The Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter is here and the team at Expedition Overland has enjoyed behind-the-scenes special access. XOverland has been utilizing the Tacoma for travel for over a decade and in that time forged a deep understanding of the model’s merits and shortfalls. Their journey kicked off with a first-generation 2001 TRD, which allowed them to sharpen their skills in the backcountry ahead of much bigger trips. A second-generation 2013 TRD was utilized for their first big Alaska trip followed by the iconic third-gen X3 Meridian to reach the southern tip of Argentina. Since then, Tacoma’s have continued to serve as part of their fleet with return trips to Alaska, Baja, the Nordic Expedition, and most recently Africa.
Over the past month and 2,000 miles, the team has been putting the new Trailhunter through its paces on some “bucket list” adventures. This 6-part series, launching February 19th, will provide one of the first in-depth looks at how this highly anticipated vehicle performs in real-world overlanding scenarios. It was back in May 2023 that XOverland released their First Look :: All-New 2024 Trailhunter Tacoma – Is It The Ultimate Factory Overland Truck and since then we’ve been waiting with bated breath to see the team put the new truck to the test.
This exciting new model certainly has a lot to live up to with Clay stating back in May that the Tacoma has spent “nearly two decades as the champion of the mid-size pickup market,” and that the Trailhunter marks, “the biggest thing since TRD in North America.” It’s a fair assessment as while the TRD Off Road and Pro models do provide heightened all-terrain capability the Trailhunter is the first Tacoma built specifically for the overland enthusiast. In short, this a vehicle that from the factory is optimized for backcountry pursuits and subsequently reduces the need for aftermarket support. This is significant for several key reasons but crucially ensures that every modification has undergone rigorous manufacturer testing to ensure optimal performance and safety.
The Toyota Tacoma has long dominated the mid-size category and forged a reputation as a pinnacle overlanding platform. The Trailhunter promises to further elevate this reputation and I for one can’t wait to watch the upcoming Expedition Overland series.
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