Trail model worth it?

I am currently looking for my first 4Runner. This will also be my first 4wd. I love the idea of doing some offroading and camping once I get one. However I am wondering if the trail model is worth the extra cost? Used 4runners are very pricey for the mileage you get right now, so finding a trail model that’s affordable will be even more difficult. But I might be able to find one in the 2010-2012 range. Although I also don’t want to get an sr5 and end up wishing I had the trail. Anyone have any experience to know if it’s worth it?

 

If I could do it again, I would maybe opt for it. The SR5 is extremely capable as is, but I have been in situations where I got stuck or the truck struggled to get over trail obstacles where if I had a locker it would have made a night and day difference. With that said, I’ve only been in a very small amount of those scenarios out of many where my SR5 did great and with no problem. If the extra cost is worth it to you, then 100% get it. The difference in price from the trail/off-road to SR5 also left some room for some mods

 

What kind of mileage and abuse do these 2010-2012 Trail’s have on them?

I’d rather get a newer SR5 and modify it to my liking than an older Trail, but I may be a little bias. If you have to have the Trail or come up on a good deal, go for it.

 

It comes down to whether you want / need a factory rear locker or not. All the other Trail specific electronic doodads are more or less useless, or at the very least not needed. A locker, though; that can be supremely useful and really make a difference in certain off road scenarios.

Must have factory locker: get the Trail

Ambivalent about factory locker: get the SR5

Got the SR5 and realize later you wanted a locker: add an aftermarket locker

 

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

Don't discount an SR5. ATRAC will do a lot for you. This is a video of a completely stock SR5 being put through all sorts of obstacles in Patagonia, with stock tires. It's a capable vehicle, yes. But driver skills and experience are more important.

The Trail models/TRD Off-roads have some cool gadgetry, but you should also be honest with yourself in determining what you are going to be using the vehicle for and if you really need the extras. However, you can find yourself in a bad situation with all that stuff too (there's another video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_6UAIIes8Q of a brand new TRD Pro in a ditch). Driver skills and experience are more important that all the gadgets in my opinion. Go slow, pick the right lines, turn around when the situation exceeds your skills.

 

If you are looking at the OG 5th gens trail - for one they look better than the other models. I bought my first 2010 trail from Carmax for $26K with only 65k miles - amazing condition. It was too nice of a vehicle and too expensive for me to be sitting outside so I sold it for $24k a year later. Found a 2013 trail with 175k miles for $15k and bought that - more miles, a few more dings, perfect for what I use it for. Both can be found but you'll pay a bit for lower milage, especially now days.

I use my 4runner for hunting and never once used the trail features. A regular 4x4 would be fine for me and both have/are bone stock - just the OG trails are my favorite looking 5th gens

 

I personally like the Trail models in early 5th Gen 4Runners with its rear diff lock and other offroad tech.

I'm not a fan of newer 2021 Trail models at all since even though it says Trail but does not have offroad tech that's available in TRD-Offroad.

However A-trac that comes in SR5 is really good. It took sometime for me to learn as it requires little bit of wheel spin before it act as a limited slip diff. I'm also a big fan of 3rd row seat that comes with SR5 and Limited. Its really good for short drives. (Yes many thinks 3rd row on 4Runner is useless but my office friends fit in 3rd row when we go for lunch out / happy hour.)

If you decide on a SR5 and need lockers atleast hear in CO I know few places that installs lockers with the choice of e-locker or air locker. Including front locker.

 

Just being honest. Everyone knows they want the Trail/OR for the (fake) hood scoop.

 

Yes be sure to specify that you are referring to the original "Trail" model, not the new one. Thanks, Toyota.

The "OG" Trail is the new TRD Off-Road.

I think the Trails had some nice visual differences between the first SR5's.. and I don't seem to see many of them (just like I don't seem to see many TRD OR's).. so I would want one personally. I also went for the TRD OR myself because I wanted the rear locker, among other things. That said, the $$$ wasn't much of an issue to me. I also thought, truthfully, that the TRD OR would have more over the SR5 than it really does. I'm a little disappointed that it has no more armor, suspension.. anything really, except for the locker, over an SR5. So if the money is an issue, and the looks of the Trail trim don't tempt you enough, I would go for the SR5 and not worry one bit. The rear locker is something that only .1% of 4Runner owners need or will use. For just about everyone, the SR5 is just as capable.

 

I wouldn't worry about getting a Trail edition for "some off-roading." A-TRAC and 4wd will be more than sufficient for mild off-roading.

If you decide to get into more difficult trails, lockers can be added later. I think MTS and Crawl Control are good features, but so far the locker has gotten me out of more jams.

