A Truck Camper that Won’t Break the Bank! The HitchHiker by Tusca Outdoors
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- This new product developed and launched by Tusca Outdoors is made with high density foam and a bed liner spray. Each unit is only 190 pounds and runs $2750 on Tusca's website. Mounting options for truck beds are still in development.
I got the opportunity to talk with the co-founders of Tusca Outdoors at the Great American Outdoor Show a week and a half ago. With how much I travel in the F250, having a truck cap and sleeper that is insulated and water tight would be a huge upgrade over my current fiber glass cap!
If you have any questions about the HitchHiker please drop a comment. I will reach out to Adam and Josh directly if there are any questions I cannot answer off the top of my head. To order your own HitchHiker please visit tuscaoutdoors.com/products/th...
Thank you for watching. Please subscribe.
Photo by Caleb Martin.
Use the code PSM10 for 10% off your order of Archoil additives at www.archoil.com/
Use the code FETTER23 for 15% off your order of Union Coffee at www.unioncoffee.co/
Maintenance Supplies to keep your truck dialed www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls... - Авто та транспорт
DETAILED UNIT WALK AROUND VIDEO - ua-cam.com/video/PeA-ncn9NyA/v-deo.htmlsi=HVethOkn5Vb7mBYl
Ok. Now this is what I have been looking for. I have seen 100's of overland rigs and this one makes the most sense for me. I just need a warm dry safe place to sleep off the ground and something that can withstand a windstorm or snow storm. I dont need a transformer that costs $40,000.
I do 😢
Well said!
A tent with a military cot and sleeping bag works wonders, won't break the bank lol.
Just paid my invoice today for one of these. I have a 5x10 utility trailer with a toolbox on the front, and am installing a solar panel, 12V battery and power inverter in the tool box. My truck has roof racks for bikes, kayaks, etc. Can't wait to sit this on my trailer and still have trailer functionality when needed, but camping functionality when I want to get up at the crack of dawn and go wet a line in some out of the way backwater. Working with Josh at Tusca was really easy. Very nice guy. can't wait until they tell me she's ready.
That’s awesome to hear! I bet you’re very excited to get your hands on it, what truck are you going to tow it behind?
Thank you for your order Clay! We are excited to get a HitchHiker in your hands. You were a pleasure to work with as well!
You're smack in the middle of their customer base. I went ahead and bought a mini-camper, but I wish I'd gotten the utility trailer, first. You can do it cheaper than they're doing, but it won't be made of the same materials or (in my case) the same level of craftsmanship.
Hey Very nice congrats keep us posted on that build
That's awesome. I'll be checking into this.
Plenty of DYI with same concept, But he finished the idea & wonderful weight & price point. I enjoy good thinking. Good job young guys.
Thank you very much!
Having been camping with rooftop tent on top on top of Jeep for years, I find this new concept brilliant. Best of luck.
I love what these folks are doing!! Seriously considering one.
Awesome product
Excellent product !
I built a 4’x7’ unit exactly like this fall of ‘22. Didnt need all the fancy extras they put in teardrops/squaredrops. Used plywood and reflectix for insulation and 1/4” thick lexan for windows. When all was said and done I probably had between $1500-$2000 in material and parts and about 3 weeks of my time. This model is built better and uses better quality materials ( more insulation, hardware, rv windows) for very close to the same price as what I spent for a diy project.
That's still cool you made your own! Thanks for watching!
except time. I value my time based on my salary, and three weeks is a LOT of money. But, if money is an issue or you prefer knowing what it's made of, very cool you did it on your own.
Here's an idea. There's a great series of tents from Australia, sold here, called the Oztent. It has a flat face, goes up in less than a minute. Made of a very durable poly cotton canvas. If you have the Hitchhiker on a utility trailer you could put it up close to the front of the Oztent. Sheltered place to sit and hang out, change clothes. Secure, hard wall camper to sleep in. Put up the tent at locations you're staying awhile but just get in the camper to sleep when traveling. There are a lot of ways something like the Hitchhiker could be used.
