Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Hope this is ok. Platform isn’t really blocking it at all and the tent gathers around it without the platform supporting it

 

Regarding the FF...
Be sure to red locktite the knob’s center screw (the one that manually opens the lid). I do a ton of offroad miles and over time the tiny screw in the center became loose. Since the manual twist was tight, I assumed the lid was also. Wrong! The knob became loosened just enough and lid lifted while driving. Arm needed replacing as it twisted the metal and would not close. Lesson learned.

The Vagabond gents were a huge help with the part numbers

 

The fantastic fan can go both directions, It can blow and then suck...

The MaxAir needs to be fiddled with to make that happen. VO does this for you if you purchase it pre installed.

 

I always carried a spare knob...

 

Same thing happened to me last summer at the beginning of a road trip. I was able to salvage to fan to where it would close and could prop open when running so no big deal. VO was super helpful getting me the right parts to repair. I put a lock washer on the screw and it seems to be staying tight.

 

Great tip! I’ll definitely do that

 

I can't remember if it was here or the specs thread, but I mentioned once before that I was able to find this alternative crank knob for the FF. You just have to cut down the handle portion to clear the side trim of the fan.
MUCH better option though. Say goodbye to the stripped out plastic threads...

UNITED STATES HDW WP8887C WP-8887C Mobile Home Metal Crank for Awning Type Windows, 1-3/16"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPE5MI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I tried this. It didn’t work to my satisfaction.

 

Huh, fair enough. What didn't you like?
I'm just surprised cause I couldn't be happier with it compared to the original knob.

 

Did some after work therapy today and swapped out the breaker for charging the battery as the 40A breaker would pop with 35A going through it, put in a 60A and finally labeled them

 

If anyone ever wondered here how the bug netting looks like for the Drifter, got it installed today in about 20min. Really happy with it, only gripe is that the bottom seems to be too wide for a tight fit, probably 2” too wide, fit is perfect everywhere else.

* as noted by the supplier i did not place the edges where they should be on the bottom. But, since I have bulb seal in those areas its my own fault

 

Here is what the rear hatch cover looks like from the same supplier. Good thermal insulation and privacy. You can see the cut around the brake light is not very good. I trimmed the curve a little bit and massaged it into place but it still creates a crease.

*other than that one small thing the cover is perfect. The materials are very high quality and the stitching is clean.

 

Hi Konstantin,

Thanks for your input, The bug screen doesn't seem to be positioned correctly on the bottom tailgate section. It's meant to sit behind the striker latch and far to the outside. Regardless, the cover drops about an inch lower in the center so that no matter where you have the sides positioned, the center can always drop into the tailgate gap (unless you have a dust protector like me). This is intentional and will work with 2nd and 3rd gens.

As far as the cutout on the rear hatch is concerned, there is a chance that when binding that tight corner, one side could have gotten sucked in, making it lop-sided. However, it's really difficult to tape a seam in a hard 90 degree square corner. So we error on the side of a slightly too tight corner to protect from light leak, as opposed to creating a gap and letting sunlight through. Also, that cover and insulation will relax and the corners will be come more pliable. If you trimmed the corner, then you have cut into the seam tape and then we have another set of issues. If you have grievances with the product, let me know directly so I can help advise since we've already had email correspondence. We're a small business and spend a lot of time perfecting the fit. I'm happy to figure out any issues. - Garrett

 

I will play around with the bug screen a bit more like you suggested to get a better fit, its not a big deal as its fully functional and looks incredible.

With the hatch cover I plan to have my wife do some fine tuning on that curve around the brake light as she is good with a sawing machine, its an incredible product that no one else even makes so its the best on the market

Thank you for your input.

 

Question for those of you with a swing-out:

I've been debating this for some time now (would do the RIGd UltraSwing not a full steel bumper) and it's been such a tough call for me. The idea of extra storage, plus getting my bike out of the way, plus having an extra table are all huge wins, but having an extra step each time I want to open the tailgate seems cumbersome (especially when that's the main access point to all my gear) and I'm trying to keep the weight down as well.

Do any of you who have a swing-out regret it? Am I over thinking this? Any advice welcome

 

After seeing a rigd swingout I definitely think they are more work to open than a normal swingout bumper. IIRC you need to open and install a holding pin. For me I just unlatch and it clicks in place when it’s open. I’ve been known to be a lazy ass but have no regrets with the small amount of work it takes.

 

I have a swing out and prefer it that way to carry fuel, spare, etc there. The only thing I regret is not having a dual swing out. It's actually not that much extra time spent in getting the back open. You should be good with a temporary swing out option but at the end of the day it'll depend on your habits and use

 

Love my single sided swing out for getting the bike rack out of the way, camp table, and carrying water/fuel.

The bumper alone is essentially a wash weight-wise with the factory bumper and tow hitch. The swing arm adds <50lbs of steel, and the easy opening and camp set-up, as well as space saved in the bed is worth the small weight penalty.

I might feel different if I didn't have easy side panel access for some situations.

 

That and I personally think the Rigd one is STUPID. With our "mid-size" trucks, the offset position where you install the bike rack on the Rigd, it makes the bike stick way out from the side profile of the vehicle.

They must have listened to my complaints because they have removed all photos that show this from their website, essentially scrubbing the internet of these photos.

They claim it is for "super slack, long wheelbase downhill bikes" and when you open the swing all the way, it doesn't hit the side of the truck (as much)...



https://youtu.be/LkyKR5nLRz0?t=238

 

I have the RigD. I like it! I think I like it more than a HC with swingout and I used to have one on my one truck. Lot of weight behind the rear axle...

I personally don’t mind it at all because when I don’t need it, I take it off. You do have this odd opening process but you get used to it.

It also saved my bumper 20+ times