Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I finished up my base plate today. I used 13 ply Baltic Birch. I had some remnant vinyl in the basement that I used for the flooring. The front and middle bolts were long enough, but the rear bolts were too short. I tried to find the correct length and what I found was m12 x 1.25 x 6" was hard to find and at least $20 a bolt, so I used grade 8 3/8" x 6" with a locking nut. I think it worked out great. I used 3/8 ply in between the ribs as spacers. I maybe should have used metal, but I had the ply. The hardest part was milling around the bed stiffeners.

I'm looking forward to the cabinet build out this winter. I'm still working on the layout. I know it's individual, but what do you'll think is the most functional setup? I'm working around my RTIC 65 cooler and Thedford portapotti. I'm thinking water tank near the cab and maybe a sink/table above the cooler.

 

Just my $.02, but I would really push for having a fridge > cooler! My Dometic CFX40 is the single greatest thing I have bought for the camper build - I love not having to worry about my baseplate getting soaked from a cooler. Seriously kicked myself for not buying one years ago.

One more piece of advice I could give is keeping the hallway wide. Build up rather than out.

I would take a look at @MJonaGS32 's build that I believe incorporates a fridge can toilet (going off memory)!

I pulled some pics for you

Here is @Eazy.E setup


Here is @tacoburn327 setup (please tell us about the latches and panels you used)!


Here is @MJonaGS32 setup


Here is my setup. I’ll be adding a toilet next week under the bench seat in the passenger front corner.

 

I will echo that 1000000000% no more digging for ice, grey meat, and 24/7 cool beverages. i run mine 24/7 and would say its the best mod on the entire truck.

 

Digging the floor though nice work.

 

Ordered! Will be to the house tomorrow. Will probably just wire up a temp setup so I have solar camping and can then just move the major components inside when the Drifter comes.

I also noticed your Yamika control rack (I think?) Had one on my last shell and loved it. Sorry I'm pretty much copying you when I get my Drifter lol.

 

Do you have a sink and stove? Any pictures?

Mike

 

That's nice looking work!

 

Nice work! Mine is not nearly cut as nice as yours is. I'm gonna use 4 mounting bolts instead of 6 like you did.

For anyone with a fridge slide, what do you recommend? I want to install my fridge at the right rear of the bed. I want to use the fridge as a stepping platform to get up into the sleeping area. So the slide needs to sustain my weight plus the fridge. I stood on my fridge last night to test if it can hold my weight without damage. My weight did not phase the fridge at all. Not sure if anyone uses their fridge to get up into bed?

Any recommendations?

I gave up on an full interior build out since I use the bed of my truck a lot to haul crap. Just want to install a fridge for now on my baseplate.

 

I used to in the 1st gen before I moved the fridge to the front of the bed on the passenger side. I haven't missed using it as a step that much but the girlfriend does a little bit. I wanted to clear up more standing space while the bed was deployed and it accomplished that.

 

Sorry saw this after I put away to stove. But yes, sink and stove is inside the camper.

 

Do you regret not adding a stove?

 

I thought about adding a stove into the countertop, but realized it would be a pointless expense since I always carry a Coleman stove with me.

 

I'm go back and forth for my build. I have a nice stove, but I've spent alot of time with a buddies can and it's nice not to have to set up and take down.

A minor inconvenience.

 

I’ll have to see where I can add it in the next build. Are you talking about the Dometic stoves that sit flush with a lid?

 

Something along those lines. How do you have water to your sink, foot pump?

 

Pesticide sprayer and a line to the faucet. Jump pump the sprayer. Bulletproof and honestly works really well.

 

Also update on the new mattress situation. I sent pictures of the Vagabond foam to North America Mattress to have them recommend the best alternative. Little more expensive than I hoped.

This quote us for 80” x 48” x 4”, which is one inch taller than the current Vagabond mattress. That’s why there’s also a quote for the covers.

I will get a quote for a 80” x 48” x 3” for those who want to fit it into the mattress covers you already have.

Here is the pricing:

 

Is the mattress different for the short beds? I forget the measurements offhand.

 

I believe they are both 80” x 48” x 3”.

I’m hoping to get just the mattress foam for >$350 shipped and use the stock covers to avoid paying for new ones.

 

Let us know how you like it! I may pull the trigger on a better foam as well.