Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Lol, busted!

 

Niceee

Noted that for my build
This is probably the best way to incorporate a slide without having to elevate it from the ground too much

 

In another thread.

 

Thanks for the info! I was planning on cutting the L-track to fit. I think there is 112" to work with, so 4x25.9=103.6 with 8" left. The other way to go if I can find a panel that fits is like their 300W 24v. It is too large to fit two lengthwise, but 24V would reduce wire gauge thickness and component cost. Solarland makes a 190W panel (44VOC, so charging is good to go) that is 50.5" x 39". 3 of those is barely over at 117" 2 could be comfortable, but 380W vs 4 Renogy's at 640W (or 3 @ 480W)

The main purpose is to charge a Zero FX battery and provide off-alternator charging for everything else. I think the Gowesty 50Ah Lifepo4 batteries look good for storage.

I'm just at the start of this, and costs are daunting. For now my XR250R and fuel in the cans will get me by, but I'd like to eventually run electric to explore around camp.

 

It will probably be a regular thing. The drifter makes exploring far away from anything pretty easy!

Here is the rest of them. Typical spring snow coming down 395.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4U6Gn7HBiDNYcy5o9

 

I have 5.29's with 285/70/17's, 2 1/2-3" lift, front and rear bumpers etc. Runs great on the highway. Because of the 3rd gen double overdrive I don't think I'd want the 4.88's. It just wouldn't be enough for the 3rd gen specifically.

 

Good to know, maybe I will go with 5.29's then. What MPG are you getting with that setup?

 

I'm also thinking about 5.29 for my 3rd gen. This thread has lots of great info https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-5-29-mega-thread.557305/

 

Definitely go 5.29s if you plan on hauling a camper around on a 3rd gen.

In headwind, those gears will help you out a lot. Not to mention bigger tires, armor, etc. I'll be regearing in the next week or two and excited this truck is gonna have gears done before getting the camper.

 

100% go with 5.29s. 4.88s are what the truck should have had stock. With any additional weight you should go 5.29

 

How do you secure your Maxxtrax to the camper? Currently have them on L Tracks on the drivers side but they would be easy to steal if I park in the woods to hike.

 

Park on them to level out the truck.

 

Mine are on the L track on the pass side. I used the maxtrax pins and a padlock (combo so I don’t have to add another key)

 

How much weight do you think that angled aluminum can hold?
Wondering if it can hold a decently weighted pull out chuckbox that holds a 50L fridge, stove, sink, pantry ontop of 1/2" plywood that lays across the 2 angled aluminums.


Did you just use plywood that goes across the angled aluminum for the platform which your cooler sits on?

 

I think no used 3/8 aluminum angle and some thinner bar for the criss sections. The funny part was the drawer slides I bought are rated for 500# but the holes that come drilled for mounting are only 10-32 bolts. I drilled them out and put bigger hardware in there. If I want the shear rating is for 10-32 but figured better safe. For mounting the base to the slideshow used some smaller angle and just a piece of birch plywood I had for the base plate. I had planned to make a steel or alu base plate but never got around to it.

Long story long your set up your talking bout needing a longer drawer slide or a double stack? Unless you mount it onboard enough to clear the wheel well you won't be able to fit a longer slide. Mine will hold me sitting on it with the wood base but it would be more solid with something else. That said, I've seen some really robust and creative slide out chuck box set ups out of wood with slides.

 

Unless you're really planning ahead for an electric bike, or trying to account for very cloudy/winter days (which would be understandable), I don't think you're going to need that much solar.
I've got 3 100w Renogy panels on top of mine, and 2 110ah (quoted) group 31s.
I was working out of the Drifter this whole week (stationary), so pretty solid power draw - 62qt dual zone fridge/freezer, laptop 10+ hours per day, moderate phone and tablet use/charging, lights at night, occasional use of cell booster and 12v "oven."
With all of that, I was seeing around 1300-1400 watt hours draw per day, and bringing in 1400-1700 watt hours from the panels (which was even being limited by the charger once the batteries got back to full charge each day).

 

Can anyone with L-Track installed advise if the mounting points are in the gutter area of the drifter top? Or in the sleeping area? Looking to install L track to mount solar but may just go flexible panels if I would need to drill into the sleeping space

 

I installed L track myself, but I imagine they’re installed in a similar spot because of the rivets from the struts


Underside

 

Yeah, definitely outside the sleeping space. They designed it that way.

I installed my own as well, but I used a drill to clearance the underside of the L track so that I could install it over the top of the strut rivets.

 

Thank you!