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Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Discussion in 'Bay Area Metal Fabrication' started by MTNHABITOVERLAND, Mar 27, 2018.

  1. Dec 8, 2020 at 1:46 PM
    #4761
    kalieaire

    kalieaire i didn't know they stacked sh*t that high.

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    wait, why isn't it just going straight down through the floor? That seems like the easiest solution.
     
  2. Dec 8, 2020 at 4:20 PM
    #4762
    Kclamer

    Kclamer Well-Known Member

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    Easiest yes but if you want to preserve the truck bed then an alternative is to use one of the side cubbies which be easily replaced.
     
  3. Dec 8, 2020 at 4:22 PM
    #4763
    kalieaire

    kalieaire i didn't know they stacked sh*t that high.

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    ok, i'll bite.

    why isn't the heater mounted on the cubby with the exhaust and intake facing outward?
     
    Anderson likes this.
  4. Dec 8, 2020 at 4:48 PM
    #4764
    Kclamer

    Kclamer Well-Known Member

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    Because the forward one has slide out cabinets, the rear one is a utility cabinet. That is just how GooseGear makes it. Just working with what I got.
     
    LTDSC and socalexpeditions like this.
  5. Dec 8, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #4765
    kalieaire

    kalieaire i didn't know they stacked sh*t that high.

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    Just cut a hole in the side over the wheel well.

    The 2005-2013 tacomas all had the cut outs for the mechanical pickers in the factory. For MY 2014-present Toyota no longer required the cut out for the mechanical pickers. So they removed the cubbies from that location. It won't physically compromise the bed and you can always buy a replacement cubbie from any of those former model years to put it in the hole you cut.
     
  6. Dec 8, 2020 at 5:06 PM
    #4766
    JasonLee

    JasonLee Hello? I'm a truck.

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    I've been thinking of this since I have a BedRug from the earlier, cubby-hole bed Taco in my 15 which doesn't have the cubbies, so there are empty spots where carpet should be covering the bed.
     
  7. Dec 8, 2020 at 5:13 PM
    #4767
    kalieaire

    kalieaire i didn't know they stacked sh*t that high.

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    I would just cut it. A lot of folks who got a topper like the vagabond ended up just sealing away those cubbies anyway since they're a source of dust, dirt, and mud. You can put an 1/8" steel or aluminum plate over it and paint it with high temp spray paint. Though TBH, the exhaust coming from the heater doesn't really hit past 240F. Just slightly above sea level boiling. The exhaust run doesn't even need to be really long either. Everywhere I've camped has had a decent enough breeze. Any places that didn't have a breeze, really didn't need the heater.
     
  8. Dec 8, 2020 at 11:29 PM
    #4768
    cobes

    cobes habitual line-stepper

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    What kind of padlocks have people been using for the lid?

    Also, best awning options for off the back?
     
  9. Dec 9, 2020 at 7:15 AM
    #4769
    JasonLee

    JasonLee Hello? I'm a truck.

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    I haven't locked mine up but will start when I move back to "the big city" in a few months.

    Awning for just off the back seems to be the small ARB. Keep in mind that this one doesn't have a room/wall option - only the 2m and 2.5m ones do.
     
  10. Dec 9, 2020 at 8:25 AM
    #4770
    SenatorBlutarsky

    SenatorBlutarsky Well-Known Member

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    I live near downtown SLC, not the most dangerous city, but a city nonetheless. I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't be able to figure out how to open the lid and I haven't even thought about locking it. With that said, I'm guessing most standard locks would fit on there just fine. I can try a few on my drifter if no one else has an answer.
     
  11. Dec 9, 2020 at 8:33 AM
    #4771
    JasonLee

    JasonLee Hello? I'm a truck.

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    The issue I wonder about is with the lock rattling around, what to wrap around it to protect the aluminum or powdercoat if you have it.
     
  12. Dec 9, 2020 at 8:56 AM
    #4772
    cobes

    cobes habitual line-stepper

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    Sweet I'll check out those. Once the awnings are on are they generally staying put or can you take them off easily?

    I know you mtn bike as I've seen you at PCMR and around, and that is 50% of the reason I got a drifter in the first place. A solution that always has a bed set up and something I can lock my bike inside. Around town I'm not too worried, but when I'm on roadtrips where the bike is with me but I'm away from the truck for a day surfing or canyoneering or wandering around whatever city is my biggest concern. Obviously nothing a pair of boltcutters can't handle but its just the deterrent idea. I'm going to be mounting an bike axle lock to a carriage bearing on some 80/20, and hiding all the bolts or grinding the heads off as I did in my current setup. I'm just paranoid. I had a bike stolen from the back of my truck once so I know that if they really want it, they'll take it. I'm hoping having it out of sight and everything is enough. But I'll also have a dometic and yeti 1500x back there on trips and I just dont want any of it to get nicked haha.
     
  13. Dec 9, 2020 at 8:57 AM
    #4773
    cobes

    cobes habitual line-stepper

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    My rear bumper is currently partially wrapped in gorilla tape so I'm not afraid of janky wrapping solutions haha
     
  14. Dec 9, 2020 at 9:00 AM
    #4774
    PcBuilder14

    PcBuilder14 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure how willing people are to drill holes in their camper, but somebody made this for a GFC that I'm sure would work for a Vagabond.

    GFC_Lock_Kit – TruckParts.Parts
    [​IMG]
     
    mcb-2018-trdsport and cobes like this.
  15. Dec 9, 2020 at 9:03 AM
    #4775
    JasonLee

    JasonLee Hello? I'm a truck.

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  16. Dec 9, 2020 at 9:04 AM
    #4776
    cobes

    cobes habitual line-stepper

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    Thats nifty. I feel like a lot of people wouldnt even realize thats a lock

    Truthfully I wish there were just some internal latch/stopper that you could reach in and keep the lid from opening. That may be my first add-on if I can figure out something simple.
     
    SliMbo4.0 likes this.
  17. Dec 9, 2020 at 9:07 AM
    #4777
    PcBuilder14

    PcBuilder14 Well-Known Member

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    That's a good point. A lot less noticeable and one less lock key to have to worry about.
     
  18. Dec 9, 2020 at 10:02 AM
    #4778
    MapJunkie

    MapJunkie Well-Known Member

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    I just bought a couple of these for the Drifter. They fit nicely and are held away from the camper pretty well. I only plan to use them in urban environments. One of the things I like about the Drifter is that it blends in pretty well if you don’t install too much on the outside (photo from downtown Portland).

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-...-Lock-with-1-in-Long-Shackle-630DHC/100137147
    D90A737C-5EB2-4761-B4BA-928DC7C9097B.jpg
    391CCA56-CE6C-477D-80E0-F8B05417EF06.jpg
     
  19. Dec 9, 2020 at 11:50 AM
    #4779
    tyfoon11

    tyfoon11 Raguel

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  20. Dec 9, 2020 at 11:54 AM
    #4780
    SenatorBlutarsky

    SenatorBlutarsky Well-Known Member

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    Haha, nice! @Overlanerd @Iggy @tyfoon11 Do I get free swag for my sales work around SLC?!

    Sounds like you're thinking about a similar solution to what I've implemented. I lock my bike and skis inside all the time and feel pretty good about it with the window covers since no one could tell what's in there. That said, if the lock adds peace of mind then go for it.
     
    tyfoon11 likes this.

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