Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

What did you use for that bent pipe from the top of the heater? Did you just use an internal and external pre-bent pipe?

I'm looking at this heater but would want to do a side (wall) mount for the intake/exhaust pipe. Their instructions say to do as gradual of an arc as possible for a wall mount, but I would think you could do a 45 degree or more by using rigid pipes that were set into each other....and allow for enough spacing between the pipes to not restrict the intake.

 

Yea that guy is triple OG for sure haha

The muffler is definitely gonna look stupid that way but I guess its the way to go. I’ve gotta figure out the best way to do this as well. Might just fix it to the frame and call it a day. I will say this though, most installs I’ve seen say that the general direction of the exhaust should be pointed toward the rear of the vehicle, but with our point of entry to the Drifter being at the rear, I’m going to redirect it going forward. If the rear hatch isn’t closed, wind will definitely blow the exhaust fumes inside the Drifter and doesn’t make for a happy wife. Ask me how I know haha

 

You could hide the muffler further under the truck and just use a section of the exhaust pipe from there so only that is visible from the outside of the truck.

 

There’s not too many places to mount it for me unless I want it visible in the wheel well or pointing back towards the entry. Drilling holes in the frame is not my thing; takes way too long haha. I’m fine with it being sideways lol, I’ll drill a hole in the bottom of the muffler for science

 

Yea but that spot is highly susceptible to getting crushed coming off a boulder. That’s opposite of what a high clearance rear bumper does for my truck.

 

Perk of not crawling anymore haha!

 

You're welcome. Yes, if I had used the cubes on my setup, I think the cost for just those parts alone would have been somewhere in the $150 range. External L & T brackets would be fine. I used a lot of the 90-degree corner braces and flat 2-hole connector plates.

Yes, feel free to PM me. Baja to Alaska will be a super cool trip, especially if you can take a nice, long time to do it.

 

The fitting used on top of the heater between the heater and the factory flexible tube is fabricated stainless steel. SS sheet was formed into tubes, and there is one inner tube (exhaust) that fits inside the outer tube (intake). They are fabricated to the exact diameters needed for friction fit to the heater, and to the factory tube. A key thing to understand here is thermal bridging between the tubes. The factory flexible tube (tube inside a tube) maintains perfect separation of the two tubes by using a very thin coil filament spacer (see pic below). The low mass of this spacer technique moves very little heat from the hot exhaust pipe (inner tube) to the intake pipe (outer tube).



The fabricated stainless steel fitting, due to the rigid nature of the material, and the welding required, doesn't allow for the use of this filament spacer. So, tabs have to be welded at the angle joint. These tabs thermally bridge the two pieces, and so the outer tube gets hot. As it moves the from the fitting to the factory tube and outdoors, it cools substantially. So, something to keep in mind if using anything other than the factory flexible tube. There is a hot surface where there normally would only be a "very warm" surface, at the connection to the heater. Hope that makes sense.

 

Damn. Hella science

 

Round 2 Exhaust Mount thanks to @MJonaGS32

I’m sitting inside trying to see if I can smell the exhaust. I don’t think it’ll be a problem





And even if the smell is an issue, I can just bring an extra exhaust pipe with me and put it on the muffler

 

where did you get those legs for the table?

 

Thanks! Makes sense. I was reading on a schoolbus camper forum about the individual that used the factory tube to route to a horizontal fitment. He had what he believed to be a gradual arc, but it ended up not being gradual enough. The heater was sensitive to the intake that it kept shutting off. He lowered his mount by an inch making the arc wider and its been working fine ever since.
I wonder if they'd sell more of the coil spacers or if you could make something similar work... I know they come with two spacers (i think), but seems like more would be better if I were to arc the tube to an outer wall. Oh well...time to think, no rush. Just weighing my options while I wait for my camper.

 

Oh man... I have been building a so I have been a little MIA from TW for a bit and had a lot of catching up to do! the drifter has made an excellent work truck hauling lumber and tools while it wasn't being camped in!

I have a friend that has successfully done this and I will be doing so as well once I have the time. I already have all the parts etc. I need. Ill try and make sure to take some photos through out the process. The main piece besides the heater is an EXE bed cubby.

FWIW this was actually an "alternate" configuration we tried out. turned out it didn't work out as well for us as our normal layout. our fridge is in the cab so the cooler is primarily for drinks which meant getting in and out to grab a beer. having it on the slide out in the back is way easier lol. having the toilet on top of the slide out was nice tho. 3/4 of the time we keep the front cabinet (shown on top of the bench) where the cooler is in the photo and keep the living space nice and open. but having the option for a standing height table for cooking inside has come in handy in cold whether.

I took a piece of 20# Velcro and stuck it to the lock and the drifter. lets be keep the top locked all the time and keeps the lock from rattling around while driving


I have a few projects that im hoping to get done soonish. My water system is getting a revamp to get the water weight further forward and lower on the truck. Battery system is getting an over haul, and ill be installing our heater.

My goal is to make everything one hand accessible, especially heat and water, so we can cmap and wrangle this wild animal of a baby easier haha


looks like everyone has been plenty busy and enjoying their campers!

 

https://www.foldingchairsandtables.com/14-wide-replacement-h-style-folding-table-legs-2-pack/

Yep... from foldingchairsandtables.com

 

If you dont want the pipe sticking out you could always attach a piece when using the heater and remove it afterword's. I painted mine black so it doesnt show up as much.

 

Alright, I added 2 more clamps on the left side of the Drifter to try and seal the edge better to prevent water ingress, probably will have to wait until I go through a car wash to check if it works. I bought two clamps thinking I would use one on each side but figured since I have 2 places where water leaks through its better to use both on the same side. The right side has just one spot where it leaks so I will buy more clamps later.

 

If anyone is thinking of buying the fan cover from Strawfoothandmade.com take a look at the one I installed today.

I wish that it covered the whole thing without the bezel poking out all around. Its functional but not very aesthetically appealing.

 

It doesn't smell even with the extra pipe not attached - I'll just leave it and bring the pipe with me on the first trip to make sure it's all good. If I get annoyed of seeing the muffler, I'll cut the exhaust and move the muffler up, then just mount the end of the pipe

 

I responded to your email, but there are many design reasons behind this. In short, they are meant to fit the Fantastic Fan AND MaxxAir fans. Our intention is to create the best insulation seal for the opening of both fan brands even if both trim rings have a different shape and internal layout that change where our strips can be installed. If you'r unhappy with the product, we will issue a full refund and a return label to send it back. No sweat.

 

In that pic I welded some 1/4” flat stock welded to make a flat surface for the heater. I took those out and made more of a cage for it that mounted to the 4 bolts of the spare tire winch.