Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Wondering if any of you with battery issues are using the CTEK 250S. Several of my friends and I have been using them for years and have had zero battery issues.
https://www.ctek.com/storage/ma/46e...6DCE7B6/D250S_DUAL-Productsheet-low-UK-EN.pdf

 

It's not quite as important using when using a DC-DC charger as you have planned. Your house battery will be a short run from your charger which will give it exactly the voltage it needs. Your only going to be pulling 40A max, probably less, so any voltage loss will just be marginally less charge going to your house battery. I don't think the wire gauge sizing charts are particularly relevant here. There are no appliances being run that would be sensitive to the voltage drop.

 

13 months today since ordering. No word on delivery...

 

Uh, you realize we are all in quarantine, right? Patience my young padawan.

 

Did ~5k miles down to Baja and back with new Nitro 4.56 gears. Absolutely no complaints. I broke in front and rear according to the install directions and changed the oil before I left. I am around 6500lbs and it holds gears on hills so much better now with the auto and 33s. I don't think I'd want to go any shorter gearing for cruising RPMs- 70 is about 2500. The FJ40 has about a 180:1 setup, so I don't need the Tacoma to wheel (much, heh). Though I did pass Johnson Valley on the way up and was imagining how I could fit 37s... that place, and visiting my bud Luke @4x4labs soon after, are dangerous for the brain and wallet.

Mileage was no different that I could calculate, but I am fighting height and weight and that's why there is an LRA and 2 Scepter cans out back for range.

Overall good combo. Would mod with same again.

 

I think the LRA tank is a “must” modification.

I still haven’t regeared the TR00PR yet. I figure it will happen this summer. 35’s and stock auto gears means he’s a dog in the hills, altitude or just plain old flat ground. I’m not a speed demon on the pavement in a truck anyways...

 

I posted this in @JerryW ‘s thread and figured I’d post it here too.

I borrowed his idea and made a few modifications. I couldn’t find any screws that would countersink within the existing screw holes. Instead, I reused the existing screws and some scrap plywood to allow countersinking. I also tacked on a "track" of sorts to keep the platform in line and also keep the tube ends from getting caught on the aluminum angle and pulling the plastic plugs out. This works really well and makes it a bit easier to pull back down into the extended position without worrying about dropping it out of the upper track.

I'm not a huge fan of the platform design with the open tube ends covered with plugs.

 

I don't feel the gap. I've always "cheated" the platform out a few inches to get a bit longer bed platform anyway and have never had a problem. With the long bed drifter, the cab-over is obviously shorter so its mainly just my legs that extend across the gap. I suppose if you hip was right there, it might be noticeable.

 

I’m wondering what size coolers people are using when out camping for a week or what size refrigerators. There’s two of us and I’m just not sure a 50l is going to cut it after adding ice. Thanks

 

45/50s usually are most common.

 

I use a dometic cfx35. It works for 2 people. Solo trips I feel it's a touch too big..I put milk, and perishables in it. Everything else that's dry i store in a tote

 

did you ever figure out your battery problem

 

Not for sure, the auxiliary battery was flat so got rid of the dual battery set up and now I'm just rocking a solo group 34..so far no issues this way.

 

Why are you going to add ice? For drinks?
As noted above, use a tote or something for dry stuff. I only put perishable stuff in the fridge. I've been out for a week often and have never needed more space. I'm either solo or me +1. I do bring a separate small RTIC rotomolded cooler strictly for drinks. That's where I put ice. This system has worked well for me. YMMV.

 

I have a Dometic CFX50 and it's perfect for two people for a week. Just be efficient with your packing - use bags instead of tupperwear etc.

When I go solo I usually put a gallon of water in there to take up space. It keeps the fridge cool longer, which means less work for the fridge compressor (and longer battery life).

 

Hey there,

do you have any pics on how you made your cooler platform attach to the slides?
I like how your platform forms like a sort of tray to save some space

 

Dry goods! It's not as sexy, but it sure makes living out of a vehicle easier. Also, many veggies, fruits, and eggs do fine for a few days in a cooler with no ice.

But to answer your question, wife and I used a 20L fridge and 32L cooler (no ice) while living out of the van. That worked fine for a week or more at a time.

 

Thanks for all the input. It sounds like a lot of people are using a combo of coolers and refrigerators. I have not looked much at the refrigerators yet, but it sounds like I should.

 

Why did you opt for 4.56?

With my Drifter, bumpers and Decked drawers (on 33's), they're suggesting at least 4.88 or perhaps even 5.29's.

Anyone else re-geared?