Are Lockers Necessary?

I've owned my 2019 TRD Pro about a year and half, and I haven't had too many chances to go off road. Recently during a snowstorm in New England, I did go somewhat off road -- up a gravel path with heavy snow, ~ 6-12 inches of snow, up a steep hill for ~200 ft.

I was expecting the Tundra may have some difficulty going straight up, with poor traction. In 4H it went straight up the hill with no hesitation at all. It's all stock.

-- My question is, are lockers really necessary if the Tundra can go up that kind of snowy terrain with no problems at all?

-- How would lockers actually improve off-roading? In severe muddy conditions?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

Lockers start to prove their worth when you get tires off the ground.

 

Lockers are more beneficial in rock crawling. I don't do rock crawling in my Tundra but I wish it had a locker none the less

 

I would get a winch before a locker but I dont do rock crawling with my Tundra. It's just too big imo.

 

I really appreciate the responses!

 

The system designed by Toyota works really well. Don’t mess with it until you actually have a traction problem. Admittedly, the electronic locker like the 4Runner and Tacoma have would be preferable, but it’s not worth tearing apart the rear end. There’s lots of posts about failure of after market lockers but I have never seen a post about the OME not doing the job

 

Had lockers on all my previous trucks and never used them, so havent been worried about the Tundra not having one. Toyota does a pretty good job with their auto lsd and ATRAC systems.

 

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3u3j0l
Old video, but still good

 

I appreciate that feedback. I wish I had some pictures of that snowy hill, I was amazed that the truck went straight up with no issues, and none of the 'traction lights' came on either.

 

Tundra has been much better than both my FJ and Tacoma were in the snow, but it also has a longer and wider wheelbase, as well as weighs a bit more.

 

I agree 100%.

 

IMHO

Drive, wheel the truck and go get stuck on purpose.

Learn the system.

The OE electronically controlled system works surprising well once one learns how to use it.

 

I never got stuck in my unlocked 2012 4Runner. ATRAC works too well.

I don’t have any experience using it on my Tundra yet. I’ve been told the only downside vs the 4Runner is you need more wheel spin to engage ATRAC on the Tundra than may be prudent given your situation. On my 4Runner (which did not have a locker), all I had to do was push a button while in 4Lo.

Here’s how all the nannies and ATRAC work on your Tundra.

 

You don't need lockers if you don't know if you need lockers. Nothing will match lockers for traction, but there's also a point where more goodies will just get you more stuck if you don't have a solid knowledge of the basics. If 4Hi seems fine, stick with that for now.

 

And a locker in the snow can get you into trouble very quickly if you are imprudent enough to engage it on the road.

 

But so fun making the donuts

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TdBvK8dAb4&ab_channel=TheFastLaneTruck

They didn't seem to miss a locker when comparing the Tundra against a Silverado Trail Boss which has a G80 in the rear. I however call BS on their drag race, they probably had all the nannies on when they did that.