GFC vs. Vagabond

[thesloppy1]

I knew the opening side and rear panels were going to be great but I's have to say that is probably the best part of the GFC. Camped all weekend and never once had to crawl into the truck bed to retrieve anything. Everything is accessible from the outside. This is such a convenient feature for everyday use.

I'm 6'2" and never once hit the roof or sides in the tent all weekend. Plenty of space up there.

 

[Runt]

The quotes I received were just over $ 1,000 more for the AluCab Canopy Camper vs the Vagabond Drifter is similar specifications on fully loaded units sans awnings. But basically every other option.....they are quite different. In the end the big difference is Insulation on the Drifter and a powered fan, lower profile minimalist design. Fuel carriers, rear door, tire carrier on the AluCab Canopy Camper and roof rack. They are both very nice campers. The GFC is a great camper for what it is or is not but not even in the same ball park for features or price as Vagabond or AluCab.

 

[rajacat]

Could you share the quotes for the Drifter and the AluCab?
Thanks

 

[crazysccrmd]

The GFC is a great camper for what it is or is not but not even in the same ball park for features or price as Vagabond or AluCab.

At $2-3000 cheaper the GFC is definitely not in the same ballpark for pricing. It has a different focus and set of features which make it much more desirable for me and how I use my truck.

 

[aaen]

I was up in the air between purchasing an GFC or a Drifter but I had to see both in person to decide which one suited me best.

First I saw the GFC in person while it was getting installed.

Things that I liked about the GFC:

• cool design, can open all windows and be in 'cabana' mode.
• Tube design was neat
• relatively lightweight
• Cost is cheaper

Things I didn't like:

• Smaller Sleeping space , I'm 6'1". No way to make the overhand longer for more mattress length.
• Cannot store sleeping gear up top and no adjustable latches
• Bulb seals that seal the windows against the tubes were not a good design IMO. Like I said I witnessed a new owner get his GFC installed. Gram was making the finishing touches on the install. I noticed he unrolled some bulb seals and took out the back tape to expose the adhesive and he just placed the bulb seals around the windows. This IMO is not a robust design. Adhesive overtime tends to not stick anymore or the bulb seal will move out of place. Seems like not much thought was put into this. A bulb seal with a track would be better than just held on by only adhesive .
• Composite roof was an issue for me. One of my buddies went to Overland Expo and at night he can see through the composite roof and see shadows of people inside (privacy concern for me) Plus in the morning I like it dark and it will let unnecessary light inside making me wake up prematurely.
• When you are sleeping with someone and in the middle of the night you can just simply get down. You have to disturb your partner and moves cubes around, etc. Overtime this would be annoying.
• Struts are exposed
• No additional support bar (someone can close the tent on you while sleeping).
• Smaller side windows so will not provide crosswind side ventilation.

Things I liked about the Drifter:

• Made out of aluminum, solid construction.
• Lots of options to choose from
• More sleeping space, can add an additional 10 or 12" mattress extension (which I will get).
• Can store comforter and pillows up top in a clean area. I do not like the hassle of moving sleeping gear up and down. Bed sometimes gets dirty. Sleeping gear should be uptop.
• Do not have to disturb your partner in the middle of the night if need to go to the bathroom since 20-30" are always open.
• Can walk ontop of the Drifter if needed.
• Struts are hidden when closed. Additional feature there is a support bar inside that you can position in case it snows and it wont close on you automatically.
• Adjustable latches, When you store items uptop you can adjust the latches to accommodate for it. My Autohome Maggie had similar adjustable latches and they make alot of sense in this application.
• Bigger side windows for more ventilation.

Things I did not like about the Drifter:

• More expensive
• Optional fan is kind of loud
• A tad bit heavier
• No color matching. Why should I pay for non color matched powdercoat and pay $1100 for it? Doesn't make sense.

Also GFC heavily markets their campers and I know of two people that got the GFC's for free. Vagabond on the other hand has not given a Drifter away for free yet which says alot IMO.

This was just my unbiased review after checking both out in person.

So in the end I choose the Vagabond Drifter as I find it better suits my needs. Placed my order March 17, 2019. Once I get it I will take it to a body shop and professionally painted to color match my truck.

Welcome to the club!!!

 

[aaen]

One thing I don't like about the Drifter is that it's not powder coated stock.That's a $1100+ extra.
Another thing is that the aluminum frame is not as strong as a steel frame. Welding weakens aluminum whereas steel doesn't lose strength when welded. It's also narrower than the GFC.

A 6'-1" person can easily sleep in the GFC + its wider. According to their respective online sites, Drifter 80"L sleeping platform vs. 90" for GFC.
IMO the Drifter just doesn't look as cool as the GFC.

