FAQ: When will I get my Drifter? How long are people waiting?

Would love to be updated on this as well.

Im thinking of selling my spot and going with the AT Atlas

 

yeah im having the same dilemma, i ordered mine in anticipation to do a trip with my father this summer but with everything constantly being pushed right its urging me to switch to AT and get a Summit or atlas

 

Anyone heard of any monthly announcement?

Specifically what build number they're on? Im hoping the spreadsheet isn't accurate because that means wait times will be over 24 months :\

 

Phil told me the other day that my 176 has an April/May build. Which I find hard to believe considering people in the 150s haven't had their yet if I'm correct? I wish I just new how many people were in front of me.

 

#186. Was told by Phil 2 months ago that my camper was a April build but now I don’t even know. At this point I’m done guessing. Just gonna wait it out until the day I get a email to finalize my build

 

I am 159. I was told end of March/Early April build in January. No word yet. Although I did pay my final invoice...

 

I am #185 and was just told they need to push to June or July. At this point, I'd be foolish to give this estimate any weight. I'm more interested in seeing some shipments updated on the "Drifter Rollout Tracker". According to that document, VO hasn't completed a drifter since early February. Are folk simply failing to update the tracker and driving off into the sunset? I may PM a few of the people ahead of me and ask if they ever took delivery.

 

Feeling this concern as well 60 or so days without a single camper built? About 10 built since November. Seems like they are having some major production problems. I wonder how long the 50% deposits people have in can sustain the business.

I'm #150 and no delivery date known.

 

Its been radio silence trying to reach out for contact. Last time I spoke with Phil he mentioned adding suppliers to then have a lead time update for everyone. Its been a month plus and still no answer on my requests for update. Anyone receiving news besides just being charged more?

 

Keep the spreadsheet and their Instagram with a grain of salt. The Spreadsheet is only updated by people who are in this forum and choose to update with their info, so it's only semi-reliable. It's not coming from VO themselves. They don't post every single camper that rolls out either. But it does seem they're stalled a bit, someone said on the FAQ forum something about laser cutting or something. The wait continues. I submitted a ticket on their new 'communication' system just to get my updates to my final build, but since we're 201 I'm not even bothering playing guessing games about when we might get it. At this point I'm mentally preparing for a two year lead at LEAST.

 

I submitted a ticket on their website since they’re trying to streamline and improve communication. Nothing urgent, just wanted to get some things added to our final build. Phil responded today saying they had some delays with their laser cutting but they are back on track and we are slated for a July/August build date. Not putting it in ink yet but glad to hear the update. We are 201.

 

Totally agree that it's not super accurate, but I find it hard to believe it's more than a few off. Even if you assumed they had double the numbers as are on the spreadsheet that would show a drastic reduction in production. I think it's pretty well known at this point that steel and aluminum are very scarce in the US and for VO to rely so heavily on outside business to cut their pannels puts them at the whim of other companies too. There are solutions out there, I recently saw AT overland posted a video of 20 something campers going out for installs at once.

I'm pretty close to the finish line (although I have been saying that for the past 9 months) and feel confident that I will receive a drifter. If I was a recently placed order I would be pretty nervous that VO won't be able to weather the storm and growing pains.

This in no way means I am not rooting for them. I fully hope that VO is around for a long time and grows in size, production, popularity, and innovation. I plan on owning this camper for a long time. I think they designed and built it to last a very long time. VO being around for a long time only benefits me.

 

I also got a response from Phil through the new contact form yesterday morning. I was told I’m looking like a June build, VO167.

 

I updated the spreadsheet with my pickup complete. I saw one other drifter done or close to done

 

Eze1139 maybe?

Looks nice whoevers it is!

 

Nevermind, it's #134 Ryman is written on the back.

 

Rigids and an awning on the back and I will be in business!

 

I was told that VO-153 will be going into powder coat next week. Getting closer!)

 

Does anyone know if they have gotten their laser cutting operation back on track?
My theory is that the timeframes given are a snapshot in time under the assumption of normal production and no more delays but the laser cutter keeps the delays coming. Which makes the timeline unrealistic until that is sorted.
My order which was originally an ETA of May 2021(order placed 05/2020), slid to September 2021 for the build. If the delays continue, then I would assume that just keeps sliding and it is not a realistic timeline to go by. Anyway, I wish I had it for summer but I hope to at least have it by ski season next year.

 

This is from the email I received last week: “We have had some delays with our laser cutting/ forming company that are now back on track.”