Wedge Campers & Assorted Oddities

That looks strikingly similar to the Drifter...

 

The taco version was lurking in the west parking lot near the vendor area.

*posted from somewhere in the woods, about 5 miles south of the Expo.

 

Wow, they are even using the same latches...

That overhang for the full length of the cab. I would love to see the way it’s constructed to deal with dynamic loads.

 

I watched the video posted on instagram, the bed raises with the roof and is pulled down when ready to sleep. You can also stand in the bed of the truck with the bed down, hence the reason for so much overhang over the cab.

 

like the insulated top section. a little healthy competition usually benefits the consumer.

*coughs* still like the Drifter *coughs*

 

Can you post a link to the video on IG? Thanks

 

Here's one short vid. First post.

https://www.instagram.com/roadtraveler/

 

It may be really similar to the drifter, but i'm going to guess that AT is aiming at a way higher price point. I wouldn't be surprised if this is in the 7.5-8k price range. The "insulation" looks like a moving blanket with a waterproof liner.

Looking at the details on the Drifter, it won't be hard to put the same thing in. I would just drop small stainless steel hooks or loops lining the roof. For winter camping, it'll make your 5lbs propane tank last waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay longer with the Propex heater.
Or if you're like me, use a gasoline parking heater.

Anyone should be able to do the same thing and/or maybe Phil and Iggy will make something as an option when winter rolls around. Personally I'd take this as an opportunity to get sheets of mylar and a moving blanket and sew on a new cover on it with pretty looking diamond barrier stitching. This sort of blanket would have the mylar flipped outward during the summer to keep the heat out and flipped the other way inward during the winter to keep the heat in.

 

That drop down bed system is really cool!

 

That instagram video posted above claims the base price will be $8,600-8,800

 

My thoughts exactly. If I wanted my Tacoma to be a dedicated camper this would be ideal for maximizing the useful space. If that’s not the intent it seems to be a lot of extra money without much benefit over the Drifter.

 

I posted this on Expo in a GFC vs Drifter thread. Figured I would crosspost this here.

Full disclosure, I purchased a Vagabond and I have had their first model on my truck for 3 weeks (as a loaner). I paid full price for mine, and they have not asked me to write this or given me any feedback on it - nor is this sanctioned by them. 100% my own opinion.

With the recent price increase for the GFC to $5750 I don't think there's any reason to get it over the Vagabond. I'm sure some people will take offense to that, and that's fine. Lots of peoples identities seemed to be wrapped up in what camper they paid a lot of money for. We can all have our opinions, and ultimately I can say if the GFC came to market 6 months ago I would have happily paid their asking price and been thrilled with it. It's a giant leap forward from anything else on the market previously. I've stated before that I think the coolest part about both of these coming to market is seeing how people build theres out - hopefully Habitat, GFC and Vagabond owners can all come together on this and sing kumbayah and build dope glamping setups.

That being said I think the GFC is more of a RTT on a shell while the Vagabond is a true camper, so one isn't necessarily going to work better for everyone.


I think there are two downsides to the Vagabond over the GFC:
Weight - 100ish lbs difference between the two. Once you start loading it up I think that number will be pretty negligible - an ARB fridge weighs more than 50 lbs, my dog weighs 60, 12 gallons of water weighs 100ish, etc.
Price - $750 more, but I think it's a better value.
Extrusion on side of GFC - neat to attach accessories easily, but you can just drill in the Vagabond which I plan on doing. But then you have a hole.

The biggest problems I see with the GFC:

Side tent windows - They are too small, and their placement towards the cab (where your feet will be) is truly odd. Additionally, the Vagabond uses a three layer window (mesh, clear vinyl, tent material) which is awesome and offers a lot more flexibility.
Transform-a-floor - I think the theory behind it is cool, but I think it's needlessly complicated. In their video they show the "full bed" configuration where the pillows are all stashed over the cab and makes the space unusable. I don't think the Vagabond marketing has properly illustrated how they do their floor, but it's essentially two panels that can slide under eachother. The mattress is two mattresses that are velcrod together that creates a hinge and allows them to be folded over on top of eachother. In this configuration there is still enough room to have a fully open bed, yet still be able to put a dog there and other items while you work in the bed. I have done this several times in inclement weather and it's absolutely clutch. The other key point is that it does not look like you will be able to sleep two reasonably sized adults side by side and still have access to the bed - which you can do easily with the Vagabond.
Exposed struts - seems like they are in danger of getting ripped off or damaged in tight trails (like those in Western WA). I will say that being attached to the extrusion makes replacing them easy I bet.

