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Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

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

  1. Feb 28, 2021 at 3:24 PM
    #5241
    Trdooper

    Trdooper Well-Known Member

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  2. Feb 28, 2021 at 4:55 PM
    #5242
    4wdExplorer

    4wdExplorer Well-Known Member

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  3. Feb 28, 2021 at 7:49 PM
    #5243
    OG_BajaTaco

    OG_BajaTaco Well-Known Member

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    Update to the galley cabinet: I started working on the plumbing and got the Renogy solar controller mounted in there. I mounted a 13 gallon water tank under the truck. I piped the supply up through the bed of the truck and into the galley. I decided I wanted the option to use a 12VDC water pump, or a foot pump. That way if the battery runs down or I need quiet, or I just want to conserve the water, I can use the foot pump.

    The pic below explains how I set up the water flow.

    plumbing_keynotes_sm.jpg

    With all the tubes hooked up; water filter seen on the left; foot pump on the floor. There is a (detached) copper tube with valve in the upper right which gets fastened to the framing, and has a quick-disconnect for aux. propane hook up.

    plumbing_01.jpg
     
    surfjones, excav8tor, wkndvbz and 4 others like this.
  4. Feb 28, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #5244
    OG_BajaTaco

    OG_BajaTaco Well-Known Member

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    So, has anyone put an indoor shower into a Drifter yet? This is an idea I've had since I started modeling the build-out and now that I've got it going, I'm super stoked it actually works.
    Earlier in this thread, I posted some pics of the multi-function platform piece that resides in between the bench cabinets. It normally is part of the platform deck, but converts to a table or a prep-counter using the adjustable Lagun mount. Well, now it serves a 4th purpose; as a shower platform. It's not totally finished yet, but I tested it out today and it works as intended.

    In the pic below, you'll see a pair of 250 lb. full extension slides that come out from the base of the galley. These will get fitted with a faceplate that has a flip-down hinged brace that will solidly support the outboard edge of the platform. You can see the flexible drain hose that also comes out from the base of the cabinet.

    plumbing_02.jpg

    The platform sits on top of the sliders.

    plumbing_03.jpg

    Then the pack-able shower basin comes out. It's a PVC pet pool for small animals. It comes with a drain on the side, but it's too high and in the wrong spot. So, I added a new drain in the bottom corner using a PVC bulkhead fitting. To that, I added a 90-degree elbow with a cam-lock male fitting.

    plumbing_04.jpg

    The basin fits perfectly between the galley cabinet and bench cabinet. The cam lock connector hooks the hose right up, easily done from inside the camper with the tailgate and rear hatch closed up.

    plumbing_05.jpg

    I blocked off the drain outlet below the truck and tested it with a bit of head pressure in the drain and no leaks. With the outlet open, it flows nice.

    plumbing_06.jpg

    Here you can see the drain, which has a line coming from the sink as well. It terminates under the truck through a bulkhead fitting.

    plumbing_07.jpg

    This is the shower I'll be using. It's a propane fired portable unit that I can use inside or out. I have a propane valve with quick-disconnect and hose so I can move it around. It's digitally controlled and uses a submersible pump. I can just fill the sink, drop the pump in, and fire it up. It will require venting using the overhead fan and cracking some windows. It will be really nice to have the option to shower inside. Now I just need to find someone to sew up a strap system that I can fasten to the velcro strip that Vagabond installed around the perimeter of the roof; That should provide a nice suspension system for a shower curtain.

    plumbing_08.jpg
     
  5. Feb 28, 2021 at 9:15 PM
    #5245
    smelly621

    smelly621 Well-Known Member

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    It's DLX son!
    I expect not, but damn Daniel you are killing it. Your build continues to be a benchmark of wise consideration and clean execution.
     
  6. Feb 28, 2021 at 10:17 PM
    #5246
    Swatdude1

    Swatdude1 Well-Known Member

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    Nice job!!!! My shower is a little less fancy. I'm using a 1.5 gallon Stainless bug sprayer (with 1.25 gallons of water) with kitchen sprayer attachment and separate thermometer port that I have successfully heated directly sitting on my propane burner. It empties all the hot water just by pumping sprayer one time to 10 psi. My brother is going to make me a 20" x 20" x 3"h 304 stainless pan which I will insert a teak platform in. Not putting a drain in it since 1.25 gallons in a 20 x 20 pan is only .72" deep. Still trying to figure out the curtain.

