The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Yup. Also, I have stuff I need to plan around—it kind of sucks turning down potential RnR because I don't think I'll have enough vacation time to do X, Y, and Z AND picking up the camper. Keeping a week of PTO set aside both last year and this year in case VO _might_ get to my Drifter... sucks. Especially with how booked out AirBNBs, etc have gotten to be.

Point being, these delays have human impacts too. Just feels inconsiderate.

 

Hey guys. I have spot 212 available for sale if anybody wants it. I was able to pick up an earlier build spot. So 212 is officially for sale. Hit me up in the messages if you’re interested.

 

This is a bit alarmist. I know of no one who has bought someone else's spot that got screwed. I waited a year for my 2021 Audi S7 I ordered that was promised in 90 days, so four times as long as promised. With VO, I am looking at twice as long as promised. I'm at 22 months now. There is no way I would wait all this time and then blow it close to the end.

Savor the wanting. Don't think this applies to campers but sometimes the wanting is better than the getting.

 

I certainly think and hope this is an overreaction but given what happened with Pelfreybuilt, these guys have a lot of our money with zero updates it’s not a stretch for people to at least get a bit uneasy.

As for savoring the wanting? I won’t be doing that as I work out of my tent in sub-zero temps for a second winter in a row. But I look forward to my hopefully inevitable install date someday.

 

Sorry for not chiming in earlier. As usual, we have been nose to the grindstone. We are definitely behind on communication and we appreciate everyone's patience. We setup a system to organize the correspondence, but it was overwhelming. We now have the mechanics of the correspondence system pretty dialed, and have added staffing to make sure every ticket is responded to.

We absolutely understand the frustration and take responsibility for not responding earlier.

On the production side, we have had many challenges. For years, we had one laser cutter/ forming company. We experienced indirect Covid-related delays, and took on another forming company. Now, between all the various small and large quantity aluminum and stainless steel parts, we are working with 4 laser cutting/ forming companies. This level of redundancy will eliminate delays, but it took months for us to have this in place. Again, we appreciate everyone's patience.

We're also expanding our shop 50% next month and adding some yard space, which will increase production dramatically. And since we're taking over another space next door, there will be no down time with this expansion.

As for the "P-word"... please don't associate us with that situation. Our campers are different from the rest and have many advantages. And they are in very high demand. But that definitely doesn't make us arrogant. We're self-deprecating individuals and always making improvements. And we stay humbled by our customer support.

The only "P-word" associated with Vagabond should be "Patented"

We seriously appreciate all of our customers and supporters. We want nothing more than to get you a camper ASAP.

 

Thanks for the update, Phil.

 

if someone is selling a spot, could that said spot be upgraded to a nomad build?

 

AFAIK as long as the build hasn’t been finalized you can change the spot to whatever you want at the time of final payment.

 

interesting....time to do some spot hunting.

 

I’ve got #212 for sale. Message me if you’re interested.

 

Thanks, my dude. Things are gearing back up, which is great to hear. It sounds like a lot of hard work is falling into place as well. Awesome.

It's safe to say the frustration comes from anticipation. That said, I'd guess many of us will still feel burnt until we get the email that our camper is going into production. Or maybe I'm just speaking for myself. Things just don't feel tangible, yet. Either way, just FYI.

 

Thanks for the update Phil! Continuing forward (for me anyways) just a simple monthly update like this is all I need to know progress is being made.

 

No doubt y’all are chugging away, great to hear updates and what’s going on. Thanks for working hard and looping us in.

no offense meant by that association, purely just anxieties based on how much money is out the door and the crickets it usually is from y’all since your focus is rightfully on production. Here’s to no more unexpected delays!

 

Phil, wondering if maybe it’s possible to have automated emails with updates come out to customers who are waiting that have put down deposits. I know there are a lot of customers waiting who are not on the TW forums and don’t see these updates. I understand it may be tricky to set up but would be worth it in the end.

 

I can't wait to see the new shop space! Glad to hear you've got the upstream supplier situation sorted, I know it was causing endless headaches.

 

Maybe I'll be the first Ford Lightning with Nomad…

 

I've been sent my final invoice (#158), and spoke to Phil, he thinks the camper could be ready for delivery in as soon as 3 weeks since I'm not going for powder coat or side doors.

 

Woo Hoo!!!!!!

 

Strange, I'm 166 and finalized options and got a final invoice in April. Four months later not a peep on when they might start. Hope your build really does go that quickly.

 

fingers crossed!