Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

which one do you have?

 

I dream of a flatbed bottom that the drifter could be clamped/welded on to...

 

Hey fellas, I just follow this thread, love it. I work in the marine industry and we use VHB tape a lot. It works great for what it was designed for, 3M has many varieties for different applications. I know from experience it doesn’t like high temperatures ie, the sun. Plastic, poly, nylon, it seems it likes a somewhat porous surface. On a installation note, prep is key. We use a 3M adhesive primer, it’s a must.

 

Well, I’ve wanted one ever since I saw Phil’s V1. Now I’m just going to make it a reality.

 

The Drifter version. Or should I say V1 of the Drifter versions.

 

I am working on a little build for the camper and am wondering what your water solution looks like. I would to see a photo of what you have rigged up.

I plan to have two bench seats and have some room for a 7-10gal tank. I am looking to build something similar to Phil’s setup. He has a hose they can reach to tue tailgate and a sprayer. I am not sure if he has an RV pump or uses air pressure.

Any inspiration would be great. I am finding the great Covid shutdown is a perfect time to work on my build. As long as HD is open and Amazon is shipping, I will keep busy for a couple of months. Prior to the shutdown, I was too busy camping to build anything out!

 

Hm, would definitely like to see some detail photos.

 

Curious if you used corner connectors to make the turns for each side of the ceiling...

 

I believe I did a youboob video of it a bit ago.

Here: https://youtu.be/vNqHYWolOZ8

In the video it shows my old water storage solution. I have since upgraded to a Frontrunner tank with a mounting system that integrates with preexisting mounting positions by Goose Gear. The hose is the same though.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNHp5F-d2c4&list=WL&index=9&t=0s

This one way to go. Or like this guy, you can go all out.

http://theroadchoseme.com/diy-4x4-water-tank-pump-filtration-and-treatment

 

I used 3-way T connectors at the corners. I'd definitely recommend a connector, cause there's not much of an alternative anyway.
You just want to take your time making sure the connections are good and don't have much ability to move. My third side occasionally will lose connection for blue or green (I generally only use the warm white or red anyway), which just requires me to reach up and push the joint one way or the other.

 

I decided to build mine around using 2 of the 5gal LCI/Scepter jugs plumbed through an RV pump, so they're still removable for easy filling, cleaning, etc.
Obviously not quite as space efficient as a cubed tank, but I like it this way.

The plumbing runs to a quick disconnect back near the tailgate, and then I usually just have a ~20" flexible Loc-Line off that. When needed, I just swap in a longer hose with a showerhead, or whatever.

If interested beyond that, I can get some pics.

 

I have a 10 gal water tank, water pump, and quick connect on the passenger wall for a shower. Its also how I do dishes.


Removable shelf hides it but still allows me to access it.


External shower

 

Can officially say I made it through the entire thread. The.. entire... thing. Lots of great ideas, tips, and positive feedback and people willing to help.

I’ll be ordering mine soon as my wife gave the ok on the contingency she could take it out with her friends on girl trips... and I paint the house. Seems like a win win.

 

Let us know if you have any questions prior to ordering. I have had mine for 10 weeks now, and camped in it 8 of the 10 weeks - sometimes even in my driveway. The quality is over the top.

 

Follow up to this. I took a picture of the Frontrunner water tank in an empty bed...

 

Annnnd the Goose Gear is now for sale:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/norcal-goose-gear-drifter-cabinet-combo-4500.660004/

 

We Need to Talk about CO

While it is convenient to ignore Carbon Monoxide in the Drifter, if you burn a fuel source in your rig, you shouldn’t. On a recent camping trip to 6,000 feet in February, we decided to boil some water on a camp stove in the Drifter since it was below 20. We opened the tailgate and fired up the stove. Almost immediately, my wife got a headache and was a little dizzy. We shut off the stove and cooked outside. It took 12 hours for the effects to wear off.

Given these issues, we got a CO detector made for aircraft by Forensics Detector. The unit is small and alerts you to lower levels of CO than most. I placed it at eye-level by attaching it to the strap on the Drifter window.


What were the results? Mr Buddy Heater has the lowest concentrations (10ppm @2min) with everything closed up. After some experimentation, we found we could keep the levels at zero simply by placing the heater against the tailgate and opening the vent. The airflow from all the cracks in the tailgate give the unit enough air. You could open the tailgate and inch as well. This setup works well because a heater isn’t any good with all the windows open.


What about the Cook Partner Stove? It generated >50 ppm CO almost immediately with the vent open and the tailgate open 1 in. This is the level at which the alarm sounds loudly. We were able to keep the alarms at bay by running the fan on low. This is a reasonable way to cook inside. You could also open the rear window all the way for an extra margin of safety.


So, fuels sources burning in a small space generate CO. It is a fact of life. At least some minor accommodations will keep the levels in a safe zone (at zero). I would highly recommend a portable CO detector such as the one by Forensics ($99) if you plan to cook or heat inside.

$100 Car, Vehicle, Aircraft Carbon Monoxide CO Detector | Fast Low-Level 9ppm Alarm | Vehicles, Police, Pilots, Travel, Bus, Trucks | Metal Body, Small 2oz |

https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Mon...de&qid=1585962880&sprefix=forensic+det&sr=8-3

 

Question for you. Why did you attach it so high? I have read different comments on this forum that folks should mount the detector at the lowest level because of gas densities or something like that. Your thoughts?

 

Also interested in this, particularly easy setups given my handiness. We had a water tank in our old Vanagon and filling it up was one of the biggest PITAs. We like our easy to fill, two transportable 5gal Front Runner jerry cans with the upgraded spigot, but want to be able to get water leaving it in place (out the window since they are up against the back of the cab) and have not found a solution. We tried a Terapump (below), but the threads didn't fit and we didn't find an adapter. Would love a way to attach a pump/hose so we can leave the water in place in the back of the truck and pull a hose through the window. Anybody have any suggestions let us know.

$76 TERA PUMP 4th Gen TRFA01 Fuel Transfer Pump with Auto-Stop for Overfill Protection (2.4 GPM) Includes 3x Gas Can Adapters, Long Hose, Liquid Transfer Pump for E15, E85, Gas, Diesel & More

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010GNM7H4