The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Front to back - from the very front edge to the front of the fan deflector is 73 inches
Side to side - with roof tracks 49" and 54" without (you'll need to take the radius of the roof bend into account though so about 53.5" usable width)

 

Depending on your LED strips of course, those should give plenty of light at night.
Personally though, I would probably go the other direction so that you can use the exterior lighting with OR WITHOUT the awning deployed.

And not to deter anyone from the Vagabond option, but there are much simpler ways to go too, if you wanted.
For example, you could just get one or two little magnetic, battery-powered lights and stick some of those metal pads (like they use for the magnetic dash phone mounts) in a few spots on the outside of the Drifter to put the magnet lights on.

 

I added the alu-cab and 2 rigid lights - 375 for the pair and I believe they are on dimmers. Not sure you could change the color .

(This camper is not mine, just an example Phil sent me)

Mike

 

I had 4 of these installed on the outside and they are on/off without dimmers, white color only.

You can also get them in an amber version:
https://www.rigidlightshop.com/p-32...amber-led-black-housing-rigid-industries.aspx

 

Nice, thanks for clearing that up.

 

Your LED strips will be bright enough but as someone mentioned if they're on your awning they won't always be accessible. I thought about hard mounting exterior lights but between my interior and bumper LED lights, along with the supplemented solar lantern(mostly for when I'm cooking) I found that I didn't need the extra lumens around camp.

 

This would depend on many things... how many strips, how bright they are (lumens/linear foot), where you place them and of course your personal preference on how much light you actually need.

As previously mentioned you would need to have the awning open to have any light at all, and I know I personally don't always deploy the awning right away especially if I arrive at camp late at night. That's why it's nice to have some lights that are easily available at the flick of a switch

 

I think I read somehere on here that someone said 2 of these lights is a big too much for one side. Having 1 installed per side is better? This true?

 

You'll get plenty of light from one. If I were to hard mount exterior lighting I'd do one towards the rear of the camper(this would also keep them out of the way of my side access).

 

I like having one by the rear truck door and one towards the back of the Drifter, gives a really good spread on each side. If you want just two then go with the ones towards the back.

 

Thanks for the info all. I'm going to do one on the rear of the drifter, driver side. If I'm not putting out the awning I'll just need the one as I'm most likely just in for a quick night. If I'm doing the full set up I'll most likely have the awning open just because it's a shadow awning (270 awning on driver side - hence rear light on driver side) and takes 30 seconds.

Can't wait to see this thing still no word on finish date but looking forward to giving you all photos instead of questions!

 

Do your white rigid lights attract a lot of bugs? Thinking swapping to amber to reduce insects would be a good call

 

Yeah I didnt think of that at the time, would have been a better choice.

 

I think you'll be happy with the one. Maybe one day I'll add the exterior light but right now it's too far down the project list

 

Here's a question for you all. I really like the rear slide outs with the fridges/coolers and stoves but doesn't your food get tossed around like no other being at the rear of your truck bed? I just finished up the white rim trail in Moab (100 mile off roadish?) There was a big difference when I had the cooler at the front of the truck bed as opposed to the rear of the bed.

 

Another question regarding tailgate locks. Can you all lock your tailgate up at night when you're in the drifter? How does it all work?

My tailgate is manual so just trying to figure that out. I plan on having to spend a few nights in Wal Mart parking lots and what not and would just like to have everything locked up.

 

I added one of these (the second GEN version) to my tailgate when I was planning to still get a drifter. That's solves locking the tailgate quickly & easily.

https://vehiclesecurityinnovators.c...yota-tacoma-power-lock-w-plug-play-t-harness/

 

yep super easy install. Recommend installing the safety pull cord in case it dies for some reason. Mines been going strong for a few years now.

 

yes, for sure.

I've had destroyed food and exploded beers in my fridge/cooler so how you pack it is key. I make sure all cans etc are properly upright and packed, get everything as tight as possible and make sure there are no gaps for stuff to bounce around in. I even stuff something on top before i close it like a towel, a sweater or even a moving blanket so there is no room

but i also drive like an asshole so ymmv

I've never locked mine but it's easy enough to attach a cord from tailgate to bed stiffener/d-ring or something if you are worried about it

 

I have a Pop&Lock kit wired into my factory security system. Now I just hit the key fob and it locks the tailgate. Make sure you wire the lock into the driver's door so that way it will always lock and unlock. Some people like to have the key fob only open the driver's door and not all doors.