Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

started my interior build. Had a place CNC a piece of ply and then sent it to the local linex guy. Next up I'll try to figure out what I need in terms of cabinets and fridge location.

 

In did a review on my Strawfoot rear cover recently. I am a huge fan. The adhesive had no problem in the 125 deg we had in S Utah this summer.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pragmatic-overland-build-vo-drifter.638732/page-2

 

I’m going to add some heat to the Drifter. A propane fueled “fireplace” made by Dickinson Marine, for sailboats. It’s called the Newport P9000. You may have seen the ZR2 Bison with Alu-Cab camper on YouTube that has one of these installed. I studied the options; diesel or gas-fired, or propane, forced air units, or even the trusty old catalytic heater. After looking at specs and reviews for everything, this little fireplace was my favorite. Similar to the forced-air box furnace types, it is a direct-vent appliance so it brings in combustion air from outside, and exhausts the flue gas outside; no air is exchanged inside the living space. Here are a few bullet points that make it a good fit for my particular application:

• I have a small area to heat (maybe 250 cu. ft.) The output for the P9000 is 3200-4500 BTUs. By way of comparison: Buddy Heater (4000/9000 BTU), Propex HS2000 (6500 BTU), Webasto Air Top 2000 (3100-7000 BTU). My camper is insulated in the places where it can be, and I just want some supplemental influence on thermal comfort; I don’t expect it to be super warm.
  
  
• The P9000 does not require electricity to operate. It ignites manually, and has a small 12VDC 2-speed fan that is optional to run if you want to circulate air, but it’s not required.
  
  
• I will have a single 105AH auxiliary battery with 200W of solar panels. It is not uncommon for cold camp conditions to be coupled with overcast days, so conserving battery power is important to me. The forced-air units require power draw for the controller, thermostat and fan. The Propex HS2000 specs state 1.6A while operating and 0.04A standby. That’s sort of like having 2 fridges running at once, if your like me and also keep a fridge on board. I like the idea that I can supplement dry heat to the Drifter without using any electricity.
  
  
• Related to above, it is possible to provide heat with no (fan) noise.
  
  
• Sealed (direct vent) unit, so no condensation issues like the catalytic heater.
  
  
• Runs on propane. I decided this would be my fuel of choice for cooking / heating. I’m not concerned with the potential altitude / temperature related issues for my particular situation.
  
  
• Very frugal with propane. Runs 7 hours on 1 lb of propane (low) or 5 hrs (high). The Propex runs for 3 hours on 1 lb of propane (adjust these specs for altitude). I have a single 11 lb. Propane cylinder, so this is a plus for me.
  
  
• Perhaps the thing I like most is the ambiance-factor provided. Enjoying the flicker of flames from a tiny fireplace inside the camper.

 

Very Cool. I have been waiting to see one of these adapted to the Drifter ever since I saw that Alu-cab video w/ one. Good luck & anxious to see how it turns out.

 

I love the Dickensian unit, but couldn’t figure out a good way to cut a hole for the vent tube. Where are you thinking of sending the exhaust? I am currently leaning toward a Propex mounted under the pickup.

 

You should ask Phil and Iggy about the propex setup they have been working on. I think they may sell it as a kit? I’m not entirely sure though.

 

Thank you. We'll see it if it works.

That is certainly the main challenge with this project. Dickinson provides a semi-flexible stainless steel direct vent that is a tube inside a tube but you can't bend it in a tight radius. The outer tube is 2.5" diameter and used for fresh air intake while the inner tube is 1" diameter exhaust. The inner tube is held in the center position by a spring coil that goes between the two tubes. The distance from the top of the heater to the location where the vent needs to penetrate the Drifter wall is very short. So, the plan is to use a short section of the tube, fitted to a modified / custom piece that will be attached to the camper wall using flanges. I'll have to create a 3" hole in the Drifter. On the exterior side, the flange will provide a mounting surface (sealed weather-tight to the camper) with mounting studs. When the heater is not in use, a low-profile cap will be attached at this spot. When the heater goes into service, the cap comes off and the remaining length of the Dickinson flexible tube will get attached. It is rigid enough to hold shape while being able to extend out and away from the side of the camper slightly. Dickinson provides a special flue cap fitting with separate inlet/outlet rings for intake / exhaust. This will go on the top of the tube. So, if all goes as planned, this exterior "chimney" will be removable and stowed when not in use.

 

When I was living in a minivan I had the same experience as you with Velcro. What finally seemed to work the best was glueing strong magnets to my window and then glueing/taping magnets to my window covers. They lasted an entire year and probably would have lasted longer but the van died. I even did every other polarity on the magnets so it would help put them on easier. At one point I would just toss the cover towards the window and it would snap in place!

 

do you need the window? mine was replaced (@Anderson could shed more light) - by vagabond with a 'whiteboard' type material

 

I wish Vagabond would just give the option of a solid rear door, like AT Overland does.

