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Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

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

  1. Aug 26, 2021 at 3:17 PM
    #5801
    snwbrdr852

    snwbrdr852 Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely, I bet most people in here have many times. That's the natural place to start, and exactly where I did like 20 years ago, haha.
    While these campers are amazing, don't be fooled by instagram into thinking that they're necessary in order to get out and camp, explore, etc. Just throw a $20 air mattress in the bed of the truck and take some blankets or a cheap sleeping bag and enjoy.
     
  2. Aug 26, 2021 at 3:33 PM
    #5802
    SenatorBlutarsky

    SenatorBlutarsky Well-Known Member

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    If you don't have a sleeping pad, you'll probably be better off on the ground to be honest. I think the ridges of the truck bed would be more uncomfortable than a good patch of ground.
     
  3. Aug 26, 2021 at 4:40 PM
    #5803
    Swatdude1

    Swatdude1 Well-Known Member

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    What he said on the air mattress and get a cheap tarp from Home Depot. Close the rear doors(or front) over the tarp stretched above the cab. Then duct tape it where needed on the fenders and tailgate for rain or privacy. This is what I will most likely be doing for the Overland Expo in Flagstaff since my Nomad probably won't be done in time.
     
  4. Aug 26, 2021 at 4:48 PM
    #5804
    RealLeisure

    RealLeisure Well-Known Member

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    I appreciate all the advice! I already have an air mat for camping so all I'm missing is a tarp, but everything you all said is what I wanted to hear. If I camp this way anytime soon I will definitely provide pictures.
     
    Damie Street and snwbrdr852 like this.
  5. Aug 26, 2021 at 5:36 PM
    #5805
    Kclamer

    Kclamer Well-Known Member

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    I have a lot of experience camping while hiking/ mountain climbing and I can tell you that if you dont have a roof over your head it gets really cold at night, even in a sleeping bag. A tent without a fly has been a no go every time i tried. May not be a problem in California in the summer though.
     
  6. Aug 27, 2021 at 9:07 AM
    #5806
    Swatdude1

    Swatdude1 Well-Known Member

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    Actually this reminds me of another point... if its cold, you need a mattress with a high R-value. If you use a regular air mattress in the bed of a truck in cold temps you will freeze your a$$ off. I actually use one similar to this and sleep like a rock on it... not cheap though. Actually it's cheaper than an Exped but has full foam so probably has an R-value close to 16.
    https://smile.amazon.com/foldable-mattress-portable-folding-bed/dp/B07FD7RBXR?dchild=1&keywords=4"+foam+trifold+mattress&qid=1630080215&sr=8-9
     
    Kclamer[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Aug 27, 2021 at 9:38 AM
    #5807
    RealLeisure

    RealLeisure Well-Known Member

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    I have a decent sleeping bag (this one, I think), not sure how to determine the R--value for it though.

    https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cab...eneric|AllProducts|High|SSCCatchAll&gclsrc=ds
     
  8. Aug 27, 2021 at 9:58 AM
    #5808
    trashrose

    trashrose Well-Known Member

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    Anyone know what's up with Strawfoot? Bookmarked when I first ordered and checked in a couple of times the last few months. Seems like they're not producing covers anymore?
     
  9. Aug 27, 2021 at 12:03 PM
    #5809
    rob1208

    rob1208 Well-Known Member

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    hes been active on instagram. try reaching out on there?
     
    trashrose[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Aug 28, 2021 at 9:58 AM
    #5810
    Swatdude1

    Swatdude1 Well-Known Member

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    Your body weight will crush the insulation on the bottom of every sleeping bag resulting in very little R-value on the bottom. I'm into lightweight backpacking and use a Enlightened Equipment quilt with SeatoSummit air mattress that has an R-value of 3.2 for 3-season use on the ground. The metal in your truck bed will be colder so you need some thick foam under you. Also, if you go thinner foam you will need to snag a 1/4" piece of mdf or cheap plywood to lay under it since as one other poster mentioned, the uneven surface of the truck bed will be uncomfortable.
     
    RealLeisure[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Aug 28, 2021 at 12:19 PM
    #5811
    RealLeisure

    RealLeisure Well-Known Member

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    This is very inciteful, thanks a bunch! Staying lightweight and mobile is key in all my planning so I will take note of the items you mentioned... again thanks a lot.
     
    Swatdude1[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:24 AM
    #5812
    MapJunkie

    MapJunkie Well-Known Member

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    I purchased something from Garrett in the past month. Seemed busy, but sent the order out promptly.
     
