Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

All they did was cut E panels. it looked way too DIY/afterthought for my taste we wont be offering anything like that as a finished product.

As for the awning mounts if that's the brand they used it would be best to just order from the manufacturer for those.

 

Definitely second this note, it needs a rain gutter.

 

Gutters work very well, it was a quick project. Would love to have them with welded conners, sealed and coated with the camper.

 

They did use the STS ones for the smaller awnings, but for bigger 270 awnings they made their own that were much beefier and had a backing plate on the inside. I’ll see if I can find a picture.

edit: here is a pic from this thread. I’m not sure why there are different size brackets.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ildout-and-mods.540940/page-305#post-26843496

 

How did you mount them? Also did you just weld up some angle or was this a product you found?

 

Angle aluminum bent then added a plate with pop rivets.

$8 3m VHB 100x200mm~ (4" X8") Double Sided Foam Adhesive Sheet Tape 5952 Automotive Mounting Industrial Grade Very High Bond 5952 (1 Sheets 100x200mm)

3m VHB tape holds it on.

 

Would definitely pay for this option.

 

Brilliant. I was thinking of doing something like this but using the screws under the overhang to mount it. But if VHB works then no need to overthink it.

 

Yep, putting rain gutters on my list of parts to design/fabricate I like that idea for sure!

 

VB didn't make any of their own brackets they sent it to shops like Mine if they designed it.
I don't remember ever seeing those cut files but those can be recreated no problem here.

 

Yeah I was using the term “made” very loosely

If you make your own I’d like to request using the same spacing as the STS ones since I already have those holes drilled in my camper

 

Do you have those dimensions? I can make them to any spec really.

 

I don't have my Drifter anymore but I did have those VO 270 awning brackets on mine. They required drilling through the camper and bolting the white plate on the inside. I think these were necessary, as opposed to mounting the awning directly to the camper, because the 270 awnings are too tall to fit directly. My understanding is that the bigger bracket is for the back corner as there's a lot of leverage on that spot when a 270 awning is deployed. There may be a better solution to mount 270 awnings, but I found those brackets to be very solid for about 3 years on my Drifter.

I have an invoice for the brackets from VO if that'd be helpful at all, but I can't find any other details in my old emails from Phil.

Here's the best pics I have of mine...

 

1 7/8” as best as I can measure. 8mm hardware.

 

Found one! No problem recreating them now.

 

Hey @JLee - I’m sure you’re already thinking about this, but stocking replacement parts like gas struts for current owners would be a great idea. One of mine has failed on the rear window recently. I found the replacement from the manufacturer, but seeing this thread get revived makes me want to order it through you to keep new orders coming in!

If you make a solid panel option (preferably powder coated) to replace the glass, let me know! I already black out the window for privacy, so the added security feature would nice (and if it’s insulated even better).

 

If you make a solid panel option (preferably powder coated) to replace the glass, let me know! I already black out the window for privacy, so the added security feature would nice (and if it’s insulated even better).[/QUOTE]
I had Phil replace the glass with e-panel on my back window for privacy/security. Needless to say it’s still flimsy, the weakest part of the camper and you play in hell trying to seal it from the elements (2nd Gen issues).

Phil built a solid rear hatch out of aluminum that replaced the rear glass hatch and it was awesome. Very solid, secure and sealed really well. It would also accommodate a small window if wanted. It’s what the camper should have come with from the start. Also, it could be retrofitted to existing campers deleting the weak glass hatch.

I believe five or six of these new hatches were installed on some of the last campers delivered. Phil was going to retrofit one on my camper but then it all went to hell. I’m hoping that once Jerry gets rolling with production he’ll be able to offer this as an option and also retrofit for existing owners.

Maybe someone on here has a picture of the hatch I’m talking about and can share it for the group to see.

By the way, big shout out to Jerry for all he’s doing for the Drifter and Nomad community!

 

Your gutters are genius. One of my few complaints about the Drifter. I will be copycatting yours soon!

RE: Solid rear doors - I drew up an SVG file for the rear glass shape (undersized a hair), had an 1/8" aluminum plate laser-cut to spec, and 3M VHB-taped it to the glass. Super solid and looks factory. Even has a cutout for the brake light. Don't think I have the SVG file anymore, but the idea is out there for anyone to use if they want to retrofit their own Drifter. I use OSH Cut out of SLC for laser-cutting single-piece projects like that.

Bed: The strut-lifting option could be cool, but I almost never slide the platform forward anyway. Partially because it's a pain, but also because I like to sit up there.

On the road for the last week through Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, another month to go on this walkabout... currently in Benson, Arizona before heading to points north and west.

 

Been looking at building something like this. Might be a dumb question but where are you securing the gutters to the camper?

Thanks!

 

@JLee were you planning on using the same Thermoplastic coating that BAMF uses on your bumpers for coating the campers?

It's kind of a rough texture, compared to a standard powdercoat and a little heavier, but able to be touched up, correct? I've never seen it in person.