Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

That’s what I was thinking, along with collapsibility but I hate asking a question then putting words in others mouths. I know at least in Phil’s case he has both

 

Like the others, price. I also like the color coding and the large soft carry bag so that you can pack them in your house and have them ready to grab and go.

 

We are also looking at storage options. One nice thing about these bags is they are tall enough to hold a propane tank upright. The wolf pack is too short without the tall lid which is more $. Their "hot box" hauler also looks like it has potential. Thoughts on why a hard sided box would be beneficial? We don't usually care much that's precious. Seems like you could sit on the wolfpacks, which might be good if the weather is shit.

https://www.rei.com/product/142311/mountainsmith-hot-box-hauler

 

Okay... I've got Vagabond fever like you wouldn't believe. (Or maybe you would...)

I've got a few questions stewing around and I'm sure a few of you out there could answer.

1. To those who insulated the camper yourselves, how difficult is it and what was about the cost to do it? Debating if I should just tackle it myself or if its worth it to have it done when I order it.
2. Those with 2nd gens: bed stiffeners? I currently have the bed rack/RTT combo and do not have them. I've heard these campers are comparable in weight, if not a little lighter than what I'm running so I'm not sure if they're necessary.
3. The ceiling fan? Worth it or nah?
4. Interior lighting. Who ordered it as an option with the camper and do you like it? Who did their own lighting? What did you use? Electrical will be easy for me so this one isn't a big deal but I'm curious.
5. How in the maddening hell do you decide on the interior design?! This one has me beside myself and I think its because I don't know the first thing about building my own shelves, I don't own a single piece of equipment to do it, and I can't think of anyone I know who does. I'd much prefer to build a custom setup over dishing out the dough to just buy it. (Anyone want to bust out a project weekend with me when I drive it back from Cali?! )

6. Tell me your absolute favorite thing about the camper that makes it undoubtedly worth it to you.

 

You could also do milk crates + soft bags.

 

So I hopefully will have mine in December....

1. I did not add insulation...I think if I need it I can add it later.
2. I have a 2nd gen and am going to add bed stiffeners.
3. The fan is super quiet and I think it will be good in hot weather.
4. I thought the light set up was good so I got it.
5. Adding some kind of drawer setup seems like a good place to start.
6. It’s going to help me get my wife out camping... WORTH IT. It’s also going to let me work as I travel.

I hope this helps

 

I'll go through these numerically. That way it is easier for me to give direct and concise answers.

1. I had my own ideas of insulation; however, being a stones throw from the shop where they build these, I have seen their insulation solution and it is(as expected) well engineered and visually appropriate for their overall design elements. I will wait till its in full production and add it on when they are ready for me.

2. Absolutely get the bed stiffeners. It should be a prerequisite to purchasing a Drifter. My old A.R.E. CX series shell w/ Prinsu rack and RTT had already "walked out" my bed sides for me about half an inch total. When I installed the bed stiffeners I took out about a quarter inch per side with a come-along. If you are really wheelin the truck hard(desert running at high rates of speed and lots of off camber action) you will see a benefit of adding the bed stiffeners.

3. Ceiling fan is worth it for me. I camp in the winter(mostly) and having appropriate ventilation for my Buddy heater is necessary for survival. The Fantastic Fan is quiet and smooth running.

4. I ordered all the lighting options that were available at the time. The optional overhead LED light Strip is much more functional than the rear mounted LED flood lamp. In addition to the optional LED strip light overhead, I have installed motion sensor, portable, magnetic LED lamps. I find these are my favorite lights of the group in the interior. However, you must remember to turn off the motion sensor at night if you have a restless fur baby down below your sleeping area.

THESE: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IHG9O3M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The lights are available in many lumen ranges. I find I see best when its a soft yellow light vs the bright white of soo many of the LED products out there.

5. My interior design ideas have mostly gelled thanks to @NVLOCAL 's interior design. I prefer the "galley" style, rather than the raised platform a la GooseGear. I would be a little patient in the arena of pulling the trigger on a bed build out until you have camped with it for a bit. You will find your own "flow" after a few trips. I know @Overlanerd and @Iggy are working with Goose Gear now. It would be a good idea to chat with them more about it the closer you come to your delivery date.

6. Setup time. Hands down, the best thing about the Drifter is its complete engineering. Every detail has been thoughtfully developed and well executed.

Good Luck

 

Sincerely appreciate the feedback!

You can actually answer the insulation one well because you mentioned you camp in the winter (which will most definitely happen for me). So how is without the insulation? I can only imagine it's immediately 100X better than the RTT scenario with it already being enclosed and all. Let alone once insulation is added.. that's gotta be pretty amazing. Plus keeping heat out in the summer?? I've been told production is currently landing in April/May time, so maybe they'll have the insulation dialed in by then. But for you, you're going to have them do it rather than tackle it yourself then?

Also, you're the second person to mention the same thing about the interior - to spend a few nights/trips with it and then start planning. My honest problem is that I'm all gun-ho to have this thing fully built immediately, which is completely ludicrous according to my bank account. I just need to start with square one and build from there.

 

1. You could do the lower half yourself fairly easily/cheaply with something like this:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-1-i...ded-Polystyrene-Foam-Board-Insulation/3365576
But if you care about the finished look, you're probably better off going with the option. And I can't remember for sure, but I think the guys said it could be added later if you wanted to.

