The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

+1

I did this but the wife went ahead and covered the material in some cloth for aesthetics

 

Thank you. I meant for the glass. Just for privacy when sleeping or changing. Not specifically a mosquito net.

Similar to this link.

https://vanupgrades.com/products/promaster-cargo-window-insulation-privacy-shade-4pc

Are there anything on the market precut that match the rear cargo window of the Drifter?

 

Yeah, as he said, Strawfoot makes one.

 

I see that now on their site. $225 just for a rear window covering is steep IMO.

No other competitor for these?

 

As far as I know, Strawfoot and Nighfall Overland are the only two "off the shelf" companies offering a product for the Drifter. Your only other options are MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) or find someone else with a sewing machine and textiles/materials you want and pay them to do it.

I don't think we need to go too deep into the costs of American labor with MUSA products - that'd be better served for an economics forum.

 

Check out @Strawfoot I think he's on here as well.
He makes some nice kit man I have his bug net and that thing is amazing.

Wow yep that took awhile to post up...... anyways he makes some really nice stuff man and I'm gonna order the same rear window insulation blocker thing from him as well.

 

Erm... you missed the window covers in the photos. Those are the only photos I have right now, but I wasn't showing off the (also prototype) bug screen. The front and rear window covers are visible, although yeah, the rear cover would be nice to see square-on from the inside. I'll get a photo sometime.

Our cover, once available, will cost ~$180 for basic colors... and yes, as someone mentioned, paying quality American employees living wages in places like Durango (or Santa Cruz) ain't cheap.

 

Oh yeah, the sandwich floor! Well - I wanted some modicum of insulation. I also wanted to leave the "valleys" of the truck bed open for easy drainage of any potential moisture. Finally, I wanted a lightweight floor, I wasn't interested in 3/4 plywood - heavy stuff! My entire build was centered around keeping things light.

So, I used 3/8" plywood and a layer of coroplast (corrugated plastic) for my floor. Obviously that's not the best insulation in the world, but every little bit of dead air helps, and I'm not often winter camping anyway. The 3/8" plywood is a mixed bag - very light, and it's doing the job, but it isn't as solid as 3/4" would be. I wonder if I will have durability issues, but so far, so good.

As you can clearly see in the photo, I could have done a better job cutting that near edge of the coroplast. I had it nice and straight and clean, and then it just barely protruded from the edge of the plywood once all bolted down, and of course I had to go and "fix it" with a razor blade. Oh well.

 

Sorry for going off tangent... but appreciate this "paying quality American employees living wages" and had to acknowledge it.

 

I recently installed the Strawfoot window cover and love it. It is easy to remove and reattach.

I have some pictures on my build thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pragmatic-overland-build-vo-drifter.638732/page-2

 

Strawfoot in Santa Cruz makes a killer fitted rear window panel. Firmest is top notch. It’s all handmade, located in Santa Cruz California. Home of the Banana Slugs!

 

Thanks folks. I appreciate the kind words. I won't go into mega detail on our products, but we do make many window covers for the Drifter...front window, rear hatch, rear bug screen, glass windoor, and the glass slider. Not sure what Nightfall is offering as of now, but to be honest, you can't go wrong with either brand's product. I haven't seen their stuff in person, but it looks like top-notch USA-made goods. I'm a big proponent of making your own stuff if you have the time and resources. Try it out, get weird, ask questions and search your brains out on Mcmaster Carr for part ideas...you'll finally figure out a solution.

 

Just joined, apologize if this is the wrong spot. Need to contact VO to setup an in person examination of the Drifter prior to probably ordering. No luck by phone or email. Will drive to the factory from San Luis Obispo. Help!

 

My experience is that they are pretty hard to get a hold of, probably due to a number of factors; limited employees, small company, busy etc.....

If you're close enough to drive, I would say keep calling and plan on heading out there some time during normal business hours. I was trying to secure some bed rail caps from them, and was getting pretty frustrated with the lack of communications. While in their area for other business, I swung my and all my frustration was quickly gone; I was blown away by how friendly and accommodating everyone was. The people really matched the product.

 

4 hour drive. Hate to start out with nothing more than my fingers crossed.

 

Do I need to send up a flare somewhere else on tacomaworld or other platform?

 

I hear you, I was in the same boat, 5.5 hours one way for me. I was able to get them on the phone at one point to confirm the hours.

 

My Drifter is in the next batch which means it should be ready in the next few weeks. I am just down in Santa Barbara if you want to meetup to take a look.

 

There are a lot of owners that would be willing to show you their drifters if you can’t get ahold of the shop. Any particular questions about it?

 

Will drive to Santa Barbara for sure, let me know. Thanks