Crawl control worth it?

I think the rear locker on the OR version is a major improvement. But crawl control seem like kind of a gimmick. I mean you can drive down anything in 1st and 4LO. I find it more fun to power my way up hills then to crawl. The MTS seems like it could be useful but not necesary. And I hear it makes a terrible noise. What do you guys think?

 

I'm getting it because it's cool... I've been 4wheeling for years and there's a few situations it'd be cool to try it out rather than winch it... we'll see. but if you can't see the applications for it then its not going to be useful for you...

 

Iv'e only seen the toyota test though. Im wondering if there are some situations where it wouldn't help. I hope some videos pop up soon.

 

Haven't used it or seen it in person for that matter but it looks pretty interesting...

https://youtu.be/19BNRvuNLWE

 

Don't get me wrong it looks awesome. But I was off roading today in my stock yota, climbing a hill and got stuck in sand to the bumper. It took a little maneuvering but I got it out and almost made it up the hill. I want to see this system work in deep thick mud, or snow, and on a greater incline.

 

Winter is right around the corner and I'm sure you'll see plenty of videos testing CC ability in snow. How will it perform is the question.

 

And going uphill. I'm pretty sure my prerunner can back down a sand dune lol

 

I think most opt for the OR for the locking rear diff and the CC is just a bonus feature. Gimmick? Maybe. Cool? Yes! You always have the option of not using the CC but it's there if you want/need it.

 

Does it make noise? yes. (but it's suppose to)
Will it get you out of places or allow you to navigate obstacles you otherwise wouldn't be able to without it? yes.
Is it worth it? that's up to you..

What I do know is it's been offered on Toyota's flagship SUV, the Land Cruiser since 2008 (With no known recalls or issues going on 8 years in service on that model. This is not surprising since all technology debuted on the flagship goes through extensive and rigorous testing for years, which all lesser models like the 4Runenr and Tacoma benefit from to keep their cost down.... this is the trickle down effect), It's been on the 4Runenr trail model since 2010 with zero issues of malfunction or recall. It's a service proven technology that works and is reliable, whether or not it's worth it, is up to you... a driver cannot do what CRAWL control does by controlling throttle and brake to each wheel individually based on wheel slip. If you think you can, you're kidding yourself. (I would say it's worth it, if you ever drive on the beach or in the sand but that's just my opinion)

It'll be nice when the Tacoma gets KDSS and CRAWL control... maybe on the 2017 TRD OR or PRO model... lord help me if they offer it in a green color, I'll run into the dealer screaming "TAKE MY MONEY!"

 

I'm not totally sold on the crawl control yet. I bought the off road version mainly to get the locker. I travel in the desert a lot, looking for chukar and quail to shoot, and this takes me into some pretty rough terrain. I haven't used the CC much yet, but the few times that I've tested it out, I could have done what I did without it. I haven't tried anything real tough yet, so I'll withhold judgement. I'll have to say though, that the video with the truck digging itself out of the sand was darn impressive. (That's what sold me on it, otherwise I would have gotten an MT). I've been in that situation before, so if that truly works, than I will be super happy with it.

 

how is the rear locker a major improvement? The Off Roads have had the rear locker for many years

 

It isn't about the speed, it is about selecting which of the four tires should rotate. I am going to presume Crawl Control is A-TRAC on cruise control and A-TRAC uses spin sensors on each wheel to stop the spin that otherwise robs the other tire with traction the power to move the truck. It is not a gimmick, it actually works.

All the places I used my rear locker on (2001 & 2005 Tacomas) I can go in A-TRAC (2010 Tacoma) easier and with no stress or worry about getting stuck. Only because of A-TRAC could I drive my truck out of a high center on my rear where both rear tires were off the ground (deep ruts) and only one front tire had good traction (I was climbing up-hill, too). A-TRAC button pushed, and I drove out of the rutted climb. I was resting on my spare tire and trailer hitch.

I also intentionally stuck my truck in sand, by turning off the TRAC (VSC OFF MODE) in H4, with tires at full pressure. A-TRAC drove my truck up and out, like the video of Crawl shows, and I then went back to TRAC mode (or TRAC OFF as it was renamed in 2012) in H4, and proved it was a big improvement over open differentials of my previous two Tacomas.

A locker just spins both tires the same without the intelligence to know which tire has traction and which does not. Yes, lockers work but do cause trail damage and can also get you stuck in soft sand because it allows the spinning. A-TRAC (by braking the spinning tires) sends power only to the tires that can actually move the truck.

 

Once the hardware is there, which it is

I didn't choose the OR because of the rear locking differential. The OR compared to the SR5 had alloys, standard towing package, better water shedding upholstery and a plethora of other off road and cabin features as well as the external bed outlet; features in 2015 also including ATrac which I had in a 4 Runner with out a locking diff and it was outstanding.....The differential was a bonus I have yet to use one "for real". . People even buy an off road two wheel drive which is a real joke....but many, buy it for the "look" and the decal.

 

You're reading my mail. Good summary. Rear locking diffs are a fetish for some...as if it makes the vehicle. Far from it. I have it on my truck, the plow truck I use and on both axles of my tractor. You use them for a few seconds to get you going again and maybe never in a weeks worth of off roading, plowing and using my tractor. They are a "get out of jail " free card that is often not regularly used with the experienced off roader and actually more often with a snow plow operator or tractor user.

Yes, it raises hell with turf and users should be considerate.

 

Correct. There is nothing special about crawl control, it is low speed off road cruise control with ATRAC. The same thing could be done without CC by using ATRAC and a steady foot on the gas.

The purpose is to allow the truck to crawl slowly while the driver focuses on navigating technical portions of the trail without having to focus on keeping a steady throttle. Jeeps and other off road vehicles have done this with aftermarket cable hand throttles for decades.

 

Well...not quite. With the computer also controlling the throttle instead of the operator, CC includes the throttle control....as well as the transmission. It will shift into the appropriate gear. An operator on the throttle may keep steady pressure, but steady throttle is not always needed when a little momentum is required, at just the right time. Computer Control of the transmission and the throttle as well as the braking is why it is not found on the manual on Tacomas. So CC is not like regular cruise control, it's more like active cruise control where your actual speed varies with conditons.

 

True, I did leave out braking. Settings 1-5 denote mph, so if you set it at 5 the truck will maintain 5mph, including braking to maintain 5mph, similar to decent control on the OR, though with decent control you cannot set the speed. My point was it doesn't do anything a competent driver can't, with the exception of maintaining a downhill selectable speed without using standard braking.

At 5mph or less on technical terrain the truck should always be in first gear so gear selection should not enter into the equation.

 

You can get down some pretty steep stuff in just first and low without touching the brakes

 

In a manual, definitely. Autos rely on the Decent Control.