Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

First Post!! Been lurking since I put a deposit on my Nomad in October. I don't have a Taco but this is the best thread for Vagabond build-outs bar none!! I had been shopping for a new Tundra but then decided to keep my 2008 and spend the money on a Nomad and truck mods. So far I have new toyo MT's and powder-coated method Vexwheels. I'm also set to get an Icon Suspension January 13th and then 4.88 gears in February. Future Vagabond items that are on my list: Propex HS2211, National Luna 50L Fridge/Freezer, Solar with lithium battery, 19 gallon water tank with pump and sink, 38 gallon gas tank swap out, goose gear-style storage and 2 person dinette with Lagun table.

But the absolute funnest thing I am doing is Cerakoting my Tundra/Nomad combo in desert camo. Got the wife to finally buy off on "trashing" my factory paint job.

 

So, who of you has enhanced the mattress?

My partner and I both were feeling some hip soreness from being skinny/bony people and sleeping on our sides from the dog stealing a bunch of room.

I'm thinking a 2" foam topper like this

$50 LUCID Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper – 2" Mattress Topper – 5 Comfort Zones Relieve Pressure – CertiPUR-US Certified Foam - Full

https://www.amazon.com/LUCID-Lavender-Memory-Mattress-Topper/dp/B07KRTQ3WV but worried about it eating up more space while closed since I keep a comforter up there already.

 

FYI - the best thing I bought recently to enhance the experience is the 16” tall stool.
I’m glad I didn’t get the one that most people recommend - it would be pretty much useless with how short it is. Here’s the one I got:
Acko 16 Inches Super Strong Folding Step Stool for Adults, Kitchen Stepping Stools, Garden Step Stool Pink

ACKO Folding Step Stool for Adults and Kids 16" Stool Non Slip Step Stool Folding Heavy Duty Plastic Foldable Stepstool, Step Stools Hold Up to 300lb Stepping Stool Pink 1 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZISSEV

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6qyJ95AM1V/?igshid=1fo5g8blfren5

 

How tall are you? I’m 6’2 and the gf isn’t super short. Would be afraid to smack my head more often than I already do with only the one step. Wouldn’t be far from hitting my head with the other one I suppose. Did you try out that grey two step that a lot of people have?

 

I added a 1" latex topper. Firmness of memory foam is supposedly very dependent on temperature, but not latex.
2" would be pretty questionable though. With the extra inch, I can only leave bedding (more than just a sheet and one of those thin fleece throws) up towards the front where the tent material doesn't lay.

 

we are 5’9” and 5’5”. I have perfected my truck yoga over the years and haven’t hit my back while getting in. One foot on the stool, other foot on the tailgate and step into the truck reverse limbo style.

I did not try the two step as they are so close it seems pointless to me to take two baby steps and then one big one into the tailgate.

 

To each their own but we found the gray one with two steps is easier on pets. My dog can get up easily without me carrying him and I can live with an extra step. Just a different view point!

 

On my last trip I stopped at Wallyworld and had to buy 2" memory foam topper. Like you, my hips were getting sore. It really made a huge difference. Much more comfortable.

The top closes fine, even with sheets and a thick sleeping bag that I use as a comforter. Just have to push it down the last inch or so to latch it. I'm sure all it's doing is compressing all that foam.

 

When we had our vanagon, we bought this mattress topper which was high quality and foldable. I think it would fit the drifter and we'd recommend it. On the 1985 vanagon, the foam top was pretty disintegrated and so was absolutely necessary. The new 3" mattress in the vagabond is working well for us so far and we like keeping our bedding above when we close the camper so we aren't planning to upgrade at this time.
https://www.gowesty.com/product/mattress-toppers/4272/mattress-topper-upper-lower-bed-vanagon

 

Bed stiffeners are also recommended. Don't remember which ones we got, but they were shorter and didn't interfere with the rail caps.

 

cool that they are already in a cover! I just don’t remember the drifter mattress size off hand

 

Did the mattress change from the earlier versions (I have #11) to the present time? I like that the mattress is a fixed two-piece and is in a waterproof cover and worry that throwing a topper on top of the cover and under a sheet will be annoying to have to remove and dry out every day from condensation.

Mornings that I have condensation inside the tent I noticed that the bottom of the mattress cover was damp that sits on the panel over the truck bed, so I would flip it up and let it dry while the tent was airing out.

 

I know that the "competition" changed their mattress guts and cover to a multi-density foam with an additional 1" of thickness in the past 6 months...

I wonder if I could just buy a new version of the mattress and someone wants my firmer one.

 

I know the mattress originally used for the test units was firmer than when they went into actual production (production, meaning the first full batch).
So I'd bet that was the difference between Zero and the other one.
I'm not sure whether it's changed at all since production started, but I definitely haven't heard of a change since then.

 

The original foam was firmer than the current, but only the first 3 or 4 had it. Nothing has changed since then, layout or density wise

 

If you knew how much these mattresses cost to make you would likely think again about trying to purchase one.
They are quite expensive.
Hand made with quality materials. Nothing cheap.

Probably better off cost wise trying to add a small topper if needed.
Just my .02

 

Sorry for changing the subject... In preparation for my Vagabond install I beefed up the suspension on my Tacoma. The consequence is the dead space while riding on oem 265/70R16. Phil suggested 255/85R16. Which got me thinking about swing out tire carriers. Anyone have an opinion (positive or negative), or experience with RIGd UltraSwing hitch carriers?

 

Ya man these are a must ! My wife is 5' 2" and without it she has alot of trouble getting into the truck bed nevermind how its gonna be getting into the Bed of the drifter !

Amazon.ca had them on sale for 23Cdn with prime we got neon green.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofzdsch9Ybg

Looks ok, but when someone has to yank you out, you're going have to remove that first unless you have another recovery point.

*clarification. The UltraSwing is rated for 10,000lbs pull, but you'll sometimes exceed that w/ kinetic recoveries in mud. Rolling over dirt w/ a winch, depending on the recovery conditions, it could be more or less. RIGd Supply calling out the Factor55 HitchLink 2.0 for a 9,500lbs rating is a little disingenuous because the failure rating is at 25+ tons, your tow receiver would fail first.