Trail premium vs the Limited with respect...

[Bruin1md]

……to pavement driving, cornering, and handling potholes……I need some help in deciphering all of this.

I've read a lot of these posts from all the knowledgable posters on this forum and from what I can gather, the Trail premium for many actually handles corners with LESS body roll than the TRD pro, but what about compared to the limited, given the difference with the suspensions (KDSS vs XREAS--- assuming I have that right)?
Does the trail actually offer a better drive than the limited for daily driving?
I've only driven the limited and it felt sluggish and had a fair amount of body roll on turns.

Second, if the trail manages corners better, does it also manage potholes and road imperfections better than the limited? I posted earlier that I hate the limited tires/wheels and if I get one, want them to change them out for 265 or 275 tires with 18" wheels, and I'm not sure how much of a difference that will make. Or maybe just ask for the TRD pro wheel/tire combo, which I think are 265's?

What about the trail premium features? It doesn't seem like you get all the luxury and tech features in the trail premium as you do in the limited, but I don't know which ones are missing, and if I can live without them relative to the limited, if the trail premium drive is better.
The limited seems to have everything I want w/r to creature comforts.

And then what about the TRD pro? What creature comforts is it lacking relative to the limited?

Finally, what about the 'nose dive' complaint some seem to have voiced with braking on the trail and trail premium?

 

[LandCruiser]

Beefier tires and 17" rims will soak up bumps much better than Limited's bicycle tires (you can swap them out, no big deal).

KDSS leans less, but you'll find that the heavy as hell 4Runner doesn't like to handle much (or at all) so it's not a huge issue.

 

[Jhalko]

If you think the limited has a "fair amount of body roll" I'd have to wonder if a 4Runner is really what you want? With the trail you get off-road bells and whistles, with the LE you get in cab bells and whistles. The KDSS reduces body roll but has more nose dive according to some but it's subjective, again going back to your opinion of the LE compared to many others.

All the feature questions can be answered on toyotas website lining them up against each other.

 

[Bruin1md]

thanks.

What exactly are the main differences between the XREAS of the limited and the KDSS of the trail? And is it the KDSS in the TRD pro or a totally different suspension?
And what features are lacking in the trail premium c/w the limited?

 

[Bruin1md]

I think I felt it because I'm coming from a BMW SUV and it will take me a bit of adjusting to a body on frame design with a truck like ride.

The limited really wasn't bad-- it was just relative to what I was used to.
But if the trail has less and rides more 'car like' by comparison (as I've heard one poster comment), I'm just curious how it compares to the limited.

 

[cjacob316]

You will feel potholes and bumps in a Trail with KDSS, I go over holes every day and my 4runner goes up and down every time. Now the same bumps in a car feel like they are going to break the car so comparatively to me its comfortable. But I don't have much to compare it to with ground clearance other than my Tacoma and that was a rough ride too. That being said, I don't care that I feel potholes, mostly I dodge them anyways.

 

[Bruin1md]

You will feel potholes and bumps in a Trail with KDSS, I go over holes every day and my 4runner goes up and down every time. Now the same bumps in a car feel like they are going to break the car so comparatively to me its comfortable. But I don't have much to compare it to with ground clearance other than my Tacoma and that was a rough ride too. That being said, I don't care that I feel potholes, mostly I dodge them anyways.

cjacob-- we are both in Lafayette…….lol.

You know first hand what our roads are like, and I also take a lot of trips to Nola and drive uptown, where the roads are on par with Mogadishu.

So I want a truck with creature comforts which is why I'm leaning towards the limited, but hate the wheels/tires on it and don't know how its suspension compares with the Trail's KDSS for daily driving on our roads. But I don't want to sacrifice the tech/luxury features of the limited either………..hence my dilemma as I'm learning more about the TRD pro and Trail premium.

 

[Jhalko]

Go test drive a trail with KDSs and compare, personally I felt the LE was way more stable on road, but then I ripped it out anyway. Also, starting a second thread with similar questions as your other thread is not going to win any friends on here, some great info and links were provided that answer some of the questions you are asking here in that thread.

The best description is on YouTube, great vids on how the systems work, better than anyone will put into words.

 

[cjacob316]

cjacob-- we are both in Lafayette…….lol.