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Longray-1-5-Gal-Stainless-Steel-Sprayer-SP6A/205553176
     
  7. Mar 1, 2021 at 4:02 AM
    #5247
    PcBuilder14

    PcBuilder14 Well-Known Member

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    Do you mind explaining how and where you mounted your water tank? I understand if not, but I’ve been considering installing a low profile RV tank in the spare tire location and would like to see others solutions to onboard water. My setup won’t be nearly as detailed as yours. I’m thinking that I’ll just run a line from my compressor with a 50psi regulator/one way valve. But I do like your idea of a foot pump for those times you need to be quiet.
     
  8. Mar 1, 2021 at 7:59 AM
    #5248
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    The only thing I’d be weary about with a water tank underneath the bed is the water freezing in low temps.
     
    excav8tor likes this.
  9. Mar 1, 2021 at 8:26 AM
    #5249
    Swatdude1

    Swatdude1 Well-Known Member

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    Anderson likes this.
  10. Mar 1, 2021 at 10:52 AM
    #5250
    Anderson

    Anderson Dudemanbro

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  11. Mar 1, 2021 at 11:56 AM
    #5251
    OG_BajaTaco

    OG_BajaTaco Well-Known Member

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    Thank you!

    I really like the bug sprayer setup or similar manual pump bottle. If I didn't already have the propane shower, I'd be tempted to go with that.

    I previously had an auxiliary fuel tank mounted in the stock spare tire location. I removed it and just used the custom frame and hanger brackets that I already had there.

    I'm not going to worry about using it for temps that low. That's beyond the practical limit for what I want on this setup. Using my battery's amp hours to heat a tank outside the camper is not in the energy budget. If it's that cold, I'll just haul some water inside the camper to get by. The system is small and easy to drain so I'm not concerned about dealing with freeze damage.
     
  12. Mar 1, 2021 at 2:55 PM
    #5252
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    PandaTRD likes this.
  13. Mar 1, 2021 at 4:01 PM
    #5253
    Trdooper

    Trdooper Well-Known Member

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  14. Mar 2, 2021 at 12:26 PM
    #5254
    4wdExplorer

    4wdExplorer Well-Known Member

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  15. Mar 2, 2021 at 1:01 PM
    #5255
    Trdooper

    Trdooper Well-Known Member

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    Moved all the cross bars on my Prinsu rack forward. Figured they would be useless under the drifter overhang. I have been trying to think of something to fit in the now large vacancy. Anyone have any ideas?
    Obviously accessibility is going to be a major restriction.

    20210302_125708.jpg
     
  16. Mar 2, 2021 at 1:03 PM
    #5256
    Scontroneboy

    Scontroneboy Well-Known Member

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    Smittybilt 4x2 Defender cargo basket?
     
  17. Mar 2, 2021 at 1:08 PM
    #5257
    Wackyhacky

    Wackyhacky A Well Known Troublemaker

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    Might be a good spot for foldable table or chairs depending on the envelope you have with the Drifter in place. Just a thought.
     
  18. Mar 2, 2021 at 1:54 PM
    #5258
    Trdooper

    Trdooper Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, I meant this area. It will be under the drifter so getting to the space will be pretty limited. I thought maybe a tray that recovery straps could be snaked in and out onto.

    20210302_125708.jpg
     
  19. Mar 2, 2021 at 3:53 PM
    #5259
    Mista_G

    Mista_G Well-Known Member

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    I don’t know dude. All the 3rd gens I’ve seen with a full prinsu it’s pretty snug. Don’t feel like chopping? And then you’ll have room for a table. I’m sure if you spoke to Phil he’d install one of those front runner table mounts. I’ve never looked how much they are though so...
     
    Trdooper[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Mar 2, 2021 at 11:25 PM
    #5260
    SliMbo4.0

    SliMbo4.0 Well-Known Member

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    Check out some of FrontRunners stuff. They have some things that are meant to fit in a sliding tray. It may give you some ideas of a DIY.
     
    Trdooper[QUOTED] and Wackyhacky like this.

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