Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I believe they offer a solid back window made out of aluminum panel although I’m not positive. I’d like to switch to this if it is in fact an option.
Once again, most of the options available now weren’t available when i got mine as it was the first one out the door. So I’ve been adding things as they become available.
As far as locking the tailgate, i dont have a locking handle. But i do have a swingout bumper that i lock which makes getting in very challenging.
That said, where there’s a will there’s a way.

 

Us to and I'm envisioning we'll find an easy way to prop the FR windoors open to allow a cross breeze for the pups and that the fan will help. We are also the pacific northwest where it usually doesn't get that hot, at least in western WA. It would be nice if the FR windoors would have a angled stop openings as part of their features, but that's not something vagabond controls.

 

How do you secure the pups in the bed of the truck? i see a lot of worry about dogs and venting but nobody seems to give a rats ass about the dogs in an accident. Not just in this thread either.

No way my doggo is traveling in the back she is either in a gunner kennel in the back seat or strapped in with her harness and seatbelt attachement. Then she is also part of the family, i can see her if she is distressed, interact with her, etc. The mess i’ll deal with.

 

I thought I saw that they offer a sliding windoor with a screen. I could be mistaken, but either way, like others have mentioned, the sliding cab window can serve this purpose. I also chose that option.

I didn't do the FR doors bc they were too expensive for me and I like the glass window. Makes for a fun way to look at nature while using the toilet LOL. And its tinted, so the only way anyone can really see in is if they put their face up to it or if its at night and you have lights on inside the camper.

 

Frontrunner window is not tinted if I remember correctly. Yes? That actually helps make the decision for me.

 

They appear to be tinted in the FR glass option

 

Hmm, I agree. I thought they looked clear in the image Iggy posted on the spec and FAQ thread, but now I'm not sure...

 

Guys, great discussion on windows! I'm just catching up and will try to answer some of the questions. Windows are something of an ongoing test as we find new ones and see if they work with a Drifter. The current section has been vetted and work great individually. Each window, or no window, is up to each user and how they would like to run their campers. Phil and I have gone over each option extensively.

Front windows:

Stock is the drop down window. This was key becuase we wanted you to able to access the rear of the truck without moving the camper, so you can clean the back of the tuck, windows etc. We felt it was so important to do this it was standard option.

We have front slider option for those that want front ventilation. It also works for front ventilation when camping since the overhang covers this area.

Side Windows:

Windoors - these are tried and trued in the camper world. Like @tacomgee said, we went with a square sides to match the profile of the camper. Typically they have slanted sides that aesthetically don't match the Drifter very well. like it was also mentioned there are tons of options for side doors from camper shops, we found they were too small for the main use of side access. We could have gone with a custom size window, but then we start adding more complexities to the supply chain and costs as well.

These come in two flavors, a tinted glass and solid composite panel that's in white. They are white becuase they are ready for paint. I'm playing with wrapping mine at the moment.

One of the advantages with these over the FrontRunner doors is they can be opened from the inside, so that's something to consider based on how you will use the Drifter. They are also about a 1/3rd of the weight if that's a concern.

Front Runner- the Defender doors are definitely a premium, but they are the most substantial door we offer and its the only one that would mimic a solid side. They are made of solid aluminum with steel framing. These are great becuase they offer a larger opening than the windoors and don't have handles sticking out that might be an issue on really tight trails. The glass version of the door is the same, but with glass and is slightly more expensive. The tint is more OEM in shade than the windoors which is bit darker.

Fixed Slider - This window is perfect with those with fur babies or want to have ventilation while driving. They are nice and large so there is plenty of wind flow into the camper. As we all enjoy the out doors with our pets, we certainly understand their comfort is important too!

Rear Doors:

We have glass standard as we saw this also as a must have for visibility. For those that are the weekend warriors who use their truck as dual purpose, we wanted to retain as much of the "camper shell" qualities as possible. We also saw that other companies offer this at a cost, and we wanted to provide it standard as a value added feature. There is a solid panel version of this window available upon request. It's the same white as the windoors with a composite panel.

I have been working on another window option for the last 6 months or so. No pics yet as it's under development and I would like to be backwards compatible. Like all of our stuff, it's test and made sure it works before release.

All the windows can be mixed and matched as well depending on what you what works for you. Again, that's what's great about the Drifter! It's not made for just one style of camping. You can set it up as plain or decked out as you would like.



I hope this helps answer some of the questions. We really put a lot of time figuring out the options and there are a lot more details that factor into products we offer (supply chain, user cost, logistics, production time, long term wear, and lead times to name a few).

 

I'm getting it on mine as others have mentioned for looks and in colorado you can spit and there will be a mag chloride truck waiting for you to move so they can spray. I don't want to deal with issues anywhere I go with it.

 

Can we resume requesting a rear hatch/barn doors again?

 

its not a laughing matter.

 

A solid rear door alleviates these concerns.

I have a dual swingout rear bumper that has the ability to run padlocks. I lock the swingouts for safety concerns. I feel I don’t need to lock my tailgate if they can’t get the swingouts open.

 

I have a rear hatch lock that I haven't installed but have been thinking the same. I have a spot to lock my swing out...

 

I love your setup! Does the downstairs transform into a sleeping platform?

 

Utah here as well, and I will be going complete powder coat on mine. To my knowledge, a full-blown powder coating will help prevent corrosion. My powder coated bed rack has been through two winters and has zero corrosion so far, meanwhile my bedlined bumpers/sliders are showing their scars. Plus the powder coat will hold up exceptionally well on the trail against branches or other threatening foe. I'm not concerned. Protect the investment.

 

I went with powder coating as well. Although we currently reside in So Cal, I have plans to move to the east coast. I didn’t want to fight oxidation at any point. My truck is relatively new and I plan on keeping this set-up until it self-destructs. Plus black looks good on an Inferno Taco.