False. I have the Off-road, and would gladly trade my worthless fake scoop for a regular hood.

 

Good to know that I'm in such an elite group.

 

Haha. I'm serious though!

If I had known that Toyota's nancy systems would interfere so much, and that I couldn't even use the thing without being in 4WD, I probably would have cared less about having it. I like to hoon! Locking rear differentials are all about the fun in my eyes.. lol.

I have a feeling that I will go 10 years with my 4Runner and never once use Crawl Control or MTS.. and trust me I get out there! But only time will tell I suppose...

I just think they are more there for people that don't want to learn how to drive themselves. Hmm, I guess if one was off-grid and broke a leg/ankle, the crawl control could really come in handy..

 

I absolutely love the fake hood scoop on my TRD OR. Even though its a pain in the A** to drive during sunset / sunrise with the glare produced by the hood scoop.

I'd love to have a hood scoop hood on my Limited but my wife would kill me for doing it as that's her daily drive.

 

I got rid of the hood scoop on my trail for a flat hood - that glare was awful and looks clean without it

 

Gotta say I've never once experienced this glare everyone talks about..

Fake hood scoop definitely looks mean.

 

Me, too! I used it when I got stuck in some rocks. A few times, actually.

Traction control can be defeated.

As much as I believe you can get by without it, you can't duplicate what either of those things can do. Most folks will never need them, but they're like an extra tool in the recovery gear, IMO. Maybe not necessary, but nice to have.

I've only gotten the glare on one occasion, but holy crap was it bright!

 

The "fake" in "fake hood scoop" speaks for itself. Just sayin

 

Good thing google backup the phone pics. Here's an old pic which I found on my pics backup. Camera will reduce the light automatically but to the eye it's much worse.

 

Fine. We'll call it an "aesthetic hood scoop." lol

I don't doubt that people get glare. Just doesn't bother me.. maybe it happens and I don't even notice. Move your head a bit, etc. I dunno lol. Plus, if the sun is hanging that low, I'm already blinded by the sun anyway if I'm driving toward it. I'm typically holding my hand out in front of my face at that point anyway lol. /shrug

 

Never though people would take my fake hood scoop post so seriously.

Also never had the glare issue either.

 

I can live with the glare and I wear sunglasses when it's that bad. My wife absolutely hates it.

If I ever had to replace the hood, I may consider one without the scoop. In the meantime, I'm going to look into an LED light strip that chases back and forth, like KIT from Night Rider (it has to make the cool sound too).

 

I have only had it happen the one time. I was heading southwest in the evening, so it was just bad timing.

@Dillusion I should have figured you were joking.

 

.1 percenter

 

I'm a 99.9 percenter.

 

It’s definitely worth it. If you don’t plan on doing super crazy off-roading, it has more than enough features to give you a great experience.

 

Agree! It's funny, I look at my 112k mile '13 trail and think the same as you: maybe too nice of a vehicle to sit outside (or bang up in the woods, in my case). Lately I've been thinking of downgrading in vehicle. I bought it going on 2 years ago with 79k miles, and paid it off a few months ago.

I really love the look of the 10-13 Trails though...I love the black trim, and the roofrack just looks killer IMO.I even like the FJ wheels, and get compliments on them all the time. Whenever I think of getting rid of it, I'll look at it and think "damn that's a good looking vehicle".

To the OP, if you can swing it, and really want the Trail, I'd say go for it! Either way, these things are stupid money, so you might as well get what you want. I wanted the Trail when I was shopping for mine, though I really only had SR5 budget. I was shopping 2014+ models, then one day I forgot to change the filter on cargurus and older models popped up. I saw my 13 Trail and was like "what is that???" I didn't even know they were a thing, lol, if I had ever seen one up till that point I hadn't noticed. I liked it a lot, and it was a "Trail" in my budget, so win-win.

 

Thanks for the help everyone! I ended up going with a 2014 sr5 premium. It was the best deal I could find on a 4x4 with a sunroof in good condition. And luckily, this one is in immaculate condition. I believe the 4wd hi, lo, and the ATRAC should be all I ever need. I plan to use the truck occasionally on the beach, when it snows, and some occasional off-road for camping. Again, thanks for all the input. It really helped!

 

Excellent advice. New 4x4 drivers, especially, need to learn their vehicle and their own limitations. Don't believe what you see in the commercials!
My current 4Runner is a TRD Off Road, mainly for the lockers. My previous 4Runner was an SR-5 sport, but it also had the lockers.

 

If no one likes hood scoop then why so many members here want to trade their flat hoods for scooped ones? Scoop aside Trail with KDSS is the best balance of $ and equipment in my opinion.