Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

@Sharkfrog
This is what we have:

$30 FIRST ALERT Carbon Monoxide Detector, No Outlet Required, Battery Operated, CO400, White, 2 Count (Pack of 1)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GP7CZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (although the twin-pack was ~$20 when I bought it)

 

You need to worry about CO and catching your rig on fire. I am going to purchase a Mr. Buddy heater soon. When I will do I will be purchasing a separate CO detector just for an extra layer of protection and hang up somewhere where I am sleeping.

I am hesitant to sleep with it on. I might get the sleeping area toasty hot and turn it off when going to bed. Not sure how long a small propane bottle can last? I do not think it can last the entire night.

 

lol that's the one I just threw in my cart. I think I'll do that one mounted low and then maybe fix a smoke detector up by the fan

 

4 hours on the little one I believe.

 

The most important, in my opinion, neglecting the fire danger, is a low O2 sensor. The heater won't start creating CO until it runs out of oxygen. The heaters have an automatic low O2 shutoff but I'm not sure I would trust it.

 

Depends on ambient temps, elevation, etc.

 

I'm sure, that's just what I remember reading from the box.

 

I'm definitely checking that video out! I really want to do the swap but with just shy of 100k miles on my truck it's absolutely impossible to justify!

 

Ignoring the stuff above that Jason pointed out, propane has 21600 btu/lb or 91000 btu/gal. If you know what your burners or heaters use at BTUs/hr you can figure out how many hours of burn you have at full blast or how many days you think you can last on a tank.

For instance if I use my single 21000 btu camp chef burner and I get my 5lb tank filled (80% is max so say 4lbs) I can say I have about 17 hours of burn time at sea level and normal temp.

It can get much more complicated but that’s the quick and dirty.

 

I’ve used a buddy heater all night before in there. Not any worse than what else I’ve subjected my body to lol

but honestly, you’re fine. People run propane heaters in their tents all the time. The manufacturers prob won’t advocate for it, but people do it all the time

 

Not sure if this is replying to the original person who posted the question or not... Yes, we're making a number of window covers for the the window options that VO specs, including bug screens. windoors, Gullwings, front windows, the rear hatch, plus a number of other things in the queue. Happy to chat about different options available and ideas from Drifter owners. I'm sure Nightfall makes great stuff, so they can definitely help fulfill a need for the VO community. Bottom line: it's so great to have more USA-based sewing companies open to niche markets. It's a trade that has been fading out and we've been hustling for 10+ years to keep our business alive. I try not to comment on other brands because I do not know their situation or pricing structure, but I am stoked to see other folks sewing nice stuff.

 

I said screw it and pulled the trigger...

Now the wait, hopefully I can get it this same time next year as a Christmas gift to my future self.

 

Congrats! And welcome to the family!

 

Congrats! Wow thats 80 orders after me.

Seems like there is ~9 Drifter orders a month being made!

Hopefully I get a call from a Benicia phone number soon...

 

Thanks!
How long was your wait time?

 

Want me to give you a call? I mean, it may make you feel better and all... Plus, I sell stuff now too. So it’d be like a sales call?
In all seriousness, let me know when you come up. The rear bumper will probably be done by then and you can get a peek at that then as well.

 

You’re way too new to the fam to be asking those kinda questions

 

You’re in for a treat

 

What options did you end up going with?

 

lol. Definitely going to give you a call when I'm up there. Gotta check out those killer bumpers you have in person. Plus you're the one that caused me to get my deposit back for that BF bumper I had on order. And lets not get into the Drifter order either...

Selecting which windoor I want is the hardest part to choose for me, I keep going back and forth constantly between the FR or standard windoor option. Also sometimes I want glass sometimes I want solid. I kind of wish Phils truck had both standard windoor and the FR windoor on his camper. After all hes the one that goes to all the trade shows right? Would make sense for him to have both options on his rig to showcase it to prospective buyers so they can decide what they want easier.

I have not selected all options officially yet. When my Drifter goes into production I will give VB the full list.

My options are:
Fan
L track
Insulation
Prewire for solar
ceiling lighting
Slider cab window
Front Runner windoors (2)

My main reason for FR windoors is because I believe the opening area of them is actually larger than the GFC side openings due to the angle of the space frame. One of the things I really liked about the GFC was the large side door openings since the FR windoors are huge the opening area is equivalent if not bigger than the GFC.