The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

And compromised quality!! I told Phil I was willing to wait as long as he wasn't going to cut corners to speed things up.

 

So I sent a note on Saturday to the email posted in the instagram. No response as of yet. I am feeling this guys pain in that same instagram reply field :
“While this looks fantastic, why do you continue to promote your product when you can’t or don’t have capacity to respond to customer queries? We’ve emailed, we’ve DM’d and we’ve posted in your @expeditionportal thread. No responses ‍♂️“

I went to website; nothing there. Do not know what to do. Anyone have any ideas about ordering methodology? Or do I just continue with patience and wait for a reply from that email?

Thanks!

Update: received an email from Phil yesterday (2/26). He invoiced me saying 2-3 weeks. Sent in payment this a.m.
Guess I was anxious for nothing....again.

 

If you want to get an order going just use their website to get into the build sequence. Then you can get with the guys at later date to finalize all the options you want or if there's something like solar you want them to add during final assembly.

If you have questions about specifics, read thru this or the build-out thread to see if someone else already posted your question. Or be very patient. Everyone has pretty much had to play the waiting game on responses. I'm sure it has only gotten worse as more and more people are placing orders for these kick ass campers.

 

I believe he already has a camper on order and is wondering about the insulation package. Correct me if I'm wrong, @Sinner2.

Personally I am of the mind that VO would be a lot better off if they would up the customer service game - even if it's promptly copy-and-pasting pre-written email responses to the most common questions. I know they make a stellar product and are doing their best with materials delays, etc - but for folks out there who don't yet have any experience with the product, the abysmal customer service really puts a damper on perception of the company overall. Better to turn someone away with a response than to leave them wondering with no response at all.

Not trying to attack the VO guys at all, they have been great in my dealings with them - once I finally get through to someone.

 

i've learned with my profession that any response at all, even if its negative or empty is better than none at all.

Any type of answer would be beneficial at this point to people waiting. No response only grows frustration.

 

Hey all, I recently picked up my drifter and the frustration is fresh. I'm the army green tacoma www.guidegap.com person who put a lot of visiting guides on hold until I got this thing. It was nice walking around their shop thinking damn glad it's over. It's an area they can greatly improve on.

With that being said... When you get there here is my experience:

1) You are waiting but you are getting something completely custom. I was able to ask Phil for many custom tweaks, choose where I want my power sources, have my power source run from goal zero, get certain items powder coated, have my weboost antenna mounted, have lights mounted and pick where I wanted them. They worked with me to get an optimal setup with Solar. If you have a special build request they typically try and work with you to meet it.

2) You are getting something hand built as opposed to mass produced. Never in my life have I experienced quality that was not mass produced. It even goes down to the new vagabond buttons they they use. I've been living out of this thing for a month and never once was like.. That was cheap or that is a dumb spot for that. These things are built out and a work of art.

3) Everything is completely thought out. Phil is an engineer and has clearly obsessed over this thing for years now. I have not yet thought, oo I would do that differently. It's more, dang that was smart.

4) If you're just getting the shell and that is it, eh maybe not for you. Make the wait worth it and save up money and build it out as much as possible. Think about how you want it. Essentially, it's supply holding them up not labor (I'm assuming). They have the capacity to meet your needs, for a price of course, but make it yours. That's part of why you're waiting.

That said, I know what it's like to wait and have your money tied up. The only thing I can say is it sucks, I had freak outs, sent Phil emails on emails toward the end.

I'm not going to say it was worth it because at times, stress, rearranging plans... It was awful. I will say when you get it you will be extremely happy with what you purchased and it will be one of the most quality items you've ever experienced.

Hope this helps

 

As someone who co-owns two extremely busy companies that hand-build outdoor gear and do everything in-house - and as the person in charge of all customer comms - what you've mentioned is part of the problem when it comes to delayed responses. Things snowball when people are frustrated, and it ends up taking even MORE time than it would have to thoroughly answer all emails right away.

Then again, another part of it is the custom aspect - we've dialed back our full-custom offerings over the years, simply because we can't keep up at our current size. Almost anything custom we currently build is more along the lines of: Here are several options you can pick from, we have a process for each one, it's easy to order them, and it's all streamlined. I do frequently have to shut down folks who want completely one-off items - being honest and up front about what we won't currently take on is a good way to limit superfluous communication.

 

Also the insulation package:

I explained to Phil I was headed north for a few weeks to meet guides in the northern states. It all worked out to where he let me borrow one of their old prototypes until they were resupplied on their final product.

