FAQ: When will I get my Drifter? How long are people waiting?

I love my Drifter. Worth the wait and build quality is top notch. Had it for almost 2 years and it’s perfect!

People need to be creative and select zero options so they fork out less money in the beginning. Then 1 month before the build starts add the options you want. This is what I did and worked out great and saved me couple thousand waiting for 1+ years.

 

It was a long hard wait for sure. The only thing I would have done different is put my order in earlier. For sure its not perfect but I know I’ll get those minor problems fixed. I have made up for lost time and continue to improve and drive this truck hard. All I can add is, use this time to improve your truck and plan your routs. When its installed use it! Photo is on the RimRocker trail.

 

Yeah, that’s a good idea. We ordered in January 2020 so we ordered when 12 month leads were still a reality. I don’t understand really why they require 50% if they’re not actually building the product until a month or two in advance.

 

What Phil really needs is a CNC Laser Cutting machine and a brake. Aluminum panels seem to be the bottle neck. Who wants to start a go fund me???

 

Just really sick and tired of people coming on here and rubbing it in our faces about how great their Drifter is and how they've had it for years..... KIDDING!!!!!!

 

If they could move all machining in house and eliminate bottle necks…One day.

 

Hey, I’m not complaining. All you lucky people who got in line before me remind me why the painful wait is worth it when you post about your Drifters, so don’t stop!

 

Agree. Despite my being an ungrateful whiney-whiney-baby about lack of contact, y'all posting your builds is about the only thing keeping me stoked!

It's a shame to see the "Vagabond Drifter Build Out" thread go so quiet recently with the lack of campers being put out.

 

Man, I want a Drifter so bad (design is great, located in CA, price is fair), but I don't think I want to mess with the wait time. With GFC turning campers around now in a few months, is anyone thinking of going that route? The V2 looks pretty sweet, but I still think the Drfiter is designed better and I don't really want to drive all the way to MT from socal if there's snow involved, but I'm really leaning that way. Anyone else in the same boat?

 

Tempting idea, but will wait out the drifter…already 17 months into the process and have leaned forward with the Goose Gear buildout in anticipation, committed at this point.

 

Another member out here in Colorado just got a new “a fixed up and improved design” GFC and then promptly sold it… I don’t think they are comparable products other than both being a wedge camper.

 

Colorado here. I have a down payment on a Drifter with a TBD completion date (at least another year, I'm assuming). I bought a V2 GFC in order to have *something* to use for the coming year and then plan to just sell it, which I am assuming won't be too hard with how bananas folks are for wedge campers these days. I ultimately plan to shift to the Drifter for a number design-related reasons, despite all the ridiculousness of how the company is run, so I can give some insight:

GFC: Pros:

• Lightest all-in-one wedge camper out there. Sub 300lbs
• Short wait time that you can actually count on. You schedule the install date down to the minute, show up and they are ready for you with a full team in Bozeman to install and send you on your way. No faffing about with vacation time wasted and install-dates pushed back. The guys I've met are really nice, for what it's worth.
• Don't have to pay for powdercoat
• Extrusions for mounting gear are stock, at no extra cost.

Cons:

• Chintzy-feeling construction compared to the Vagabonds I've seen in person. You can literally flex the doors in your hands when they are open. The roof is a honeycomb composite that I would be hesitant to stand on despite claims of its sturdiness.
• Aforementioned honeycomb roof (which they also use at Super Pacific) lets light through. Might be a pro for some people, but it means no sleeping in past sunrise!
• Front window is super small, for some weird reason. I think it's a remnant from V1 of the GFC, but it really annoys me.
• I'm 6'2" and it's a tight fit in the bed. My toes touch the roof - Super Pacific and Vagabond both give a ton more length.
• With that length you can get out of bed without having to pop out a panel if you don't want in the Vagabond. You have to in the GFC, (or go out the side of the tent if you have a ladder).
• No customization aside from color (a few choices), roof bars, windows on camper and windows in tent. Vagabond obviously goes FULL custo' from day one if you're willing to pay for it.
• GFC extrusions are proprietary, which requires proprietary nuts to mount things to it. Annoying.
• There were a lot of reports of hinges nuking on the V1, but that seems to be solved with V2. Hinges seem reasonably robust, but the ghostly fear of something else blowing up still haunts those who remember.

If you're looking for something on the West coast, check out Super Pacific too. They were designed around the 3rd gen Tacoma and have a 12 month lead time right now. I met the founder at Overland Expo Mountain West and he was really cool and passionate about his product. The build design felt really rugged and it does the "cabana" doors like the GFC in a way more sturdy way, allowing you to even mount things on them. It also has a bigger bed and comes with the (IMO) the best mattress you can reasonably use with a wedge, the Exped Megamat. Tons of extrusion all around for mounting accessories inside and out. I didn't love how you have to use a weird skirt in order to install on a 2nd gen.

 

And they have already had their 3rd price level increase at around $12,000 base... still dealing with leaking tents, something going on with the hinges because the lids won't close straight down, damaging the anodized clasps, terrible fit on non-3rd gens, and so on. They have a good overall design, but in my mind, way too early on in their business for their current price point for dealing with things like leaking in the rain.

 

Closest one to design imo without having seen either in person is the at overland summit with a current lead time of 9.5 months. Still longer than my current lead time. Anyone have opinions or experience with them? Located in Colorado.

 

I have seen the Summit at an Expo when they were first introduced; a nice looking option and seemed well built. Almost went that way, but went with the Drifter because I prefer the solid sheet aluminum construction rather than the laminated and bonded panels used by AT on their campers.

 

While I'm in Prescott, I have an appointment to check out AT offerings tomorrow since I haven't been able to see them in person before other than seeing the outside parked on the streets. Their products aren't the right fit for me currently, but I do keep up with all the offerings and issues with the other brands in case I ever get my own shop space and make my own combination of features I like (basically a low thickness overhang Drifter but parallel roof like 4WC, wider top that better fits the Exped Megamat I've been using, and a solid metal rear door like AT has instead of aluminum framed glass. Overall, the Vagabond is the best on the market (for my parameters of shell-type, low weight, well designed), but would like a little more bed space for the Exped.

All of the AT offerings add too much height that once I don't fit into garages, I may as well get a Kimbo (and a full-size truck)

 

My opinion is they are a reputable company that makes high-quality products and communicates with both current and prospective customers in a timely manner. For these reasons I put a deposit down on my Summit back in June of this year for an April 2022 install.

I looked at all the available options at the time and chose the best one for me. Yes, there has been a price increase(I got in before that- lucky me!) and they are a little taller. I will say this- there has been ONE delay since my order was placed and I received an email from Mario(the owner) with a full explanation for the 3 week push-back. Janine(I'm guessing their communications person?) has been great with making changes to my order.

JasonLee, I would be interested to hear your thoughts once visiting the shop. I understand your issues with their campers- I just want to know what you think of the business itself. Thanks!

 

Don’t think you will be disappointed, Communicated with Mario by phone and text numerous times and met up with him at Expo East in 19’. He was eager to work to get what we were looking for and the camper was top notch.

 

My problem with the AT stuff is they don’t increase sleeping space (48” width) for the full size stuff.

Imagine having a full size truck and still getting that tiny 48” sleeping space…

And the Vagabond quality is still better. But hey no 2 year wait time is a pro!