Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I plan to install this once it warms up. It has bottom and sidewall pieces.

$50 ESI ROK Block 4.25" Tailgate Gap Cover and Ultimate Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal 6ft for Sidewalls

https://www.amazon.com/ESI-BLOCK-Ta...B00R8KBV9Y?keywords=ESI&qid=1648852650&sr=8-8

 

Oh nice! thanks. didn’t realize it came with side wall pieces.

 

You're probably going to want some type of good cleaning and adhesive promoter on the composite bed with textured surface.

 

I used the same kinda kit. Comes with alcohol wipes. Has held up great. Highly recommend.

 

I used that wide strip that @piotr1aj linked for the bottom and some smaller door jam weatherstripping for the vertical sides. Both work and have held up well.

 

Hot damn, the quadruple checking measurements paid off. Fits perfect.

This side I'm going to just make a miscellaneous box. Will panel the sides with luan or ABS, not sure yet, and might carpet them. Battery will have a sturdy platform up top above the wheelwell. Going to carpet that inside wall of the camper as well and get some storage bags up on it.

 

Looks nice!

 

Strong work! Have you worked with the 80/20 before? I just picked up the drifter and will start the build soon...

 

First time. Ended up measuring and modeling a few iterations. Used a variety of brackets to connect the pieces because I couldn't settle on one best option. Let me know if you end up using 1" extrusion and I can send you what I used

 

Ready for final fitment!

Vertical panels will be plastic on the outside facing sides, plywood on inside facing. Tops will be carpeted plywood, with a sturdy Baltic birch platform on the left for the battery. Thing in the middle is going to be a sliding/locking axle mount for my bike. Gonna bed liner the baseplate and stick some fake teak EVA foam down in a couple spots for a soft place to stand. Got my solar working too so I'm (just about) a happy camper

 

Will the bike go in bars first or rear wheel? I was thinking of something down the middle, but the slider is a nice touch!

Also, I have slid my bike in since I have had the camper...but I think I had to turn it Sideways to clear the height at first.

 

Handlebars first, the idea was to get them out of the way so we can climb up.

 

Can’t wait to see the final, but nice seeing it come together.

 

I'm going to have to steal that slider idea. Nice work!

 

Love the slider! I've probably shared pics...but storing our bikes inside on a sliding tray is one of my favorite features of our current build.

 

Yeah being able to store a secure bike inside and also have a bed always made is 100% of the reason I ordered the Drifter. Trying to plan how to fit a 2nd in there some days.

Also just made a slider that has the same footprint s the fridge to try to maximize space. Was planning on bed lining it but the birch is so nice I might just stain it.

 

I installed some Deaver stage 3 leaf springs and BAMF rear hangers/shackles a week ago. It was a long noisy afternoon. Was on some dakars I had beefed up that were fine for the GFC and light contractors shell but had lost their arch and the bushings were shot to hell.

I'm hoping they settle some in the rear, but I'll wait until I get the interior build finished and then pull a leaf out if needed. Feels way more planted in the back and for now, no squeaking!!!

 

What thickness of baltic birch did you use for the baseplate? Also, it looks like you have two pieces, do you have any plans to join them? I'm buying the plywood for my base this weekend and I'm always looking for ideas. I'm thinking about doing pocket holes on the bottom with glue. I'm also planning on spraying bedliner on it too.

 

It's 3/8. Much better cost and weight and someone on here said they had no issue with it. Seems plenty stiff to me. And yeah no plans to join them. They fit really neat together and there will be things bolted across them so that seems sufficient to me. Still deciding where I'm going to bolt to the bed. Using the below nuts to bolt everything down and they're great

 

Oh no. I thought I could get away without stiffers. How bad is this? Only one side has moved.