What a great idea!!
Glad you think so!
perfect shed /tiny home
Exactly. why don't home builders construct homes like this? Instead they put all that itchy crap into your home. fiberglass lol
Great looking, functional device. I fancy making one with a bit of fibreglass on, and good hitching/lashing points.
I like it!
It would be easy to stick an LED light on the wall, use a smaller mattress, etc.
Lots of ideas come to mind. Not everybody needs an expensive, full-on RV
for what they do. Also, many other things could be built out of this material.
This is VERY nice . I love 2 c more Videos . I have a 5x8 Utility trailer 2 put this on .
Nice 👍
I really like it. Super interested.
Nice!
I definitely would be interested in owning one of these. I had been brainstorming this idea for 5 years. Thanks for actually offering one. It just needs a cheap, 5,000 BTU A/C unit to be perfect. It is hot for 5 months of the year where I live.
Thanks for the comment! What sort of camping trips do you do?
@@powerstrokemaintenance I'm a motorcyclist - both dirt and street - and I take trips to interesting, sometimes far away places at which to do both. Sometimes I meet others at rallys and such, and sometimes it is just wifey and myself for a getaway. I'm also pretty much a minimalist in everything I do, and don't want the hassle and expense of buying/maintaining/storing/etc a full blown toy hauling camper. Nor do I want to buy a $60k gas guzzlinhg truck to tow one. All I need is a cool, comfortable, animal-proof {I'm deathly afraid of bears) place to sleep and a way to take along a bike or two and a bit of gear. This pod and a decent sized utility trailer are perfect. This combination would be easy to pull with my existing vehicles and would also serve several other purposes in my life, as the trailer will do a lot more than just haul a bike or two and take me camping. I now have an enclosed trailer, but it is catches LOTS of wind and is therefore hard to pull. It also has slowly transformed into a storage shed, and is now a hassle to use.
That is kool 👍👍
Pre-ordered mine last week. Can't wait to pick it up in April. Good local PA company. I've got a full size bed and a small 4x6 trailer.
Congrats! It's an awesome product I'm sure you will enjoy it. What sort of camping trips do you take?
@@powerstrokemaintenance for years I've tent camped, mostly on some property that is owned by the family of a friend, about 160 acres out in the hills of WV that's been logged on and off for generations. After getting a truck for myself, I've camped in the bed either using a bed tent or some PVC pipe and a tarp, but just get tired of the constant set-up/take-down. Over the years I've been getting more interested and gearing towards overlanding, and the wife and I are also looking to purchase some mountain property ourselves, so something like this will be great for weekend trips when I'm starting the build out.
That's awesome! Super cool your family has a property like that you can spend time on@@clarencerswann1360
Sweet compact
If they can eventually get the price down. They could see quite a few of those. Small camper like that could become popular
The HitchHiker Camper
Regular price$2,750.00 USD
People have been using ridged foam years. Constructing these using screws, glue, and poor man's fiber glass. You could use Herculiner, raptor, or any bed liner. Nothing new. It's still great, though.
I've been considering putting a Hitchhiker on a pickup but warming up to the idea of towing it on a utility trailer with a Corolla hybrid. Really want as affordable an option as possible mpg wise. I owned a 26' travel trailer for 12 years and towed trailers professionally for a transporter 25 years ago. Not a big fan of towing but something this small and light wouldn't be an issue.
What’s your motivation for wanting to tow it over running it in a pick up bed?
Mainly the much better fuel mileage of a hybrid. Also could rig up some hoses to run from a/c vents in the hybrid over to the camper's side window. Hybrid's a/c runs off the hybrid battery. Engine kicks on every so often to top off battery. Uses less than a gallon of gas in 8 hrs. But carrying it on a truck is ideal for ease of setup and convenience.
