The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

These are what I used for awning mounts.
They do work nicely, but I'll admit it was a royal pain to get them installed ...Mainly because I wanted mounts on all three sides to be able to move the awning around, so they have to be spaced absolutely perfectly on each side to make that work.

Nice to see they're still being sold though. I thought the company disappeared completely.
I get the impression there's probably some kind of weird buyout or patent issue that's forcing their hand into the pet bowl thing.

 

IMO it’s a universal bracket. Also because it’s so thin the awning will be mounted fairly close to the camper. Hopefully this will be another advantage in rainy Seattle

Which awning are you moving? Do you have any photos?

 

If all goes well I'll be showing up at Kingdom Trails in Vermont with mine next fall. Check back with me in October if you wanna come check it out.

 

Thanks for the offer but mine hopefully will be done in April.

 

It's just an 8ft Chinese one.
No pics, but I gotta do some work on the camper, so maybe I can grab a few.

 

There’s just some 3”x1/4” slits in the front corners of the bed for drainage rather than holes. If I get another pop up style camper I’m thinking I’d place the heater in a cabinet in one of the front corners above the bedside so the exhaust could be run straight out.

 

I have been running the Smart touring brackets on all three sides for over a year now and have had good luck with them. We only carry a 6’ awning that gets moved to the back in most cases. We I have also mounted our solar shower using those same brackets.

 

@Eazy.E What 6' awning do you use? I was thinking about doing the same thing with my setup - 6' awning on the side for travel, on the back at camp.

 

I ordered some of these from the Ebay seller listed but the did not come with the insert portion. Anyone know where to get the piece that slides into the mounting bracket?

 

This Is the one with the extended release tab. Definitely comes with both pieces
https://www.ebay.com/c/1200066558

 

Has anyone used clamps like these to attach the Drifter to a Tacoma using the factory bed utility tracks?

$32 AA-Racks P-AC-04N Utility Track System Mounting Clamp for Toyota Tacoma/Tundra Truck Cap/Camper Shell, Set of 4 - Black

https://www.amazon.com/AA-Racks-P-A...la-569835039005&ref=&adgrpid=60443657263&th=1

I guess they're maybe not that different than what VO specs stock. More thread engagement, based on the photos from the site.

I was thinking about bolting the Drifter to my Tacoma permanently, but then realized as I was sealing up the bed yesterday that the bolt head or nut would end up between the steel quarter panel and the composite bed. That seems like a pain in the neck, and potentially impossible.

Anyone figured out a really sleek system yet?

 

I have a 6’ ARB awning. The Vagabond boys can get you front runner awnings as well. Most of them use the same extrusion so they all mount the same.

 

what gears are people running with 33's and a fully loaded/armored drifter?

 

I’m stock gear ratio right now but plan on 4.88’s. I also plan on taller tires with other gobbledygook...

 

I have 4.88 gears with 33” tires and it is honestly not enough. When I switch to my winter tires which are 32” my truck drives much better and gets better fuel economy. I would recommend going with 5.29 gears if you go with 33” tire or bigger.

 

3rd gen gearing should not be compared to 2nd gen

 

i should have been more specific, yes I’m referring to second gen. seems like second gens are less in ratio if all else were the same, curious if there are any strong opinions from those owners

 

Most 2nd Gen guys loaded down with big tires are running 488's with success. Some folks are running 456's as well but there isn't much of a difference between 456's and 488 so you might as well go 488.

 

456 for manual, 488 for auto... with a v6 and 33s and higher... 33s will make highway speeds rough that overgeared though.

if you're on 33s, and can find a 4.10 gear set, 4.10 manual and 4.56 auto would have better highway performance and still overtorqued.

for some comparison at highway speeds...

final drive ratio (tranny x axle gear, tcase 1:1)
RA60F 6th gear 0.849 (manual)
3.73 gears = 3.1667
4.10 gears = 3.4809
4.56 gears = 3.8714
4.88 gears = 4.1431

A750F 5th gear .0716 (auto)
3.73 gears = 2.6707
4.10 gears = 2.9356
4.56 gears = 3.2650
4.88 gears = 3.4941

 

4.88s and 35s is the perfect combo for 2nd gens.