Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I am currently trying to layout my electrical and came here to see what I could find. Nicely timed! Looks great. Also love that Dickinson heater.

Since my aux battery will be in the bed, I think I’m going with consolidating all the electrical to one corner. Anyone have any good examples of their work with this set up?

 

solar breaker and battery monitor up on the side panel and then Redarc charger, house breaker and fuse block on the wood panel for easy access. Used all thread and tnuts to hold it together. Battery monitor shunt and ground bar attached to the back. Need a little work to anchor the battery to the bed but it’s overall pretty good right now. Some cable management as usual as I was hurrying to put it together before a trip.

Also adding a charge profile switch for the Redarc when it is cold as well as 12v thermostat controlled heat pads for the battery to keep everything happen during the winter.

 

Just a quick PSA here for Tacoma guys to be aware of ...and to be clear, I'm definitely NOT saying that the Drifter had anything to do with this, but personally, it just makes the issue more concerning given what I use my truck for and how much time I spend off the grid.
If you do some more research on this, you'll find it's apparently pretty common for Tacomas (since gen 1, even) that see much off-road at all.

Here's a little sample of what I discovered, and my post about how I decided to address it is here.

 

Yeah, it's nothing to do with the drifter, but "spirited" driving off-road. Many people with "empty" trucks (no camper, no RTT/bedrack) have had this come up on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gens.

Drilling holes to stop the cracking is a temporary solution as is welding it back together. I'd start a new thread of find those threads that talk about these issues rather than completely derailing the Drifter build out thread.

 

Yep, completely agree.
Like I mentioned, only posting it so people are aware, cause I had never come across anything about it until I saw it on my truck.

Edit: And for the record, I definitely use my truck, but I certainly don't abuse it. It doesn't seem to take much.

 

You could pull it off on your own with a couple of the older style camper jacks that basically have a piece of angle on each corner that would slide under the lip on each corner.

 

They work great for what I wanted. I'll also mention they are tall enough to pass through a Front Runner Wolf pack box with the tall lid option.

 

Any insight into how well the side insulation works on keeping the inside cooler than out? Am not so much worried about it for myself, but realizing that my Goalzero's operating temp limits are somewhat lower than I expected, I'm wondering if that can help keep it cooler on 100* days. That coupled with some flowing air from the fan I hope can handle it

 

I've never paid too close attention, but I can check the thermometer on my CO monitor when I get home from work. I don't have the VO installed insulation, but I put in my own 1" foam insulation with carpeting. Looks like it's been about 90 degrees in Salt Lake today and my truck has just been sitting in the driveway.

 

About 6-8 degree difference with 1" foam board insulation (the pink stuff from home depot)

 

My camper was at 98 when I got home at about 530. It was just outside my garage, which was at 95. Not really a controlled experiment, but take it for what you will.

 

Well I mean, the temp on days that are 100 degrees are going to be 100 degrees or higher inside your vehicle, not cooler.

When they do measurements, the temp is based on air temp in the shade. If you want it cooler than 100 degrees, you'll need some method to take heat out like an air conditioner.

With that said, the insulation will protect from direct sunlight in the mornings and will let you sleep in a little more. But if it's going to be a 100 degree day, it's advisable to just wake up earlier and go to bed earlier or get an air conditioner.

 

Sitting out in the sun closed up all day the Drifter was 11 degrees cooler than the inside of the truck. Didn’t have zip ties to put the sensor outside the truck to compare to outside temps but it’s at least better insulated than the truck.

 

Has anyone used a sun-reflectant shade cloth over their camper to prevent the sun from directly hitting the walls ?

Ive not used it myself but i would assume with some tent poles, one could cast some shade over one's truck if one was planning to be parked in the sun for any length of time and significantly reduce the metal from heating up.

vensovo 90% Sunblock Shade Cloth Net Black Resistant - 12x20 Ft Garden Shade Mesh Tarp for Plant Cover, Greenhouse, Chicken Coop, Tomatoes, Plants

Vensovo 90% Sunblock Shade Cloth

 

What was your attachment method for the foam? Many adhesives in fail in Salt Lake heat. Haha. With foam I suppose a pressure fit and some sort of clips? Any photos?

 

It's a pretty tight fit, so it mostly stayed in place on it's own prior to adding adhesive, but I used 3M 90 hi-strength spray adhesive. I used the same 3M 90 spray for my window covers, as well as many other random projects over the years, without issues from the "Salt Lake heat."

 

Well, I have the insulation package (above and below) and I can verify that it keeps the interior cooler than the outside. I checked the temperature inside when we had a 105 degree day and it was 90. Of course, given enough time, the interior will reach the exterior temperature. In the deserts of E WA we the max temperature of the day around 4:00 and the temp drops about 8:00. So, there isn’t enough time for the interior to reach exterior temps.

 

Early Christmas? (Year round holidays with the Drifter)

 

I'm new here so forgive me if this sounds a bit silly, but, has anyone tried sleeping in the bed without a cap? Would it be comfortable/safe enough to with only a sleeping bag maybe? The thought process is that as long as you don't fall below the dew point or get rained on you should be alright, no?

I'm asking for a friend because he's too poor for a camper.