Ah gotcha makes sense! The fuel economy and ac setup with the hybrid sounds pretty sweet that would be a mint setup
This mounted on top of a Surplus military trailer along with some additions of a Kitchen and electrical could be a great go anywhere overland trailer at a really low cost. Definitely have my mind working on a build now…
That's an awesome idea!
@@powerstrokemaintenance thanks, any idea if that Camper shell can handle any weight on top? Rooftop rack for Awning and supplies etc?
Yes, easily. You can fit two adults up there no problem
Use code "PSM" (case sensitive) for $150 off your HitchHiker at tuscaoutdoors.com/products/the-hitchhiker-camperv
I want one/what a great concept and execution. I'm gonna go measure up the trailer and see what i can fit😎
And only 2 hr from me. 👍🍻
Oh yeah I want one for a Jeep trailer.
Hey All I can say AWESOME
Very cool Great product
Endless possibilities
I know you guys must be designing something in the slide in similar to the earlier version slide in camper.
It's not a truck camper it's a sleeper that isn't 1,000 pounds !!!!!!! They said it couldn't be done they couldn't put a man on the moon. 190 pounds is brilliant for a Taco 4 banger.
Thanks for watching! Indeed a great add for a taco
I can see this paired together with the decked system for your truck bed.
That's the plan!
I have a deck system in my truck and was thinking this would go great on top too
I saw a roof top tent at rei that was twice the price of this
wish I found this sooner, but it will be included in my future plans.
Saw these a month ago and had the idea of using it as a removable sleeper for a commercial flatbed truck, reasonably priced and easy to remove, they should be advertising it to mid sized truckers and hotshotters I would think there'd be good demand
Absolutely!
I wish you can make a new pop up roof camper
I wish these guys success. But, if I bought a foam box for $3,000.00 my wife would divorce me, and she should.
😂
😂
I really want to build a weekend rig using a service body...Been trying to find the right body/camper topper combo but it's been quite the challenge. THIS might just be the ticket!
That would be a mint setup!
I was one of the first to build what has come to be known as foamies in the teardrop world over 10 years ago. Basically the same idea as this, but using canvas and latex paint instead of bed liner. I have my reserve on how well the bed liner will work for long term endurance, but canvas works great. Been beating on my Foamie trailer Overlanding for 4 years now. Still going strong. My 4'x4'x8' square drop with door and window came in at 130lbs. before mounting it to the trailer.
Have any guides/Plans or just parts and measurements? Im looking to build a Foamie that isnt teardrop
@@chrispipkin1430I did a big reply for you with my swidahooverlanding channel, but I think I included a link accidentally. Of course they don't like that. I have 5 builds on the Teardrops n Tiny Trailer forum. You can scroll down there to the Foamie section. My builds are #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 there. I started a channel for building a basic square drop (click avatar), got about half way through and lost my hard drive with the rest of my videos on it. It is not complete. Between the forum and the videos, you should get a good idea on how to build a foamie. Good luck! George
These are pretty awesome. Especially considering that just a regular truck camper cap is about the same price, but has no insulation. I'd love to find a trailer that could fit both this and my motorcycle!
That would be a mint setup!
Very nice. It needs some molded in shelving inside to hold a small light, phone, etc. next to the bed for easy access …..
With all the different glues available, set it up yourself.
@@richarda996 sure, while I’m at it why don’t I build it myself🙄 or they can add a few common sense convenience items and make them more marketable. I’m sure they don’t mind a few suggestions…
Good job bud, im a35yr master tech. Ive thought of this idea for a long time .Well done!!
Very nice,functional. They are following the K.I.S.S. rule. I think they will sell quite a few of these,good luck! (I'm interested.)
Thanks for watching!
💪
Good video. Great to see "foamies" are going mainstream. They were only experimental 5 years ago. Maybe show more of the camper next time, like put your VO over a complete 360 of the camper would change this good video to great. Just constructive feedback if you want it. Thumbs up and thanks. ☺
Thank you for the feedback! Appreciate it. I pinned a more detailed video of the camper below
Get rid of the front door, add two side doors. Lengthen it just a little and add a hatch with some storage. Maybe a little more structural beams, increase price by $1,000 - $2,000 dollars. to around $4,500 - $6,000 you got a deal!
