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Is the TRD off road or TRD off road premium needed for living in snow country?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by jpsdlh, May 18, 2020.

  1. May 18, 2020 at 2:51 PM
    #1
    jpsdlh

    jpsdlh [OP] New Member

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    Hello,
    I moved to the Rocky Mountains last year where we receive about 250+ inches of snow. Last winter I got my 2008 SR5 stuck with snow tires in about 2 feet of snow twice on my gently sloping driveway. (The plow had not arrived yet) 4wd low wouldn't get it out without a lot of shoveling. I'm looking to buy my next 4runner. I was looking at buying the TRD off road or TRD off road premium, instead of the SR5. Is it necessary to upgrade to the TRD off road?
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  2. May 18, 2020 at 3:02 PM
    #2
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    What tires were you using?

    People get around in Colorado every winter with 2wd / RWD with decent tires so the base answer to your question is "no" you probably don't really even need 4WD, let alone a rear locker. Can't hurt to have it though!
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  3. May 18, 2020 at 3:02 PM
    #3
    jpsdlh

    jpsdlh [OP] New Member

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    I was using snow tires
     
  4. May 18, 2020 at 3:12 PM
    #4
    bulldog

    bulldog New Member

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    Same rigs mechanically, only upgraded fancy stuff on premium. Both will perform the same, but I went fancy.

    I'd do the OR for crawl control and lockers.
     
    A&P likes this.
  5. May 18, 2020 at 3:57 PM
    #5
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    Dunno what to tell you then... there's a big component (the biggest component, actually) that is driver skill, too... the whole "Indian not arrow" argument.

    Having a locker beats not having a locker when you need it but there's no guarantee that a locker will magically get you unstuck if you've really screwed the pooch.
     
  6. May 18, 2020 at 5:45 PM
    #6
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    Even with snow tires, with 2’ of snow your trying to drag a lot of snow with the chassis and everything else under the truck, i don’t know if you have a lift, or what type of snow tires you have,( pics would help). Still there are all kinds of different scenarios. Welcome to the forum.
     
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  7. May 18, 2020 at 6:52 PM
    #7
    Gamma Ray

    Gamma Ray Be excellent to each other

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    Who cares? This never shows everything anyway.
    I'm in NJ, so it's not super snow country, but I've never had problems with basic 4WD vehicles in the snow. The 4Runner SR5 with 4WD is what I've got, and I expect to do just fine with it. I've had a couple Jeeps in the past with the same sort of part time 4WD, and they were fine to drive in the snow.
     
  8. May 18, 2020 at 8:13 PM
    #8
    LimitedTrd

    LimitedTrd New Member

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    The best trim for snowy and icy areas is the limited edition aka snow belt edition.
     
  9. May 18, 2020 at 8:32 PM
    #9
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    The locker and multi terrain select MIGHT help. But, if you're buried up to the frame, it probably won't get you out.

    Aside from trying to find better snow tires (depending on what you already have), you can try airing down the tires in deep snow for flotation. This can only help so much though.

    If you want the off-road, get it. The price difference isn't even $2K, so you might as well get what you want.. Or, buy another SR5 and spend $2K on some Hakkapeliittas.:)
     
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  10. May 19, 2020 at 6:03 AM
    #10
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    No. But many prefer the LE's AWD feature in snowy areas.

    (Still, it would have been stuck the same in your situation.)
     
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  11. May 19, 2020 at 6:12 AM
    #11
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

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    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.
    Living in Colorado - if I were you, I'd want the Off Road w/ 4WD and the rear locker for all the trails available to you.
    Colorado has some of the best off roading in the USA.

    Here's the thing, if you look at guys that off road in the snow in Colorado - they aint using snow tires.
    You could have all the features of the OR + the best Hakkapeliitta snow tires and still get stuck.

    With snow, it's about what you do once you're stuck. Spending an afternoon digging is not what I consider fun.


    Along with Food & Water, Spare warm clothing, proper boots, in your winter vehicle kit, you need to carry some self-recovery gear in your vehicle for winter driving.

    1. Knowledge of techniques to get yourself unstuck.
    2. Shovel.
    3. Maxtrax or generic.
    4. Snow Chains (tire chains). V-bars are the best - rear tires only on a non-lifted 4Runner.
    5. Air compressor - to air down and air back up.
    6. Recovery straps / rope - to get help from others and to offer help to others.
    7. A hitch pin or D-Ring Shackle mount.

    8. Winch and accessories - this is more those that go off road.

    You don't want to find yourself like that guy that was stuck in his 4Runner and survived off of eating Taco Bell Hot Sauce.
    https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/man-trapped-snow-5-days-211558428.html

    Youtube is great for getting knowledge.

    Some examples:

    Basic techniques + Maxtrax (short video)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvX9axfL9DI

    Maxtrax (Short video):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o15xg6VjTY

    V-Bar Chains (Short video):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3etZeA68Bk

    This is a longer video but it's worth watching. MaxTrax usage, airing down, tire chains, and winching:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EYHoc7Oqbg
     
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  12. May 19, 2020 at 6:16 AM
    #12
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    This is great advice, and I don't live in CO, but if I'm stuck in the driveway like OP I'm sending out the teenager with a shovel and going inside for a coffee.
     
  13. May 19, 2020 at 6:30 AM
    #13
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

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    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.
    After he's dug for awhile, give him a set of Maxtrax or knockoffs and show him how to use em.
    I bought my knockoffs cheap - $30 on Ebay.

    Similar pair:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-Recov...oards-for-Off-Road-Mud-Sand-Snow/373044731116

    Maxtrax run $200 to $300.
     
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    #13
    Toffees[QUOTED] and Thatbassguy like this.
  14. May 19, 2020 at 6:33 AM
    #14
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

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    upload_2020-5-19_6-32-50.jpg
    I’d recommend something like this.
     
  15. May 19, 2020 at 6:58 AM
    #15
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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  16. May 19, 2020 at 7:12 AM
    #16
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

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    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.
  17. May 19, 2020 at 7:48 AM
    #17
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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