The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Anyone recommend a platform to sell one’s drifter spot? Pretty sick or waiting and just gonna build my own or buy gofastcamper. Company said there is a wait/lead time of 12 months... dont believe it. That being said... put $ down in October 2020.

 

Probably right here, offer it up.
It is frustrating but the last 12 months have been something none of us could have ever imagined. Who would have thought right?
Good luck, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

 

Might do the same man, was lucky to get a hook up through AT overland and will probably go with a summit instead, I put my reservation down July 2020

 

I’ll buy someones spot pretty soon here.

I will also add I have seen just about every camper in person, and there’s only one I’d buy over the Drifter...and it costs 4x as much. Ya’ll selling your spots to buy a GFC are just like those cheaping out and buying 5100’s, only to waste money and be unhappy.

But hey, what do I know. I’ve only seen/been in all of em.

 

id never buy a GFC, id rather spend the extra cash and get a summit if i am to back out of my spot

 

I've seen both and I passed on a Summit, but I'll keep my reasons to myself. The only camper I have yet to see in person is the Super Pacific one.

I understand the wait is brutal - I sold my spot and took the chance to find one second hand (and God really was on my side).

 

Honestly I really would want to give vagabond a chance and thats why i chose them over everyone else but some of us aren’t fortunate enough to just wait longer than what was promised. I have my reasons as well, as we all do. No one wants to have to sell their spot but thats just how life works.

 

One of these days my family is going to outgrow the current set up (or the truck dies - whichever happens first). I’ll then sell the Drifter and will need to buy someone’s spot to buy a LB Drifter (or Nomad) - kinda like what @tacomgee did. Yes Vagabond wait times are shitty, but camping is a lifelong thing for us and all we have is time - might as well get the best shit on the market, right?

But for now we’re still enjoying the set up. Haven’t been on a trip in two months, but still doing plenty of day trips so we can get out in public and still be away from people because COVID.

 

we have both a GFC and a drifter (brought second hand) we use one more then the other for a reason. one breaks, has QC problems, and isn't as well designed as the other - nothing like being on a trip and hoping nothing happens..... one is a rock solid work horse that we never have to worry about.

 

By "hoping nothing happens" do you mean doors falling off, water leaks, dirt and dust covering everything in your bed, not being able to retrieve things from the side of the bed because there's bars in the way.......?

 

“things falling off” - bugs crawling in the ill fitting gfc tent - etc. seems something happens every trip we have taken it on.

it fulfills a need and at this point its the devil we know - and we have it set up pretty good right now - but its no drifter thats for sure. the drifter is smartly designed and is a beast to camp with -

 

I want to add a skybox on top, but the only place I can mount it is towards the middle/rear of the camper (panel in front).

@tyfoon11 , do you know what lb struts you guys use?

 

IIRC they use 175lb stock bc I had upgraded to 200lb after adding solar panels and cross bars for a snowboard rack. But they can put in heavier rated struts if you request it - like if you knew off hand you’d be adding more weight to the roof at the time they build yours

 

Ah yes. I was thinking 225 for me, but not sure if that's enough. My top doesn't go up on it's own lol. #flacidpoptop

And yes I knew that; I have to install them on this current drifter. Seems simple - Unzip tent fabric, use long rod to prop it, pray it doesn't fall lol.

 

I have a 3rd gen tailgate seal since I bought it used and needed one for the 2nd gen. If you can’t get a hold VO for a 3rd gen replacement let me know.

 

These days its 200lb for bare roof campers and 225’s with fan/ roof tracks. Can go up to 250 tho

 

Thank you brother for the reply. I’m ordering 250# struts that match the same lengths as the “OEM” right now! No more shoulder presses!!

 

Can/Do the 250’s have any effect on deflection or compromise at the mounting points?

 

Shouldnt make a difference if the load on the roof with heavier struts is the same weight as a bare roof with lighter struts.

@d.shaw did share something interesting with me though, I’ll let him explain if he chooses to.

 

IDK about that...a 250 has more push force and requires more pull force to close (bare roof). It’s a stronger strut to ease in opening and holding up the load on the top right? I believe there will be more pressure and stress on the mounting points (opening and closing). This is why I asked Jay the question. Of course this could already be considered in Vagabonds engineering and 250 is the max without effecting the integrity of the camper (or premature failure around mounting points) . I can’t remember how the struts are mounted, maybe Vagabond even has reinforcements for the mounting points with the heavier struts .
I’m wanting the heavier struts as well for the times I do want to haul stuff on the top, just want to know what I’m buying into before going that route.