Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Its like they thought everything through or something

 

How long have you had it?

 

I’m new to owning and haven’t caught up fully on the thread.

What have people come up with for locking themselves in at night? I’ve turned the latch striker bar but nothing is keeping someone from walking up and opening it back up from the outside.

 

Simplest would be tie some cord from window latch to something, maybe a clamp?

 

Not to be confrontational, really just curious, but why would you need to lock yourself inside?

Campgrounds or off the beaten path, if I'm inside I don't worry about it being unlocked. Having full screens, I'll even sleep with the door open. I only lock up if I leave the truck unattended.

 

most of the time I’m with you, but I foresee a few random Walmart/city street camp nights on road trips where I’m stuck burning miles to get home. After living in cities, locking myself in is peace is mind.

 

But this wasn’t a worry with the spot I picked out last night:

 

Get a dog with growley noises and sharp teeth...

 

I asked about that when I went to see the factory and place my order. Heard that it hadn't really come up before. My shell I have now has a remote lock connected to my fob so I can lock myself in at weird spots or when I stealth camp (mostly weird spots like you). I leave the rear window of my truck slightly open in case battery dies or something and I need to squeeze (literally) up front. Gonna have to change that plan up when I get a 3rd gen with the power rear window. I am interested in what you come up with. Will be looking to do the same as a stealth camping option when I can't get away with just popping the top and crashing.

Maybe bolt a little piece of steel that can rotate out the way when you want out and then flip it down over the latch when you want to lock yourself in? Don't know...didn't pay that much attention the couple times I've seen a Drifter. Maybe ask MTHABITOVERLAND if she has any ideas. I thought I read a while back she built her bed out to be able to stealth camp below/have another bed space if needed.

 

Whats the best awning for coming off the back of one of these? I havent had one before but it seems like the tradeoff is stability or ease of use?

 

Plenty of discussion already on awnings but I'll add my 2 cents:
Not considering money, a 270* freestanding awning would be my choice. However, I haven't been able to justify the price.

I put a 5' traditional awning on the back. It was cheap ($180) and provide a little coverage when needed. In contrast to the longer bag awnings, it's actually really easy to put up by yourself. The poles are adjustable and can be guyed down to shed rain. And, it provides full coverage all the way to the camper. Typically with the 270* awnings, there is a gap at the tailgate so you'll get dripping water down.

 

I prefer the versatility of my ARB awning. I can dip it to follow the angle of the sun/wind and I can attach an annex to it. It may take me about 40 seconds longer to properly deploy than a “batwing” style awning, but it’s sheer versatility is what makes it the obvious winner to me.

 

I agree the alucab 270 awnings are rad and the “deployability” is hard to beat but I also haven’t been able to justify the price considering you could mount a 4’ awning off the back and a 6 or 8’ on the side for much less.

I have been using an ARB awning for quite a while now and have been surprised at what its held up to. Tied down properly it’s withstood some serious winds and storms.

since ours is modular it adds a lot of versatility running it on any side of the truck (most often off the back).

 

Tons of good info here. Subscribing for more.

 

or move the hookup/switches to the other side in the campsite at night in about 15 minutes.
(The one I bought was wired on the passenger side for their Goal Zero and my truck is wired on the driver side for power and brake)

 

I have a propex and it’s either a 6 or 8 wire cable that they provide. The thing is they have specific connectors, molex I think, that we don’t have at the shop. You’d still have to figure out a way to crimp those on the ends. I’ve been looking for an extension from them directly.

Like others have said, we have a built in wiring track around the entire perimeter of the camper that helps in wiring anything in. We built this as part of the camper on purpose so that a lot of the wiring can be done by the customer. The only places that can’t be accessed later are spaces in the ceiling.

 

Speaking of later in the ceiling... The Drifter I picked up doesn't have the L-Track on the roof and I am thinking of adding this and a ceiling fan at some point in the spring. Is it possible to remove the insulation panel without damaging it in order to get in there to drill and install those?

 

L Track can be added later. The holes are actually outside the tent area. On purpose as well so there are no holes in the area that needs to be sealed off if there is a leak. The only holes in the roof are for a fan.

 

Badass Project

 

Gosh, it's like the Drifter was well thought out or something! I'm glad I didn't jump on the chance to pick up the competitor (which was cheaper).

So can the fan be added later?