Not as streamlined too therefor the MPG is more affected.
Once you start to add the options to the Drifter the price goes up fast. I bet the full size version will be easily north of 10k with a 5k deposit.
I like the GFC translucent roof. It has a very nice diffused light quality which is great, especially on cloudy PNW days. And you can walk on it but it would be best not to jump around. For me there's no reason to walk on it. The side extrusions with a rack can carry 500 lbs.
The GFC has a lower COG.

You are aware they had a guy roll his taco on a trail with a drifter on it. Truck was messed up but the drifter was pretty much unscathed. You do not need to worry about the toughness of the drifter, nor leaks or anything else.

The streamline is mute, were talking an inch and to be honest i never noticed a fuel drop at all with the drifter and my normal rtt setup. That one inch is probaly not as much of a concern as the lifts were putting onthe trucks for fuel economy

They are different canopies for different types. Both will get you to where you want to go.

 

[chmura]

You are aware they had a guy roll his taco on a trail with a drifter on it. Truck was messed up but the drifter was pretty much unscathed. You do not need to worry about the toughness of the drifter, nor leaks or anything else.

The streamline is mute, were talking an inch and to be honest i never noticed a fuel drop at all with the drifter and my normal rtt setup. That one inch is probaly not as much of a concern as the lifts were putting onthe trucks for fuel economy

They are different canopies for different types. Both will get you to where you want to go.

Correct, the difference in fuel economy between drifter and gfc will not be noticeable.

I had a 4runner with a medium size Autohome Maggie on it, i did not notice any mpg change with it on or off and it was bulky but yet streamlined. Biggest impact on fuel economy is larger tires and lift.

 

[chmura]

Could you share the quotes for the Drifter and the AluCab?
Thanks

I think mine will cost around $9k. I put in a $4k deposit few weeks ago.

I am adding the optional Defender Frontrunner Gullwing Windoors. These windoors are $800 each. Not cheap but super high quality and leak/dust proof and provide excellent security.

 

[aaen]

I think mine will cost around $9k. I put in a $4k deposit few weeks ago.

I am adding the optional Defender Frontrunner Gullwing Windoors.

You will love the front runner gullwing doors. Have them on mine and i don’t think i could have a canopy without them now.


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[rajacat]

I benefited from participating in the GFC preorder and paid a total of $5200 delivered for the XL version (F150) including the optional forward window. For the additional $4000+ that I would've spent on the proposed XL Drifter I could buy a set of new offroad tires, a quality 270 awning, complete electrical package, new refer, etc, etc. Nowadays, the same setup would cost $7150 + delivery although I would've picked the unit up myself therefore no delivery fee. I think I got the most camper for the money. Sure, the GFC has a few issues but the folks at GFC are doing their best to rectify these as they go along.
I think that GFC got flooded by the volume of orders and this created issues that they're still trying to sort out. Presently, they have deposits ($500) for well over 600 campers! The completion dates stretch out to a year. Part of their business plan was to leverage their access to CAD and robotics to create a minimalist camper that's affordable. The volume of orders speaks for itself. They found a market and created a camper that appeals to a lot of people. Its sour grapes to say that they only got this response because of clever marketing techniques.
Initially, I was interested in the Drifter but they never seemed too excited about a full size truck version. I'd still be waiting.
Also I'd be a little wary of paying a $4500 deposit and being on the end of a 7 month+ waiting list. I'd like to have that deposit in escrow.

 

[1leglance]

I am really happy with my Snap Treehouse, all alum, nice and dark in our stupid arizona sun, easy access from all sides and doesn't weigh much at all.
I think the cost is less that the Drifter and the time to delivery faster than GFC

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

I was pipe dreaming and thought I’ll buy a gladiator drive from Idaho to Bozeman and throw a GFC on it. And head out on s epic off-road adventure BUT then. I Looked at the wait time it would not be ready until. 6-8 weeks after June 2020 so 17 months. ****** I am 65 I could be dead in 17 months. Sure hope not But. Just saying. ?

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

The thing that bugs me is the pricing pushing 10k on every thing. ******

 

[chet6.7]

I was pipe dreaming and thought I’ll buy a gladiator drive from Idaho to Bozeman and throw a GFC on it. And head out on s epic off-road adventure BUT then. I Looked at the wait time it would not be ready until. 6-8 weeks after June 2020 so 17 months. ****** I am 65 I could be dead in 17 months. Sure hope not But. Just saying. ?

Yeah,I know what you mean,I am close to 70.
Callen was briefly back in business,I was looking at getting one,but the full size Drifter was supposed to be released in a month or so,I hesitated. Now,Callen is out of business again,and the full size Drifter is still a figment of the imagination. I could be using a Callen now if I had moved on it.

 

[RBear]

These campers are like the hot girl in high school thats dating a college guy
Stop looking at what you can’t get is where I’m at right now
I’m sleeping in my leer with a futon lol
Until you can actually get one with in 3 months