Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Yeah I heard the 3rd gens do not really need to change the bed rail caps since they have an updated design from the 2nd gens. 2nd gen folks definitely should change them.

 

3rd gen caps are lower profile.
No personal experience with the 2nd gen caps, but yeah, I could understand the extra concern around those.

 

The underside of the 2nd gen caps:


Damage from one year of having a snugtop rebel on them:


Almost every plastic support piece is bent or warped like this and the paint was damaged underneath as well.

 

Kind of regret selling my relentless bed caps. Don't think they are offered anymore! When i switched to a shell had to go back to plastic. Now i want a drifter!

 

Wow, definitely replacing the bed caps with flat metal ones! Thanks for the info.

 

I talked to Phil a few months ago at a truck show and he mentioned that Relentless might be making a huge bulk order and shipping to Vagabond and that Vagabond might be selling these. Maybe Phil can chime in and let us know any update on this?

It would sure be great if we get these from Relentless again!

 

I have the alum kb voodoo caps. Definitely a no brainer for the 2nd gens. The PC on mine have held up, and obviously hasn’t rusted.

 

We will be offering bed caps from another vendor soon! Phil is working out the details now.

 

How did you go about deciding where to mount the base plate you made? Did you have to drill some new holes?

 

Can't speak for MJ, but I know for mine, I used to have a BedSlide. I just bolted the deck I made into the existing rivnuts in my bed.

 

Ditto

 

We also have kb voodoo caps on our 2nd gen with our Drifter and they are fine. Would definitely recommend you change them out. I don't see how the plastic rail caps on the 2nd gen could stand up to the Drifter.

 

I used all of the factory bed bolts for my base plate.
#1 - I didn't want to drill any new holes in the bed.
#2 - Personally, I wouldn't trust bolting a base plate just directly to the composite bed.

I had to get longer bolts for the two back by the tailgate, as the factory ones weren't long enough. I also made sure to put in some washers perfectly matched to the bed rib height to ensure that the bed itself is still held nice and tight to the frame.

 

Yeah only thing on mine is just a fridge slide and fridge. If I made anything crazy like MJ's setup I would go the route you did.

 

How is the GooseGear bed plate attached to the Tacoma bed? Anyone have pictures?

 

It’s bolted through.

 

At what locations? I think one can use the 3 of the drain bolts as anchor point for the rear.

 

Right, good point. I was going to add that caveat and forgot.

 

I used the bed bolts so I didn’t have to drill new holes in the bed. Bought longer bolts but when it came time for install, the stock ones were sufficient so just kept those.

Remember to put washers underneath the base plate. Otherwise the bolt will keep fastening and will cause that section of the base plate to cave in.