 

I think your wish is about to be granted then... I mean, I had a solid rear door on mine, and VO installed it. All you gotta do is ask.

I also think next years Expo West will see some cool new VO options!

 

I mounted my Propex under the Tundra bed and it tucked up under there nice and tight. Surprising how compact it is. I drilled the duct holes in the bed and caulked the fittings in but still need to run the ductwork and intake/exhaust. I came through the wall with the return hole and put the supply in the floor in front of the wheel well. When I do my couch/dinette, will duct it to the front base panel of the couch. I also routed the propane hose out to a quick-connect on the side.

This week I am getting SDHG rock sliders and traction bars plus 4.88 gears and an E locker. I was waiting until this was finally done because I didn't want to chance them crushing the duct work with all the action going on under there.

Wish I was skilled enough to use sketch up. I am doing an 18" deep-34" tall counter on the left side with a sink and dometic burner. My National Luna 60L Fridge/Freezer will be elevated so that the top of the lid is even with the counter also installed on the left. I already ordered the 8020 for the fridge base. My house battery will go under the fridge. There will be a 20" aisle and then a 65" x 24" couch on the other side with a Lagun Table mount that can be elevated to 34" for additional kitchen counter or used as a dinette. A 15 gallon water tank hides under the couch. My wife hates getting out of tent/camper on a 40 and below morning to make coffee or cook breakfast so one of her requirements was that we were able to do that inside in the warmth of the Propex.

This is my Nomad staging area. Please hurry Phil... my wife has other plans for the second bedroom.

 

Very cool. We are working on some similar things. I'm also planning for a full-height cabinet on left, with a sink and burner, using 80/20 for framing. I've had a heck of a time finding a single burner that looks decent, though. Yours looks really nice. Please share your model # if you don't mind. Seems like Dometic is out of a lot of stock when I was looking at their built-in cooktops and sinks recently. Did you have any issues getting it? I also have a Lagun table sitting here waiting patiently to get involved. No fridge in the Drifter for me, though. It lives in the Xtra Cab.

 

Lagun Table FTW!

 

That's awesome! I bought this... https://pantherrvproducts.com/dometic-smev-hb1320us-euro-single-burner-rv-propane-cooktop. It has been out of stock for months. I actually had a link that I OCD'd checked several times daily. Finally, after 4 months of that I called them and asked when they expected them. The person said "I think we have one left in the back... let me check." They did and I snagged it.

I wanted a burner that had a glass cover like my sink but they were all too big for both to fit in a 30-inch long counter and still have a bit of working surface.

 

I like the 9722R. It's for my Habitat build. Haven't quite gotten around to installing it, but it has a glass cover for increased counter space, plus it covers the controls so there's no chance of turning the gas on by accident.


But maybe the HSG 2445 is more your style? @OG_BajaTaco



regarding stock, you have to to be creative in where you source it:

These are Chinese copies of the Dometic stuff.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-Carav...-Combo-Cooktop-Tempered-glass-US/402464371250
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-Carav...Sink-Combo-With-Glass-Lid-US-STO/392963262071

They ship it from China, which takes like 3-5 weeks. Once it gets to their distributor in Rowland Heights, they ship it to the end point in the USA. It's the same thing with all the Cheap Chinese Diesel heaters.

 

Oh man, I love that! Your build-out has definitely been an inspiration. It's got soul.

Lucky! Yeah, you scored for sure.

Thanks for the ideas. You've got yourself a nice setup for your Habitat. I've seen the ones from China that you linked... but I'm not interested in those. I'm pretty set on the sink I want, so will probably go with a separate cooktop vs. all-in-one. I don't really need to two burners, but if that's what I end up with, I have one from K&H bookmarked. It has pretty good reviews and carries an ETL / UL listing for USA and Canada. Also ships from Florida. You're right about the control knobs and I'd secure them with a cover.

K&H 2 Burner 12" Built-in LPG/Propane Gas Stove Top Glass Surface Cast Iron Cooktop UL/ETL Certified 2-GCW-LPG

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HCLBYF7/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

 

Still plugging away on the interior build out. This cabinet has shrunk down in size, but will actually have more stuff in it . It will have a sink, faucet, 8 gallon water tank, water pump, diesel heater, blue sea electrical power panel and room for some storage. Whew. I'll post up more pics soon!

 

Yes please, more pictures. This is a very high quality build. I like your steel frame design and sink! I thought about going with steel, but then let my cabinet-builder friend talk me into Baltic birch.

 

I had a previous build using Baltic birch, it's a very high quality plywood, but unfortunately very heavy. It will absorb any moisture present and will eventually mold. I chose to go with thin walled steel tubing and thin aluminum sheets with a minimum amount of wood ( counter tops and shelves)