The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

aren’t yo

Mine are in their last leg..gotta push it up half way before it goes up on it own

 

Well squad, the day has arrived. I received my final build email from VO and my Drifter is going into production!
Order 156 - placed 7/24/2019

On the spreadsheet it looks like orders in the 130's and 140's were still waiting as long as 5 months between final invoice and delivery.

@Trdooper @Eze1139 looks like you both paid in December, but still no delivery correct?

 

Wahoo! How long do they expect the build to take?

 

I've been running 250's for about a year now with no issues.

Going heavier on struts though is a double edged sword though, there are drawbacks.

It makes sense if you plan on having heavy loads on the roof BUT be warned... it does make the first push to open the camper initially a little more difficult. When the lid is closed the struts are basically pushing towards you at first meaning you need to overcome that force for the first foot or so of opening until the angle improves and the strut can do its job. Therefore the stronger the strut the more force you need to overcome.

And then of course the obvious added effort necessary to pull it down to close it which isn't an issue if you weigh enough but can be a challenge for smaller/lighter folk.

I changed to them mostly to beta test and while I don't hate them I'll probably go back to 225's in the future as I've also removed some of the weight from up there.

Keep in mind the cold weather reduces the efficacy of hydraulic struts so it will be harder in winter. Next time you pop your camper take a peek at the label on the strut and text me the weight rating as well as what you have on the roof and we'll figure out if you need to change them

 

Not sure yet. Emailed to ask about expected delivery date and will post here once I get more info.

 

Yea still no drifter or date. I got an email from Phil on Mar 17th. Where he said they were having supplier issues for the pannels. He was hoping to get them in the shop that week and then they would "jump on my camper" as soon as they came in.

Maybe I'm just pessimistic but sounds like they haven't started #150 yet......

Too close to the finish line to go back but still pretty frustrating.

 

well that's even more concerning

Idk if its just me that's worried about having to wait almost 2 years, but can we please at least get monthly updates on production rate/volume? its really irking me seeing guys getting final invoices then not hearing anything for months or others just not getting any comms with VO.

I might get flamed on this but that's where I stand

 

They are hoping to receive the major components for mine this week and then start building. Couldn’t get any sort of estimated completion/install date. Pretty disappointed in general.

Average final invoice to completion date is just about 4.5 months for the last couple completions so I wouldn’t get too excited yet sadly. If I use that math I’m looking at mid May for delivery of #152.

Also, the average build to completion for the last couple is already over 20 months and counting so better keep that in mind as well pending their increased cutting/forming productivity they have been talking about.

 

Just saw this and already ordered mine ! thanks for the offer though !!!!

 

While heavier struts will make the camper harder to close, they shouldn't make a difference in opening. If I understand the kinematics, the struts provide almost no assist initially as they are horizontal. This increases as the strut angle increases over horizontal.

 

You’re definitely not the only one. I get more and more discouraged. But I’ve waited almost 15 months so it seems dumb to turn course and sell my spot to get something else at this point. All the while I live in my short bed truck part time for work.

Delays given the state of the world are understandable to a certain extent. But delays with no explanation or any sort of communication is just bad form, especially for something this costly.

EDIT: I will add that we were debating between a Drifter and CampOVRLND when we placed our order last January for a variety of reasons. Seeing that OVRLND has largely maintained their lead times of about 10-12 months, and I know their build quality is comparable, I’m left wondering, particularly because we get zero updates or information. Mayaswell ride it out now but kinda wishing we went the other way lately.

 

Dude I really appreciate that! I did get in contact with VB and they are going to ship one once they get one in stock but I did make the Gen 2 work. Might just keep that one haha. Thanks again.

 

We have the 250s and they do make a difference. It is tougher to open at that initial compression.

With that said though, as a female I don't have any problems popping it open or closing aside from being vertically challenged. I wouldn't bother with the 250s unless you need it and we did

 

How much weight you guys have up top?

 

Nothing yet unless you want to count our rails and fan because we only just got it. Will be adding solar and recovery gear along with the kayaks in the summer time which obviously those would be taken off before open/closing.

My point in commenting was just to correct the statement saying that they "shouldn't" be any different because of the weight capacities as false. As @tyfoon11 mentioned they are noticably different but fwiw I'm a 5'4” female and can open/close just fine, and added weight to the roof should make minimal difference since that's one of the purpose of the higher capacity in the first place.

 

What panels?

 

I know the wait is unbearable. It is. But just join the gofast camper forums and you’ll see post after post of disappointment in the quality.

 

Ill never switch to a go fast... if i had to choose an alternative it would be AT Overland, they are pushing a 9 month lead time but are actually producing campers 2 months earlier than that. Idk everyone’s situation here, but i just wish i had that luxury of waiting like most here saying the “wait is worth it”

 

So true. There’s another brand called super pacific and had a friend order dns receive in about 8 months and its an amazing camper.

 

The aluminum shell panels. Cutting and bending is a major bottleneck right now for Vagabond apparently.