The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

When your drifter is officially in production. Can't wait!

 

When did you place your order?

 

Late December

 

Jesus, so if yours just went into production then I am at least 3 months behind you. This would put my build start into December and finish sometime in January or even February because of the holidays.

 

Hey All, Anyone out there having issues with the clamps on their drifter? I have had my drifter for about a month and the clamps on the bedrail don't want to stay in place. I check them every few days and typically at least one or two has moved out of position and needs to be re tightened or adjusted. When they where installing the drifter at the shop they where also seeming to have an issue with getting the clamps in the right spot and to sit flush on the bedrails. I have been considering just getting rid of the clamps and bolting it down since I plan to leave mine on most of the time. Mine is mounted on an 06 Double Cab Tundra.

 

Does the Tundra use the track like the tacoma?

I have a GMC canyon and Vagabond used typical camper clamps:


I have had to re-tighten my clamps. I think the problem is the clamp jaw depth is too short. When tightened down, the aluminum lip deforms and encourages the clamp to back itself out. I initially planned to bolt mine down for a cleaner look but there isn't a ton of room under my bed rail. I wish Vagabond would widen the shell flange to get closer to the inside lip of the bed rail. But, I understand there may be different truck bed dimensions and they're keeping the camper universal.

I haven't really sorted out a solution and have been meaning to shoot an email to Phil.

It may be fixable with a different clamp. Something like this:

$43 GCi STRONGER BY DESIGN G-991 Clamp for Ford Super Duty Trucks (Set of 4). Made in USA with 6000 Series Structural Aluminum to Ensure Quality and Strength. For Mounting Caps, Camper Shells, Toppers.

https://www.amazon.com/GCI-G-991-Clamp-Super-Trucks/dp/B01MSTGN4K/

 

I retightened the clamp once - shortly after they were installed and haven't touched them since. Are you tightening them enough?

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into some other options for clamps. I am not sure what the Tacoma tracks look like but I know I don't have any tracks in my tundra. I know the tighter I make the clamps the more uneven they become and begin to point upwards on an angle, which means they are covering less surface area on the flange of the camper. I am positive that they are tight enough but the tighter I make them the more likely them seem to slide off. The underside of my bed rails are slightly curved and could be what is causing the issue. Prior to getting my drifter last month I had a shell on that I would constantly take on and off and I never ran into this issue. The only thing that keeps happening from re-tightening the clamps is that the aluminium on the flange is getting pretty marred up. When I left the shop last month they encouraged me to check the tightness after a half tank or so on the way home. When i checked after a couple of hours of driving half of them had slid of moved out of position.

 

Maybe some rubber pads under the clamp would give them more grip and allow them to conform to the surface better.

I have a Tacoma so only had to retighten once and it's all settled in.

 

Thanks for the suggestion on the rubber pads. I will give that a try and have so scaps laying around.

Phil saw this post and reached out to me directly. He had some ideas on different clamp options. I will post an update when we find the solution. Thanks!

 

I use 3m grip tape. The stuff that’s used on skateboard decks. Works excellente!

 

I regularly check them. Tighten them up every couple months. The front 3 closest to the cab seem to be fine, but the rear-most clamp on mine likes to loosen. I think it's the canti-lever effect of the overhang vibrating and pulling on the back end of the camper.

 

Unlikely, but anyone with a Drifter or in the queue looking to sell? 2018 Tacoma DCSB. We have a GFC on order, will take delivery shortly and really appreciate that platform, but we're realizing that a few features of the Drifter will be more suitable for a family with two young kids. We're Bay Area folks, cash in hand. Thanks!!

 

I have made it to the other side and it is glorious!

 

Lookin tough! Right on man.

 

Does your swing out bumper include a hitch? Do you run a bike/moto rack on it? I'd love to have an integrated hitch on a swing out bumper to replace the rack attach.

 

Looking for a used Drifter for a 2015 Tacoma Double Cab Long Bed. Located in Colorado, but willing to travel any distance. I'm not joking. Why is everyone laughing? Just throwing it out there. Thanks much. Great forum.

 

“used drifter”

is that even a thing?

 

I put a 2” receiver on my swing out that allows me to run a bike rack separate from the tow receiver (so I can still open the swing out when out mtn bikes are on loaded up)

But I do not run my motorcycle hitch rack on there. It wouldn’t hold up to the weight of the bike.

I have seen some swing out attachments hat are rated for 300#’s or so when open. In theory that could hold some dirt bikes but still seems sketch to me.

 

Anybody know if the rear cab sliding window option folds down as well or does it just slide? Thx!