Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Mine was an already assembled, all in one unit so the LCD controller is on the front casing.

(birds eye view of the galley)

 

Yes, I have been running a Mr Buddy, but the condensation is unbearable. I have to open the tailgate a crack (1”) to keep my CO detector from going off and it takes a long time to get warm with all that cold air flowing in. Cheap solution until I get my Propex installed.

 

Has anyone thought about installing a Propex in the wheel well? Phil mentioned this concept when I picked up my Drifter, but I don’t think he has implemented it yet.

I did a proof-of-concept fitting with cardboard and plastic ducting. I made a box with the same dimensions as the Propex and routed the ducting through the cubby.

I think it will work, but it is going to a challenge designing and fabricating the bracket to hold it. I think I can mount it using the threaded bosses for the cubby.

Is this a good idea? The main disadvantage I can see is that any maintenance is going to require lots of work to remove the unit from a very tight space. I love the idea of getting dry heat without taking up bed space.

Now, if I can just find a Propex HS2211 unit in stock. Van-cafe has been out of stock for months.

 

I haven’t done any research at all, but with the propex being propane, can someone speak to the reliability in higher elevation and the possible condensation it can produce? These are the two main factors I went away with the buddy heater and with both units being propane, wasn’t sure if/how those problems are eliminated with the propex. The propex has a hefty price tag so I assume its a non-issue, but clearly don’t know the science behind it.

I purposely made the area where I have my diesel heater - the same dimensions of a propex l, should I feel the need to upgrade to one.

TIA

 

Yes, this is what I'm thinking, but you're farther along than I with your CAD (Cardboard Aided Design) fitment testing.

Maybe @Coop68 would be interested in having a batch of brackets bent up and powdercoated since he's getting into the #wedgelife soon (not a Drifter).

 

Why not just put it under the truck like @Iggy has done?

 

Is there anyway you could please pull the dims. of your heater for me?

Edit: Found online, all good.

 

MJ do you find you ever need more than the 10 gallons?

 

Iggy’s design uses his spare tire location. Because I am running stock tires (by design) I would like to keep my spare in the stock location. Try as I might, I can’t find a large enough spot to mount it in another location under the vehicle with the spare tire in place.

Here is @Iggys install.

 

Based on my research, the Propex eliminates the condensation issue because it has completely separated combustion intake / exhaust vs camper intake and hot air output. The problem with Mr Buddy is that the combustion takes place inside the camper using camper air and exhausting inside the camper. Someone did the math and determined that this could release many oz of water if you ran it overnight. The exhaust of a car also has lots of water (steam sewn on a cold morning) for the same reason. Carbon Monoxode is also formed if there isn’t enough oxygen in the camper, hence why the windows have to be left partially open.

Propex draws air in from outside through a 1” pipe and sends the exhaust outside through a 1” exhaust tube. The CO and condensation issues are resolved.

Because Propex uses propane, it burns very cleanly. From what I have read, people don’t any issues with sooting up even above 12,000 feet elevation. The diesel and petrol heaters have to be adjusted to use at elevation because they don’t burn cleanly and have carbon deposit issues that will cause them to fail.

So, I am sold on Propex. I just have to figure out where to mount it.

Above is a diagram from Propex that gives an idea of how the separate heated air vs exhaust systems look.

 

That makes me feel like buying the HS2000 ("indoor") one and just making a removable box inside the truck for wintertime and remove it otherwise - and just route the 1" combustion in/out hoses through a cubby lid.

 

Bed Extension

I got my bed extension yesterday and I am impressed with the new materials. The old design was fabricated out of the same materials as the bed platform - strong, but not visually pleasing.



The new design uses a thicker composite and looks better. I have been using a small piece of plywood as an extension. Unfortunately, I could only use it in the middle of the platform due to its lack of strength. This VO platform will work at the rear of the platform and will be easy to tuck under the bedding when not in use. This will preserve maximum interior space.

Does anyone with a new Drifter know if the bed platform now follows this new design with the 1” thick composite? I would buy one if it were available.

 

this is somthing i am going to look into later once i get my wedge camper.

 

i was at VO a few weeks ago and was shown the new bed platform that is the new materials /design

 

I waited months to get mine from VanCafe. I wound up mounting mine under the bed of my Tundra. I cut a hole in the bed sidewall for return, which will just be open to the space, and cut a hole the bed just in front of the wheel well for the supply. I will duct the supply to a vent mounted in the front of my couch/dinette. I also found some clamps that allow you to crush the stainless pipe so I used that for both exhaust AND intake instead of the blue silicon included. The intake pipe that came with it was easily crushed and didn't want to chance that under the truck. They also just show the intake as open, but I added a foam filter with virtually zero restriction to keep the AZ dust out. Just waiting for my Nomad to duct so it doesn't fill with rain water.
https://www.suremarineservice.com/Heat/Propane-Heater-Install-Parts/W337-390.html
https://www.suremarineservice.com/Heat/Propane-Heater-Install-Parts/1320220A.html

$22 uni Two Stage Pod Filter (Straight Mount / 1" X 3)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GZKZZY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/THE-18101

 

Propex is good to at least 10,000 feet. Both the Propex and the Diesel are INDIRECT heaters. That means the combustion occurs "outside" and uses a heat exchanger to transfer the heat inside. Condensation in the conditioned space is non-existent. In fact, in winter the air can be really dry when heated. Your breath won't even be an issue.
And please don't be like the tent camper bros. Make sure and duct your supply AND return on your indirect heater. Your propane tank will thank you.

 

The propex can be mounted in many different positions. I kept my spare and went in front of the rear axle. Not sure about the Tacoma but inside the fender would have worked too but more difficult to mount.

 

Definitely recommend the Propex. Stage two game changer just behind the Drifter. The dry heat it cranks out is the greatest thing ever after spending the day in the cold.

My sweet lady is currently working on sewing a thermal pack for the tent which is based on this homemade FWC one https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/5269-building-an-arctic-cold-weather-pack/
I’ll report back when we finish it up and get some snow days in with how it’s working in case anyone is interested in a new Drifter project.

 

i worked a bit with gage martin @gmartin284 from https://martinor.com on a DCSB drifter rack, got it installed today, really happy with how it came out, as much as i know you can mount small stuff up there, i am working on less wind noise, and in the couple drives today it seems to have helped - at least in my head. it will fit 2nd and 3rd gen - he also has a DCLB rack too (i added a

$11 Premium Automotive Door Weather Stripping – Rubber Edge Trim Seal Strip with Side Bulb – Ideal for Cars, Trucks, RVs, Boats, and Home Applications

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ANO6RVI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

contact him at gtmartin284@gmail.com for more details

 

glad to see more options!