2. 3rd gen obviously, but I got a pair of stiffeners for a good enough price that it was worth it to me just as a preventative measure.

3. As I mentioned, haven't gotten to really put it to use yet, but I feel like it will make a really big difference for early/late summer Moab trips or similar situations.

4. The part I forgot to mention about the led strips I bought is that they're RGB + warm white. I wanted something that could cover regular lighting duties, night vision preservation, and bug lighting without being overly complicated. And they have dimming functionality built in too.

5. Like I said, it was a long process with multiple revisions along the way. For me, it was basically just a matter of figuring out what specific gear it needed to accommodate, and what the priorities were for the design. Personally, that meant a balance between having as much as possible be accessible from both inside & outside (so I don't need to climb in to get stuff and so it's functional enough to be stuck inside for a while in bad weather), having the heaviest stuff forward and low, having space for the dog to sprawl out, and being able to disassemble it (relatively) easily, if/when necessary.

6. For me, I think it basically comes down to the convenience and simplicity of the design making it easier/more worth it to get out on weekend trips instead of saying "screw it, too much work."

 

Almost everyone has a similar thought re:building out interior - fridge one on side and stacked drawers on the other. Not saying that’s the best or what will work for you, but that seems to be the consensus.

It would be totally possible to build your own drawers with no power tools save a drill (which you could probably do without too).
T-nuts will cut and tap extrusion to lengths requested, and you can purchase ‘drawer side blanks’ at wood working stores so all you need to do is assemble the drawer and attach a slide and then put it in the extrusion frame.

That’s more or less what I’ve done, and I just finished up.
Thanks to @ace7196 for the tip on the HDPE. I swung by TAP plastics and had them cut some 1/4 to lengths requested. Super pleased with how it came out.

 

Yeah that's kind of the direction I'm gravitating towards as well with the fridge / stacked drawers. Beyond that though I'm not sure. I have a unique challenge of dealing with a bed cage. Figure I can create a storage unit behind it where my secondary battery and all the solar controls will go, in addition to any other non-essential items that can be tucked away. Should work out fine.

I must say that I LOVE that look on your drawer system. I like the extrusion/panel combo, although I'd preferably go with black. Extrusion is a tad spendier in the DIY department, correct? I'm sure even more so to go somewhere and have them cut the pieces needed rather than buying in bulk and cutting yourself.

 

Oh, also - I second the galley-style thinking big time. I've realized that ducking down so far to get in/out is probably my one real annoyance, even with my galley-style build. Not that it could really be improved at all, unless a full hatch or barn doors becomes an option.

 

Thanks! Check out https://www.tnutz.com/

You can have them cut and tap each piece of extrusion for a very modest fee.
8020.net will have more color options but it’s more expensive and last I checked they were like 9 business days out on shipping while tnutz will shape same/next day.

 

This!

Can you please give me a lesson on Extrusion 101 because this is precisely where I see my build going. Amazing job!!

 

Very much appreciated! I've got a few months until the camper even exists in my life but I can easily see myself beginning to buy components well in advance.

 

Our drifter is on order. We are not handy. Previous experience was with a 1985 vanagon.

1. Ordered insulation; still debating this one a bit. Think it may help regulate temperature (hot and cold) which is important for our spoilt Boston Terrier.
2. Not sure re: bed stiffeners.
3. Ceiling fan at top of list and ordered. When its hot, it'll be nice. We wanted this in our vanagon and didn't have it.
4. Ordered it too. We had lighting in vanagon and used it all the time. May do add on lightening depending on use/experience
5. Not sure, but don't plan a full build out. Want it to still be able to be a truck and haul stuff around. Goose gear is the $$$ option that is custom fit to a tacoma, I believe. Looks sweets, but $$$. Looking at Mountainsmith bags + milk crate/plastic boxes. Will also have a box on top.

6. Several reasons we are sold on this:
-It's a wedge-falia! Love the upstairs sleeping compartment, that you can still stand up in the back of the cab
-It's on a truck with 45k instead of the 296k our vanagon had; it's 4x4, trustworthy, and we can take it places we could never take the vanagon and still have a good night's sleep
-Can see downstairs even with bed completely deployed so can check on dogs
-It can still be a truck with a topper in the city; is small and compact

 

Here’s a bunch of screenshots I have from IG showing completed and in progress Goose Gear builds. If you pay attention you can see how they are constructed.

If you have the money the Goose Gear stuff is all beautiful and a work of art. Way beyond my skill level for sure, but unfortunately also beyond my wallet.

 

Anyone here running the Drifter on a stock 4x4? I am wondering about my suspension on my basic model.

 

Well, stock '17 TRD Offroad, but yeah.
I ran it on completely stock suspension for a month or two, and it was alright for that time. Long term though, the stock springs aren't going to keep up. Definitely not if you start loading it up with extra weight.
Because I was starting to build it out, I added some Sumo Springs as a temporary measure so that I can see exactly where I end up and tailor my suspension choices accordingly.

If you don't have any plans to do suspension later, I'd say airbags would be a good long term solution.

 

Well, shit. Brian, you make me want to build it out with goose gear. Maybe the milk crates will save some us money towards that. -C