You know first hand what our roads are like, and I also take a lot of trips to Nola and drive uptown, where the roads are on par with Mogadishu.

So I want a truck with creature comforts which is why I'm leaning towards the limited, but hate the wheels/tires on it and don't know how its suspension compares with the Trail's KDSS for daily driving on our roads. But I don't want to sacrifice the tech/luxury features of the limited either………..hence my dilemma as I'm learning more about the TRD pro and Trail premium.

I don't use half the electronics in my Trail. I just found out today that I had an XM trial because I typically only use two radio stations one for each end of the state. Hampton had two Trails with KDSS last I looked. May not be premiums, but they will at least give you an idea of how they handle on the road. I don't know what features come on the Limited, But the TEP you get the softex(fake leather) sunroof, entune with nav and app suite, and a better looking exterior in my honest opinion.

downside to the trail... I have only seen them sold in one color in Acadiana.

 

[PNTRDPROO]

I havent driven a Limited or Trail with KDSS (i do plan on test driving a Trail Premium with KDSS though), but I have been renting a 14 SR5 Premium for the past 2 days and I will say it soaks up potholes very well! Im coming from a crossover too (Nissan Rogue) and there are bumps that make the Rogue feel like it wants to break apart that feel like nothing in the 4Runner.

That said, the SR5 does have much more body roll and MUCH more nosedive than my Rogue... But 2 days in, and I can see myself adapting to reap the benefits of the smoother ride and power and overall feel.

However, from what Ive read, the Trail with KDSS is supposed to handle a noticeable amount better in the corners which Id like as well. Im just not sure how comfortable it is... Ive read that it is a little less comfortable than the SR5.

That being said, as far as I know, the only real benefit to having KDSS on road is the thicker sway bars...

So I cant help but think you can get the same on-road affect as KDSS by slapping some thick sway bars on an SR5 and having the best of both worlds and saving a couple of bucks?

 

[Bruin1md]

thanks for the reply Jhalko………

I read all of the replies and checked out the links from my previous post. They were helpful, but didn't address the questions I asked above, so I started this thread after a read a few others about the trail.

It's a forum, and if you felt this was redundant, then you don't have to respond, but that wasn't my intention. I admit I'm a newbie with respect to understanding the driving characteristics and dynamics of a truck based SUV after having had a cars and one cross over my entire life.

All the same, I appreciate your input and $.02 on the two models

 

[Bad_Influence]

If you're coming from a BMW suv, you might like the extra features on the inside of the LE better? Then you can swap into a better shock/suspension system if you'd like down the road. Of course, this isn't the cost effective option, but it is the option i chose to go with and I am glad to have full-time 4x4 and pushbutton start.

 

[Bruin1md]

I think you're right. From your pic, it looks like you swapped out your wheels/tires--those are very nice. So 285's were no issue on the limited in terms of rub?

was that after market or through the dealer? It seems like that alone is a good option to better handle bad roads where I live without changing the suspension and keeping all the comforts of a LTE.

 

[cjacob316]

thanks for the reply Jhalko………

I read all of the replies and checked out the links from my previous post. They were helpful, but didn't address the questions I asked above, so I started this thread after a read a few others about the trail.

It's a forum, and if you felt this was redundant, then you don't have to respond, but that wasn't my intention. I admit I'm a newbie with respect to understanding the driving characteristics and dynamics of a truck based SUV after having had a cars and one cross over my entire life.

All the same, I appreciate your input and $.02 on the two models

People get on people for posting redundant stuff even if it's 5 years apart. The truth is, if people didn't keep asking the same questions over and over again, the forum would die.

It's a trade off with suspension, softer suspension smother ride on rough roads, but you lose handling. Stiffer suspension better handling, feel the holes.

 

[LandCruiser]

I think you're right. From your pic, it looks like you swapped out your wheels/tires--those are very nice. So 285's were no issue on the limited in terms of rub?

was that after market or through the dealer? It seems like that alone is a good option to better handle bad roads where I live without changing the suspension and keeping all the comforts of a LTE.

I'm just going to save you a lot of headaches.

285's WILL NOT FIT without at least 2-3" lift.

You can get them to mostly fit with a 1" front spacer and some fender plastic pulling and cutting/removing the mud flaps.