This has potential! This could be towed by a side by side or a 4 wheeler... However, if I put it on a trailer, I can't access the front how I'd want to. So, my suggestion would work for me and would allow me to put it on a harbor freight type trailer. As a consumer, I'd have access to a very light weight and capable square drop camper that I could customize without having to refinance my home to purchase. You're right on the cusp of something really really great.
Thanks for watching and for the suggestions!
just build your own with 2" thick pink rigid foam and gorilla glue then take it down to your local rhino liner to have it sprayed lol. it will take you two weekends to build.
@@Timbodacious thanks I have a full time job and a 19month old child and I travel for work. I'd rather just pay the company to do it. That's what makes me a consumer.
It needs some molded in shelving inside to hold a small light, phone, etc. next to the bed for easy access
@@fastdude2002 it most definitely has potential. If it had a few of those things I would buy one literally right now. Been talking to a few companies about building a squared drop to my specs but they just want entirely too much.
I can imagine having a Tundra, F-150 or similar, getting the bed off and somehow adapting it to the frame, if someone is crazy enough it could work.
That would be wild! Thanks for watching
This is a clever idea. Do you have any information on how flame resistant it is?
I’m afraid I do not
Other than the weight and material in 7+ minutes l learned almost nothing about this product.
I’m sorry to hear that, we’ll be doing more videos on this soon!
Could you drill into it to customize it? To run solar and or a heater possibly lights
Yes!
I wonder if it would be worth it for them to take on custom designs for overlanders…. A custom built rig made with those materials would probably be desirable for a fair number of overlanders. There are similar one off rigs built fro similar materials with a foam core sandwiched between thin sheet metal layers that are really nice but I think their process and experience with that product would be very desirable.
This looks to be a fine piece of gear. Considering the materials of construction, i.e. glue, HD foam, Rhino liner-type coating, are there any issues with outgassing or VOCs? Best of luck!👍
Thanks for the comment. No issues with outgassing once the treatment has cured at the factory
Yeti cooler camper
Yeti cooler camper?
This is EXACTLY what i was looking for. Ill will be buying one. Are you a public company? If so id want to own stock!
Not yet haha
Can you get roof carriers on the top ? Weigjt limit on the roof ..can you stand on it to hunt ...top hatch to crawl up and hunt on it ?
Yes! New designs with roof brackets are coming. You can fit two full size adults on the roof no problem.
nice ive been telling people who make the foamie trailers not to use poor mans fiberglass to just get it rhino lined instead and these guys caught on. its strong too you can stand on top of that little thing and it wont crumble.
Not " New " , there are similar choices out there. That one would take up all the space in your truck bed and no room to carry gear. Maybe if you sit on one of the truck bed drawer systems it might be viable . Just my thoughts. Something needs to drive down the price of slide in campers. Lance thinks they are building with gold bricks or something , I mean , really ! Anyways , this one is an option. WE definitely need options !
Needs integrated tie down hooks but I love it
Those are coming!
@powerstrokemaintenance I absolutely love this ,the only other would inside wall storage coat rack and maybe baskets or shelves otherwise this is absolutely the best in the industry!! Kudos keep up the great work ....perhaps your business my be in need of a pro-staffer ?
Perhaps they would but it's not my business!
@@powerstrokemaintenance I understand
I live in Texas where it gets really warm. Is there any way to add outlets for a portable a/c unit. Like the stand up kind that needs a hose for exhaust and a little hose for water draining?
Yes there is a extension cord/hose port in the side
Seems nice and affordable, my only issue with it is structural integrity over time and it seems it doesn't have any way to install a roof vent/fan or maybe an window/roof A/C unit.
This is the first launch. New designs are coming!
