Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Also, there are places you cannot take a trailer.

 

I’m not sure I communicated my situation well enough in my post. But I’m happy with my solution.

I have a 2011 Tacoma black antennae replacing my 2015 shark fin on the truck. It isn’t connected because the connectors don’t jive. I’m okay with that because even if they did jive, it still wouldn’t work anyways due to the fact that the Drifter overhang blocks the reception.

I am installing another, color matched white, 2011 Tacoma antennae on top of the Drifter and plugging that into the back of the headunit.

Once the flat bed rails are installed, I won’t have the shark fin issue to deal with and it looks aethestically pleasing. Win win in my book.

Only downfall in my scenario is that should I ever decide to part ways with the truck, I will need to reinstall the sharkfin and reconnect the factory antennae.

Just trying to share my experience.

Data is data.

 

Gotcha. I should've read better, thought you hadn't installed a replacement. Did you have the working sat antenna hooked up ever with the drifter installed? Obviously mine is a different material which could affect wave reception but it blew my mind that I had crystal clear XM reception with an overhanging camper an inch above the antenna. Driving through trees has more negative effects on it. This was down south of course, no XM up north.

 

My satellite reception was only at certain “angles” when I had the Drifter installed. At first it worked perfectly, in the parking lot of Vagabond outdoors, and I was stoked. But, the minute I drive away(changed angle of reception) I lost signal). I’ve tried it in many circumstances and it been soo spotty that I gave up about 6 months ago or so. I’ve always planned on a sat ant on the Drifter anyways.

 

Maybe if Sirrius provided better coverage, it would be less of an issue but anything that blocks the signal will result in no or spotty reception. Particularly true when satellite coverage is marginal.

If you do mount your antenna to the Drifter, a quick disconnect to allow removal might be a good idea. Also, see if you can find specs for the cable-gauge and length are the two most important. Length may not allow for the top of the camper.

If it were me, I would get a mirror mount and use ditch light mounting hardware on the hood. Or maybe the small stick on antenna and place it inside and on the dash in the window corner. Passenger side. Or just ditch XM all together (which is what I did).

 

Good info.

The coaxial cable is RG6. I have everything I need to make the cable runs with disconnects for the shell. I actually have enough RG6 cable to make “quick disconnect kits” for many, many drifters. I “accidentally” bought 500’ of RG6 at Fry’s Electronics as it was mislabeled and priced as a single foot unit, not by the foot.

I couldn’t ditch satellite. I miss my stations enough as it is.

 

I am planning on getting an antenna like the ones that come with the stand alone satellite units. Living without my Sirius is not gonna happen.

 

Drive long enough and it’s just. The same crap repeated.

 

There is a pinky fingers width between my Drifter and the top of the shark fin on my '15 with the new model alum KB Voodoo rails installed. It hits about 80 times a second at 75mph when the wind is right so I'm going to be swapping antenna for clearance. For those looking to prep a 2nd gen, I'd add it to the list.

 

Same can be said for a lot of things in life. But, as I age, I find myself gravitate towards the comforting music of my youth and maybe a few generations that came before me.

I do like some of the newer reggae as well. But, I’m not into the gangsta stuff. Not to my taste. The Joint (my satellite radio station of choice) plays a great mixture of old and current Caribbean and reggae music. It depends on the DJ’s playlist and the season. I look forward to more Steel Pulse again.

 

I’ve got more info for you if you want. DM for dick pics.

 

Podcasts

 

+Spotify, offline feature.

 

Picked up one of these today. Very excited to have a mobile kitchen for the Drifter.

It's a Dosko Campmate Kitchen (no longer made).

 

Already done It. My drives tend to be 6 to 10 hours. I go through podcast like you wouldn’t believe.

 

I’ve got this as well

 

I’ve been debating picking up I kanz kitchen. I love the idea just not the price.

 

Yeah, Kanz are gorgeous but $$$.

 

...And the list grows longer. Noted.

 

Mine's the same, works depending on the direction I'm facing. Driving south I get the best satellite reception, rest of the time it's FM or ipod