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

Interested, but how do I get MY deposit back?
Like cancel it when I pick yours up while I'm there?
Are we still allowed to add stuffs ?

 

Easiest way would probably be to sell your spot to someone else. AFAIK you can make changes until it goes into production.

 

I think Marshall is right. Sell your spot and I’d sell you mine.

 

I was/am in the same boat with camper #193. Ultimately I dragged my feet too much and decided to wait it out as I can’t really get any other pop up camper by June anyways (unless I find a used GFC or get super lucky with something else). Good luck with whatever direction you choose!

 

I mean if you waited 24+ months and wanna give it up at the last 1-2 months of waiting…

 

You're literally the next in line according to the 'build spots' and if you were 2-3 batches out I wouldn't be writing this. I think having waited this long and backing out so close to production is a poor choice but to each their own. czukie, #193, was assured his camper would be ready in June. I know that doesn't mean a lot given prior delivery commitments by VO, but even if the next batch of ~10 takes four months you'll have a camper for the end of summer. czukie also brought up a good point about what other product will you replace the Drifter/Nomad with by summer unless going with the used market, hard shell, or a GFC if ordered today.. and we know how most people here feel about those.

Given your spot in line we can only assume VO has all the parts for your build on hand and production should be starting soon according to others on this thread (again, I know those words from Phil don't mean a lot). In order to sell your spot and prevent it from disrupting production, the buyer would need to have the exact same camper size and options as you. Otherwise, that's more ordering and delays for VO which I imagine would trickle down to those in line behind you. I'm still waaay out so one camper isn't going to impact my build. I'm stoked VO is accommodating socalexpeditions 8ft Ram build but that's probably putting a delay for other standard campers as well because they have to design and build a one-off camper with new specs. However, that does mean they'll be ready for the next 8ft order they get! Maybe there are other 8ft Nomads in the wild, idk.

Regardless, imo you chose VO for a reason and have already waited this long. Their product checked boxes that other brands didn't. Unless you have a principal about not supporting a company with poor customer communication (I wouldn't blame you, it's been very frustrating), I say it's worth waiting a few more months. I think you may regret selling your spot when you're so close to the end. So far we haven't heard of anybody being disappointed with the product after the excruciating wait. Obviously, just my 2 cents after lurking in these threads for a couple years.
I'm sure you'll be stoked which ever route you take. Happy camping!

 

Hard decision, but with the time you have invested it would be tough to throw in the towel now. No doubt someone will be snapping it up…heck, just saw an advert for a used Drifter for North of 16K in Sacramento this week.

 

Man, that would only put that sour taste back in my mouth lmao

I would hope that either:

a.) the new owner cannot change the build after parts are ordered (thus throwing off production like you mentioned)

or

b.) they “leap frog” that build until parts are in for whatever the new owner chooses, then prioritize that build in the next batch once parts are in.

 

I would hope a change in spot ownership so close to a batch build wouldn't throw off production for others but I don't know how they operate internally. I'm just speculating. If nothing else, it's more communication for Phil to handle which we know takes some time, lol. Bottom line, I wouldn't sell my spot if I was in the next batch.

 

It’s been 30 months… A long, long time. And at this point I don’t believe they will have mine out the door quickly. Even if they have all the parts on hand. It will likely be 33-35 months before I get mine. (They have built a 25 story apartment building close to me in less time!) Marshalls drifter has been “being built” (parts) for almost 5 months.
I can get a new alu cab canopy camper installed at the start of May for almost the exact same cost as the drifter. ( factoring in the cost of my drive down and back) a one hour drive from my house ( Benicia is a 32 hr drive return) I Understand they are not the same product. They both have pros and cons. But I want to start camping in my truck next month. The thought of camping in a tent in the rain another summer is killing me. And tbh I’m embarrassed I’ve waited this long. Almost 3 frickn years!!!
I’m not sure it would delay anyone. The only thing I can think of that they wouldn’t have on hand would be an extra front runner door (I only ordered one) the rest of my order is pretty standard. black powder coat (colour could change or keep it bare), roof L tracks, insulation package, awning mounts, all the lights, usb etc, ceiling fan, pre wired for solar, bed extension.

BUT! I appreciate the repsonses, I love the Drifter and I think Phil and his team are doing the best they can, for a tiny mom and pop shop. I haven’t made a decision yet, Phil is supposed to call me tomorrow…

 

Oh yeah. 2019 Short bed Tacoma… If anyone was wondering. Also. I’d be surprised if they have the aluminum cut and on hand to weld together… has anyone who’s picked up in the last month seen stacks of aluminum panels? So I think you could still change that part of the build too.

 

Well said with valid points, and I totally understand. Close to 3yrs is a haul for a product we were told we'd get in 1yr despite supply chain issues.
Cheers!

 

I was looking back at my email correspondence and my first question in June 2019 was how long is the wait? Phils answer…9 months

 

You getting a deal or something on an Alu-cab?! Isn’t a base model alu-cab around $11k compared to $8k for a vagabond?


Alu-cabs are pretty sick though for the next weight tier of wedge campers. I would also suggest looking into Snap Treehouses if you’re on the east coast/Midwest. I had one on my previous Tacoma and if I sell my build spot will go back to that set up in a heart beat! They are honestly closer to what a vagabond is (in terms of weight, options, usage) than an alu-cab in my experience. Customer service is absolutely amazing too. They are another mom and pop type shop, but in PA.

 

Re: embarrassing… totally agree. It’s become a running joke amongst my friends, that is a little painful each time they bring it up. “Hey bud, how are ya? Still no camper I guess? How long has it been? A decade?”

Then I tell them about this thread and how that’s the only way I get updates on it…

 

Also thanks to Lindsey I have confirmation that my camper is done but it looks like it doesn’t have an awning… that I placed an order for in 2021… and didn’t get an invoice for until last month… sigh. They have yet to reach out to me.

They really need someone in accounting or something. Would have been avoidable if they just were on top of incoming requests.

 

Wow, this sounds like my situation as well hahaha. “It’s STILL not ready? Did they tell you when you’re going to get it?” “Well, no, but according to the TW Drifter thread and judging by the last order numbers that were installed it might be ready in..”

 

The weight of the base drifter is 350lbs. The base weight of the alu cab is 460lbs minus 55lbs because of the tailgate removal = 405lbs. Deference of 55lbs… or the weight of 6.6 gals of water…. I look very closely at the weight numbers as the payload of the taco is so limited and it was one of my main concerns.

 

You can drop another ~25 lbs easily by replacing the Drifter mattress with an Exped inflatable one...

 

Sheesh, is the stock mattress actually that heavy? Good to know.