Toyota out did itself at SEMA this year, showing a staggering thirteen different builds. Eight of the thirteen vehicles showcased were overland-oriented designs, with collaborations with Westcott Designs, Expedition Overland, and Patriot Campers attracting eyeballs the entire event. Among these vehicles stood a Tundra with badging we hadn’t seen before: the Trailhunter.
The uniquely badged Tundra turned out to be both a concept vehicle and an example of a new grade of trucks Toyota was unveiling. The Trailhunter line will be a set of turnkey overland builds offered directly from Toyota through a dealer. This particular example was shown equipped with a Trailhunter-specific suspension setup, skid plates, roof rack, bumpers, lighting, refrigerator, and rooftop tent, all chosen by Toyota engineers with the goal to be “the most capable OEM overlanding solutions designed to meet Toyota’s legendary quality, durability and reliability standards”.
The Trailhunter program will be closely associated with another joint Toyota and Lexus announcement, the Associated Accessory Products (AAP) program. This new program will offer a line of Toyota-curated vehicle accessories for both on road and off-road applications, available directly from the dealer. Components from ARB, Go Rhino, Yakima and Rigid Industries have already been announced and the list of AAP partners should expand soon. Between the new Trailhunter line and the equipment expected to be available through the AAP program, it’s not too hard to imagine leaving the dealer with a brand new vehicle and immediately setting off for a global adventure.
What’s to Come
More details of the Trailhunter line of vehicles will be released early next year. Expect to see versions of the Trailhunter available on the Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, and 4Runner. Since Lexus will be participating in the related AAP program, we can’t help but wonder if a Trailhunter version of the LX600 might also be around the corner. We can’t wait to find out.