The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

there's always an alternative

 

This was our 3rd summer with the Drifter and I agree the mattress is not very comfortable (is any camper mattress?). We tried the Exped and it was too tight on the sides, it got a rip and we had to inflate it multiple times during the night. It fits, but is very tight. Returned to REI and got another competitor as they were out of the Exped (Nemo) and it just kind of sucked...it has more air and one of the valves busted and so again, we had to inflate it multiple times during the night. We returned Nemo to REI at the end of the season (we aren't winter campers). We are going to try our backpacking mattress on top of the original mattress next spring. We may try the Exped again and just be super careful not to move it, but its hard to get a sheet on without fighting it a bit. Time will tell.

 

I have used a 4", 4lb density memory foam pad in the past with a different setup. You want it somewhat dense to keep you off the hard surface but it was comfortable. There are all kinds with different construction on ebay. I'm pretty happy with the Drifter stock pad so ymmv.

 

I’ve used the safety prop bar on windy nights, but used it again last weekend because of some added weight from the trail during the day. Happy holidays yall

 

Sharing this here (not my video, but well shot): https://youtu.be/tjqj9_9KuXM

 

Drifter porn

 

Frontrunner gulling doors or frontrunner glass gulling doors? Why and why not? TIA

 

Glass if you want to see out or have it feel more spacious inside. Metal if you have any concerns of people smash and grab thefts.

 

There'll be different preferences, obviously, but I'd go for the metal. I have regular glass windoors, but it turned out that I just leave my window covers on 100% of the time and use the tent windows for views and light.
And you could get some good utility out of metal in case you decide to bolt anything to them too.

 

This. You're not seeing anything out of those windows unless you're child-sized or spend a lot of time sitting on the floor. I do sit on the floor occasionally, in which case I simply open the doors for views...

 

I'm happy with the solid doors. Was able to reuse the hardware and mount my first aid kit with a quick-release mount.

 

I know this was in here somewhere from a long time ago but ........ if anyone from WA or BC wanted to see a drifter before you ordered or whatever shoot me a PM I'll be in and around the GVA and Seattle for the next week or so.

Happy Christmas and all the best in the New Year.

 

I have a Drifter built for a 3rdgen tacoma long bed, can I fit it on a 2005-2006 Tundra 4 door?

The bed is stated to be 6.5 feet but I can't for the life of me find the inside and outside bed rail demensions. I have seen drifters on the access cab Tundra before and don't see the beds being different but I'm not sure if vagabond alters the drifter at all to fit. They ask what truck you have when you order; there must be a reason for making the distinction.

 

For your gen Tundra, it’s a Drifter top, with a different bottom. For the next gen Tundra, it’s a full-on Nomad.

Jbone112 on Instagram has your gen Tundra with this, but just rolled the truck a few days ago, so not sure how responsive they are on the internet right now.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQonbp9gJuD/

 

So sounds like it might not work then.
I already have the drifter on my Tacoma. I was considering buying a 05-06 tundra and moving the drifter over but it sounds like the bottom won't fit? Is it close enough to just add a little aluminum?

 

I'm not sure, as I've never measured the bed on a 1st gen Tundra. I'm also not sure how tall the cab is and if the overhang part of the Drifter will have enough clearance - it just isn't about the bed size.

 

You can do either a Nomad or a Drifter with a 1st gen Tundra. Source: I previously had a Nomad on order for my 06 Tundra Double Cab.

I don't think it'll fit though the bed sizes are definitely different between the Taco and the Tundra. Even the 1st Gen Tundra Double Cab vs Access Cab bed sizes vary by a small amount.

 

Been down and out on TW for a while hope everyone’s doing well. OG drifter still going strong. Shown here in mobile ski cabin mode



saw a few people still trying to figure out their mattresses etc. I posted a while back about a mattress pad we had made from the folks that manufacture VO’s pads. We changed it to 3” of the premium foam used in the stock pads, to 2” of premium and 1” of memory bonded together and it’s made a world of difference for my wife and I.

If anyone is interested I can dig up the Info.

 

Thanks, @Easy.E It would be great to have a good option for custom mattress. I presume the memory foam doesn’t get too stiff in the winter? My Drifter is a serious winter camping machine now that I have a propex installed. It gets lots of use during ski season.