Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Hey man if you find out about the handle covers please let me know I used 2 bottles of lock de-icer last year and had to lube them this year as they were having trouble turning still. I think the covers would be an amazing help to solve the problem!

TBH I didn't even know that they existed before your post ..... thats why I love this chat you can learn everything from major mods / builds to the simple things like handle covers !

 

That is sweet! Did you buy that anchor plate or fab it yourself?

 

you should sell those plates for DIY kits. that's super smart.

 

I want one.

 

horizontal rating is 180lbs

I had a shop cnc the baseplate and got it linexed myself.

The fridge plate or the base plate?

 

Since the Dometic has threaded bolt holes in the bottom, I plan to mount it directly to slides in this pattern. I'm not putting in any extra materials to increase weight.

 

Interestingly, just yesterday I looked at the Bauer site to find covers for the windoor handles as they are a different size than the rear hatch. I could not find covers for anything there.
I could not find my order, but I think Amazon is where I purchased. As an example:

$8 Dust Cover for Bauer Products TC311 / T-311 Locking T-Handles | Lock Sock for Bauer Products T-311 T-Handle

https://www.amazon.com/Dust-Cover-for-TC311-Handles/dp/B00DP4LHTQ

 

@Sinner2

Thanks man I appreciate the link I'll keep trying to track down a set.

 

Well success! I've built what I believe is the first Vagabond bed lift. (Sounds catchy)
So this is a complete new frame made of light weight steel tubing. Its skinned with 1/8 Baltic birch plywood (prefinished) then I added 2 gas struts. Since it is a bit more narrow then the rails, I made 2 mounts that the frame sets in to hold the panel in place and hold up 2 people.

 

Here's a look at the completed drivers side cabinet.

 

Looks good @excav8tor !!

btw did you get a 2.5kw heater? I have the 5kw and its way too overkill

 

Yes, the 2.5 kw. For such a small space it should be plenty.

 

What kind of heater did you buy? Also what did you use on the bed floor?

Setup is sick!

 

The heater is a 2.5 kw diesel/ electric off Amazon (china) nothing fancy, I think it was around 150.00
I figured if it doesn't last long, I could buy 8 of them over time as replacements and still not spend what it costs for the original Espar heater these imitate.
The floor, the first layer over the bed and bed sides I used Reflectix insulation, in hopes it will help some for heat and cold. The second layer is Baltic birch plywood coated with bedliner spray paint.
The Baltic birch came in a 5' x 5' sheet.

 

Very nice work! Do you mind sharing the link to which diesel heater you bought?

Love the cabinet build. Gives me a little motivation to do mine!

 

I couldn't figure out how to get the link, but here's what I got.
And thank you for the compliments, I'm pretty proud of it

 

Fun fact, Lexus GS460 calipers are also compatible with Tacoma's.

This will be my next project on the truck. Big brake upgrade without the big brake kit prices.

 

While my quote post doesn't state it, this Tundra swap details we were talking about is about 1st gens. I don't think the Lexus GS460 calipers are compatible with the 1st gens. If so, please confirm.

@cobes was asking about if upgrading the brakes was worth it on their 1st gen especially after putting a Drifter on. I confirmed with a yes since I first had my Drifter on my 1st gen DCSB.

 

So I have a few nights in the Drifter and the mattress is uncomforable for me. Too stiff since im a side sleeper. Have not slept well in the Drifter yet...

Thinking of a 2" Serene topper. USA made and similar to memory foam but this type wont stiffen and get hard when it gets cold outside. Any thoughts?

https://www.costco.com/comfort-tech-serene-foam-2"-mattress-topper.product.100482550.html

Thinking the queen size since its 80" long and I will just cut the sides to match the Drifter mattress.