Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

So, I decided to just go ahead and install some flush cabinet latches. I wanted something that wasn't too imposing, would be flush when closed, and would match the aluminum finish of the cabinet frame. After a lot of looking and reading customer reviews, the best thing I could come up with was the Southco "Point Push to Close" latch with a satin finish. They are spendy at $50 for a pair shipped, and they are still plastic made in China. I'm hoping they'll hold up. Once installed, they satisfy the look I was going for, but the operation isn't as elegant as I'd hoped. They are noisy. But they work.

Unintended consequence: My cabinet face with the epoxy design now sort of looks like a face. LOL.



With knob out:

 

Not a bad argument for hybrids, but I can't see it ever working out that simply...

They don't have that logic built-in from the factory do they - to just start the engine anytime the battery gets low?
And I can't picture stingy Toyota ever putting a 2kW inverter in the Tacoma.
Plus, I'm sure the terminals would somehow be completely inaccessible, or shielded behind some arbitrary 30-pin harness or circuit board. Not to mention, they'd probably want $3500 for a replacement battery when that time came.

Meh...
Feel free to call me pessimistic about it, but I'd say it's more realistic.

 

The thought has crossed my mind before, but I never really gave it much of a chance.
That's a system that I just want to stay 100% passive, personally.

But given your interior work, I'd definitely be interested to see your execution if you decide to go for it.

 

Looked into the same idea. Not sure the weight/additional components would make it worth it for my situation.

I think I will just buy another external solar panel that I can wire up and direct towards the sun as needed. Keep things as simple as possible. I also live in Nevada and need to keep everything as anchored down and wind resistant as possible lol.

Would be cool to see one work like the automated home ones on the stands and follow the sun somewhat.

 

Here's the roof on mine, I made a tube steel brush guard that the solar panels set into. Hopefully this will protect the edges of the panels from tree branches. The steel feet on the rack have rubber isolators between the feet and camper to eliminate vibration.

 

Just use the quick release brackets, plug in an extension cord and place them on the ground and move them every 30-60 min as you're chasing the sun:
http://www.smarttouringsystems.com.au/store/p20/Quick_Fit_-_Solar_Clip.html

 

It would work the same way remote start works. Your Hybrid engine management system automatically determines when the engine should turn on.

It's like any hybrid camping. You put the car into the on position and you go to sleep. The engine starts up in the background whenever the battery is low.

Remote Start puts the car in the on-position with the doors locked so someone can't just walk into your vehicle and steal it while you're sleeping at night. While you still wouldn't use electricity to heat the camper, you could run a diesel heater, your fridge, and an electric sleeping pad.


Also, the 2021 Sienna was supposed to come with a 1500watt inverter, but because of the microchip shortage, that feature is being pushed out to 2022 or 2023. But yes, they're offering a sizable inverter for their new hybrids. Things are changing, they just need more people yelling at them to make the rest of them.

 

Do you think the roof rack will reduce the output of the solar panels too much? Most solar panel output drops 50% if even 1 leaf shades the surface.

 

I don't use a roof rack, and that's one of the reasons - in addition to the aero concerns, and the plain fact that I don't want to lift stuff up there all the time. The only thing on my roof is the panel and the factory-installed fan, as pictured...

 

One leaf? Whoa! I put mine under a Yakima wide bar thinking it would only degrade the ability to charge by the percentage covered. Here in midwest I need as much solar availability as I can get. That is the first I have heard of this. Seems I will have to reinstall it back on top. Thanks.

 

It depends on what time of year you camp. In S Utah, tilting in the summer give you only 10% extra juice. However, tilting in the winter will give you 75% more power. I am finding in WA, solar in the winter doesn’t give you any power, no matter the tilt. Too cloudy. Even in Eastern WA.

 

Panels only work if the juice is able to flow uninteruppted through the entire circuit. Most modern panels have at least one bypass diode - essentially two circuits in one panel - but if something is hard-shading even a small part of one circuit, that circuit won't be live. Hence, a leaf cutting the panel's output by 50%.

Some nicer panels have multiple bypass diodes. Some cheaper ones have none. No shade is the best way to go regardless...

 

I'm just going to use my panel to charge some lights that I'm just going to shine back on my panel. Unlimited power really

 

Kitchen drawer project.

I think this is the last thing I can build before actually getting the drifter installed. At least it's the only project that I didn't need drifter demensions for.

I used 1/2 plywood to build the box; using the baseplate as the bottom side. I used a pocket hole jig on alternating sides to mount it to the baseplate. 1/2 plywood for the drawer itself. All with wood glue, Brad nails, and some screws to hold the thing together.

I originally tried a plastic slam latch first but it broke the first time I closed it. The metal one is far stronger. The strip of tailgate seal keeps the whole thing tight and rattle free.

The internal organization was home made copying TrekPack. I used corrugated plastic and Bobbypins. It was super easy and I highly recommend it.

 

ordered my drifter this morning Can't wait to out fit for weekends towing my Fantic to AHRMA Trials events around the country ! Time to warm up my drafting table and design my interior .

 

I'm slacking hard with my Tacomaworld involvement these days.

Here are some recent photos of my homemade buildout.

 

Made this cool little adjustable cook light for those late night beer drinkin' carne asada cookin' hang outs! It's on a telescoping pole mounted to my swing out using one of my (so many extra lights) I had laying around.

 

My most important thing for my interior is a comfy place for miss Zelda to be happy !

 

Very cool. Do you know any place that stocks these in the U.S.?

 

probably hit up Phil and team. They are a dealer for STS (they carry the awning brackets for sure)