Am I understanding ATRAC correctly?

So i’m not too familiar with the ATRAC system but essentially it imitates a front locker in bad situations correct?

 

Front and rear locker if you're trim doesn't have an actual rear locker, such as a SR5.

I've done a ton of off roading with my SR5 and never even had the need for anything other than 4H.

I usually only use 4L when I'm descending down a step incline so I can utilize engine braking.

 

There is some great atrac videos on the web.

 

As @Slopemaster mentioned, it controls all 4 tires. It applies brakes to the tire or tires that are slipping to keep you moving. It's great for off-camber situations where your weight is mostly on 2 or 3 wheels at a time.

 

Do you guys personally think its on par with actual front & rear lockers though or no?

 

Not at all because it's not constant and requires slippage to function which can stop any momentum. Plus the system can overheat which would cause it to shut down and leave you with open diffs.

 

True, Though I think it would take one hell of a situation to get to a point where the system would get to a over heat situation.

 

Most owners will never get there but I have seen instances where it has happened. You just have to sit and wait for it all to cool down.

 

Timing. Just happened to watch this video last night. fwiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWteCiBFrh4

 

To be fair, that was an out-and-out torture test for the system.

 

Interesting video. He discussed the transmission overheating being the critical element rather than the traction control (brakes).

I have zero interest in playing in the sand. Out of all the off-roading videos I have watched. It seems that sand provides the best way to get really stuck.

 

What is the difference between that and the all terrain select function?

 

I believe the terrain select function allows setting the sensitivity response of the ATRAC.

With my SR5, I don't have that option. I just push the ATRAC button and hope for the best.

I have yet to be in a situation where I needed the ATRAC, despite all of my off roading adventures.

 

Multi terrain select controls throttle and brakes. A-trac just uses the brakes to reduce wheel spin.

 

OK, that enlightens me.

About 20% of my driving is off road, mostly deep sand, steep roads, some rocks. IMO, when one has A-trac, MTS and CRAWL one has a lot more that he needs. I'm sure there are some very hard core drivers who maybe need to utilize all of this stuff, but the pictures I see of people "off roading" suggest a lot of them don't really need all of the off road options. I don't need them all either, and I have stock tires. Just a thought.

 

It all depends on what type of terrain you're in. I used the locker, 4Lo and A-trac to get up a rocky hill on Saturday. The rocks are all different sizes and some of them move.



I also got stuck in mud on Sunday because the surface was dry so I went over it in 2wd. Once I sunk in, I couldn't get out with everything I had. I could move forward and back, but couldn't get out of the hole. I ended up using the winch for a little assistance.

I would agree that most folks don't need all of those things. But, they're nice to have.

 

I've seen videos where people were stuck in deep sand and used the crawl control to get out. It looks like an impressive system to me.

I don't have it so I should probably avoid sand traps.