Wedge Life

$47 Summer Infant Single Fold Safety Bedrail, White, Metal and Fabric Bedrail for Toddlers, 42.5” Long, Fits Twin, Full, and Queen Beds and Accommodates Thick Mattresses and Platform Beds

https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Single-Safety-Bedrail/dp/B00TI62Z0U

It's pretty adjustable and easy to add/remove to the top. The little straps/T catch things go under the mattress and in between the sliding and fixed platforms to hold the bed rail in place. It also folds down to get her in/out.

We also have a folding crib mattress that goes down below for night time so that we can have the bed to ourselves. Putting her in bed with the platform out is kinda awkward, but overall it's not too bad considering the small space.

 

After reading through this thread I've convinced myself I need a wedge camper. I just have to convince the wife who wants a teardrop camper. If we could see a well setup one in person I might be able to pull it off. Covid has probably nixed the Overland Expo West, but the website says it's still on July24-26. I guess we'll see.

 

night wedge

 

You can go SO many more places with a wedge than a teardrop IMHO. It's one of the things that is so great about them. Being around no one can be bliss. Maybe a COVID selling point? Tear drop campers are out on forest roads and beyond established camp sites, but not nearly as much as trucks like ours. I was focused on the nucamp cirrus truck camper until I realized how huge it was. A full size truck with a big camper in the city wasn't very versatile and it would have been harder to get more off the grid. Very happy we landed on the Drifter.

 

I think it suits our style of "car camping" because we usually keep it simple going back into the great forests we have for car camping in AZ, but this would give us a bed on the go which is what my wife really wants. Only issue I see is that my Tacoma is my daily driver, and I'm a little wary of the weight. I do have a Snugtop Rebel now, but the drifter looks to be a little heavier altho I'm having a hard time finding a firm weight. Why doesn't Vagabond publish one for the base model?

I'd have to figure out a lightweight tote/drawer setup that could be removed after trips. I dont want a permanently installed system.

I really don't want to tow anything. We're probably a few years out before we'd get one, but it'll take me some time to convince her. She thinks she's already won me over on getting one of the more rugged Nucamp tear drops. But I ain't feeling it. These wedge campers looks more practical to me, but there is a weight penalty for my daily driving.

 

I believe the basic Drifter with no additional options is just under 400lbs. Disclaimer: I could be wrong.

I built removable cabinets for my Drifter. Eighteen bolts total to remove for three cabinets and a fridge slide. All that stays in the truck is a plywood floor, a fuse box, and a very small box for future Propex heater installation. Posted a few photos a few pages back, more to come.

 

Can you link the post here? Sounds interesting that it is removable. How long is the install/removal process?

 

Oh wait - I guess that was in the "Buildout and Mods" thread. Let's see if this link works: Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

EDIT: It works!

Installation of all the interior stuff takes maybe 15-20 minutes. Everything comes out in about 10.

 

I ran a small offroad trailer(Ruger trailer) for a while and was nice for keeping all the gear in. It does limit where you can go a bit but some of that is the capability of the trailer and hitch. The major thing for me on the Drifter was that it is self contained and I can stand up in it (out of the weather) to get changed. IMO it just depends on where you do the most of your camping as to what direction you take.

I think @joeydurango is right, the basic Drifter is a little under 400lbs. I'm not running a large buildout, just a wood base plate with a GooseGear CampKitchen slide, but with my optioned Frontrunner Windows and Alu-cab 270 awning my HD Dakars are going to need an AAL for added support .

 

I daily drive mine and it's not a problem, don't even notice the difference between the drifter and my old snugtop. Granted my commute is short.

I also have a buildout that can be removed in about 10-15 minutes, confirmed yesterday when I took it out to move a couch and then transport a load of fill dirt. Truthfully, the longest part of getting back to an empty bed for me is taking out all the random camping, biking, and baby gear we normally store in the truck.

 

Base Drifter is mid 300lbs, each option adds to that. Daily drive mine as well fwiw

 

thanks Amigo! She’s quite the little lady already. Can’t wait to get her out and about more. Especially wheeling once her neck is strong enough she will stay asleep but we stop to feed her every few hours for a little while longer.

That’s the same idea we had been thinking about. Phil has a cool idea for a retractable set up too. Might have to look into that little gate for the first tho!

 

managed a couple more nights out camping, we have been taking an excessive amount of things with us to try out a couple things

 

That Drifter belongs on that truck. The raw aluminum looks great paired with that silver.

 

cheers mate, i appreciate it.


- thought you were going to mention the massive bowl of shrimp we are eating for lunch....

 

Saw the roll out video on IG, looks great. What number are you?

 

He’s number 6. Or I was. Now he’s assumed that number himself.

 

How do you like the little sunshade/wind block add on to the awning?

 

to be honest we threw it up just cause we could. i could see in the rain it being quite handy - and wind. it could also be used with some extra poles to extend the area - or tie off to a tree or another vehicle i guess. we've never had an awning before so still getting used to the whole thing...

 

How'd you get a handle on your lid? And are the corner things lights or reflectors?