The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Stiffer gas struts.

 

Not a Drifter, but I daily drive with a Habitat. I'd say it depends on your situation. For me it hasn't been too restrictive unless I need to drive into SF, otherwise I just need to think more carefully about where I'm going and parking, and pay closer attention when entering parking structures. But I'd say most of the time I have no issue.

Another note to add is that DO NOT trust the advised clearance height posted on garages. I've found they are not always reliable. My truck is about 7' with the Habitat, and I've gone into places that claim 7'8" and had no more than 2" to clear.

 

Thisssssss...I actually got sort of stuck with an old CVT tent at an entrance. I went home later and measured and I should have had like 8 inches of clearance. Ugh...

I’ve had a tent or something on my truck since 2 weeks after I bought it and parking can definitely be annoying. Worst experience I had was a video gig with pre arranged parking in a garage and I had to be that guy...but you get used to it and the pros outweigh the cons

 

Like @Moogle , I daily drive with a Habitat. I've stayed clear of parking structures so far, but I never even thought about drive throughs. And i've been through a LOT and never had a problem (yet?). I should prolly get out and measure!

 

Mine's not too bad since I don't have a lift and tires yet. But I work in downtown SLC and had to switch to a 20% more expensive parking garage that has enough clearance.
Outside of downtown SLC, there's very few times that I even have to think about it in Utah. Though that kind of makes me worry that I'll forget when I'm somewhere that it could be an issue...

 

Totally dig the solar powered homelessness, and the last one if they could be options

 

something to consider, is that since the drifter has been on, ive still had to use it as a truck. i too considered those options, but after a few trips to home depot, and moving... im happy it doubles as a tailgate. You can’t have a door like that open while driving.

and for the record, i’m getting some memory foam, have a yeti, and love me some craft beer

 

Thank you to all that replied! I'm really looking forward to getting a drifter just a little worried that my carelessness might get me in trouble.
I used to own a much larger camper that I got from bel air shells, until I smashed it into an overhanging balcony in my alleyway that I just didn't realize was as low as it was.
I was really bummed to say the least an resorted to replacing it with a snugtop hi liner.
Still not the amount of space I'm looking for.. whereas the Drifter fits the bill. I appreciate all the input, makes my decision much easier.

 

@scary_larry if you're worried add an antenna off the front bumper/fender area that is the same height or slightly shorter than the Drifter. Let's you know you won't fit before you find out the expensive way.

 

I used a slightly different grommet but this gives you an idea.
I drilled it out just a tiny bit so i could run both wires in one. Then filled it with sealant to make sure it doesn’t leak.
So far no water after rains and multiple car washes

Here’s what i have. I think they are doing something a little different now. This was the first version.
I use the green memory foam piece as as a cushion for the extension and it works great

 

Hi, I'm new here. I'm thinking of trading in my Nissan Xterra Pro4X for a Tacoma double cab with a drifter. This should give a much better camping setup.

My only concern is the height clearance as I would need to park the truck in my garage and my work garage.

Does anyone know what the height clearance with a stock Tacoma TRD is?

Thanks.

 

I just eyeballed mine at ~83" with the fan, but that's a really rough number. And I just threw in some Sumo springs for the time being, as I've started adding a little bit extra weight so far with more to come, so take that number with a grain of salt.

I can say for sure that on a bone stock 3rd gen DCSB Off Road, it fits in a 7' garage, even with the fan. Just make sure your garage is actually at 7', and your driveway isn't sloping down into it, etc.
If you skipped the fan, it would give you an extra ~2 1/2 inches.

 

That's so simple and so brilliant!
Thanks for the tip!

 

@rockymtnbushwacker ill be back in CO end of August with one. i live in Colorado Springs you're more than welcome to check it out when i get back.

 

Sounds great. Thank you! PM sent. I saw one last weekend and am going to get a Drifter. I am now working out the truck to use. Torn between my current 5' bed and really wanting to change to a gen 1 tundra 6.5' bed.

 

Thanks for this - if I am understanding correctly, your slightly lifted truck (?) still would just fit in a 7 foot garage even with a fan on the drifter.

Can someone please measure the additional height over the top of the cab for the drifter (without a fan)? Also does anyone know if the published clearance includes the shark fin or not. Pretty sure this is going to be a go and psyched for it, but don't want to end up crying with disappointing stuck outside my garage!

 

Thanks for posting this! I was just talking to my friend about wrapping ours in white.

Do you plan to wrap the top portion white as well?

 

I don’t think I will. If I do, it will be with a clear bra type wrap. I like the raw aluminum look up top. But, who knows, I change my mind on stuff all the time. As I use it more, I am sure my vision will evolve as well.

 

If you do, let me know as I'd be interested as well.

 

I would want to add cross bars to the roof of the drifter. How you mount that to the L track? Thule or Yakima rail system?