Translucent ceiling - I've heard a ton of reasons for this and none of them make any sense. If I want light in the camper I will create it, otherwise I don't want to be woken up by the sun - if I did I would set an alarm or open my windows. One of the things I loved about my Alu-Cab was how dark it got inside when you wanted it too.
No rear window as standard
Water sealing - it doesn't look like the front of the camper (near the cab) has done anything to seal up the gaps in the Tacoma bed. Speaking from experience with other metal camper shells (Alu-Cab) you need to do something about those gaps or a surprising amount of water will get in. I've seen reports from people who live in SoCal about how waterproof it is...lol.



Advantages of the Vagabond:
Simple, more effective floor/sleeping area that is also larger and more flexible - you can sleep two adults side by side, yet still get in/out of camper or work on a laptop below.
Integrated electronics features - the Vagabond interior has ways to (by design) route power cables throughout while keeping them secure (through special zip ties) and hidden. Very cool! Additionally, they have panels you can purchase that you can attach light switches, fuse boxes, etc. to in a way that makes it clean and like it came from the factory like that.
Large side windows that are positioned so you can see out of them
Triple layered side windows - No window, mesh, clear vinyl, tent material (privacy screen) offer more flexibility. The clear vinyl is really nice and allows you to still see outside and take advantage of natural light during a rain storm.
Larger sleeping/living area - you can have two adults sleeping side by side and still work on a computer below.

Lockable tent area - side doors will lock on the GFC but not being able to lock the actual tent seems like an interesting oversight.
Large rear window comes standard - seriously, this window is gigantic AND it comes already tinted. Additionally the cab-facing window flips down for ease of cleaning or sticking long objects through the cab.
Waterproofing - the Vagabond comes standard with a weather sealing strip that goes over the bed where it meets the cab (where there are giant holes in the Tacoma bed) while my Alu-Cab did not and leaked profusely through there. Additionally, the tent material is some maritime vinyl material that is 1000% waterproof and is awesome. I have driven through several major rain storms, and camped in the rain and not a drop of water has gotten inside. As a side note, I've ruined a CVT tent because the nylon got wet and moldy - I'm not saying it wouldn't happen with this but the material is absolutely more resistant to that and is in fact waterproof.
They made the original wedge camper for Tacomas - I'm not saying the GFC is a copy of it the Vagabond, but the Vagabond guys made the first one and I like to support small businesses whenever possible.


I'm sure I've forgotten some stuff but would rather put this out now than stew on it for a week to add another line.

Flame away

 

@danneskjold I think your comparisons are pretty accurate. For me the biggest difference between the two is the intended use. The Drifter is more of a camper and most people so far seem to be intending to build them up with all the comforts of home. The GFC is better suited to a truck that will be used as a truck most of the time and a place to sleep some of the time.

 

Here's a photo of my dog sleeping on the over cab part. In this photo both sleeping panels are stacked and the matress is folded leaving the entire bed open.

 

I think you need to do more research on the product you don't own before bad mouthing it. Several of the things you list as disadvantages in the gfc are not actually as you say.

And I can say this because I don't own either and have no plans on owning any sort of camper topper like these. Yet even I know that water sealing is not an issue on the gfc.

 

Feel free to correct me where I'm wrong instead of just making blanket statements - I'm not gonna get mad because I don't want to peddle bad information.

I haven't seen any shots where there the GFC has a seal around the cab, and I know for a fact it's an issue with other metal shells because it's happened to me. Maybe they jam RTV down in the gap like you have to do with the Alu Cab.

 

I believe the GFC has a "bulb" seal around the dom tubing that seals the camper to the truck bed. This is the only picture I can find of the seal.

 

I'm sure that is fine for the sides but there are actually gaps on the sides of the bed immediately behind the cab that need to be covered and they are not on the bed caps.

I'd take a photo but mine is covered, I'll see if I can find a stock truck in the morning or someone else can post a photo.

The Alu Cab has a similar seal and everyone thought it was waterproof until it started raining.

 

It will certainly be interesting to see how everyone builds these campers out. There are a lot of opinions out there and there will certainly be more as these companies sell more and release updates/accessories.

I went with GFC for my needs but the Drifter is a very nice build and each have their own pros/cons. You make some interesting points and I hope others can use all of the info in these types of threads to help with their decision.

 

I havent actually looked at this. I have zero experience with truck canopies since I have never owned one so I have a lot to learn. It will be neat to see how companies and owners adapt and overcome these types of issues.