I like it but is it bear and Bigfoot proof? I can picture a bear clawing his way to a meal or Bigfoot carrying it and occupant to a nearby cliff and ⤵️
Lol
Do you know if there is a plan for different size fits? I have a Honda Ridgeline (I know, it’s barely a truck) and would LOVE one of these. I have season tickets my favorite football team that is roughly 4 hours away (one way) and hotels add up. I’d love to have an option like this.
That's a great use case. There may be different sizes in the future!
Just buy one of their hunting blinds, get a zerobreeze ac. Plug it into your tundra hybrid max or tacoma hybrid max that has a plug invertor in the bed and there you go.....a climate control system that you can live in.
Do these guys make a “sleeper box” for pickup trucks? As in class 5 trucks?
No not at the moment
So im out in the woods in this foam shelter and a Bear wants to take a bite out of it then what? I dont think it would take Much at all to get destroyed. And yes Bears will try to eat just about anything.
I hear bears like tents too
Needs more video of the unit to get the feel for the size.
Ok
Have you considered this without the bottom like a topper?
I believe they have, but this is just a prototype. More to come soon!
Would this work on a 4 cylinder 2012 single cab toyota tacoma? I feel like it would since its super light.
It would
It would be too wide and too long. Need a full size 8' bed with a platform above the wheel wells.
Even if the Tacoma bed is wide enough to set on platform above wheel wells the tailgate wouldn't be wide enough.
@@kennethkilpatrick3758 Oh ok thank you for the quick reply. Very cool product for sure.
This will work if you build a platform and run your tailgate down. Definitely light enough to mount it in a Tacoma, it only weighs 190 pounds
What is the weight limit of the roof? Not knowing that material at all I'm wondering about its durability to things like snow load, or rodents chewing on it, or even a heavy wind at interstate speeds. Am I going to crawl into it after a few too many beverages and accidentally put a my foot through one of the walls?
That shouldn’t be an issue. The roof can support two full size adults (over 300 pounds) easily.
What about fire resistance and release of toxic fumes?
Polyuria is fire resistant and they cover it with paint for final seal
So...in the summer do I put ice cubes in it and pretend I'm sleeping in a Yeti cooler? How are you supposed to cool it down? Can't bolt an AC unit to the top or a simple RV/van exhaust fan.
Oh you can’t?
@@powerstrokemaintenance Its a spray foam 3 times the thickness of a Yeti cooler. Is there an AC unit that attaches to that material, seals with no leaks & who sells the kit/bolts/gaskets/etc to make it happen? Not gonna spend $2500 then try to carve up a foam box and guess it goes right.
Relax pal 😂 no one’s making you buy it
What about an electric outlet for a fan?
There’s a plug in the bottom by the door. Please see my other video that does a complete walk around!
Too bad you spent so much time talking about the product and so little time letting us get a good look at it.
Pause!
Try not being a whiny child
😂
Too bad they didn't make cutouts for pickup wheel wells so it could sit flat in the pickup beds... 🤔👀
hmmm
just mount it on a small trailer
If you put this in the bed of your truck and somebody closes the tailgate you are trapped.
Don't let them close the tailgate
@@powerstrokemaintenance And how does one avoid that? LOL
@@RoadLifePursuits let your wife sleep inside while you night watch outside.
@@JERRYR708 Funny....but seriously this is an issue IMO, but hey, I'm not buying one so whatev.
Yeah thank you for the comment! I believe they are working on a fix but hadn't thought of this lol appreciate the input
How does it hold up against a hailstorm?
Well I would imagine but I’ll let you know!
The UREA liner coatings are extremely durable and hold up well against hail.
Do they make them for a mid size pick up truck like a Nissan frontier?
Not yet but soon!
Will it fit in a jeep gladiator
This prototype will not. But they are working on new designs!
@@powerstrokemaintenance Awesome!
but can you add air conditioning
Pending
What happens when camper meets tree limb at X mph ?!
Idk what happens to a normal camper when that occurs?
I suppose you are going to be purchasing a brand new box.
