Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Hmmm ok. I like them because they have a bit more angle than KB Voodoo. I could make my own with some steel, but i may go with Kbvoodoo. Their coupon code still works, so LB ends up being $220 shipped. And they are aluminum, so I think its a decent deal

 

i built in the angle as well. as the KB voodoo doesn’t have the lip on the outside. i like that feature as well. No worries figured i offer since i been going through this as well! And finally got to the point of making a set.

 

Thank you. I think it would be fine too. Just wanted to get input from others who use their fridge as a stepping platform to get up on the bed.

 

Who ordered their Drifter/Nomad with all black powder coating, Rigid scene lights and/or a Frontrunner door? Need to know who's getting a Drifter before Xmas and where I am on the list lol

 

Thanks! I really appreciate it. Have you been able to see roughly how long a growler runs the heater? How do you plan to refill it without getting diesel everywhere inside? I think that is one of my biggest concerns with my setup

 

I think I know whose it is but I'll let them out themselves. I'm pretty sure it's a Nomad.

 

Drifter on the left, Nomad on the right? Just guessing based on height.

 

Finally added a plug for shore power to the side of the Drifter. Once plugged in it provides power to my battery charger as well as a couple of power outlets inside.





Also added a smoke alarm and CO sensor for good measure.



Tomorrow I will start on prepping the left rear for a an Espar B4L Gas Heater that I have decided to get to cope with brutal winter camping.

 

What shore power plug/adapter is that? I learned the other day that my Dometic CFX50 will switch automatically between AC and DC power if both are plugged in - using AC if both are present. I currently just leave the AC plug routed to the tailgate and run an extension cord into the truck and close the rear door without latching so this would be a nice upgrade.

 

I bought this one from Amazon:
NOCO GCP1EX 15 Amp 125V AC Port Plug Power Inlet with 12-Foot Integrated Extension Cord

 

I don't know the run time of the growler filled yet as I've just finished the entire build out and have only tested the heater. Refills are pretty easy with a funnel and a small 1 gallon fuel can.

 

Thank you so much!

 

I've pored through the forums and haven't been able to find a really specific answer. I'm an absolute solar/electrical noob, and need instructions like I'm a fifth grader. We've got our Drifter ordered with solar pre-wire and the power port/double USB added. I'm planning to add solar and a second battery, and am thinking on getting that started now with my current setup. I've obviously got the solar panel, second battery, and charge controller. I'm wondering, since I'm not 100% clear on what the Drifter comes setup with, do I also need a fuse panel and inverter? Or does the Drifter add-ons cover those things?

 

I would give phil a call and talk to him about it. They're an outfitter so they can completely customize the build for you and make sensible choices for everything.

What you install really depends on what kind of accessories you plan on running (fridge, lights, beat/slap, blender for margueritas, hair dryer, heater, etc)

 

I'm building my solar setup for all of the above besides the blender since mine will be gas powered....

 

To break it down for you

I go from a Renogy 160W panel to Rich Solar 20A controller. The Controller runs to my 100AH battery with an inline fuse to protect the battery.

Blue Sea Fuse panel also runs to battery. I plug in any electrical stuff I want with a positive/negative to the Blue Sea fuse panel instead of to the battery.

Give me a DM on Instagram and I’ll record a video showing how the wires come in/go out. @socalexpeditions - I’m not a wiring guru, but I’ll make it easy enough for anyone to understand

 

The standard pre-wired solar wiring from VO essentially punches a hole in the roof and routes the wires down to the bed. You see some details of my solar install in my build thread.

If you get the lighting package, you can have VO terminate the wires anywhere you like. You will then need to install your own fuse box, solar chargers, and battery, etc.

DM me if you want to talk electrics. I love electrons.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pragmatic-overland-build-vo-drifter.638732/

 

You'll have to add just about everything. Here's an early draft of my system (things changed slightly before completion):

 

This is very similar to my proposed setup but I want to add shore 120v with the water proof NOCO plug adapter a few posts back. I want to feed a 120v outlet and a 12v battery charger. Where in that diagram would you put the charger? I already bought the C-Tek gateway smartpass 120S and the C-Tek D250SE based on my brother's recommendation. Guess that combo is pretty popular in the Sprinter Van build community, which my brother is part of.

 

Thanks y'all, this is SUPER helpful. We're keeping it very simple, really just want to run the fan, some simple lights, and be able to charge phones/cameras and maybe very occasionally my laptop when I'm working on the road. I can see us doing a fridge down the line but for now the cooler is working fine for us. I've never done anything with solar or electric on my builds of past so this is very new (and intimidating) territory.