Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Yep, here you go... it fit nice and clean along the top and back of the cab. Screwed aluminum L-track to the cabover, made cardboard templates of the shape I wanted, cut ABS sheets to match the templates. Riveted the ABS to the aluminum. Bent the ABS angle where it met the camper with a heat gun and a homemade jig, then bolted that area onto the camper using bolts that were already there for the camper jack mounts. It made things so much quieter... and might have improved the MPGs a little, but not so that I really noticed.

I'm not worried about making a fairing for my Drifter, it sits much lower to the cab and is narrower. Seems like very diminishing returns to make any sort of fairing to me.

Also - even with the pre-fairing FWC, I could get 17-18mpg if I kept it around 55. Aerodynamics vs. speed is everything if you're looking for good mileage with a camper. Take an FWC at 75 on the freeway and expect to get 12-13mpg...

 

Oh that came out great! I'm going to have to try that on mine. Thank you for the pictures

 

I’m at $10k+ with the Drifter and Drifter mods and we’re worried about MPG?

But in all honesty, I had a bed rack, RTT, and roof basket before the Drifter and I have since gained 1MPG with the Drifter. Now I’m at a whopping 12.5MPG

Old set up

 

Sorry for being a jerk and posting someone's else pic without permission. But here it goes:
Prior to my Drifter install in October, I sent the pic to Phil and asked about this solution (Prinsu). But unfortunately as someone also stated, the pic was of a 3rd gen. My truck is 2nd gen.

 

Are you willing to cut up a perfectly good Prinsu? If so you can make it work like @jberry813 did. Don’t think he did it for MPGs though....

Hard to see in that picture, maybe he’ll chime in but it’s hacked up pretty good in order to clearance.

 

Yea 3rd gen beds sit higher than 2nd gens. So when the Drifter is on top of the 3rd gen, there’s more space between the cab and Drifter overhang to account for a rack in between

However @tyfoon11 has the oem roof rack with his 2nd gen and Drifter

 

With the drifter's metal overhang concealing the radio sharkfin antenna on the roof, are ya'all still able to receive GPS navigation signals to your Entune radio ? or is that gizmo only used for XMRadio ?

 

GPS still works. With caveats. It’s running on partially stored data. So it makes up for lack of signal in some areas with stored data.

 

My nav still works fine. No issues.

 

I'm drawing up a diagram for my power system. Coming along nicely. One of the last things - I'm planning on having the battery/charge controller/circuit breakers in one removable box. I want to be able to remove my cabinet system easily, and not drive around with the system in the truck all the time. Couple questions about that:

1) What connectors would you guys use for repeated connection/disconnection cycles? Basically I need one between solar panel and controller, one between alternator and controller, and one between battery and fuse block. Three disconnects, lift the box out of the truck, good to go. The fuse block stays mounted to the Drifter, and so does the solar panel, which leads to my second question...

2) This may be the proverbial dumb question, but is there any issue with leaving a panel out in the sun without being connected to anything?

Thanks. Once I have the diagram done I might upload it so you smart people can critique it... constructively, of course.

 

@joeydurango, Anderson style connectors will do what you’re asking.

 

Yeah man, I make some great connections. Some last a lifetime...

 

I used Deutsch connectors mostly, but I did use an Anderson connector (can see it under Deutsch connectors) for the aux fuse panel since I used a larger gauge.

Can kind of see it here (top left)

 

Yeah Anderson, always out there glad-handing!

Seriously, though - I did look up "Anderson connectors" and they apparently make a whole bunch of different types. You using the PowerPole series? SBS series?

Will have to look into Deutsch connectors, hadn't heard of those. My blood's all German, might have to keep things in the family...

 

I have had no problems with navigation but it totally killed my satellite radio. I used this https://www.amazon.com/Bingfu-Vehicle-Satellite-Compatible-Receiver/dp/B07PJVFCYK and this

$16 SiriusXM NGVA3 Magnetic Antenna Mount for Your Vehicle, Black

https://www.amazon.com/SiriusXM-NGVA3-Magnetic-Antenna-Vehicle/dp/B01HRCTD0G to do this today and it is working great so far. I kept the factory antenna and it’s wiring in place in case things change in the future.

 

I still need to do this as well...

Thanks for the reminder furball.

 

The good news is the Solar Panels don’t mind being disconnected from everything. All that power and nowhere to go.

I am also thinking of if a removable electronics panel. I will be interested to see what you decide. I will post my schematic after I do a few tweaks.

 

Thanks! Good to know about the panel.

Yes, I'm pretty interested in making my buildout entirely removable with a minimum of fuss. I don't mind keeping the Drifter, a floor plate, and small hard-wired/hard-mounted electrical items with the truck, but I would like to be able to use my truck bed when I'm not camping. And I would rather not carry extra weight around if unnecessary. Working on the plan so that everything bolts in securely and easily AND comes out quickly.

 

Definitely keep us (me) updated as you prep your buildout. I am also looking to build some bench seats / storage in the bed that are light and removable. Jay showed me his buildout on his personal Drifter. He welded 1/2” steel square tubing and covered it with a plastic laminate. He said it was about 130lbs. Not removable. I am taking on the challenge to make mine removable so I can use the truck bed. I am also committed to having insulation on the bed, which is now a BedRug.

The lady and I have convinced ourselves that the Drifter works quite well down into the teens. Have the BedRug installed now. Camped out at a deserted snopark at 5000’ in Oregon Blue Mountains last night. Yes, it is OK to sleep in your vehicle at a OR snopark. The snowshoeing was amazing this morning.


A little condensation from our breath turned into frost over night in the metal and upper fabric. Way better that’s a tent! You can’t fire up the Mr Buddy and get warm in 5 min in a tent.

 

Curious how you plan on removing/installing the Drifter when in use and not in use. Forklift? Pulley system? Extra man power?

Because it was going to be very difficult for me to take the Drifter off/on without driving an hour to access a forklift, it kinda made up my mind on having a ”permanent” build out back there. Although, everything electrical has a quick disconnect and all the cabinets are fastened to the base plate which can also be removed easily if needed.