Tusca Outdoors HitchHiker Tour and My Plan

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Video of roof supporting two adults - kzbin.info0Fqfa-bR2S8?si=XGuZwTS2DIv8eL6a

[@curtiswhite8613]

Best customer service experience I’ve ever had. I sent an email and one of the owners Josh almost immediately got up with me in the hour. I asked him about a more customized camper that fits between the wheel wells of my full size truck. Josh worked with me to develop a solo version with a 4x8 footprint. This will keep the center of gravity below the wheel wells. He did the CAD drawings within the week and sent me out an invoice. I paid for it and should have it in about a month. Totally custom to match my roof line of the truck. I will post videos when I pick it up. I can’t say enough good things about this company to do em justice.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Glad to hear about your experience. Hope you enjoy the camper!

[@turkt.359]

I did not have the same experience, I did not get a response to my email.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Sorry to hear that

[@SteelForge821]

I want to see that for sure

[@holecaver]

Talked to these guys at TAC-GA yesterday and they are working on a slide in truck camper. Possibly later this year. I’m holding out for it.

[@grominwithrob1339]

Yup, I’m 100% onboard for a truck bed version as long as pricing stays the same otherwise I could just buy a nice truck bed topper.

[@crisdavid803]

this is awesome! I wanted a camper that didnt go past the cab, well built drop in and can use, plus the price is a major selling point for me

[@EduardoJimenez-rk8nw]

Great for hunters , homeless , campers , a second home 🤣 ? ANYBOBY !!! Will be a very popular item !

[@ralphcantrell3214]

Where I live heat is the problem most of the year. I want to see one with a cheap, 5000 BTU window A/C unit that will run on a Predator 2000 generator.

[@Doc1855]

It’d be great if y’all could make them available to install solar panels on the roof to power up a heater and small fridge. Our daytime temperatures hover between 15-25 and zero degrees F at night

[@TN-ez6lz]

Solar might run the fridge but it's not going to run a heater. You should look into diesel heaters.

[@curtiswhite8613]

Picking my Hitchhiker up Monday morning. I can’t wait I’ll have pics and video soon.

[@ralphcantrell3214]

Please post a video.

[@curtiswhite8613]

I was trying to get it all set up but I’ve been waiting on some things to ship. I’ll get something up today. I love this thing.

[@curtiswhite8613]

I posted a video of my Hitchiker Solo . Check it out.

[@ralphcantrell3214]

@@curtiswhite8613 Okay, Great! Thanks.

[@DatuWayne]

great concept. I'm thinking on the same lines as you are. thanks

[@HUJUism]

Love the idea. Hope it really does well.

[@kennethkilpatrick3758]

I towed trailers for Bennett back in '98 for 7 months. I wish this had been available then. Spent too many nights in motels when it was hot.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Yeah this would’ve been perfect for that!

[@kennethkilpatrick3758]

I'd like to see a 7' long solo model that would fit within the wheel wells of a Ford Maverick with the tailgate down. A little bit of an overhang, but would also work with midrange trucks with a 6' bed and tailgate down. The Decked system with an 8' bed would be great with the bigger Hitchhiker but really want the economy of a hybrid. Depending on what they come out with might still do a Corolla hybrid towing the utility trailer.

[@mickeyphillips6603]

I’ve seen ads for these things where 2 guys pick it up and carry it. How does it secure to a truck so it doesn’t get stolen by 2 guys when you’re not in your vehicle?

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

You could lock it?

[@jessegross1760]

Are they planning on making one you can stand up in

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

No im afraid not

[@riverrat4631]

I’m definitely interested. I have a full size GMC with a 8ft bed. Just what I’m looking for. What’s the dimensions? Will it fit between the wheel wells? Or do you build a platform? How do you secure one to the bed. I’m willing to buy some of the Decked drawer systems for my truck if I knew how they are secured to the truck. I wish they built a bigger unit that set over the wheel wells in a 8ft bed, plus I wish it was taller. I’m going to try and call the company and see if they build custom units.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

I will be testing a prototype for them. Most of these questions have been addressed, but we need to flush out a few more things before it's made available to the public. The current version only works as a tear drop trailer.

[@kennethkilpatrick3758]

Is there a problem carrying it on a Decked drawer system rather than towing on a trailer?

[@riverrat4631]

@@kennethkilpatrick3758 I believe he is testing a truck bed model right now. He has a couple KZbin shorts with a hitchhiker mounted in his 6ft bed with the gate up. With a travel trailer behind. So they are making a shorter model. It looked like it was mounted to the stake pockets on the top of the bed front and rear on each side. Don’t know if they made it set over the fender wells. Or he has the original hitchhiker setting on a platform. Regardless I would buy a drawer platform or build one to the top of the wheel wells to set a 7 foot hitchhiker on. If they built him a 6 foot model maybe they will make a 8 footer to fit my long bed. I would like to see one just a little taller where a guy can set in a fold up bag chair at the back. I hope they keep the price reasonable for a truck bed Hitchhiker. I understand the mounting hardware will cost a little more. I would pay more for a taller 8 foot model. Be cool if they make one set down around the wheel wells and you just strap it to the stake pockets. I want one because of the insulation factor. I was getting ready to have Swiss Caps build me a tall aluminum camper shell for my truck. They have a factory just in the next county. We already designed one with windows and a place to cut out a 14x14 hole for a MaxAir vent in the roof. Then I seen this hitchhiker video. If I can put a MaxAir vent on the roof I can run it off a Jackery at night. Run lights and charge my phone. With the way they are insulated you can stay cool at night with a roof vent fan with windows open. It would be very cool if they offer a window on the Cab side as well. I would definitely drive from Indiana to PA to buy one of these if they keep the price reasonable like the Hitchhiker in this video. I realize it will cost a little more for mounting hardware. I will pay more for a taller model. I just hope they don’t double the price. My buddy has a trailer sales business here in town. I know he would be interested in selling these. This is just what I was going to build out of an aluminum shell. This saves me a lot of work trying to insulate one.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Nope! The Decked system supports up to 2000 pounds

