Choosing between the SR5 TSS package or the TRD Pro

Not to mention Pro suspension upgrades usually cost more.

 

Sr5 and use all the xtra money to buy much better upgrades - wheels, tires, suspension. Allows you to customize it tour way and not settle with stuff you may or may not want but have to pay a premium for- just my opinion

 

skip the TSS package. The wheels look cheap IMO. Everyone has different tastes so go with what you like.

i would go with the TRD off road package on a SR5 or limited vs the TSS. If you intend to keep the pro stock go with the pro.

 

I am cheaper and went with the SR - I turned it into a poor mans TRD Pro...wheels, tires, suspension upgrade. Love how it rides for a fraction of the cost. I didn’t need all the fancy sensors, trim, etc. Nice thing about this route - no chrome from the start!

 

Ask yourself this question: Why do I need the PRO? What will it do that that the others will not do?

 

I would have liked no chrome but I didn't fancy trying to add heated seats myself. Also, no 4x4 CM SR in Canada for 2020. I've also heard chrome bumpers will hold up better over time than painted ones.

 

They are not the same. The TSS package is a GST dealers package. it is basically wheels and tires. the TRD or sport based packages are actually better packages as I learned after purchasing my TSS

NMG

 

I’ve had 2 SR5s. Then got a Pro. I’m glad I did it. The ride is better. Has leather the TRD exhaust. Both things I would be adding to an SR5 and still wouldn’t ride as well.

 

Just changing them to all terrain. Might change slightly but those fox suspension can cover m .

 

I personally went out of my way to get the TRD Sport. I don't have a need or desire to go offroad or do major mods. I like the way it looks and probably one of the few that like the safety features that came with it. Good luck with your purchase.

 

And that VIP Sales Follow Up never freakin' happens.

 

Unless the VIP sales follow up is calling me and sending me emails for the next 3 years telling me how bad they want to buy my 2014 and sell me a newer one..

 

I went from a SR DC 4x with 4.6 to a CM TSS 4x with 5.7 then on to a CM TRD Sport 4x and finally to a TRD PRO. To do over again I would have went straight to the PRO. So yea, go PRO.

 

I had the same problem, I was debating between a 2020 Tundra TSS off road and a 2020 Tundra TRD pro but ultimately I went with the TSS. Before the tundra I had a Tacoma TRD pro and spent a lot of money for it and never really went off roading or never really used some of the extra features that came with the pricey upgrade and I felt like I couldn’t lift the truck because I just spent all this extra money for these Fox trd shocks and wheels and tires so that was something that I regretted. So when I went to get my tundra I had that in mind and decided to get the cheaper truck and just put money into it. So far I’ve color matched the front and rear bumpers, bought a Dirty Deeds exhaust, converted to the TRD pro headlights, chrome deleted the inside of the truck. So far everything together has been less then $1800, the next thing will be to convert to the trd pro grill and get the color matched hood bulge which will still be less than $2500 with all my other purchases combined, which is way cheaper than the $12000 price increase for the pro.

 

I don’t care WHO makes the vehicle - the sales plan is as follows:

- Build vehicle, offer a base at a price that is no more than what competitors offer their product at.

- Sell consumer on how your equally priced product is “better value” be it resale, more features, reliable, faster, whatever they will bite on.

- Make your $$$ after you sell consumer on your brand/product by “up selling” them into a higher trim...”Sure...you could by a base...but all the smart buyers are opting into our special edition which gives you distinctive limited edition striping and a special emblem for only 8k more...that’s only like $100 more a month over 8 years. Plus famous celebrity bought one just like this (for their maid...paid $1 for the 2 year lease and allowing us to use their name in an endorsement deal) - don’t you want to be famous celebrity?”.

Toyota makes a base SR - but doesn’t give you the choice of the CM or basic features like variable wipers to “up sell” the SR5. Hell - my Chevy WT gives options of crew cab and comes standard with variable wipers. Making “different” versions is expensive - which is why for example Toyota dropped the smaller engine on a SR. One power plant is more cost savings...things like accessories are easily changed on the line...frame/drivetrain are not. You can’t build multi lineups on the same line easily - but you can build one and then send it to a different line to be “finished”

Dealers are incentivized to up sell - and pass this hold back off to sales in form of a higher commission gross. It’s the reason sales pays on the gross profit and not the units sold. A Porsche salesman could get rich selling 8-10 units monthly...while a Kia salesperson would starve at that number.

 

I have the SR5 TSS package and did the upgrades myself. I would recommend going with the TRD if you don't want to do any major modifications. But personally I don't think you will go wrong with either one. ITS A TOYOTA

 

If it was me, PRO all the way. I love the looks of it and it comes with everything I would want to do to a Tundra.

 

So this depends on weather or not you plan on doing actual offloading and not just light dessert.

I will point out that the TSS offroad package has better tires than the pro. They are wrangler duratrac. Depending on if you plan on driving it in the mud snow or sand, the duratrac are better than the stock pro tires. The suspension is better on the pro but you will find quickly they are not the best and can't be upgraded as easy without just outright replacing them.

