The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

My sliding window does indeed drop down! Perhaps the older vs. newer version Drifters are different...

 

Whaaaaaa? I’m perplexed

 

Whoa really? Figured it would slide and fold down. Weird.

 

Don’t quote me yet. I might’ve gotten an OG slider since mine is older. Or I just dont know how to use it LOL

I have a tall cabinet in the back that’ll prevent me from folding anything down

 

Brother: That interior is amazing... I have got to get off my big fat a_ _! Using my "Get out of Jail Free" card by saying "remember imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

 

I'll ask Phil about the slider window and if it also drops down when he calls me back...

In the meantime, thanks for the info. Very helpful. Except now I have to come up with the extra dough for the powder coat. Also, I now have the "VO powder coat dilemma": White is the most practical, reflects heat, looks... ok I guess... black looks SO COOL!

 

I guess the struggle of the powdercoat color is probably in direct correlation to the fact that if you have a white truck, it’s pretty difficult to choose any other color than white...

 

What’s your location? If you’re in SoCal I don’t think weather will be a factor and would necessitate the PC. Although don’t get me wrong, it makes the Drifter look bad ass. But my broke ass can’t justify it here in NorCal. I’ve had the Drifter for a couple yrs now and I don’t see the aluminum shell deteriorating one bit

 

@JasonLee had a slider rear window before switching to just a regular drop down. I believe it slides and also drops down like the other one.

 

My sliding cab window also drops down.

 

I mean... my tires are black.

 

I'm in SoCal. Near the ocean, so there's that. Damp here at night, but nothing like NorCal. The only issue is that if VO powder coats it, it'll be done the right way during the build, as opposed to afterwards or a wrap or something. And yeah the cost.

Anybody know of a pic of a white or silver top and black base?

 

It has been done a few times. Check their IG page.

 

As Anderson said you wont be able to mount traction boards to the window but it is possible as you mentioned to mount L-Track to the camper above and below the window and mount them over it. As you said it would stop you from opening the window but if you got the Maxtrax quick release mounts then it wouldn't be too hard to remove them to open it, although you'd then have to find a safe place to store them while off.

All front (cab) windows are drop down now, MJ has an early version.

Awnings - more involved question:

270 degree Alucab is awesome, super stout and easy to open/close. but downsides are it is heavy, bulky and permanently mounted. it is too heavy and applies too much leverage on the mounts when open to be used on a detachable mount.

Personally I'm more a fan of separate side and rear awnings. The FrontRunner or comparable awnings can be mounted on STS quick release brackets so it can be used either side and even the rear. The setup I like is a 4 foot hard mounted to the rear and a 6 foot on STS brackets that can be switched from driver to passenger or stored inside/on the roof on tight trails.

Powdercoat is a personal preference thing. Bare aluminium is actually quite durable - it will oxidize and look a bit darker/mottled over time but this layer of oxidation actually becomes a natural protective layer on the metal. Powdercoat looks great tho, and in my opinion is easier to keep clean. White is obviously the most reflective and therefore will be the coolest interior in the sun. I went with black because it looks great on a MGM truck but wish my Taco was white so my camper could be as well... the white on white with white interior looks super clean in my
opinion.
Wraps are hit or miss quality wise and tend to peel/gouge quite easily, as well as varying considerably in price.

Welcome to the club!

 

Yeah, attempting to powder-coat one after the fact would likely not go well. VO uses heat resistant adhesives/tapes etc on the PC ones vs on the bare ones.

 

I'm pretty much in the same situation as @Kclamer , was supposed to be getting mine installed right when everything got shutdown. Mine is VO#113

 

That's actually bad news. I thought they were up closer to the 150s, where mine is. Seller said I had a "May build" but that it would probably be July or August under the circumstances. Sounds like even that's wishful thinking. Of course Phil can't really speculate and I know he's doing everything he can. Damn virus.

 

I dont know my order number as I ordered by phone and paid by PayPal. Ordered 3/28/2019 if thats any help. Phil said they are still building but there may be delays because of the powder coat shop and they will not do installs until the stay at home order is lifted in CA. Was supposed to be done with the build by 4/13 and by end of March Phil was still saying they would hit that date.

 

I believe the rear window originally had an option for slider or non slider in both fixed and drop down. Can't imagine why you wouldn't want the drop down! I wish my cab had one too lol.

@joeydurango I built my interior using the factory rails and slotted around the clamps. I can still access them to tighten the clamps but have to remove the cabinet lids should I need to remove the camper completely. I like not having as both of a gap between the wall and the cabinet (with insulated walls)

 

go grey and white top