Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

You guys are so close to living the dream! I’m I’m still hoping for a early Xmas present... In 2020.

 

The wait will be worth it!

 

About 8 or 9 months in I got antsy and started second guessing myself, but once I got that email from Phil I got super stoked again. It's a hard wait but so worth it.

 

Getting sidetracked and second guessing yourself at the 5-9 month time frame is probably one of the biggest hurdles to overcome post Drifter order.

 

Ironically this was the same as pre birth of my daughter...

 

I think I'll start my second guessing in the 6-10 month range now.

 

Look who will be joining the Vagabond family...he's been off-grid living out of his Tacoma for a few years now. Looking forward to his videos with the Vagabond. He'll be a great ambassador.

 

Difference is, the suffering and sleepless nights continue after your child arrives. With the Drifter, it's been only smooooth sailing since delivery!

 

Bingo!

 

I know a bunch of guys are upset about the lead times, but it really is worth the wait. I know, easy for me to say bc I have mine already, but to have a superior product without having to worry about anything malfunctioning is priceless.

Try to think long term. Sacrifice the time now and it will prevent you from losing any potential camp/trip time in the future. I would absolutely hate it if something broke and prevented me from a trip.

Or just as worse, go on a trip and have a compromised camper, leading you to think about it the entire time and ruin your trip. Maybe that’s me and my mind playing tricks on me. But going on trips and having my OBA, dual batt, winch, etc malfunction during the trip just causes so much additional stress.

 

Like going camping with a GFC and the side panel snaps off...

Hope that doesn’t tick anyone off

 

Yea that's really unfortunate. Those customers ought to be pissed. Even if their hinges aren't broken, it has to be on their mind whenever they open/close a panel. No one should have to worry about that mess, especially given the amount of money we pay for these things.

 

Got the tent mostly done. Just need some binder work and ready for a test run.

 

Anyone have tips for condensation?
No heater, no side doors, insulation package.
2 humans, one smedium dog. Walls are dripping this morning.
Temps were in mid to high thirties maybe low 40s. I left the rear window open about 5” across the width.

 

Turn the fan on and let it dry out

 

Forgot to say, no ceiling fan on mine. No side doors either.

 

Sorry to say, but I think a Propex is your only long-term solution. Physics is a bitch. We breath out lots of moisture at night, potentially up to a liter. At 98 degrees, all the moisture stays in water vapor form. Once the breath cools to 20 in the camper, it passes the dew point and most all that water is forced into dew. Air at 20 deg can hold less than 10% the water that 98 deg air can.

There are only two strategies I know of to fight this:
1) Use a fan or windows to let the vapor escape before it condenses. This will bring the interior of the camper down to 20 deg. Too cold for my wife.
2) Install a Propex to keep the temperature in the 60’s. This will allow most the water to stay in vapor.

In either case, insulating the tent will reduce the amount of condensation.

I have a BedRug installed to insulate the bed and bought the wall insulation with no side openings. I know that I will be buying the insulating package as soon as it drops. And the Propex is my first project.

 

Camp in -12°F. No drips.

 

Thought I'd share these little lights that Phil showed me. I think Iggy may have some too. They're only $20, magnetic, have an elastic loop and they feature white (bright), white (dim), amber and a flashing mode. Pretty cool little light. They wont stick to the Drifter, since Aluminum isn't ferrous, but there's plenty of places for a hook or a piece of steel to attach too.
https://hardkorrlighting.com/en-us/product/unilight-dual-color-battery-powered-led-lantern/

 

Yeah I have one! They are an awesome little light.

you’re right it won’t stick on the drifter but the elastic loop is perfect on the prop rod and it sticks to the rear window latches to provide downward light.