The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Now that you've made it through this whole thread, here's round 2:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vagabond-drifter-camper-buildout-and-mods.540940/

 

I wish that Vagabond just made a walkaround where they introduce all of the features and talk about options. I saw the couple of videos on youtube but it took reading every page of this thread to get all the information I needed.

 

Do you have an Instagram account?

 

yeap

 

Their account has some posts with different features and demonstrations. I dunno if there’s the full walk around run down but there’s quite a bit to look at

 

Can’t speak for the PNW specifically, but here in Northern CA we have been getting pounded by rain. Been on a couple camping trips in the rain with the drifter and can tell you not a drop of water has gotten in through the tent. The material is a thick vinyl type material. Water doesn’t pool anywhere due to the way the tent is designed to work with the camper. All the water runs off and down. Nowhere for it to pool or sit.
The seal between the camper and bed is great. No issues there. I added some butyl in spots to help a bit in corners and whatnot.
The only way water will potentially get is is from the bed. The tacomas beds are notoriously hard to seal against all water intrusion. I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to combat this in many different ways and i still get random seeping water from under the bedcaps when driving in wet conditions. It’s just because of the design of these composite beds and the bedsides. It sucks.

Hope this helps.
One thing is for sure. You will be beyond happy with your new drifter!

 

Agreed, that's something they could improve on.
My guess would be that it's just a combination of them being more open to customization of various options/add-ons vs GFC (which are obviously hard to explicitly list on their site), and maybe some aspect of not necessarily looking to queue up orders excessively far out based on their desired production levels. But again, just speculation on my part.

 

I have a few videos of a walk around my truck with different setups on you tube.

I’ll try to link them here in a bit, but there’s a link to my channel on my IG bio.

Http://YouTube.com/c/thewolfmobile

 

Hey all,

First time poster here... as I still drive a wrangler but preparing for a Tacoma transition.

I’ve read this entire thread and sent vagabond a few questions however let’s face it they are very busy. Can you all help me out with the following:

Hi,


I will be purchasing a drifter but I have a few questions. Ive read all about it in Toyota forums.


I will be switching from a 4 door Jeep Wrangler to the 2020 Tacoma TRD pro in army green.


I live in Colorado and do it all, Splitboard, snowboard, mountain bike, ,rock climb, mountaineer, ice climb.... really the big ones but I also like to go faster on off road trails... not crazy about rock crawling but I’m up for it. I also want the everyday ride to be better than the Jeep. My wife and dog come along on most of these adventure.

So my questions are:


1) what mod would I have to do to the truck to support the weight.. daily this would be the drifter plus... a mountain bike or rock climbing gear. I’m sold on the pro.. I like the look of it and seems to fit what I want.. to ride comfortably down forest roads as I race to a trail head or base camp spot. I take really good care of my vehicles and try not to go too crazy with after market parts.... try..


However camping, it could be large cargo carrier, mountain bike on drifter roof and my wife’s dirt bike on a hitch carrier plus other glamping items..

See photo.

I do not plan on building up the truck bed as we use bins when we camp. Would like the option to build if I want though... as maybe our family grows... another reason I need to buy a new truck and drifter ASAP.

I was leaning toward a deaver expedition heavy duty leaf set hoping this would be the only suspension mod I make... maybe upgrade the bump stop? I like to keep my rigs as stock as possible suspension wise. I will add rock rails but nothing much after that.


(What would I need to do to truck to prepare it for daily drifter weight)


2) is a voodoo bed rail the way to go?
What does this do?

3) can I still drive fast off-road (not talking jumping things but want to be able to take bumps at speed) with the drifter?


4) how much does the bed extension cost?


5) if I powder coat the drifter all black (deck and top portion) is it possible to powder coat the roof grey or white? Essentially I want it all black but concerned about the heat of the Sun on roof.


6) I see maxtrax on the side of drifters, do you all install the side tracks? If so how much would it cost?


