The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

It’s been noted a few times that Phil has reached out to customers in the super late night/early morning. Safe to say VO is working as much as possible, and in the areas that their customers can appreciate: on their campers, customer service, and presence on TW. Not on Instagram and other modes of bullshit. No one gets a sponsored camper, no one jumps the line, no special treatment for anyone.

There’s something to be said about a company that started because the two owners met on TW because they were tacoma enthusiast just like the rest of us. Try to be patient guys. You’ll get a bad ass camper that doesn’t need to be marketed like it’s the best shit out there but has faulty features. Its actually opposite: their product speaks for itself and the masses will eventually figure out that this is the best camper. Fuck the hype train. The other company reminds me of the guy on the basketball court with all the matching Nike dri-fit clothes, socks, headbands, and IG followers, but can’t play ball for shit. All show, no go.

Wow, what a rant. My bad. Just irritated AF that the other company is continually fucking our tacoma brethren with their kickstarter ass product.

It’s 2020. No fucks given.

 

Quoted for everlasting truth!

preach on brutha!

 

Im thinking that I will take a week off from work, start driving there Friday night to get there Monday, wait for it to get installed and then drive home making a few nice detours on the way!

Im so excited for the Drifter that I actually put the GooseGear buildout together in the living room so that I can prep all the electrical. Been working on it for a couple of evenings after work and its starting to take shape.

 

If someone wants to fly me out ill do the install

 

Actually I found a company who are willing to try with no quote and a $100 and hour fee. I figure it will take around 4-6 hours as all Im asking for is to put it on and clamp it down.

Also got an update on my order which was placed last March. Its scheduled to be built in March so Im looking at a 12 month lead time. Always good when demand outstrips supply, cant wait for this thing.

 

4-6 hours?! It will take max 10 minutes to put it on and tighten some clamps. Do the rest of the wiring at home and save shop time!

 

I told them that I will do everything else myself but yeah you are thinking 10 minutes once its all setup but you have to figure in receiving the crate and storing it until they have a slot available, uncrating, unwrapping, getting the forklift setup, dropping and centering the canopy, clamping it down, double checking everything, and cleaning up. After its all said and done its 4 to 6 hours.

 

Drifter Initial Impressions

I thought I would post some initial random impressions of the Drifter after 700 miles and two night camping. I plan to do mini-reviews of individual features for those of you waiting.

• Quality. I had seen a Drifter at NWOR, I didn’t realize the quality that is built into these units. Living in one makes you feel you are in an airplane — lots of aluminum, rivets, and precision manufacturing.
• Weight. Plan to upgrade suspension. I had been advised by some that the stock suspension would be able to handle the weight. However, I added airbags as an interim solution until I finish my buildout. It turns out the Drifter weight raises the vertical center of gravity a lot. This isn’t like 300# of sand in the bed. When I drove off the Vagabond lot, I had 5lbs in my airbags. The truck was very wobbly and unstable. After I added 30lbs of air, this issue disappeared. I didn’t notice much difference in power.
  
• Water off the front - Consider adding waterproof seat covers. ALOT of water comes off the front in heavy rain when you open the door or window. Perhaps the ACLB amplifies this problem.
  
• Fan - This is a required accessory. Any tent or camper is always going to be fighting moisture. Especially if you intend to breath in the camper. The fan does wonders to keep circulation going at night (just cracked the lid an inch, fan off). Or turn it on before you close it. Required in my mind.
  
• Front window - The slider is noisy when driving (for the stealth camper in the bed . It rattles and lets a lot of air in. Unknown solution.
  
• Bed - Amazingly comfortable given that is is only 3” thick! I am 200lb and can lay on my side without bottoming out. I am 6’ and was worried about the bed length. It wasn’t a problem for me after pulling the front half of the bed forward a couple of inches.
  
• Wind noise. - I was expecting more noise. Perhaps it is the ACLB , but the added wind noise is hardly noticeable.

Well, that is all that comes to mind. More details later. 4.5/5 stars!

 

Shes a beaut!!

 

I too have been less than impressed with the front slider window. Mine rattled too when I first picked it up. Turns out, the window wasn't fully closed. Make sure to push from the top and bottom of the glass to make sure it fully seats. It shouldn't rattle then. It will still rattle like crazy when open and I haven't found a solution for that.

 

I was skiing with my buddy this weekend. He is an materials science engineer and a certified welding inspector. He was very impressed with the workmanship on my Drifter, kept drunkenly going "Look at that! Stacking Dimes!"

 

how/when are you hearing this front slider rattle?

 

Right after pickup it started rattling. But, in my case, it was only because the window wasn't fully closed. Once I made sure it was fully closed, it has been quiet and seems to keep water/dust out.

However, I can't drive around with it open. I suppose I could try to retrofit some spring retention clips to hold it securely in the open position but haven't attempted anything.

 

Roger that, so its been primarily a rattle people are getting with the window open it sounds like.

 

A road trip to California would be much more fun

 

Great photos, and thanks for the feedback!

 

@Bentrodder

 

#PulseMode