 

[Waterman2112]

The Trail and the Trail Premium are separated by interior amenities … leather interior and heated seats, etc… that sort of thing. Either can come with the KDSS suspension option which is a system that decouples the sway bars for extended travel for off road apps.

I purchased a 2015 Trail without the KDSS and do some light wheeling and everything is just fine. My primary application with my rig is that of a mule… traveling back and forth to the marina with sails, outboard engines and tool boxes for spring and fall boat maintenance activities.

When I test drove the trail I was really put off by the handling… very cushy and weird with plenty of nose dive under braking. I’m in the process (Tuesday next week) of installing the Toytech Boss front coil-over set which will be fun… can’t wait. But I will say that when I installed the Coopers (AT3 LT275/70 17 Load C) the handling was vastly improved. I want to really plant a flag here… VASTLY IMPROVED. Nose dive was reduced by 75%... almost to the point that I was ready to send the Toytecs back, but then I remembered that I never had a lifted vehicle and wanted one. I want to lift/level my rig… so I’m installing the Boss to get me the level I want with the option (in future applications) of some higher lift capabilities. At that point I will probably install some sort of UCA… Light racing, Icon… whatever - to get the Caster back in line.

The big thing was the tires. The rig tracks like a slot car (relatively speaking) and I find myself buzzing in and out of traffic and driving at the higher rates of speed I’m used to. With the stock “P” rated Dunlop’s the vehicle felt unpredictable and squirrelly… The extra side wall thickness of the C loads gave me extra stability for road driving and some extra security for the light off road driving without having to go with heavier E loads. A perfect fit. I never test drove the Limited as I really wanted the Trail as my brother just purchased a FJ Trail Teams and I felt that we would have the opportunity to do some wheeling together… I liked the Atrac thing, also liked the rear locker thing… I just liked it. I had (2) Xterras previously (one was a Pro) and there was no comparison… plus the guys at the dealership gave me a great trade number for the 2010 that I had.
Whatever you decide I will say this… TIRES – TIRES – TIRES.

 

[Jhalko]

People get on people for posting redundant stuff even if it's 5 years apart. The truth is, if people didn't keep asking the same questions over and over again, the forum would die.

I offered my opinion on the ride and tried to be helpful and got criticized for my ".02 cents", I'm a lot nicer about it than a lot would be on this site. But your wrong, if people didn't post the same questions over and over, the site would be much easier to navigate and search through for folks with questions. I mean really, will 285's fit, i miss stifler.

 

[cjacob316]

New people will run away if they can't get "their" questions answered. Just because someone else asked that question in 2010, doesn't mean someone can't ask it for themselves in 2015. Also, I've tried searching for stuff and I have to sort through lots of crap to never find my specific question answered. A lot of times I see the same link over and over again first as a thread then the pages inside the thread. Maybe my question was answered at one point, but they key words get used over and over again adding too much fodder to the search. And yes having less questions asked repeatedly would help reduce that amount of fodder, but it's too late, it's been 5 years of it already and the damage is done. It's so much easier for people to be able to just come in and post a question and get it answered. That's what a forum is for.

 

[cjacob316]

I offered my opinion on the ride and tried to be helpful and got criticized for my ".02 cents", I'm a lot nicer about it than a lot would be on this site. But your wrong, if people didn't post the same questions over and over, the site would be much easier to navigate and search through for folks with questions. I mean really, will 285's fit, i miss stifler.

Honestly I wasn't really trying to criticize you, I was just trying to tell him not to worry abut it. If I was going after you I would have quoted your post, not his.

 

[Bruin1md]

appreciate all the responses…..

……and I apologize for any redundancy from my earlier original post.

I did the comparison on toyota's website of the trail premium, TRD pro, and limited, and that answered a lot regarding the features differences.

But the questions on handling corners, potholes, and the right tires (if I went with the limited) were the main reasons for this post, which I still wasn't clear on after reading through the answers on the other thread. Specifically, off roading aside, how did the 3 cars compare on daily driving on iffy roads?

Regarding 285's, one of the other posters in this thread has them on his limited (it's in the pic) and so I was curious about them. But it's clear it's not possible to have those w/o making some mods-- that's why I was curious how big I could safely go getting a LTE and have the dealer put them on without having 'issues'. It seems like 265 is doable, but bigger than that won't be?