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

That is probably #185 if not others.

 

Does anyone know if they officially went to Overland West? When I spoke to Phil a month or two ago he said they may skip it and go to overland mountain west instead

 

I can still see Vagabond Outdoors in the exhibitors list .

 

i believe they are going, but hesitantly, as it is almost required for them. Last I heard they leave Wednesday - i had to plan my install around it.

 

So when's your installation date?

 

Picked it up Monday. Great experience, very informative and they clearly have lots of supply on the parts that make each of our builds possible. Hearing the thought process that went into specific design decision was great. They know the market. That's why their product is the best.

Definitely check out downtown Benecia when you're there - what a cool little town. Haven't been able to get out with it yet, working from SFO this week.

Bad news is there was little in terms of new builds there, but sounds like that is about to change. Sounds like supply for metal has been challenging. Wish I could provide a better update for y'all who are waiting.

 

Congrats!!

 

Any updates are appreciated, and of course it's great to hear you finally got yours! Looking forward to seeing pics when you can.

 

Congrats on the camper!

Has anyone seemed to pinpoint the reason why VO seems to be so much more effected by their supply chain? Seemingly it has to be more nuanced than just find a new supplier right?! I mean there’s not very many other companies creating any kind of campers with remotely the same wait times are there?!? If anything it seems most other companies are cutting down on wait times. I understand the newer companies have less orders, but they still seem to be producing campers at a faster rate. I mean we are how many years in and still have less than 300 campers in the wild….maybe less than 200. I’m naive to many aspects of production, but it just seems wild to me that it’s been over a year of having wait times this long. Lol

 

From my understanding based on Phil’s explanation when I was there is that there are simply too many options/combinations for different window cut outs on side panels, passenger vs driver side panels, Drifter vs Nomad, 6ft bed vs 5ft etc. for them to be able to order in large quantities. They can only place orders for panels once the order has been finalized. It sounds like Phil is looking to only offer specific sizes eventually to streamline and hopefully make ordering in larger amounts possible.

 

Most companies don't rely on a 4x8 foot sheet (or larger) of 1/8" thick aluminum for the roof or large pieces for the sides.

SuperPacific has relatively small assemblies riveted together.
GFC and others including SuperPacific use 1" honeycomb composite for their roofs (can't stand on them without causing leaks with the press-fit into the extrusion construction, or worse).

I'm guessing this is their biggest supply issue on raw materials. From there it's a game of managing subcontractors for laser cutting, bending, welding (in-house I think), and 3rd party parts like solar panels, doors, windows.

 

To the detriment of delivery times, configurability is one of the biggest upsides to the Vabagond products.

Other brand options? Won't touch wiring or hook up anything for liability reasons, etc. Won't install or work with you to design or partially install (solar pre-wire) aftermarket upgrades.

 

Based on our convo with Phil last month, they get their paneling from the same manufacturer that makes paneling for Tesla. So...I think you can put two and two together.

 

Nah, I don't think Phil is as erratic as Elon. But with metal tariffs and imports and port issues and such... Being a Vagabond in a Tesla sized market doesn't help secure raw materials.

 

Exactly, just to say they’re a small fish in a big ocean and so they get booted to the back of the line.

 

I have a friend who works in aerospace supply chain who will literally offer $$$ to the tune of millions to move to the front of the line when procuring raw materials.

I would bet the same is happening with Vagabond. Tesla can offer a bunch of cash to ensure they are prioritized, moving them to the back of the line. Smaller shops are probably viable, but have less accuracy and lead to more intolerances in builds. It’s lose lose for VO.

 

Thats what Phil said is happening. They have orders in w/ three shops - But the big dawgs have way more money to offer. It is what it is.

 

This!

 

And this

 

I’m just bummed to be so close in the que and no aluminum parts yet for the next batch. Hell, I would be estatic with a camper on the floor waiting on a windoor or any other part to be completed.

I still have faith in Phil/Vagabond to get these campers produced. I do drift (no pun intended) from time to time and think the worst, even had a nightmare or two about this ordeal.