The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

https://www.mcmaster.com/9416K54-9416K551/

 

@Kclamer

Some tips on how I swapped mine out

 

Wow, thank you for the information. I figured it wouldnt be that simple to swap them out, since its going to be -7F tomorrow this project will have to wait.

 

Ok, so I am going to place an order this week, but as many of you before me know, there is of course the 'what add-ons do I get' question. Here are mine:
0. It sounds like maybe these decisions can be made after ordering and prior to production (so, like in 10-14 months or so); am I reading that right?
1. I have a dog, whose crate will go in the bed. I have checked previously on the bed to ceiling height and that should work for me. That said, the future may hold another hound whose crate would also go in the bed. I want them to both be able to get good airflow when parked and/or driving depending on the weather, but I also want to get stuff in and out of the bed without crawling in the back: Is it possible to get windoors with sliders? (site only offers windoors or windows with sliders.) I don't need the pet screen style mesh, because the dogs will be independently crated.
2. I'm hearing whisperings of insulation limitations with windows? I would definitely like to do internal insulation but want to make sure I'm not picking options that don't work together -- can I select windows for both sides and still have effective side insulation (knowing of course that windows have a trash R-value?
3. Can the fan effectively run while the top is closed? Not while it is running, but thinking about safely leaving dogs in there (would be running something like this:

$50 SensorPush HT1 Wireless Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer for iPhone/Android. USA Developed and Supported Humidity/Temperature/Dewpoint/VPD Monitor/Logger. Indoor/Outdoor Smart Sensor with Alerts

https://www.amazon.com/SensorPush-Wireless-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Android/dp/B01AEQ9X9I cuz I take my dogs very seriously...) while I run into a store, grab a sandwich, etc.
4. I'm planning on going unfinished, but for temperature management reasons, is the white powder coat a vast improvement in keeping things cool? (I drive a black taco, so the color clash + 1500 bucks would need to be drastically worth it)
5. On the website, I add my item to the cart -- how do I pay the deposit (vs the entire cost up front?)
6. Can the cab slider window be opened/closed from the cab?
7. I'm currently going 90% drifter--but would it be possible to grab my 'spot in line' and then determine closer to production time whether or not I want to (trade in my taco for a tundra and) go Nomad instead? I've literally been battling this back and forth in my head since maybe 2 days after I bought my taco... and going one way or the other on this is going to be a decision point for the next decade or so, lol.

Thanks in advance for all the help, and I'm looking forward to joining the wedge life crew!

 

Two large crates with dogs then I suggest a Tundra!
The fan cannot be used while driving as the tent folds in right under it so the flow is blocked and the lid will most likely come off if left unlocked in the up position.

 

If you haven’t placed your order yet, contact VO and ask if they know of anyone who is selling their spot. That’s how I bought mine and recently sold mine.

And, yes, you can change your specified vehicle up to the time that they’re starting the actual build. Of course, if you change your mind close to the build you may experience a delay as they order some components ahead.

 

Home Depot bucket fan while driving. Drifter fan for stationary.

 

Did you decide on a different camper?

 

Yes, the Super Pacific. The Drifter was kind of overkill for me and I like the design of the SP (full side doors, lots of places to attach stuff). And it’ll arrive about the same time or sooner than the Drifter was rescheduled to arrive. No shade on the Drifter, still the best high end wedge out there.

