Hitchhiker Solo Tusca Overlanding in bed Camper

[Redfour5]

I do NOT work for this company but saw their first trailer based product about 8 months ago when they first rolled it out. I asked them then about one for a Gladiator and they said no but were thinking about expanding the line up. Tusca a hunting blind company and after requests from their hunting blind customers decided to make first the trailer based ones and then a truck based one.

It's ONLY 188 lbs and can be lifted by two people... It's a poly urea two inch foam bonded at the corners covered by a proprietary bedliner type of material. And it only costs around 2700 bucks and I noticed they have 100 dollar off coupons. They will even do some customizing on lengths, widths, heights for an upcharge... It is bare bones but has potential for modding in all iterations. It is a shame no one in these forums enjoys modding anything... If you have shopped ANY overlanding equipment you will know how reasonable this is for an enclosed insulated windowed space you can sleep in and actually move easily... You are up to 10K in a heartbeat trying to do anything off road in terms of camping. Heck, I spent 1200 on a seat delete system the dogs can sleep on but not me...

I sent an email to Josh one of the owners about doing one for a Gladiator again when I saw a video of a guy saying they were going to make them for Mavericks.

It appears that a Gladiator version will have to go into the bed about half way and you will have to use the 4X8 pre-made board slots across the wheel wells and toward the back where the vertical 4X6 sits. I'm thinking you can make it so you can access the space underneath it installed with some of the plastic underbed rolling storage things as a quick and dirty mod. I'm already thinking about how to make a 4X6 T type footing in the bed for the rear location you presently would put a 4X6 across the bed to carry a 4X8.

For a Gladiator, it would be the 48 inch wide version. With the bed down on a Gladiator, it is right at 82 inches from front of bed to edge of the tailgate down. They have a 79 inch version right now that looks like it would fit off the shelf...

Here is their very first one 8 months ago...


Their full line up recent with full size trucks.


The two owners talking about how it started how people have modded, a bit on how its made etc.


The small truck line up is coming...

Here is one on a small trailer. I was looking at this as I have a trailer and you could "flip the axle" on one of these small trailers run around 600 bucks to 900 bucks at Lowes or half that used (highway running gear).
But I quickly was getting carried away so waiting for the Gladiator version.

You could tow it as your camper and still have the bed that way...

Edit: PS, I just realized if I buy the 79 inch one, it will work in my 2500 within the wheel wells. A twofer... Bring another grandkid or two...

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[RubiNewbCB]

Something like this, and you could modify it for the underbed storage containers. I believe I made everything 7 1/2" tall for the wheel wells.

 

[Redfour5]

Something like this, and you could modify it for the underbed storage containers. I believe I made everything 7 1/2" tall for the wheel wells.

 

[Redfour5]

Exactly... I was even thinking just one support in the middle in the back for storage underneath. Mine was conceptual you've done it. What are you putting on there now?

 

[RubiNewbCB]

Exactly... I was even thinking just one support in the middle in the back for storage underneath. Mine was conceptual you've done it. What are you putting on there now?

I used it for ease of carrying large 4x8 sheets, it also worked to lock in the red husky totes so they weren't sliding around. I was looking for a multi use solution to build a modular bed platform that could be installed or removed rapidly.

 

[Redfour5]

I used it for ease of carrying large 4x8 sheets, it also worked to lock in the red husky totes so they weren't sliding around. I was looking for a multi use solution to build a modular bed platform that could be installed or removed rapidly.

Most people don't even know that those slots for support boards exist... The Gladiator had a lot of engineering when it was designed that you DON"T see. Other things like the extended exhaust pipe that rolls in a circle so they are both the same length helping the engine performance. And quite a few others.

 

[Brumasterm]

Has anybody tried fitting one of these in the back of their gladiator?

I was looking to custom build a 4x8 foamy squaredrop camper that would fit on a harbor freight trailer and the back my truck using the jeep 4x8 plywood set up.

Then I saw the Tusca Solo Hitchhiker on a youtube video.

Just curious on how its working out.

 

[RubiNewbCB]

Has anybody tried fitting one of these in the back of their gladiator?

I was looking to custom build a 4x8 foamy squaredrop camper that would fit on a harbor freight trailer and the back my truck using the jeep 4x8 plywood set up.

Then I saw the Tusca Solo Hitchhiker on a youtube video.

Just curious on how its working out.

They make a 48"w x75-86" long version now that requires a platform underneath for use in the Gladiator, but I haven't seen them mounted yet, only on utility trailers.

 

[Brumasterm]

Thanks. A platform may not be a bad option. I could see building one that had storage access for water, chairs and lithium batteries.

 

[Redfour5]

Thanks. A platform may not be a bad option. I could see building one that had storage access for water, chairs and lithium batteries.

You can call them and ask. They are very open. AND, they apparently have worked with others on NEW Applications like the first one in a Gladiator. If you are willing to be a guinea pig they might give you a big break, free shipping and so on. I do KNOW that they have been considering Gladiators and mid size trucks. The stuff they work with, the foam and adhesives are very easy to cut and manipulate and I think they even say the will work with people on customization... Can't hurt to call. I just don't want to be a guinea pig and its a long long way from where I live.

 

[Brumasterm]

Thanks Karl,

I'm more curious than serious right now. I've since seen a few more videos online and I see no reason why the 48"w x75-86" long version wouldn't work.

For now, I need to get rid of my truck bed tent set up to make room in my garage for a new toy.

 

[RubiNewbCB]

Correction, 79" or 89" long options.

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