Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

That is the most awesome sink i have ever seen. I bet the Mrs. would love some hot water!

 

Last nights camping spot was perfect!

 

That is the same burner I have. Now if my Nomad would just get here. I got as far as I could with the 8020 Base mount for my National Luna 60L. Want to build this part too but am concerned about clearance without being able to have the camper here yet.

 

I'm curious about 8020 aluminum. How much does it roughly cost to build cabinet system with it? I'm trying to figure out if I want to use it vs. plywood Thanks

 

Ah sweet I found these pics! Just bought a road shower and I'll install it the same way.

@tyfoon11 , do you remember if those are just standard l-brackets or arb awning brackets that the road shower is bolted to?

 

It seems cheap as you are adding the pieces but it adds up quick, especially if you are paying for machining like I did. My fridge base cost $375.00 (!!!!) but I used the 1.5" extrusions and did the counterbore fasteners which are like $4 each. For my counter I am going 1-inch and using lower cost fasteners or doing my own milling with a drill press.

 

You can use fasteners that don't require machining. Tapping the ends is pretty easy by hand if you want to use corner blocks.

 

Dude I got mine in 4 days from China lol

 

Got the heater almost ready. New fuel lines, fuel filter, clamps, 1x2 mounted under front for tank to be at an angle, etc. Still need to tap the fuel cap and wait for the longer exhaust to come in. Took about 3.5 hours of work. I’m just slow.

Forgot to take quality pictures, but here are some potato pics of when I started up the heater and the water from straightening out fuel line was burning out. Second picture is of the exhaust pass through.

 

Someone mentioned not long ago in this thread that the Drifter walls are curved and "plan accordingly". I found that to be true and had to shave some aluminum off the front corners of my framing to get the benches to go all the way to the front. I have the tops framed so they cover the clamps. Not sure if the Nomad has curved walls as well, but this is something to consider. Maybe just do your frames such that there is a little wiggle room and some adjustment available where they meet the side walls of the camper.

I went the budget route on the majority of the fasteners but had all my pieces cut at the factory, and I ordered a few extra (long) pieces for custom cuts I figured I'd need to make for adjustments. With shipping and tax, it was around $750. That doesn't include any of the birch plywood, wood finishes, or L-track studs for my floor (another $200 or so). And then there's latches, hinges, and slides.

 

Looks like a lab test! That's gonna be sweet to have heat

 

The heat is on! Finally got it fired up today. I think she approves.

 

Condensation report:
I spent two nights this past weekend in overnight temps in the 20’s.

The first night I only had the rear window flap opened at a corner and folded over a few inches. Woke up to damp tent walls on the inside and sleeping bags were damp where they touched.

The second night I opened the rear window about 4” all the way across, and both side windows were opened about 3” on the rounded corner. Virtually no condensation in the morning, but it was also a bit windier.

At this point, I’m not sure what path to take moving forward. DIY tent insulation package or/and a heater.
I feel like I would need to run air ducting to the small end of the wedge to avoid condensation there as most of the airflow is blocked by the comforter/sleeping bags.

(two humans and a ~30 lb dog)

 

Holy smokes what is that rocketship? That heater looks awesome!

And do they offer it on eBay?

 

Haha... yeah, ready for take off. We'll get a chance to test it camping this weekend. Ebay? Not sure. Definitely not China... you have to deal with the Canucks for this one. I got it from Go2Marine.

 

Does anyone have real world usage of the Dickinson Newport propane fireplace being efficient or putting out enough heat outside of Baja/coasts where there is significant altitude?

...this unit will heat based on an average climate it’s installed in, the altitude being sea level and a well insulated area...

 

What model is this unit?

Any pics of the vent from the outside?

 

I also have issues with condensation at the far end of the wedge. No matter how warm the tent gets the warm air doesnt want to fill that space.

 

Just for anyone doing this on a budget that has never worked with aluminum, you can buy a non-ferrous table or skill saw blade that will cut the extrusions. Just keep in mind the cut ends will not be anodized.