The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

I wrapped mine and I would have loved to have the option of powdercoat. Mine was before powdercoating was available.
The nomad I have on order will 100 percent be powdercoated.

 

Why not get it painted or color matched after delivery? Phil said that the Drifter it made to be easily painted after purchase. I have my reservations on powder coating and who does it. There is a lot of hit or miss on quality of who does the powder coating, good prep is key. Also powder coating does not have a clear coat so fade is more prominent over time? I am leaning towards color matching with clear coat after purchase.

 

FYI I got an email from Phil on May 3 re awning options and my revised invoice. It is also true that I replied with another question and didn't get an answer, but he hasn't disappeared or anything. My hunch is he's busy doing what he can behind closed shop doors until non-essential businesses are allowed to reopen.

 

I sent one on April 2nd and a follow up on April 23rd but haven’t received a response. Good to hear they are still working through their backlog.

 

I’ve communicated with Phil on my drifter. Been almost waiting 14 months now. Little bit ridiculous if you ask me but I’m being as patient as can be.

What’s annoying is that my buddy received his sliders a month ago. So sliders are essential and campers are not? I would figure a camper would be essential since you can live inside it and not be homeless during these hard times!

 

A lot of metal fab shops build items for utilities and are considered “essential” for that reason

 

Powdercoating after it leaves the factory really isn't an option. The entire camper would need to be disassembled and that's not realistic. So if powdercoat is something you want, be sure to get it before it leaves the factory.

I would have preferred to have our Drifter coated but we got ours used.

They both have pros and cons.

Wraps are harder to cover the entire camper, fade, crack, scratch, tear, but can be replaced.

Powder is permanent, easier to cover the entire camper, does scratch, harder to repair if it's possible at all.

 

Not to mention comparing businesses is tough considering many are in different locations. Different states have different restrictions. VO is in California which happens to be on the more restricted side of things.

 

I asked Phil a while back why he wasn’t expanding his operation to meet demand. His view was that when you scale up you can lose control of quality (along with many other factors such as becoming a guy stuck in an office all day running a business). The simple fact is that he has chosen to keep his production at the current scale instead of expanding, and I made a decision to accept that condition to get a Drifter rather than something else.

 

I like your (@RangeRick) sentiment... it will help you maintain your sanity (haha). We all chose the Drifter, the Nomad, after careful consideration. I don't believe anyone has been lied to.
It's been a lifetime ago (30 years) when I closed a failing business. After many years it is still painful to think about. So I applaud people like Phil, who have a dream and a vision. Through sacrifice watch it come into fruition and through hard work, pray that is will survive and grow.
VO is honest about their business plans: maintaining quality, keeping a small dedicated team of craftsmen, resulting in satisfied customers, and good word of mouth.
Potential buyers you have been warned.

 

Wanted to throw in a weight comparison on my current setup And how heavy it actually is, when you put it up against a Vagabond Drifter.

Suspension setup:
Old Man EMU HD Kit

285 75R16 Goodyear Duratracs



Pics for reference



Trying to show suspension lift. Pretty much empty bed (Viar is now hardwired in the bed cubby)


Fully loaded with alllll the camping gear




A.R.E CX Classic Series Shell: 175lbs
Frontrunner Slimline II Bed Rack Kit: 60ish lbs
ARB Simpson iii Roof Top Tent: 154 lbs

Total Weight: 389lbs

Thats a lot.

Ive read the Drifter sits in the mid 300's. Which is peachy to me seeing as how I'm already almost pushing 400 without any additional kit.

I went with this setup because i wanted something similar to what Vagabond offers. A slick, """quick to setup"""(lol) off the ground sleeping solution, with the ability to protect gear heading to wherever the road takes you.

But after reading almost every page of this thread, there is no comparison. Im ready to step it up to 'pro level'.

Ive also thought i've got some equity in the shell, rack, and tent. Should help with the down the road final payment.

I'll be placing my order tomorrow. Thinking all black everything sounds nice... lol

Cheers

 

Not so much warned as something to look forward to. Personally for me if the Drifter is made to the high quality like others have reported I will be a happy guy when its over with. Probably will avoid this process in the future.

 

Last time I spoke with Phil I asked him not to expand so far that his product suffered. The craftsmanship is superb and I want it to stay that way. So I rather wait longer for something quality I will have for many years to come than rush it.

I am currently in the process of Cerakoting my Tundra Desert Camo. I will be coating the Nomad to match when it arrives.

 

Wow that sounds awesome, I saw some company cerakoting computer cases and it looked incredible.

 

@Wackyhacky
I've loved my OVS awning. Very fast setup/takedown, self - supporting, and that price point!

 

As far as awnings go I have had the Rhino Rack batwing for over a year. I bought a returned model for $400 and could pass up on the deal.

I love that I can set it up by myself really fast and that the weight is basically the same as a strait awning. 270 is great for lots of coverage especially when camping with a group. It is a really thought out design with built in adjustable support legs, stake slots in the feet, just the right size storage bag, and quick adjustments.

I did learn that you always need to stake it down no matter what unlike some of the more robust and expensive models out there. Rhino Rack intentionally made the pivot points out of plastic so that if the wind grabs the awning it will snap at the bracket and not torq/bend the metal frame/poles. I learned this the hard way when I stopped for a quick lunch and deployed it in what appeared to me a windless day. A weak gust came through and flipped the whole awning over the top of my truck. 2 poles snapped at the plastic brackets. The awning came with 2 replacements and I easily swapped it out right there; good as new.

I have deployed it in heavy storms and windy days and never had another issue since. I don't know how much they go for now but for $400 it was well worth every penny.

 

I have been using sail shade for an awning. It comes in square shapes as well as triangles I have been using, so it shouldn't be hard to find something that might work. It's usually $30-40

I know Hannibal has walls- I have a Hannibal rack/rtt/awning on the Land Cruiser, but the walls are zippered. Seems like sail shade or canvas would be easier to do.

 

Sorry for going off subject... one of my sons has me really considering a vanvan200 (small 200cc hybrid). How are you carrying the bike? Some tow hitch carrier that you could recommend?

 

I actually don't carry the bike around. (I'm still trying to figure that one out myself). Had a friend bring it out.

 

I've done it this way in the past. It is a well enough built hitch mount, but I don't see it as an option for long term use over rough roads.

I do have another solution in process for the Tacoma, but nothing yet to share. All options have their compromise. I can see why some long range overlander rigs carry bikes in the front.