Hodakaguy's Vagabond Camper/Truck Build....Yes Again!

With our previous Tacoma's and Four Wheel Camper Sold (See my last build thread here: CLICK HERE) it's time to harness my super squirrel powers and start in on another project.

We just returned from a 1700 mile two day road trip to pick up our new Camper at the Vagabond factory in CA. The guys at Vagabond are a great bunch! We were scheduled to arrive Friday morning but half way down to CA realized we would arrive early enough (about 4pm) that we could snag the camper on Thursday and roll north again to get part way home again. A quick call to Vagabond and they were very accommodating with the change in schedule. Installing the camper went quickly and we were on the road again. 1000 miles the first day, not bad!

My father and I placed the order for the Drifter back when we still had our 3rd gen trucks, The drifter was originally slated for my fathers truck and was going to serve as both a canopy and camper that we could leave on the truck year around. The light weight and low drag of a wedge camper makes it ideal for road trips and off road use. After we sold our 3rd gen trucks we decided to leave the Drifter on order since we planned on eventually finding another used truck. Fast forward a bit and we found a super low mile (9000 miles) 2012 TRD sport that we picked up for my father. It already has a OME 3" lift and Dakar springs installed so it's ready for the Drifter Install.

Now some background on our decision to purchase the drifter. Originally we planned on purchasing the GoFast camper and while camping at last years Northwest Overland Rally we were able to check it out in person along with several other brands. The GFC construction looked really good and finish work was top notch. Canvas material is similar to what we had on our Four Wheel Camper and it’s proven to be super waterproof. We live in the desert and the camper will be outside 365..the sun here tears things up fast. We were both concerned about how well the composite roof will hold up over time to intense sun we see here. We were also not huge fans of light coming in through the composite translucent top, when I sleep I like it dark and the inside of the camper glowing could be a issue. Guess one could always make an internal light cover for the top. We also didn’t care for the short overhang and the need to move bedding every time you want to enter the bed, you also need to mess with bedding if one wants to stand up and get dressed. If you want to open up the whole interior space you need to do something with all the cushions which I see as a pain. The tubular framework of the GFC relies on a large number of seals to keep water and dust out, this seems like it could be problematic over time. The tubular framework also makes it difficult to install decent size side windows and harder to insulate. Overall it was a nice camper but we were glad we could check it out in person before we ordered one, it just wasn't a great fit for us.

After checking out the GFC we walked over to check out the AT and Vagabond units. We both really liked the Vagabond unit a lot, the construction is top notch and we both preferred the solid aluminum structure, this camper is rock solid! We loved the insulated HD one piece aluminum roof (1/8") and solid sides (No seals against tubing), will make dust proofing the camper an easier task. The drifter has similar canvas material to the FWC as well which again we have found to be bullet proof in rain. The tent is roomier than the GFC and the larger side windows are nice. We liked the longer extension over the cab and the ability to have a standing space with the bed deployed, no need to mess with bed panels. We also liked the side windows in the Drifter and they offer several options to choose from, we like the Windoors as they allow easy access to the interior of the camper and give a view through the camper while driving. Without the tubular frame of the GoFast insulating the interior will be far easier. When standing in the camper you can slide the bed all the way forward and have the entire interior area open to stand in, the mattress and supports are all stored in the cab over area leaving the entire bed space open....Nice! This will be great when hiding out in the camper when waiting out weather. The top utilizes hidden lift struts which is a also a nice touch, overall a very well thought out package!

The AT was great as well but higher $$ and the canvas material looked more like treated tent material than a true waterproof material like the vagabond and GFC. The fit and finish of the AT was really good as well. They also had the habitat on display but we both preferred the wedge design over the Habitat.

They all have their advantages and disadvantages, but the Drifter was the best choice for us.

We have plans to install lighting and a Diesel heater. I'm sure plenty more mods will follow lol. I'll post up pics as progress happens.

Here's a few pics of the new Camper


Our new Drifter waiting to be installed.




Another Drifter being assembled.




Camper being installed on the truck.






Rolled out and ready to hit the road. We immediately hit the road again and headed north a ways, ended up putting in 1000 miles that day.




On the way home we stopped to take a few pics and play with the camper a bit. I really like the fit of the Drifter on the Taco.






Top up






Tracks installed, these will be great for Solar install and carrying the Kayaks.










Interior. The side windows open for access to the interior and the side panels are insulated. The bed is slid out in this pic.




Standing in the camper with the bed deployed










Bed stored in the cab over portion allowing the entire interior area to be utilized for standing.














More to come.....

Hodakaguy

 

I have serious thoughts of a camper like that instead of a RTT. Very curious to see the build progress.

 

your other builds have been amazing, cant wait for this.

 

Subbed from the 3rd gen porn section

 

Very cool, curious, how long is the sleeping pad? Notice any lag in highway performance?

 

There are many advantages to a Wedge camper over a RTT...the best one being you can stand up inside the camper and access the storage down below without having to leave the tent.

Hodakaguy

 

The mattress is 48" x 80" x 3' thick, comfortable for two people. No noticeable drag on the highway at all, this is another huge benefit with this style of camper. The light weight and low drag are idea for small trucks like the Tacoma, The FWC camper makes a noticeable difference in performance, it was great traveling home with the Drifter!

Hodakaguy

 

Always like your builds! Subbed for this one, too.

 

Cool digs!

 

Awesome looking wedge topper! Will have to click through your previous build, thanks for posting up the link.

Where did you find a 7-year old truck with 9,000 miles? And modded too? In your first trip out you and your dad already put on more than its “historical mileage” for the year haha. Prolly safest to setup camp somewhere and let’r rest for 12-months

Cheers guys.

 

Lol...no kidding. Found this truck in Portland Or. It was the guys toy and wasn't even used in the rain! He had a local shop install the OME suspension setup KO2 Tires. He sold it because he just bought a new TRD Pro. It had a vibration issue when we bought it and I wonder if that was part of the reason he sold it. It was just the famous front diff needle bearing causing the vibration issues, when we got the truck home I installed the ECGS bushing and added some 3 deg shims to the rear axle....driving butter smooth now . We both REALLY like this truck! The engineers at Toyota really screwed up with the power train on the 3rd gen trucks, the 4.0L engine and trans in the 2nd gen is soooooo much nicer to drive behind. The torque and HP is there and right where you expect it and the trans shifts exactly like you expect it to. My father and I both prefer driving this truck, even after we had added the OV tune and 4.88 gearing to our 3rd Gen trucks this 2nd Gen performs and drives much nicer. After I sold my truck I picked up a low mile 1st gen Tacoma (74K on the clock) that has been my daily driver, eventually I may keep an eye out for another low mile 2nd gen myself.

Hodakaguy

 

How's the wind noise at highway speed with the drifter? I also wonder how hot they get in the summer.

 

sub'd

 

Don’t forget to keep up your posts at that other site

 

Sub’d

 

Man, I wonder if it'd be safe (carbon monoxide and gas fume-wise) to have a slider window in front and have a gasket so you could blow heat or AC in from the truck cab?

 

good to see you back in a Taco

 

Cool camper, wish I had the money (and fabrication skills) to go through projects like you do.

 

You get a little wind noise from the overhand but it's not enough to be annoying. The roof and walls of the camper are insulated so heat build up will be minimized, that said we will install some kind of vent system to mitigate heat build up since we live in a hot desert climate.

Hodakaguy

 

Nope...I'm keeping those up as well

Hodakaguy