When it comes to real offroad use, tires and clearance is the name of the game. You want 35s and at minimum a 3 in lift to fit them. Suspension lift are cheaper with stock since more companies make lift kits for stock.

Either way think, tires, ground clearance, suspension. In that order when deciding if you plan to offroad.

 

Don't forget that if you go to 35" tires it's not a bad idea to re-gear and 3 inch lifts are in the range that start needing new UCAs. If you're going to be getting into anything that NEEDS 35" tires for clearance you might as well get smaller wheels than the TSS package provides so that you can properly air down, and that means new tires so the TSS tires don't matter at that point. Then if you are into stuff like that you will want some better protection than the stock stuff, so skids and sliders come into play. Just my thought process on it.

 

Regear not neccessary for 20 model year running 35s. No gear hopping even at 80 mph. I am near sea level however.

 

It's not "necessary" for some up to 37" tires, but the truck doesn't behave/feel stock if you don't re-gear it. I am still stock, so I am just going off the recommendations of the forum. Specifically, Keith at Dirty Deeds on this one.

 

I didn't really notice a huge difference to be honest. The RPM is lower though. I find cruising at 80 mph my rpm stays around 1900 in 6th gear. There is a significant improvement when in engaging in tow haul mode, pickup is faster, and pedal more responsive.

 

What I got for $5k but then got $5k off MSRP.

 

Not sure where you're at or what kind of land you plan to buy, but it could make a difference. I grew up in KS and plenty of people only had 2wd trucks and got along fine in pastures, getting out to the deer stand and fishing holes - although serious mud occasionally meant more walking lol. So unless you plan on buying in rocky hills that could require serious rock crawling, river fording, etc, probably any trim Tundra 4x4 would be adequate.

Questions only you can answer is how much capability do you really need, and how much money comfortably fits your budget. From there prioritize how much you're willing to spend on upgrades and accessories. Spend time on the Toyota website configuring different trims/options/accessories to get an idea of what your base needs and absolute "must haves" cost as well as your wants/wishes. After that, I like to use a mix of sites like cars.com and local dealer websites to see what's sitting on the lots and if any match what I'm looking for.

Sounds like you've got plenty of time to research, decide, and find the one you want. The hunt is half the fun...

 

Whatever you do just remember that you don't have to pay the sticker price. Everything is negotiable!

 

I'm in the same boat... not sure between the TRD Pro or the TRD Sport Premium package here in Canada!
The only thing that is killing me is the financial rate. The TRD Sport is 0% and the PRO 4.5% both for 5 years which represent more than $7K of interest!
I hope they will have better incentive in May for the PRO... but if they don't, it will be a Sport Premium! But this AG color is amazing!

 

First time poster here, but I just spent the last 3 weeks shopping all the different Tundra models (as well as trucks from every other maker). Some of the models offered are confusing, one of my dealers even got confused. But for clarity:

Toyota offers 6 divisions of the Tundra, SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794, and TRD Pro

It gets confusing because they offer many sub models within the SR5 designation: SX, TSS Off Road, TSS Sport, TRD Sport, and TRD OffRoad. The TSS is a pretty basic SR5 configuration. You can get leather, but not much else. Single zone climate control, old fashioned ignition key start, halogen headlights, etc. The TSS Off Road offers the Wrangler Duratrac tires on the all-black wheels, the TSS Sport gives you chrome wheels and street tires.

For me it was eventually between the SR5 TRD Off Road or the limited trims. I opted for the TRD Off Road. It has every feature of the limited except leather, heated front seats, and the chrome exterior bits. The TRD Off Road has dual climate, remote, push button, start, auto-unlocking door handles, LED headlights, premium audio, as well as the Bilstein shocks.

The price between the TSS and the TRD Off Road was about the same, so for the features, it was an easy choice. Given a higher budget, I would have likely gotten the TRD PRO simply because I like the appearance. I don't do anything more than snowy roads in my truck.

 

Looks like you knew what you were looking for! I’ve been on both ends of the extreme. My last pickup I bought the top of the line fully loaded. This time with my 2019 Tundra I bought the SR model - my requirements were simple: V8, 4x4, Double Cab with 6.5’ bed.

 

Can't deny that the SR5 is a better value but you omitted several items that the Limiteds offers over the SR5. Leather steering wheel/deck rail system/dual climate control/auto dim r.v. mirror with compass and homelink/power pass seat/auto up/down front windows (not sure about this one tho) and several more minor items. Either way you can't go wrong with any Tundra, new or used. Congrats on your new truck and welcome!

 

Thanks! Though I've got dual climate, auto dim RV mirror and homelink, etc... I'm sure I missed something, but we parked the two trucks side by side, drove them both, and poured over the spec sheets. The leather steering wheel, woodgrain on the dash, etc... those were all just on the limited. lots of chrome trim too.