Boat towing & snow - SR5 or TRD off road?

I'm torn between these two packages. I wont be using the vehicle for off road much (perhaps on the beach 1-2 times per year). I'd like the vehicle to be able to battle the ~8 huge snow storms per year we get. And in a year or two I plan on getting a boat, and want the truck to be able to handle a 20-25 footer without a problem.

Which package do you guys recommend? I read on another post that if you dont off road, the SR5 is the better choice because it's a smoother ride and costs way less. Would the SR5 be the right choice given what I want to do with the truck? TY.

 

Any 4wd model with the tow package will do what you want it to do. The TRD models come with some fancy electronics as well as some interior differences and the bed outlet. I would recommend testing driving the different models to see which one feels best to you and has the features you want. For towing, I would consider the TRD Sport since it has a stronger leaf pack (4 leafs vs. 3 leafs). Like I said though, all are capable for what your intended use is.

 

TRD offroad. It has the tow package and ATrac and a locker incase you get stuck in the snow or sand.

 

how HEAVY is the BOAT--20-25 ft can vary greatly.
21ft Formula is over 5k --yet a bass boat is less than 1/2 that.
Any long haul with the Formula--I use a 2500 Diesel--of course we have MOUNTAINs here in TN

 

SR5 so you can get the longbed

 

SR5 with tow package and 4wd. No need to drop the extra cash for the TRD.

 

Unless you want the sport seats, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter, better shocks, larger tires/rims, a rear E-Locker, an AC outlet in your bed, better brakes with hydraulic assist, and a backup camera for easy hookup to your boat trailer for only about 3k more.

I test drove an SR5 and a TRD OR. Ended up getting the TRD OR mainly because of the seats and the better braking, but also liked the steering wheel and backup camera. Not sure if there was something wrong with the SR5 that I test drove, but the braking difference between the two was significant in my experience.

 

If the difference between a long bed and short bed (1 foot) will make or break your decision, then really you should probably be looking at full size trucks.

 

Thought all the new OR's had 4 leafs?

 

I wouldn't pick one based on factory leaf packs being 3 or 4. They both suck, and if you need to do any kind of serious hauling you'll probably need to upgrade to an aftermarket leaf pack with either one. Best bet is probably to take each one for a test drive, and pick the one that feels more comfortable seat wise.

 

Very true

 

Not everyone needs or wants a full sized and, if you plan on sleeping in the bed under a canopy, that extra 1' could be a make or break. All depends on usage.

I dunno, last I heard only the Sports had the 4 leaf pack. Your sig says you have a '14 OR, do you have 3 or 4 leafs?

 

Well if your sleeping in the bed then yes, the 1' could make a difference. There is really nothing you can haul in a long bed that you can't haul in a short bed though. How many people really sleep in their bed, over using a tent an air mattress or cot.

If the extra 1' of bed makes the decision for you, then I'm guessing there is a very good chance that he may need the full size even if he doesn't want one. Just saying.

 

TRD sport not an option?

 

Mine's 3+1...didn't know if there was a difference between 3+1 and 4. Guessing not.

As mentioned, aftermarket leaf pack is the way to go for hauling anyway. Once I get my lift and the Dakar's, it won't matter.

 

3+1 was what I was referring to. Sorry, didn't realize the TRD OR's were coming with the 4 leaf from the factory now-days. As mentioned above though, the stock leafs suck, the 4 leafs being only marginally better with handling loads.

 

-Sr5 comes with a backup cam.
-shocks are a wash since you can upgrade yourself and get way better
-wheels and tires are subjective to opinons. plus if you want to upgrade later its a waste of money just like the yellow billys they put on.
-AC in the bed is good once a year, for christmas lights...
-Locker isnt needed if not off roading

-also Ive never heard of tacomas having different brakes


Ive owned two tacomas and the brakes were the same in both. One was an 07 base prerunner and the other was a 10 TRD off road.

 

X2 and my SR5 has leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter. You can buy those shitty yellow bilsteins for pretty cheap or buy much better ones for not much money. The TRD sport has the same springs as the SR5. So really with the sport you get a SKEWP, better seats and an outlet in the bed.

 

and the colour matching trims and foglights

 

I have fog lights.....forgot about the trim, and the turn signal mirrors. Pretty sure all the trucks have the same brakes though.