Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

We just had our second about 6 months ago and I've been debating a re-build to accommodate two wee ones down below. I'm really happy with the current single crib setup, but can't think of a good way to fit two "cribs" without compromising space for other stuff. I was thinking about just sleeping in a separate tent with our toddler until the little one gets a bit better at night time.

 

No kids to worry about here, but room for activities is what's heavily persuaded the design of my build. It's still in progress, but I've made my open floor area 29.5" x 59" to fit various things both inside the cabinets, and outside.

 

Was wanting to do similar with 2 battleborn batteries that I have. Was curious about safety issues. Don’t want to fluctuating temps to cause an issue.

 

I actually switched to a single battleborn lithium battery along with a merlin solar panel and victron goodies and it has handled all my power needs with no issues. Very happy.

 

Thanks man, was just debating if I should put it in the bed of the truck in my GFC camper or place it in the cab. A part of me is a bit fun shy putting a lithium in the cab with me.

 

Don't be fun (gun) shy. Lithium ion batteries are the ones that randomly burst into flames.

Battleborn, Renogy and others use LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron phosphate) which is known to be very safe.

 

How big is that fire risk for Li-ion and what causes it? Just curious as someone who plans to power stuff with a Goalzero

 

I would say the risk is low if you buy from reputable manufacturers who make well designed products that incorporate safety features into their products. I've never heard of any issues with Goal zero or Jackery, for example.

I think the danger comes from electronic circuits that are faulty or poorly designed that cause the batteries to overheat or overcharge, and sometimes ignite. So the biggest risk is with cheap electronic gadgets. You occasionally see e-bike batteries that have ignited on the news for example. Personally, I had a battery for a cheap bike headlight start smoldering. Fortunately the battery itself didn't ignite. But it has also happened with higher end stuff like Samsung phone models, some of which are now banned from US flights.

 

Thanks brutha!

 

Makes sense. I bought the goalzero for the ease and simplicity of it, but am now wishing I would have maybe done something different. One of these with both solar and alternator charge maybe. https://basilsgarage.shop/products/power-cube-ii-universal-dual-battery-system-by-basils-garage

Still trying to decide if I should swap my 140ah goalzero for a 100ah one.

 

Each option has pros and cons. The biggest pro of the Goal zero is portability. You can easily move it around when in camp or swap it between vehicles depending on needs, and can plug it in to charge at home. You can also plug it in to the vehicle to charge while driving, or charge via fixed or portable solar panels. Requires you to actively plug/unplug, but again offers flexibility. I pieced my system together from scratch with Renogy's MPPT charge controller that charges from both solar and alternator. It charges automatically which is nice as I don't have to do anything, but it is a fixed installation that I can't easily move around. Parked and need to charge via solar? I have to park in the sun. With a goal zero and portable panels you park in the shade and set the panel up in the sun. I'd give the Goalzero a try. You can always sell it if it isn't working out.

 

The big downside to me from branded portable systems are a drastic decrease in capacity. The Goal Zero 1000X Yeti is LIon and only 983Wh for $1400. They weirdly give an amp hour rating at 10.8V, maybe to pump up the Ah to 91. The GZ 1500X is 1516Wh for $2k. The basils garage one is Lion and only 50Ah (768Wh) for $2100 (!!).

To compare, a nice quality SOK LiFePO4 206Ah (2636Wh) battery is $1100 or a 100Ah for about half that. A charge controller, inverter, and components probably won't get to over $500. I have a 170Ah and just let the alternator charge with a Renogy controller protecting both the battery and the alternator.

This winter with a small fridge, electric sleeping pad, electric kettle, led light strips and occasional water pump use it didn't draw down the battery more than 10-15% overnight, so it could easily cover a few days of stationary camp without issue. It wouldn't be hard to make extensions and carry a portable panel, but with a larger capacity battery there hasn't been a need to charge while parked.

 

Powder coated my awning brackets to match my drifter for the sake of ocd. Now I gotta find the confidence to drill through it lol

 

Just cut it!

 

Same here, I can't get past the capacity/$ with the branded ones. Honestly, even the SOK (and similar) are a bit too hard for me to swallow.
I ended up building my own 560ah LiFePO4 from prismatic cells for $1500-1600, though obviously that's not the best route for everyone. I'm not even sure, myself, how it will hold up to all the vibration in the long term.

 

Hi! Anyone out there with a Vagabond have an awesome CB Radio Antenna set up? I will have to move my wiring and placement around, and would love to see where yall do your CB radio kit! Where do you like your Antenna with a camper on?! Pic is my current set up, and am thinking I'll just have it moved probably to the front of the truck with a different Antenna.

 

I don't personally have one but have considered it, and if we were to install one (because we're anticipating getting a Drifter hopefully someday #201) I would most likely install it on our ARB front bumper.

 

I have my CB antenna mounted to my passenger-side ditch-light bracket, and a magnetic HAM antenna on the roof of the cab, forward of the Drifter, with the cable running into the cab between the front and rear driver's side doors.

You can kinda see it all here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ildout-and-mods.540940/page-299#post-26537723

 

I have not re-installed mine(which was on a rear bedside mount but the rear window was interfering). At some point I will remount to a front fender with my current Firestik and see how it is.

 

Thank you! I like that mount and spot!