⚠️ Trailhunter Onboard Air vs Aftermarket — I Didn’t Expect This Result

[SmokyMtnTaco]

I finally did a real-world side-by-side test between the 4th Gen Tacoma Trailhunter factory onboard air and a serious aftermarket air system after multiple trail days — and I honestly didn’t expect the outcome.


I actually like Toyota’s onboard air for convenience. It’s clean, integrated, and always there. But when you factor in air-up time at the end of a long trail day, the difference becomes a lot more noticeable than I thought.


I tested:

• Same truck (2025 Tacoma Trailhunter)
• Same tires
• Same target PSI
• Stopwatch timing
• Best-case setup for factory air (4-tire hose)

The results weren’t bad for factory… but once you compare airflow and total time, it changes how you look at onboard air vs aftermarket.


If you own a Trailhunter, air down regularly, or are deciding whether factory onboard air is “enough,” this is worth seeing before you commit either way.


Full video with real timing & setup:



Curious where everyone lands on this:


Factory convenience or aftermarket speed?
Drop your thoughts below — especially if you’ve run both.


— SmokyMtnTaco

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmokyMTNTaco


ALL Tacoma. ALL the time.

Sponsored

 

[ixo]

I use this external compressor:

I open the hood and clip to the positive terminal by the fuse box, and ground to the chassis.

I have a four way hose that reaches all tires, and can "set and forget" the PSI desired, and handle other things while it airs up. Will take a full set of KO3s (285/70/17) from 18 to 32psi in about 3 min.

Yes it's not mounted in my engine bay or under my seat, but I like it, and the whole kit fits perfectly in one of these:

FWIW, I use a set of these to air down, set and forget:

 

[gofastdan]

I have the Thor's Lightning with a Speedflate hose kit and the four preset deflaters, so basically all the same set up. It's fantastic. I permanently mounted my compressor, effectively where the factory compressor would be, between the bed and fender. It's been six months and so far, so good. You can read my install thread here.

There's an interesting read (or maybe it was a YT video) somewhere about the Thor's Lightning/Morrflate/Vevor/Speedflate (and others) compressors. As you would expect they're all made by the same company but there is a lot of drama around who was first and which units are best since there are now a few variations. It's quite the soap opera...

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

ARB twin, installed with a Zroadz bracket. I use the Morrflate 4 way airlines to air up and run of the mill deflators when I'm out off the beat and path.
Clean and effective for me

 

[Yotota]

So... Are you going to post the result?

 

[lauren01]

I like the onboard air on my TH just fine. Just turn on the truck and the system can be used. Convenient, light weight, easy to use, and paid for. I don’t go camping to be worried about anything getting done fast, so the built-in system makes me happy. I also check my tire inflation regularly now, so that’s good for my tires.

 

[ixo]

So... Are you going to post the result?

6:40 in the video:

 

[Rubenc87]

ARB Brushless installed with the stock ARB mount. Mounted in the Trailhunter compressor location.

 

[scythanith]

ARB Brushless installed with the stock ARB mount. Mounted in the Trailhunter compressor location.

@Rubenc87 Is that Apex mount one of theirs or is that something you made for yourself to work on the utility rail?

 

[tgrneal]

It would be nice to upgrade the stock system. Not replacing it but upgrade the motor and/or tank, the controller would stay the same but you’d get a bump in performance.

 

[Rubenc87]

@Rubenc87 Is that Apex mount one of theirs or is that something you made for yourself to work on the utility rail?

The Apex mount is holding the CRS. Stock ARB Brushless mount (pictured)

Sponsored