Considering Tacoma, please advise

My wife and I recently built a cabin in the Western NC smoky mountains. Last weekend we drove a UHaul RWD van to the cabin to deliver a TV and ping pong table. The mountain our development is in is partially paved but mostly maintained gravel. From the entrance of the neighborhood to the cabin is about 2 miles and a 1,200 foot climb and in the winter there will be snow. The driveway into the garage is fairly steep downhill and curvy for about 100 feet. The van got stuck, the rear tires were just spinning in the loose gravel. With experience driving in the snow in the northeast for years, I was finally make it up the driveway after about a half hour and putting my wife and son in the very back of the van. All that being said it was pretty nerve racking and as I consider which Tacoma to purchase I'm down to either the 4WD TRDOR or the 4WDSR5. Most of my driving will be highway so the fuel economy, lower price and quieter ride of the SR5 appeals to me but so does the functionality of the OR. Does anyone have experience with the performance of the SR5 4WD in hilly/fairly loose gravel conditions?

 

Do it! The TRD with additional traction aids will "perform better" on your terrain. That's not to say the SR5 will perform poorly. I started with an SR5 and it was more than capable offroad in stock form.

SR5 if you want to build it up (ARB air locker)

TRD if you just want to get the traction aids in one go.

 

I would get the TRD OR, due to the rear locker. but......you can add a rear (and front) locker to the SR5 should you have the need though.........

 

Also welcome, unfortunately the mountains are a little extra smokey at this time. It's not a common occurence here like it is in CA or other western states.

 

*do need to note that for more extreme offroad most people prefer the SR5 larger/stronger Diff with an ARB (or other brand) air locker.