So again this picture shows a prototype, the final has an opening for all three windows - I believe. Phil only did this because I'm annoying and because it just worked out.

I'm only sharing this because... It's a game changer.

I read that it creates an air barrier between the tent and the inside and was like ehhh sounds like good marketing. Holy crap it's true and makes a huge difference with condensation. I use a buddy heater and had condensation issues at first. (I was consistently rained on, off the coast, camping in the 30's or below and use a buddy heater) This package allowed me to do all of that and significantly reduce condensation to a non-concern.

It does help with sound, it helps with wind, it essentially makes the entire drifter a lot more livable at least in the cold. Just like everything else it is quality and measured perfectly.

Again, I can run a buddy heater in 20 degree weather with my fan slightly open and have minimal condensation issues.

If you're looking at a propex, or dry heat system, consider trying out the insulation package first. You may realize you don't need to go that route and you also reduce wind and outside noise while you're at it. I'll put off the fancy heater off for another year or so now.

I'm not going to post more photos or do a video of it yet because it's a prototype and I appreciate Phil letting me borrow it. However, it has made a huge difference and I wanted to share it with you all.

A video will come when I get the final product.

 

Thanks for this thread y’all. I know the repetition of this topic can be aggravating, particularly for the people who already have theirs. I live and work out of my truck at least 2 days a week, AND was hoping to live out of it full time this summer when my husband is on break but that probably won’t happen since we’ll likely be waiting for the Drifter. I’ve tried not to make plans around it for the most part but it’s hard not to plan and dream when a lot of my life revolves around using and living out of my vehicle. It’s affirming to hear people’s positive experiences that remind me it’s worth the wait, AND frustrations to know we’re not alone in just sitting on our hands with thousands of dollars already spent for nothing (emphasis on at this point!). I look forward to the day when I can share in my excitement about a beautiful, custom product. But today after another week spent crammed into my short bed with a cap in sub 20-degree weather I’m sad. Order 201 no end in sight.

and I am stoked at the insulation package and the ability to add that to the order for where we’re at in line for sure!

 

I had insulation in my old FWC and it was indeed a game-changer! I am thinking I'll be adding tent insulation to my Drifter before next winter. Thanks for the review!

 

You're absolutely right, the tent insulation is amazing!

Here are a few pics, but I'll have to take one later that shows the rear window opening:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLc-gOfnqQK/


EDIT: I should also point out that this is not the final version of the tent insulation.

 

Cant wait for a full review! I live where the temps drop 30 below zero in the winter so even with a gas heater I still have condensation issues.

 

I get it's frustrating but managing expectations can go along way to easing them. Please don't forget that there was a huge issue for most of last year that has affected everyone, including VO. Here is what you should know, Phil has not stiffed anyone. He is poor at communicating but the best advice I could give you is order one, read this thread and learn about all the cool sh&% being added along the way, DON'T send a single email but just keep building your want list. He will call when you're number is up and take the time to get you hooked up with everything you desire, can afford and then some. The previous poster was right... these are semi-custom. Phil is locating power ports for me at custom spots, installing the awning, installing solar panel, providing extension panel, and insulation package.

Side note: My 2020 Audi S7 I ordered last March from the dealer, which was promised in 90 days, finally just showed up almost exactly a year later... as a 2021! It's not just VO with lead time issues.

 

could you take a pic of these new VO switches please? I'd be interested in seeing them.

We are having a random issue with our electricity in the drifter it just stopped working ..... no idea why traced the wire its all in perfect shape (man they did a great job routing that and ziptie it in) battery is fine had it professionally tested at a proper shop I genuinely think its the black press / dimmer switches that are done or the whole panel is hooped. Anyways I'd like to see the these VO switches.

Thanks and happy camping !

Edit: I messed up and put my above in the quote, also I shortend the above quote see mbrs original post for the whole thing

 

Ohh I like those but my OCD would drive me mental if I couldn't line up the V's ........

Thanks for posting that up.

 

They can be lined up, but that's just how mine's sitting right now.
I haven't even hooked up my battery yet!

 

Anybody close to Conifer Colorado so we could meet up before I drop cash on pictures ??? I'd really love to see one in person !

 

If there wasn't snow right now, I'd come up to ride Lil Scraggy or something... I'm not far down the road and could meet you in Golden/etc if you want.

 

Need some help, looking for a roof rack to fit a 3rd gen long bed with a drifter. Not Sherpa, remember seeing a small company that was making them but for the life of me I cant find it. Help will be appreciated!)