disadvantage mechanically when comparing the SR5 to the Trail (now TRD Off Road) is the locking rear differential. In 90% of situations, A-TRAC will work just as well as the locking diff.

:iagree:
I have a Trail and have used the locker very few times. I Probably use the Multi-Terrain more than needed and think it helps in sand and snow and is a better option than ATRAC in the soft stuff. I'll bet an SR5 will go the same places just fine.

 

[mtnbiker49]

There's going to be very little difference. The only disadvantage mechanically when comparing the SR5 to the Trail (now TRD Off Road) is the locking rear differential. In 90% of situations, A-TRAC will work just as well as the locking diff.

Like he said, the locking rear diff and crawl control are the only mecahnical/electronic differences. Even the regular OR comes with the same sway bar as the SR5. There is the option on the OR to have KDSS.

The rest are aesthetic differences.

Truly, the only times when the locker is needed are uphill whoop sections and some large boulder areas. You can use it elsewhere, but line choice and throttle management are bigger factors. If you aren’t doing blues at an offroad park or similar, the SR5 is fine. Skids and sliders are much more important.

 

[salong53]

that the SR5s difference are the electronic gadgets, the slightly skinnier tires, and the slightly skinnier stablizing bar.

The tires on the SR5 and Trail models are the same size; wheels are a half inch wider on the Trail. Anti-sway bars or "stabilizing" bars are the same also unless you're talking about Trail models with the KDSS option.

Literally, the only mechanical difference is the rear locking differential. Electronic aids are really what you pay for with the Trail/TRD Off Road

 

[lukeskywalker]

The tires on the SR5 and Trail models are the same size; wheels are a half inch wider on the Trail. Anti-sway bars or "stabilizing" bars are the same also unless you're talking about Trail models with the KDSS option.

Literally, the only mechanical difference is the rear locking differential. Electronic aids are really what you pay for with the Trail/TRD Off Road

But can't A-trac do the 'same thing' as crawl control, other than manage throttle? I would bet that you can get crawl control on the sr5 through some modifications.

 

[lukeskywalker]

Like he said, the locking rear diff and crawl control are the only mecahnical/electronic differences. Even the regular OR comes with the same sway bar as the SR5. There is the option on the OR to have KDSS.

The rest are aesthetic differences.

Truly, the only times when the locker is needed are uphill whoop sections and some large boulder areas. You can use it elsewhere, but line choice and throttle management are bigger factors. If you aren’t doing blues at an offroad park or similar, the SR5 is fine. Skids and sliders are much more important.

So you're saying the sway bar of the TRD pro is the same as the sr5, right? I will probably put lockers on my sr5 eventually.

 

[adio3x]

I've wheeled my SR5 hard for the past 8 years, being open open is a challenge, but it also teaches you how to double foot and pick better lines. Lockers make things easier, but having atrac works wonders.

 

[borfoo3]

But can't A-trac do the 'same thing' as crawl control, other than manage throttle? I would bet that you can get crawl control on the sr5 through some modifications.

I've found crawl control to be much more useful than Atrac.

So you're saying the sway bar of the TRD pro is the same as the sr5, right? I will probably put lockers on my sr5 eventually.

Correct

 

[T4 Leaf]

I took mine OR at the 2018 Lone Star Jamboree and new nothing about it until that weekend... what I saw was (on the trails I rode):

- On level 2/3 trails, lift and tires seemed to be the biggest diff maker
- My leveled SR5 with KO2s performed very similar to all the FJs and variations of T4R (4-low, ATRAC, and taking it slow)
- The only vehicle I saw struggle was a Taco and he had to use his lockers...once
- The SR5s that had bigger lifts (even just spacers) had stronger results than other vehicles
- My truck was mostly a concern to the pros due to the silly OEM side steps that are still on ...

In summary...the SR5 with mods can handle anything that "I" should ever be attempting with a $30K + vehicle...

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Mine was an SR5. Now it’s a Frankenstein’s beast. [emoji23]

Taken me everywhere I have asked it to.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[off-road runner]

Crawl control has helped me on a few occasions going down steep hills that are ice covered on logging roads where most vehicles would need tire chains. Sure it took me a while to get down but I would not have attempted it without crawl control. I would think in most situations an SR5 is just as capable as OR/trail, the operator will be the biggest deciding factor IMO.

 

[fernie]

These guys take an SR5 for a good spin.

 

[tacoyota]

I need to try out Atrac next time instead of the locker!

 

[nils.walk]

I have an OR with Fox suspension, 33s and good AT tires. I've gone places that scare me and never played with anything more than 4L and the rear locker. And if I was a better driver I probably didn't actually need those. A friend has a bone stock SR5 with KO2s and we usually go places together, and it's almost as capable.