For 50 years, British Columbia-based TufPort has made rugged truck slide-ins for Canada’s many far-flung workers. The brand’s truck shells have become a go-to choice for field work, from emergency medical transports to remote farming.
After years of requests from customers, the brand has delivered an overlanding version of its popular slide-ins. Leakproof, lightweight, and aerodynamic, the TufPort Overlander is a collaboration between the Canadian company and Wasatch Overland, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Geared for full-size trucks (and even a couple of mid-size ones), the TufPort Overlander is made from a monocoque fiberglass design. With a low center of gravity, the slide-in is nearly noiseless while driving and barely impacts fuel economy, Wasatch Overland co-owner Aidan Bradney told me.
The flagship TufPort Overlander model is a lot pricier than many alternatives from Scout Campers and Four-Wheel Campers. But Bradney contends the greater durability and low weight are worth the extra bucks.
“We literally took the slide-ins and floated them down the river,” he said. “You can’t do that with the other ones on the market.”
TufPort Overlander: Models
Wasatch Overland designed three different interior models for the new slide-in: Ultra-Light, Sea to Sky, and Coast to Coast. The last option represents the “flagship” model, and has so far been the most popular.
The Coast to Coast offers an “east-to-west” sleeping layout aimed at couples. There’s enough room to sit opposite each other, a larger bed that converts from a dinette table, and more room for the toilet. It’s “a little more bougie” than the other models, Bradney said. The $33,800 price tag also suggests a bourgeois income.
The Sea to Sky will be the preferred model for “the single guy who wants to store a couple mountain bikes while he’s traveling,” Bradney said. It’s got a “north-to-south” sleeping arrangement with a smaller bed that converts from a couch. Other than that, it’s got many of the same amenities and a similar price tag at $33,600.
Finally, there’s the Ultra-Light model. More compact and with fewer features than the other two options, it’s also significantly cheaper at $24,500.
Weight & Height
TufPort and Wasatch have clearly worked hard to trim pounds from their latest slide-ins. The Coast to Coast and Sea to Sky models clock in at 900 pounds. That’s a significant drop from the 1,133 pounds of the $25,000 Scout Olympic camper or the whopping 1,670 pounds of 4WC’s most expensive slide-in, the $38,000 Orvis Special Edition.
However, 900 pounds is still heavy for most mid-size trucks. As a result, most of the slide-ins have sold for full-size vehicles. But Bradney said they’ve successfully added the Coast-to-Coast slide-in to two mid-size models as well: a new Toyota Tacoma and a Chevy Colorado. In general, it will work with any full-size truck with a 6.5-foot box or a mid-size version with a 6-foot box.
An aerodynamic build makes for a smooth ride and minimal effect on gas mileage, according to Bradney. A Coast to Coast model built on his Toyota Tundra reduced his fuel economy by just 0.6 miles per gallon, he said.
For anyone up to 6 feet tall, the bed looks sufficiently long for a decent night of sleep. However, don’t expect to stand up in these. They’re made for sitting or sleeping, with a 65-inch height and 72-inch width on the interior. Super-tall folks may want to look at other options.
Looking for something even lighter? The Ultra-Light model trims even more weight and clocks in at 750 pounds.
Camper Interior
Wasatch’s interior design uses many high-quality components not always found in other slide-in options. Instead of a GoalZero power station, as found in the Scout Olympic, the TufPort Overlander has an integrated 2000W REDARC electrical system. It’s also got R22 fiberglass insulation that’s heat- and mold-resistant, along with 4-inch-thick cushions to keep occupants cozy in cold weather.
But Bradney said the design is still geared more toward shorter adventures than a semi-permanent life on the road.
“They’re meant for living out of, not for living in. It’s a base camp,” Bradney said. “At the same time, we wanted the base camp to have indoor cooking and other amenities.”
Those include a 7-gallon water system with a USB Dometic faucet and stainless steel sink. There’s also cabinet storage, a ceiling fan, interior dome lights, dual-pane windows with bug screens, and a 150W solar panel with an expansion port. The Coast to Coast model includes a fridge/freezer. None of the models include a toilet, though you can add an emergency porta-potty for $200 to the Coast to Coast model on a full-size truck.
Finally, making the slide-in ready for bedtime takes less than a minute, according to Bradney. “Aesthetically, it looks like nothing else on the market,” Bradney said. “We kept it narrow with a 75-inch width, so it’s not massively hanging over the sides on a truck.”
TufPort Overlander: Availability
Wasatch Overland is currently taking orders for the new line of slide-ins. A $1,000 deposit will get production started in Salt Lake City, with a 3-to-4-month turnaround time. If you’re looking for a slide-in that will last for years of adventure in harsh climates, Bradney says this is the one for you.
“They can take a beating. That’s the idea,” he said. “Put yourself in freezing cold conditions or a rainstorm, and you’ll see why this is the way to go.”
Learn more on the Wasatch Overland or TufPort websites.