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  13. Aug 30, 2021 at 8:37 AM
    #5813
    Twizted

    Twizted 1GR FE

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    stock af, but hover if you think you disagree... RV living: Vagabond Drifter (6' bed) Custom bed cabinet buildout 175w Renogy solar panel 40a Rich Solar MPPT solar controller 1000w Wagan Pure Line inverter Lavaner Pro 2kw diesel heat exchanger Suspension/wheels: Toytec Aluma 2.5 front shocks with resis 13x700 coils (soon 14x700) Toytec Aluma 2.5 rear shocks SPC UCAs Deaver Stage 3 rear leaf springs Wheeler's 3 degree axle shims Wheeler's U-bolt flip Wheeler's Super Bumpstops 18"x9" XD Monster (x5) 275/75/18 Cooper ST MAXX (x5) EBC Stage 3 pads/rotors Electronics: Kenwood DNX773S iDatalink - Maestro RR Stubby Antenna No-name Switchback LEDs Hella Sharptone horns (no relay) Relocated backup camera w/DIY bracket Armor/recovery: BruteForceFab Rear HC w/swingout BAMF Sliders (DOM, 10 degree w/kick out, rattle-canned) BAMF IFS Skid (BAMF powder-coated) BAMF Mid Skid (BAMF powder-coated) BAMF TC Skid (BAMF powder-coated) BAMF LCA Skids (BAMF powder-coated) BAMF Rear Diff Skid (early model, powder-coated) BAMF CMC Plates US Offroad Winch Bumper Smittybilt X20 10k synthetic rope winch Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners ARB compressor w/air-up kit DIY cowl snorkel ARB rear air-locker Interior: Husky Floor Liners (F&R) Rear 40% seat-delete Hinged fridge platform in place of rear seat Exterior: CaliRaised Low-profile Ditch Light Brackets CaliRaised Side-projecting LED pods CaliRaised Faux TRD Pro Grille Morimoto amber LED fog lights One-of-a-kind 1GRFE plate (second iteration) Removed: OEM Bed Mat CaliRaised bed molle panels
    One night this past weekend:

    57.9 at my head
    51.6 at my feet (in the wedge)
    52.8 on the floor of the truck bed
    47.2 outside


    IMG_20210827_213811.jpg


    No fueled heat source.
    Vagabond installed lower insulation in addition to their tent insulation package.
     
  14. Sep 14, 2021 at 10:26 AM
    #5814
    TacoS2017

    TacoS2017 Peruvian_yota

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    to many
    It's been a while since my last post.... let's start with owning a drifter from @vagabond_outdoors is a game-changer, I don't know what I was thinking before, why did I wait this long? I liked my old setup but..this is something else. Set up time 4 secs, insulation, light, fan, etc. It was well worth the wait for it. Thank you @Overlanerd @MJonaGS32 @trdnugt and my homie Ricardo GreenApple for helping me with ideas and build #happycamper...about the decals: those are the Nazca lines from Peru (Google it) #CHIMPUN!!

    20210913_191412.jpg IMG_20210913_212914_496.jpg IMG_20210913_212914_416.jpg IMG_20210913_212914_474.jpg IMG_20210913_212914_485.jpg IMG_20210913_212914_493.jpg
     
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  15. Sep 14, 2021 at 8:23 PM
    #5815
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    Drifter wedge camper, Dual battery, OBA, ARB locker, 4.56 gears
    bad ass! :cheers:
     
  16. Sep 15, 2021 at 3:36 PM
    #5816
    MountainRecipe

    MountainRecipe Well-Known Member

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    Looks sick. How do you like the megamat? Does it ever get annoying to fold back since it isn’t two pieces?
     
  17. Sep 20, 2021 at 5:12 PM
    #5817
    Trdooper

    Trdooper Well-Known Member

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    A little crude but cheap, easy, awning mounts. Worked great on the most recent trip.20210809_160906.jpg 20210809_160926.jpg 20210915_080426.jpg 20210915_080437.jpg 20210918_113727.jpg
    Note to anyone making their own. Mount the rear one far enough forward so the bag closure at the back of a 270 has space.
     
  18. Sep 21, 2021 at 4:12 PM
    #5818
    Kclamer

    Kclamer Well-Known Member

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    Finally got my rear suspension dialed in perfectly! With the Drifter and GooseGear it took Dobinsons 1000lb springs, SuperBumps, a Sway Bar, BP-51 shocks set to 6 for compression/8 for rebound, tire pressure at 46psi. Now the truck drives like a dream.
     
  19. Sep 21, 2021 at 4:16 PM
    #5819
    socalexpeditions

    socalexpeditions IG: @socalexpeditions

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    You chalk tested at 46 psi cold?
     
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  20. Sep 21, 2021 at 4:58 PM
    #5820
    Alexk3303

    Alexk3303 Well-Known Member

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    Any insight how you settled on all the gear? I wouldn't mind beefing up my rear suspension and making the ride a little better
     
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