The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Thanks to all of your responses. Definitely helps. Looks like having side access is very helpful. My cap does not have side access and I've often wondered if it was really that big of a deal. Consensus here is yes it is.
Once again, Thank you for the opinions. Much obliged.

Once more thing...Glass or solid? Do the glass doors bring in enough light where it is worth it?

 

I went with solid FR doors on both sides and a solid wall on the front. First thing is privacy, you dont have to cover up the glass.

Second thing is when you are bouncing on a rough trail there is less chance of breaking the glass with a rock or something getting loose on the inside.

The lack of front window provides a flat space which could be used for mounting things and in case of a collision a solid object will not fly through the glass window from the bed into the cab.

Third thing is security, the solid doors are a lot less likely to get broken in through. Just need a solid aluminum door in the back and it will be perfect.

 

Quick question regarding the fan on the roof. There are at least three long threads to look through and there is just too much to find the answer to my question.
Has anyone mounted their own fan in the ceiling?

 

Get it done beforehand. The lid has extra framing to mount and secure the fan. Plus the guys do an excellent job of hiding all the wiring in the lid. Otherwise, you’ll have wiring going down the length of the lid on the ceiling all the way down to the hinge - and there isn’t a way of hiding the wiring

 

Okayyyy, You're right! It's just so expensive (for me) to do and I'm still saving just for the shell and side sliding windows.
Thanks for pointing out the facts.

 

I had originally planned to mount the fan myself until I learned about the additional bracing etc. def have it done at Vagabond!

And have them run wire through the ceiling panel for solar

 

I installed my own fan. I took measurements at the shop to effectively fish the wiring. You can install one yourself, but I can’t recommend it considering the effort involved.

Also, having seen the bracing they add, I think having Vagabond do it is a no-brainer.

 

Wow, thanks you guys. Everyone's responses make pure sense to me. I'll have to figure this out and have Vagabond do it. I heard that the fan is the number one needed accessory.
Thanks again.

 

Thats what I did

 

From running a poverty pack setup for a few trips, I think one windoor would probably have been a good idea mainly for easy fridge access. Otherwise nothing else about the top has really bothered me.

Finally having hooked up the water pump, I'll say that having 15g of pumped water (Iggy's old Frontrunner) is heaven for a setup.

 

This is my own interior lighting addition that I did(with help) but I hear the Vagabros have a better executed available option now.

Lulu appreciates the dimmness at night.

 

Could you please share your water setup. I moved my spare tire from under the truck and was thinking of removing the tire mount and welding in bracing onto which I could mount the water tank. Instead of an electric pump I was thinking of installing a solenoid onto my onboard air and then pressurizing the tank to get the water to flow. Need to figure out a way to filter/UV treat the water and the filling mechanism. Anyone provide a turn key solution?

 

Here’s a video I did of my old interior that @xplorn bought. Almost the same except the storage in the back we cut to fit the short bed.

https://youtu.be/dkALriXyAM4

 

I think I figured out why my fan cover failed. I just noticed that the knob was loose. It appears the plastic teeth in the knob are stripped so it slips when raising/lowering the cover. Its possible it got stripped when the cover blew open. However, if it were stripped before the failure, that could have allowed the cover to become loose making it more susceptible to wind damage.

I was looking at ordering a replacement knob and it seems like the stripping knobs is somewhat common as it was mentioned in the reviews. Check your knobs.

 

This happens to me all the time. It seems that the screw holding the knob in works its way loose, which compounds the issue of the knob stripping.
Usually if I re-tighten the screw, it works much better. I've been meaning to get some blue thread locker on there to see if that takes care of it.

 

We use our covered windoor for fridge access all the time. Ours is also windoor (non-glass) which we prefer for the reasons others have listed. We have two 5 gallon water containers by front runner. They are fine once the crappy plastic nozzles are replaced with the brass ones. I like they we can remove them from the truck, but also dislike it too. Maybe will consider a 15g with water pump sometime in the future.

 

I might see if a lock washer will help.

 

Does anyone have or could snag a photo of the mentioned roof/ceiling solar hookup that Vagabond rigs up? I spoke to Phil and he was going to try to send a picture of it if he can find one, but if I can save him the hassle it would be appreciated. I've seen a couple DIY routes Drifters owners have done after the fact, but I'm curious how VO setup looks.

 

^Or.......if anyone just could just post more photos in general of the drifters/nomads

I need more umpf to get me over this waiting period. Just waiting for Phil to say mine is being built