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

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?

 

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!

 

I was using snow tires

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

The best trim for snowy and icy areas is the limited edition aka snow belt edition.

 

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.

 

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

(Still, it would have been stuck the same in your situation.)

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

I’d recommend something like this.