Don't be silly, slow down, be aware, be careful, like anything else in life. you are the responsible party. Don't blame others, or expect others to replace your box, because you were irresponsable .
If you want to take a hit from a tree branch at 60mph, go get an army tank.
BEARS lol
" NICE “ get a dealer in Ca …
2200 for a box with a door?
🥱
What does it cost?
$2750
That price is crazy low. with a little more interior features it could easily get 5 grand.
The idea is to keep it affordable. Tusca is not trying to rape their customers with over-inflated pricing. And, personally, I like the minimalist style, that way I can customize it the way I want. Most production campers suck in their wasted space, layout and design.
Hey so does this fit into a truck bed or is it meant for a trailer?
This one is meant for a trailer or 8 foot truck bed but they are working on new dimensions for different size versions.
@@powerstrokemaintenance oof, 8 foot bed is crazy haha
Yeah haha
It’s just a bed. Save some money and sleep in your truck.
I sleep in my truck weekly and this seems better
Isn’t this just a camper shell?
Yup
R10. More like R-30.
hahaha true!
No ac??
Negative
Jump on it.
looks like a tomb.
I like sleeping in tombs
It's nice,but I'd rather see it at 1,500.00. The material it is made with is not that expensive,just hard to DIY.
Ah so in your universe no company is profitable 😂
@@powerstrokemaintenance No,JA;in my Universe,I don't rip off or overcharge ppl. I'll let you decide what "JA" means,JA.
@brotherlittlefoot2216 About the only thing camper wise that's comparable in size and price is a rooftop tent. I think the Hitchhiker is more versatile and better insulated. And it has very few moving parts. Should last me at 62 the rest of my life. And if I wear out a utility trailer or a pickup I can transfer this over to another one. True, can do that with a rooftop tent but the trailers designed to carry rtt's are much more expensive than a utility trailer. And this can be ready to go at a moments notice with all your bedding inside. So considering the costs that jump way up for a teardrop trailer or travel trailer, or for even the most affordable truck campers, this is imo a good deal. If a manufacturer is only going to sell for a little more than cost there's not much incentive for them to do so. It's not just the cost of the materials but also labor, machinery, distribution, advertising. I think all things considered it's a very fair price. Very interested in what other ideas they come up with.
@@kennethkilpatrick3758 It might well be a "fair price" for those who can afford it. I have run my own Horticulture business for a little under 20 years now,so i know a little about all that goes into a business - even had to take business classes in college...
.... I have also always worked on a sliding scale,until I realized that ppl who had more money than me were often taking advantage of me...
...There needs to be something like this in the $1,000.00 range for blue collar ppl like me. I'm trying to save up for some land,either a used SUV or a Toyota Hilux diesel if they ever sell them in the US,plus a small amount of land without restrictions in area that has seen more development than most in the past 20 years.
...I was once robbed of my life savings,and i have been quite the giver since I straightened my life out 26 years ago.Lord,just give the poor,working man something decent he can afford,and let the human that comes up with it become a millionaire.
We appreciate your price concerns! While we strive to source quality, American made materials and build in the US, unfortunately there are many more costs that just raw materials when it comes to building a product. Things likes warehouse space to build and store large products, marketing expenses, labor costs, Credit card fees, packaging and shipping costs, liability and insurance, and good Ol’ Uncle Sam all play a part when it comes to our price point.
We encourage innovation in the outdoor industry as we believe there is a hole to fill for US manufacturing and great outdoor products. Would love to connect if you have any ideas!
Dont camp under trees.
Only during thunderstorms...
VIDEO HINT for NEXT video:
LOOK at the LENS...not the VIEW FINDER.
(You look like you're talking to someone else.)
Nice product but show the product instead of y'all's mugs, and less jibber-jabber please. Sheesh.
Thanks for the feedback. We'll be sure to include more product shots next time!
If you can see your vehicle you’re not really camping.
Sure
Aaannnnd zero way to control climate in the whole thing and just a box with windows very interesting. I lied.
🥱