Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I have glass windoors and haven't second guessed the decision. I was never going to consider mounting anything to the outside anyways(you can only mount so much weight to a windoor with gas struts). I like having the visibility to look out thru the glass.

On a side note, being at elevation in Colorado, the sun is intense and having the glass actually helps warm up the Drifter inside on those cold morning trips. That intense sun also helps dry up any condensation I've had, minus a small roof section where your feet are.

 

i have solid gullwing doors and love them, and @Anderson https://totallyradproducts.com will soon have a mount to use on the outside of them, also i need to get off my butt and mount mine -

 

If you were to supplement your current insulation build, you can always purchase Thinsulate or PrimaLoft by the yard. The insulative batting is exceptionally lightweight and compressible. It can help further reduce heat transfer, though it is pricey from ~$8-$15/yard for the prequilted stuff.

Cool, where does the return ducting?

 

Propex propane is your friend. Any propane or diesel INDIRECT heater will dry the air in the space-driving the dewpoint temp up. Condensation only happens due to the humidity in the air and is related to the dewpoint. If any surface temperature is colder than the dewpoint temp INSIDE your camper, condensation will form. Also, hanging insulation over the tent material will not prevent condensation. Humidity moves through a space quickly and efficiently. Humidity will move through Thinsulate way faster than heat will, unless you use a vapor barrier, which I would not recommend in this application.

 

I got my baseplate Line X'ed today. Quick 15 minute process. Found a place to do it relatively cheap for me, $70. Others wanted 2x more.

I'm searching for a slide for my ARB50 fridge.

Anyone know if this brand is any good? Thinking about purchasing this one since its competively priced and I do not want to pay an arm and a leg for a slide.

$199 ICECO Slide Mount for JP30 JP40 JP50 Portable Refrigerator, Freezer Slide(Not suitable for JP42 & JPPro Series)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8

 

@alldownhill Beautiful set up. I have something similar, with a wooden spin on it.

Love the ideas of the Bungys. Where did you get the mesh pockets?

 

Looks fantastic!
I sealed mine with Flex Seal spray sealant/adhesive. Has a similar texture to the line-x but I bet that's way nicer. I'll be curious to hear thoughts on that fridge slide as well, the ARB one is just insane how much it costs.

 

I got a few different velco mesh pouches from Amazon, just search that term and plenty should show up. I have since removed the mesh pockets as I didn't find them particularly useful and the velcro wasn't quite strong enough for day to day use.

 

It is not easy to take off the drifter - that might be a deal breaker. But if you are okay with the drifter being on all the time, then this is really about the interior build (or not). We've had ours for 2 summers and have never built it out. We have a bedrug and individual pieces (we are not handy, and GooseGear was $$$$ than we wanted to spend). It's worked fine and while we leave most of our stuff in it because we don't haul much, we recently did unload it and it took about 5 minutes. We have a chuckbox (a beloved campmate...see pic), a dometic fridge, a few front runner boxes and some soft sided moutainsmiths for our clothes (not shown in picture). We are changing it up this next year with some homemade built-ins we inherited but they are not a permanent install and we are going to weigh the tradeoffs. So, while people do AMAZING builds with interiors, many do not. We'd get the Drifter again in a heartbeat. Hope this is helpful.

 

Ours are not glass. Wouldn't change that at all. Like the privacy for changing clothes when needed and have thought about mounting stuff (though haven't actually done it). We've taken the truck into some pretty overgrown roads and don't worry about scratching/damaging glass. I actually like the fact it blocks the sun (maybe this is why I live in Seattle?)...our dogs stay cooler during their afternoon naps.

 

I used the existing drainage holes from the front and installed Rivnuts in them, and purchased 2 extended bed bolts for the rear.

I did not want to drill any holes in the bed at this time.

 

Nice work
Do you plan on recirculating the intake air from the Drifter? How are you running the ducting to your inside space?
What's the size of that Ridgid box? Do you have a link?
Did you put the original fuel tank in another container for spill protection?
It's an interesting idea to have all the noisy stuff outside (fuel pump and Fan)

 

Currently I just have the box with the intake as well as the exhaust both outside.
I only have the hot air going into my campershell through a dryer hose.
I did put that extra fuel tank in another container to catch the spill. There is a way you have to modify the fuel tank so it doesnt spill but i havent been able to figure that out yet and this solution just gives me more peace of mind.

Exactly, all the noise is outside. can still kind of hear it but I like that I didnt have to drill any new holes and I can use it when i have friends camp with me and we need to use a tent.



Heres is the link to the toolbox:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...y8qdDNbYgbji5B1vMwhoC_b8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Im not sure how to multi quote, i posted the details of the box in my other post above.

As for the return duct, im thinking of running a longer hose into the camper so i can recirculate the air.

 

That is a nice toolbox very well built. Unfortunately, my fuel tank is almost 16" tall with the cap (10Liters).
Did you find a different smaller tank or did your heater kit come with the small tank you are using?

 

Where are those strange beehive houses?!

 

Wildrose Charcoal Kilns, Death Valley National Park
https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/historyculture/charcoalkilns.htm

 

Good grief, this is amazing!

 

What kind of battery setups are yall running? Looking into either a renogy hybrid gel battery or splurging for the lithium. Id need to have both solar and ability to charge it while the truck is running. Only planning to run a heater(during winter) and fridge. Maybe a cpap but I already have a large lithium battery for that.