Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I couldn't wait, so I framed out my bench/cubby system and carpeted it. The top has a couple opening lids to access things from the windoors or while inside the camper. It's bolted to the bed rail system and that feels solid as is, but I also ordered some HDPE to replace the plywood baseplate for the side cubbies.

I still need to add a system for the center platform to slide out. I'm thinking of just using HDPE on bottom so it's smooth and slick, but I may get fancy and put in some drawer slides. Anyone have experience with the HD drawer slides? Would they hold up to people walking on them regularly?

 

This should give you a good enough idea of how it would work out (with a DCSB extension).



Full size household pillow.




And here's how I normally use it. Not the most effective thing ever since it doesn't support the side sections much at all, but it's still a lot better than the droop you get with nothing. And it's enough to keep it from chafing on that sharp corner of my shelving, which is key.

 

I like it, but can i suggest the greatest Drifter life hack I’ve seen?

If you pull the bed extension and mattress a little ways toward the back of the camper, it leaves an opening in the front of the overhang. You can store your pillows there while holding the tent fabric up at the same time since the mattress and extension are now further toward the back.
I leave all my bedding and pillows in there at all times. When i pull into camp and pop the top, the bed is already made. Just pull the pillows out and pass out.
It sure would suck to not be able to store any bedding or pillows or the mattress up top in the bed



The wizard @tyfoon11 showed me this sorcery and i was blown away.
Game changer.

 

I do this as well.

 

Right, I have no problem keeping bedding/sleeping bags/pillows up top either. Agree, super important feature.

As far as stopping the droop, the reason I don't pull the extension and mattress back is that my solar wiring comes in through the little overlap section at the front of the tent and drops down in front of the mattress. So along with the loom that it's in, it's just enough that the mattress won't slide all the way back forward easily unless I compress it a bit. Minor inconvenience, but I just don't want to deal with that every time.

Plus, I've been meaning to talk to the guys about a split extension anyway. Something like 17" and 13" to gain just a few inches in overall length, and be a lot more versatile for my use - stow the 13" and just use the 17" in desk mode to have more maneuvering space, possibly configure the 13" so that it can be attached on the outside like a counter, and also be able to pull one towards the back when closing to contain the tent.

 

Insert joke about needing a few extra inches here...

 

Have any picture of this?

I am having a hard time understanding. When putting the mattress/extension back a little you expose the overhand portion and squeeze the pillows in that gap? Can't you just leave the pillows up top and close the camper and squish the pillows in between the camper and mattress? Wouldn't you accomplish the same thing?

 

I can fit a throw blanket and two pillows up there with no issues (for camping in warmer weather). But when I carry a comforter, I do exactly what Blake said: Pull the extension piece back about 12" toward the rear of the truck, but leave the mattress in place. This will create a space for the mattress to sag down (when you have the tent closed) a little in the gap you just created with the extension piece and the overhang. That is where I put my queen size comforter. And with pulling the extension piece back, you're also creating a "catch" for the tent fabric when the tent is closed.

EDIT: Here's a picture of @SeekingZero's Drifter. You can see the droop in the mattress. Although with mine, my mattress doesn't droop that much. Ben must have super thick blankets or something

 

That doesn’t work for us up here in the cold as you need more stuff. Have a giant down sleeping bag and blanket, two pillows and a host of other items for sleepi. Unable to compress them with the lid in cold temps.

I’m not expecting a problem come summer.

 

Oh got it now. The mattress kind of bows so you can put place additional stuff inside. Thanks for the picture!

 

Yea I expect you to have way more up there because of the colder temps. But I'm guessing the majority of us will have ample room. I usually have the fitted sheet, flat sheet, two pillows, and this comforter:

$47 Bare Home Queen Comforter - Reversible Colors - Goose Down Alternative - Ultra-Soft - Premium 1800 Series - All Season Warmth - Bedding Comforter (Queen, Black/Red)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS9OGW8/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the lid closes no problem. No needing to adjust the latches or anything, which leads me to believe that I can probably fit more up there and would still be able to close it because the latches are able to adjust.

 

What size you using I am guessing full/queen?

 

Correct Full/Queen. Not sure what size @SeekingZero has in his pic above, but my fitted sheet fits a lot better than his. It looks like his is maybe a King?

 

I believe you got a custom fitter sheet and did not purchase this?

 

Incorrect. I originally planned on making custom sheets but found out that I didn't have to because the full/queen fit pretty good.

Drifter mattress - 48" x 80"
Normal Queen size mattress - 60" x 80"

 

Was able to sift through some pics and found a good pic. You can see how much of the fitted sheet goes around the bottom of the mattress, the small bulge in the gap where my comforter sits, and how the extension piece holds up the tent fabric out of the way so I don't see it in my rear view mirror.

 

You want full sheets. They seem to fit the best.

 

Awesome thanks guys, looks like I know what to get now in terms of sheets and comforters that allows me to close the lid and keep everything clean up top.

Tomorrow morning I will meet Phil and check out the Drifter for the first time. If I really like it I will place an order by this weekend hopefully.

 

You probably could do that with a couple thin pillows. But i use 4 plush pillows because I’m a spoiled fuck. I shove them into the nose. I also leave 2 queen blankets up there as well. In warmer weather, one blanket will be all i leave up there
You can also do it the way @MJonaGS32 explained with “the bulge” technique.

I’ll get a couple pics when i get a chance to help better explain what i am talking about