7) I get a significant percent off rhino rack. If I purchase rhino rack awning could you all install connectors for it? If so how much? Do you recommend 290 awning or a back and side awning?


8) have you all adjusted the design to remove the 1.5 inch gap from tent to roof that may allow mesquitos in?


9) Do you all install roof solar panels? If so, how much? I receive a heavy discount at goal zero could I just use a yeti battery pack? I’m very unknowledged in this part as I’ve always used tents or just slept in the car. I work remote full time and would like to work from drifter at times. Any help with ideas on this?

I work remote full time so I wouldn’t mind a set up that lasts me 5 days until the weekend. I’ve already got some good cell booster ideas from you all.


10) will you all be near Denver this year?

11) does the drifter mess with sun roofs? I know it’ll probably block it but can the sun roof still open all the way to let air in?

I’ve done my research and these are my final questions. This rig is perfect for what I want as long as I can go decently fast down forest roads or desert roads.


I read you all are 6 months out in which I plan on getting the truck in October or March.... depending on how responsible I want to be. I will place the order according to that and the final cost of the drifter once questions are answered.

Thanks in advance all,


Rob

 

Hey @georginclay04 , I don't have a Drifter, but I do have a Habitat, which is similar in weight.

The only point I can really talk to is the suspension:

I run the Deaver U402 Stage 3 Expedition springs on my 2nd Gen, and love them. Which Stage were you looking at? Mine are 2.5-3 inches of rear lift at 700-1000lbs (I think on a 3rd gen it's like 2-2.5 inches). I went with that due to tongue weight as I tow a trailer pretty regularly, so you might not need to go to that extreme; perhaps Stage 2? Day to day my rear-end is sitting pretty high, and that's with the majority of my camping stuff living back there full time. Also something to consider, I went with slightly longer shocks as the Deavers have more down travel. Your stock shocks might not like being extended to the max regularly.

 

It seems Deavers are preferred well.. at least you all sold me on them. I’m spending a lot of $$ for set up so won’t skimp on this if I have to.

The site doesn’t mention how much lift it would give. I was hoping it would be minimal so I could avoid shock replacement. Series II OR III.

I could always do II and then get a bump stop if I need to? Airbags seem like a pita so trying to avoid. Plus... I know I could install the springs and a bump myself... airbags... ehh don’t want to deal with hoses.


Tacoma 6 Lug 2005-2018 2wd/4wd – Expedition Series Springs (Pair)

 

Answered your questions as best I could in red. @georginclay04

 

Appreciate the responses! The emails been out to vagabond, I have time to wait for quotes as I’ll most likely purchase in May. I just check this post each day for something new so figured I would stir it up.

There was a review a while back someone who just received the camper said there was 1.5 inch gap near the tent? Good to hear it’s sealed then. Not sure what it is but I get eaten alive by bugs. Could there be a gap anywhere around the tent when it’s opened? I would go back and find the thread but... there’s 100 threads now.. anyway appreciate the info.

 

I NEARLY went with airbags. They are a great option if you are going to have highly variable loads. Running the hoses would be extremely simple if you just used a bike pump to air up the bags, it's obviously a little more complicated when you start running electric on board pumps and switches and gauges in the truck cab. You could also avoid any unwanted lift with airbags.

I believe all Stages I-III have the same lift, just at different constant bed weights (I - 0-300lbs, II - 400-600, III - 700-1000). I sit about stock height in the rear with around 900lbs in the bed, plus 3-400 pounds of tongue weight.

 

Not that I'm aware of, no gaps on my tent when opened.

 

I’m in Cheyenne; drop me a message if you don’t find someone closer and want to check out a Drifter.

 

I’m in Denver/Lakewood/Golden if you want to check one out.

 

If the rest of your truck can take it you can definitely drive fast off road. I've jumped (all 4 wheels off the ground at the same time) my truck >100 times with the Drifter on and the Drifter is in perfect shape.

 

Seems that @Porter707 andwered most of your questions. If no one is available to show you in Denver, I’ll be there in June if you want to check it out. You’ll just have to remind me