[@kennethkilpatrick3758]

@@powerstrokemaintenance True about it's capacity. But what I'm wondering is they put it on their website that they're not recommending carrying on a truck for their original model. Now you're testing one with tie downs. Is there an issue with carrying the original model on the Decked system with ratchet straps? Not recommended? What you're carrying has a cleaner look to it but I would prefer the original size on an 8' bed. I'd make an exception if the one you're carrying would fit on a Ford Maverick with the tailgate down.

[@clarencerswann1360]

Coming up on the 8-week mark since I ordered mine during the launch promo. Hope to be getting the email that it's ready to pickup in the next couple weeks. How long is the bed in your 6.7? I have an OBS F350 7.3 with a full sized bed, though it's also a single cab, so I needed to mount a tool box behind the cab in the bed to store so of the things I like to have on hand (e.g. recovery gear and tire steps) that just is too much to store in the limited space behind the seats. The box is 21" wide, so in order to strap this to the bed, I'll need to have the tailgate down, though the Hitchiker will not the exceed the the tailgate itself, only that in needs goes about 8" past the bed interior. I also plan to build a frame for it to sit over the wheelwells as you described, and may also mount it to the top rails of my utility trailer, though it's a small one (4'x6') - and they recommend a 6'x8' ... so jury is still out, not sure how the plate-mounting system they have for it works just yet. I think I would prefer keeping it on the utility trailer for camping, it's nice to just drop it at base camp and not have to pack up if you needed to leave for any reason. Though I like the modular/flexibility of it for usage options. I also have considered AC and those EcoFlow systems for the warmer months, though if it is as well insulated, then I may be able to get by with the ice-water recirculating blower systems I DIY'd. Won't be dry AC air, but it won't be hot either. I also have a Mr. Buddy heater that I've used for tent camping, but again - if this is as well insulated as they say, I wonder if I will even need it. Cold weather testing will confirm that. Eiter way - I'm subscribed and will be following your use with this. As for now, the only thing I am adding to it is a DIY solar system, X2 100w array, 1000w inverter, and 12v 100Ah LiFePo4 battery.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Thanks for the comment! My bed length is 6'9" so for the prototype we will be shortening the overall length of the HitchHiker slightly. Your OBS 7.3 sounds like an awesome setup. That will be a great road trip rig I'm sure. What are your plans for the solar system? Just lights and phone charger?

[@clarencerswann1360]

@@powerstrokemaintenance The system I have pieced-out so far will have two 100w panels connected in series that will be affixed to the Hitchhiker... thinking over the top of the notches for the straps. Once I have it in my possession I'll figure out the best way to attach them to the Hitchhiker. The rest of the system will moveable to connect to other arrays, but it will have a single 12v, 100Ah LiFePo4 battery, 15A MPPT charge controller, and a 1000W inverter, with additional 12V inputs for running only 12V instead of 120ACV if desired. I will want to run lights and of course charge devices, pumps, fans, but also possibly power tools or something else with a considerable draw. Of course the requisite overcurrent protection on both the DC and AC sides, fuses, breakers, etc. This is kind of a side project as I'm slowly learning solar and starting small, so that when I decide to expand or scale it up at home I'll have a better idea. Figured the Hitchkiker would be a good place to start and use it. I have smaller power stations with fold-able PV panels, but I prefer to use them for short-term power outages at home to run fridges, etc. without having to drag out the large generator. Edit: thanks for the info on your bed size. I had considered to reach out to the guys about slightly modifying it, but ultimately decided against it, as I may likely just use it on my trailer. Will know better once I have it, it's just speculation at this point based off what I can see online. Thanks, my 7.3 is beloved, though not without its headaches. They're great engines, but not immortal like some people or internet lore like to make them out to be ;).... to echo your channel's mission - it's all about proper maintenance.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Indeed it is! It sounds like you have realistic expectations for what your 7.3 needs to keep running. I agree with you it does seem that their longevity is often over hyped, but that's the way it goes haha excited to hear how your solar install goes once you get the hitch hiker

[@leonardrogersjr5111]

Make sure to do a new video once you gotten everything set up.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Will do!

[@diaperdood1]

I wish it was 6 feet tall so u can walk around it.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

😯

[@deanobrovo8595]

I've e-mailed them asking for information about dimensions and still haven't heard back. Have you experienced this? What's customer service like for buyers? I really like this product. I have a 4 cylinder crossover that can pull 2000 lbs. and I'm thinking about a flatbed 5x8 cargo trailer with this camper bolted on.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

Customer services is great, I would just give them time. They're a small business.

[@berniemovlab8323]

They should answer most questions. there's not much info and there should be more by now...

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

@@berniemovlab8323 Relax

[@jonchalk3855]

What about fire risks (foam)?

[@TACTICALNOMAD]

Intumescent, UREA coatings are highly rated against fire. They're much higher rated than what is used in truck campers or RV trailers.

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

^

[@shmack-dab-in-da-middle3960]

Would have to build a drawer system or get a decked or something like that to fit it on top because it won't fit between the wheel wheels... I'd put a rooftop tent on it.Also think it would hold question mark

[@jimbruni7945]

Looks like a goodwill donation box!

[@powerstrokemaintenance]

It would hold a roof top tent!