 

0. decisions can be made after ordering and prior to production (so, like in 10-14 months or so); am I reading that right? Yes

1. Is it possible to get windoors with sliders? No

2. can I select windows for both sides and still have effective side insulation Windows are not insulated but Strawfoot @belloinsella sells insulating covers

3. Can the fan effectively run while the top is closed? Not while driving, but can when stationary. You would need to be particular about how you fold the tent when closing to leave space under for air flow. Maxx Air fans can be run with the lid closed in what they call "ceiling fan" mode but that just circulates inside the camper without introducing any fresh air

4. is the white powder coat a vast improvement in keeping things cool? it does make a pretty big difference, but enough for color clash? personal preference really

5. how do I pay the deposit (vs the entire cost up front?) VO is currently having issues with the payment portal. you can email info@vagabondoutdoors.com for a manual invoice through our accounting software

6. Can the cab slider window be opened/closed from the cab? yes

7. is it possible to grab my 'spot in line' and then determine closer to production time whether or not I want to (trade in my taco for a tundra and) go Nomad instead? yes, as with '0' above you'll have until parts get ordered to tweak your order

 

Thanks @Typhoon13, @Mista_G, @RangeRick, and @Kclamer; much appreciated.

That Super pacific is looking like some stiff competition. Won't work for me for some of the same reasons design wise as the GFC (insulation, window options), but is an interesting middle ground for some. Will be interesting to see how the build quality turns out and all the other things that go into a good product vs just the website/marketing.

 

To bad the lead time is worst than pretty much everyone right now

 

What do you think of the AT Summit? I bought the Drifter as it was cheaper than the Summit with the options I wanted but there are a few things that I really like about the Summit that I wish the Drifter had.

1. Solid rear aluminum door (Please VO make a solid rear door that seals all the way around, no more holes at the bottom corners!)
2. Insulated aluminum walls standard
3. Carpeting on the interior surfaces standard
4. Tent wall insulation available (I know VO is working on it)
5. Clear coated exterior standard

Vagabond Outdoors have a product with incredible value and quality, I think that with items I listed above the Drifter would go up a notch and outmatch everything on the market.

 

My 2 cents worth...
1. YES! Though I do go back and forth about it since I think I'd miss the tailgate.
2. Available from VO and still cheaper than AT
3. Yes. Many on here don't like the carpet, so I understand not making it standard.
4. YES!
5. Who cares, it's aluminum.

There are a handful of AT campers around SLC and I've also toured all of the AT campers up close at Equipt (they're an AT dealer located here). The AT campers are noticeably bulkier than the Drifter. I'm not sure it makes a huge functional difference, but aesthetically it just doesn't look as good to my eye.

If I were buying another camper, I would probably opt for the Atlas to get more sleeping space. My buddies got one ordered for his F250. That's gonna be a freaking palace of a camper!

 

Bingo, I'm on the same page with all of these.
Having things as options is better than having them standard. Not everyone wants to pay for everything...
Plus, if I had carpeted walls for example, they would have been completely covered in dog hair within a few months with how much my dog used to shed.

And yeah, I don't understand all the concerns about leaving the aluminum bare (aside from the aesthetics, of course). It's one less thing to worry about vs having powdercoat/paint/wrap, in my opinion.

 

I was heavily debating a AT Summit when i was looking for a camper several months ago. Granted ive never toured one in person but from the research I gathered the one thing that drew me off was the fact that it looks like you have a full size mattress on top of your truck. It covers the entire top of your cab with this massive air dam up front. Which in my opinion is visually displeasing.

 

That's true, the top portion looks way oversized!

 

Greetings All,

I have two questions:

1) Will someone confirm Vagabond is still located at: 320 W Channel Road Unit C Benicia, CA 94510 I'm having an awning shipped and just want to confirm they have not moved to a different location.

2) For those who have had solar installed on their drifter. What type of connector do they use for the inside? I have a goal zero Yeti just wondering if I need to get an adapter.

TYTY

Still no word on but it's got to be close? order #140

 

Has anyone insulated the tailgate before? I plan on doing a lot of winter sleeping and was thinking of shoving some insulation in it. Is it worth it? Seem like it's unscrew a few screws and just put some insulation in it and use some foil tape to seal it?

 

we camp a lot in the winter in ours and although I made a tailgate cover out of UMHW I never bothered to insulate it. Seems like it would make a nominal difference but worth trying out. Probably loose more heat thru the hatch window