The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Honestly, childish name calling gets everyone nowhere. What they are building is definitely not a lumber rack with a pop up, just like the Drifter isn’t a hollow metal shell with a bed up top. Two different approaches to the same problem with different methods for a very similar solution. Both are high quality products and easily stand on their own. Obviously comparisons will happen but they should be objective. Hopefully we can all keep it that way.

 

It was pretty windy the first night i was told. Didn’t even notice while in my camper though. It handled the winds with ease

 

I posted the Drifter on a group page on FB and someone expressed how it was similar to the GFC. I’m just going to copy and paste what i wrote here:

I don’t doubt that they (GFC) know their aerospace engineering and what not. But campers are a different story. Small details like adjustable latches, concealed lift struts, vinyl side windows, window zippers on the inside, back tent window opening from the top so you can have partial openings, back window not going all the way to the top so you can manage the zippers from standing in the bed, and not having to move the sleeping platform to stand in the bed (and not to mention sleeping with your feet in the wedge section), are all features that come with years of camper experience.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of the GFC that look really good. A lot of bells and whistles that the Vagabond doesnt have (at least not right now), but as far as camper functionality, I don’t think it’s even a comparison. But of course, I’m biased

 

I stand by my statement. I don’t see where I call anyone a childish name. I am stating my perception of the offerings. If someone wants a whandmade, modified lumberrack with a popup, that’s awesome. If someone wants a formed aluminum shell that is their prerogative. Hell, if someone wants a vacuum formed carbon fiber Poptop style campershell, yay! But, the price points are where they are because of Engineering and demand.

 

I guess I consider calling it a lumber rack to be childish. It’s obviously not a lumber rack. Like I said, two different approaches to the same problem. @MJonaGS32 does an excellent job at articulating his opinion without that impression. My perfect solution would be a combination of the two, but since I can’t weld for shit and don’t have the equipment to make any of the machined pieces I’ll be weighing the pros and cons of both to decide what i finally want in the end.

 

Pardon my candor then. Have you looked into any other options other than these two? Because knowing the entire market offerings and the engineering involved would greatly increase your ability to decisively select the correct one for your intended uses.

 

It’s all good. I’ve looked around quite a bit. The market for a simple, lightweight, poptop camper shell that’s also usable as a daily driven truck topper is quite slim.

 

And shipping to AK is no joke. My sister just moved back from Valdez. It costs a lot to ship anything and it’s on a slow boat to get there( I used to work on those ships...).

 

Shipping can be quite painful. I’m trying to get time off work to drive down this summer and pick up a camper and some armor. Gas money is pretty much equal to the price of shipping and I get a fun trip out of it.

 

What a great way to break in a new camper, on the Al-Can! Plus, if you decide on a Vagabond shell, BAMF is only a few blocks away...

 

i am super envious of this

 

I don't know a ton about GFC and haven't seen one in person so have nothing bad to say about it yet.

In fact to be honest when I saw the original ideas for both I really liked the idea of the tube frame. I thought it looked like a stronger concept. I mean you cage your truck of you rant to mob it right? I'm a hammer down kinda guy and (sorry Phil and Iggy) deep down i had my doubts that an aluminium box would hold up to serious abuse.

This weekend showed me how wrong I was and is what prompted me to write my other post. I am massively impressed at how strong these are.

One day when i get around to winning the lottery i'll build a long travel race beast with a Vagabond camper on it, just because

 

can confirm you hammer down. Also can confirm how the desert can be unforgiving on vehicles. But i dont have to tell you that now

 

Shit'll buff out

 

I second that ^^ it would be nice to not have to “build out” the bed for those of us that want to use our truck for other truck-like things, but rather slide the whole unit (fridge, stove, water, heater, etc.

 

You lose a lot of space with those types of slide in campers. The purpose of this style camper is to maximize every bit of space available in our already small tacoma beds.

And they have those other styles available. But they come at a price. They’re prices start at over twice as much as The Drifter

 

Race Camper!

 

So you made a new TW account just to post in this thread to advertise a competing product? Not going to win any hearts with that kind of sleaze.

 

put it in the wedge camper post. looks like the gfc. no place here in this thread

 

Beat me to it...