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

You and me both my friend. I just want to have even a little time with my Drifter before I have my baby in November and every week that ticks by with no word makes me think I won’t even get that

 

Congratulations on new addition to the family! Once things get settled…BABY BUILD OUT.

 

I'm going to just offer this as a data point and I'm not trying to say that one camper is better than the other but after seeing no light at the end of the tunnel on my Vagabond order (placed Aug 2020), I sold my spot and put down my deposit for an OVRLND camper last November. I picked it up a few weeks ago. They had at least 3 installs that day and seem to be cranking out something closer to 10 campers per week rather than 10 per batch. While I think they've chosen a simpler design they are even more configurable given that you can not only order all the same types of options for windows and such but they'll install them on any truck that isn't something silly like a Ridgeline or Subaru Baja. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's very likely that their delays are more related to a more complicated design than the extensive options they offer.

 

I get that you’re still upset that you decided to move onto a different produce due to delays.
Arguably it is not a more complicated design. OVRLND has to build every single unit by hand and install hundreds of rivets, sealant, hand cut trim pieces, bend the metal skin, cut and weld the internal square tube frame and so on.
Vagabond’s design is highly automated to have machines do the repetitive work and it does so precisely. Minimal welding and riveting of panels together with Vagabonds design.
It is a supply chain issue that is holding this up.

I considered switching over to an OVRLND and cashing in on my drifter since I could sell it within minutes of listing at a premium, but the only benefit I saw was the flat pop top design.
The drifter is shorter when closed, more finished and solid aluminum that will last more than a lifetime with only needing to replace the bulb seals if they get damaged or dry out. Maybe eventually scrape out and replace the sealant on the outside between the lid and body portion.

Let’s start another thread to compare the pros and cons of each brand if you want. I’ve kept close track of the current offerings since they were “back of napkin” and CAD renderings, including the companies that never materialized or had failed (like Leentu).
Each of these companies have done something “smart” with their design or manufacturing, but no product is perfect for all users and conditions.

 

I guess my complaint, frustration, and question is why? Pardon my ignorance but how/why are they still struggling with supplies. I understand the previous answers about “bigger companies” buying a spot in front of vagabond (like allegedly Tesla) and VO having so many options to order, but it’s been ~3+ years and less than 200 campers!!!

This also still does not really address why VO seems to be so far behind on delivering campers when compared to similar companies. I’m not talking GFC and Super Topo. I’m talking companies like Snap, Topo Toppers, At (Atlas and Summit makers) which all offer a wide range of offerings for windows, doors, customization, etc. All of their wait times are literally a fraction of VO’s.


I am genuinely not trying to stir the pot so feel free to try and explain it like I am a third grader or ignore me. This is just my platform to vent so apologies

ETA: maybe I should rephrase it as: why are other companies (mentioned above) able to produce so many more campers in the same amount of time with comparable options.

 

Basically, it’s much easier to order smaller sheets of aluminum, cut them into shapes needed, and assemble them using rivets, etc. The trade off is that it’s less durable. As mentioned in previous posts, the largest part size wise is the roof of these campers, which competitors seem to be using something other than aluminum.

Vagabonds build requires larger sheets that are then bent so there are fewer parts, allowing it to be sturdier and more rugged - and the roof is still aluminum.

Edit: put simply: more parts, more failures and maintenance.

 

Makes sense when comparing to GFC or Super Pacific, but when compared to Snap, AT, Topo Toppers, and even OVRLND the roof portion is a moot point. They are all aluminum roofs to my knowledge.


Having directly compared a buddies AT Summit and having owned a Snap Treehouse (prior to my setup being totaled by a drunk driver) to my old roommates Drifter I can say that the build quality on all three campers was very comparable. All of which are very high quality that will last a lifetime like you mentioned. In my opinion those 3 companies build quality are all top of the line. Unfortunately, AT is overpriced in my opinion and Snap is too far away to get another.


It just frustrated me that a camper with no add ons at all from VO would still take three times as long as a fully loaded out AT Summit or Snap. Now I understand that’s not necessarily a fair comparison as it would involve leapfrogging people in line but hopefully people can see my point/frustration. I guess to me, if other major players can make it work I expect VO should be able to fulfill camper builds within at least double the time of rivals.

Sorry for the venting, thanks for listening

 

I guess other factors you have to consider are things like...

• Age of company - which then begins to look at established relationships for supply
• Location - what/who you're competing with for aluminum
• throughput - what types of quantity of metal is needed
• design - tolerances/intolerances in construction and accuracy needed for quality production

Phil was showing me his camper and highlighting a fairly large intolerance in aluminum cut - 1/8 of an inch - to which he said 'we would never give this to a customer'. That 1/8 of an inch leads to compensation in the build, and more time invested to make it work on the VO side of stuff for a lesser product.

I dunno. It's not an easy problem.

 

We just hit 1.5 years since we've heard a peep from VO... My real question is, okay - "supply chain problems." Sure. So with all the down time waiting for suppliers, why is there "STILL" no proactive outreach to us? No bulk email update, not to mention anything more personalized. I'm so exasperated, man.

My local cycling club is better at vocalizing delays to the weekly (free. volunteer-run) group ride than VO is for our orders. Mailchimp is easy to use.

This has been my bi-annual complaining, see you again in 6 months.

 

Unfortunately, AT is overpriced in my opinion

Is it 'overpriced' if you can pick up the phone and talk to a person during business hours? Is it 'overpriced' if you're given a lead-time at order(which they only ask for 20% down) and ANY changes to that are relayed by the owner immediately?

Just saying...

 

Sounds like you're volunteering for an unpaid internship!

But for real, this is 100% the complaint to have. VO can't control market forces (and it's not like they don't want to be making these campers for all of us and are avoiding it); they can control their brand and comms.

 

To me, yes. If I don’t have the money, I don’t have the money. One of the many reasons I went with VO is because of their pricing. Option for option it would cost a few thousand more to go with AT and receive a very similar quality product in my experience. Believe me, I’ve spent far too much time creating hypothetical builds for each company.

Sounds like you disagree and that’s totally fine. Both are amazing products! If I could find a Summit or Atlas used again I would snatch it up very quickly.

 

OVRLND campers are sick! From about 30ft away

Edit: I saw the base price for the AT.. That's more than my fully loaded Nomad, which offers a bigger bed, better options, etc. I'll keep waiting Heck isn't a GFC more than a VO now? And they're subpar roof top tent + shell combos that have a laundry list of issues.

The pricing on the Vagabond is still the best out there. I wonder if Phil considered outsouring out of state for the panel cutting. Driving 16hrs roundtrip is better than having your customers back out of deposits.

 

A bit late to the scene, but great to see you picked up your camper and appreciate you sharing your experience with the folks at VO and providing an update of the state of affairs in the shop. Nice to get a peek into what’s happening at the source.

 

So 6 month lead time- ish? Good news since I put down a deposit last month...

Any wedge pop-tops with similar or better lead times?

 

Snap Outfitters, Alu-Cab and AT Summit are comparable…though AT’s wait times may have increased, I haven’t checked in a while.

 

That's me. Phil has been in touch about some of my custom items, like the L-track on the ceiling for my IPAD.

For some reason I haven't been getting a notification of new posts in this thread so I've missed a bunch!!!

 

FYI .. Love it!! 4 months from order to install ...

 

What camper is that?