'16 TRD Offroad vs. Sport

This winter I was very unhappy how my '16 TRD Sport performed in the snow around town.
I had Bridgestone Blizzaks on and 250 lbs. of sand bags in the bed.
Braking often skidded at slower speeds.. and traction seemed sub par in 4wd.

Would a '16 TRD Offroad perform any better around town/highway snow driving?

Seem like my older model Tacoma 4x4 were better in '09 and '13.
Your comments appreciated !

 

Is your 16 a 4X4 or a 2 wheel drive?

 

Tires are going to be the biggest factor for any vehicle in the snow.

 

It has more traction control features when you are in 4lo. Other than that it's the same around town

 

My offroad handled great in the snow. We got hit with a pretty good amount of snow in KY at the beginning of the year just shortly after getting my Taco. I drove normal and never lost traction with the stock Goodyears. Had to push it a little to lose traction and when it did, traction control kicked in and kept things from getting crazy. Once, I turned off all traction control features along with 4 wheel drive and I was able to have a little fun.

 

As far as braking.... all trucks brake at all 4 wheels, 4WD won't have any effect on braking. Where 4WD matters is when you are using the gas pedal. As mentioned earlier, tires will be the most important, but since Bridgestone Blizzaks are supposed to be winter tires, I have to ask: What is your reference for "sub par in 4wd?"

 

I wanted the TRD-OFF ROAD in a double cab and 6speed. Unfortunately here in Canada I could only get the TRD-OFF ROAD in an access cab manual.

So I went with the TRD SPORT 6 speed double cab and short bed. I'm sure happy. Do I miss not having a rear locking diff? Not yet, but in the future I'll have to get a nice ARB one.

As for tires, the SPORT came with shit Firestone tires. Get a good set of winters and the off-road or sport in 4hi or 4lo in the snow should be relatively the same I would think.

 

Yes, but the off road had a better braking system.

 

It is a 4x4

 

Thank you

 

Better? That's debatable, seeing as the only difference is a hydroboost master. And even more debatable seeing as we are talking about winter conditions where a 60's manual drum car could out brake the conditions...

 

Sub par. To me even with Blizzards and sand bag weight in the bed . It didn't stop timely and would sometimes skid. Wasn't to impress with slight acceleration either, just didn't seem to do good in 4whd hi at 30 mph or less.

 

2 things.. tires and tire pressure... Most AT tires work great in snow... IMHO Bilzzaks work on station wagons/SUVs/sedans, I've used them with those vehicles, bought Tacoma and went with AT tires.... works like a charm. A snow tire isn't even comparable really to an AT tire.

 

For icy conditions I've always been told buy the Blizzaks or Michelin Ice winter tires, not that any tire is bullet proof.
Seems that they have worked pretty well for me on Tacomas 4x4, '09, '13's,,,, 16?

Years ago I hit black ice in my 4- Runner, not engaged in 4wd at 30 miles per hour and crashed into a hillside bank
with all season tires.

 

Air down maybe?

 

I think 32-34 psi's costco inflates the winter tires. I don't in deeper snow 6"+ if traction is as good with lower pressures?