Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

For moisture, I usually keep a window cracked at night, regardless of the outside temperature. I occasionally still get some condensation build-up on the front window but feel that comes from sleeping so close to it. Regarding solar and fuel mileage, I’ve got 100w Renergy panel on top and a goal zero 100 inside (issued from Kimbo) and they serve me well. Gas mileage has gone down roughly 20% on the hwy and 15% in town (17mpg hwy, 15mpg town). Fuel mileage hasn’t changed our day to day driving much, if at all simply because the truck is home/our only mode of transportation however I do take into consideration more route planning if driving more than just locally to try and optimize fuel mileage and lessen daily wear and tear on the truck. Thanks for the q’s

 

Better mpg than my Wrangler I sold without camper. Thanks for the info.

 

Delivery this week. Prep work on the books this month before it gets too cold under the truck.

 

Why does everything I like have to be expensive lol envy on high over here!

 

Are you just planning on doing airbags on the front and back for now or do you have any plans to upgrade leaf springs too? I would assume the leaf spring upgrade would be more for if you are planning to leave the camper on the truck long term. Also, any plans to regear?

 

Before deciding on the Kimbo I had already upgraded the suspension with medium duty OME Dakars in the rear and 885 springs in the front, Bilsteins all around. Really happy with the setup. The airbags are just for the rear with the Daystar cradles. I believe airbags only would be just fine and from some of the owners I've spoken to this is what they have done, only airbags. I just knew stock Tacoma leafs tend to expire early. No plans to regear at least for the first year or two. I think at that point if it was bothering me that much it would be better to just go to a Tundra. From what Ive learned it shouldn't need it though. Just plan on extra time when traveling long distances. Wont feel as in a rush anymore with this thing since it opens the availability of campsites where we go and ease of switching to another.

 

I am considering a Kimbo for a Tacoma TRD Sport. Was looking at suspension modifications and found this:
https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/sumospring-installation-report-and-review/
Would appreciate comments!

 

Im no expert is probably not the best way to start. But, I believe the Sumo Springs would be a solid and dependable option if you're confident on the average load your camper will be weighing, water, gear, propane, etc., since they are not adjustable. If you get the right density they seem to be very durable.

Just remember that stock leaf springs in Tacomas are not the strongest and can prematurely sag. I have upgraded with Old Man Emu Medium Duty Leaf Springs.

The option I went with was the Firestone airbags and Daystar cradles. This gives me the same features as the Rebel Sumo Springs it seems, allows for unrestricted suspension usage when off road. Firestone plus the cradles put me pack $360. The Rebel Sumo springs come in a $400 from Etrailer.com. The ride will probably be the biggest difference since one will be on air and the other on closed cell urethane. Unfortunately I have no experience on either but I would imagine the Sumo springs would be a harder ride when fully loaded compared to the adjustable air bags. Maybe its Durability VS Ride Comfort though the Firestone Air bags do have a solid reputation.

From ETrailer:

SumoSprings provide progressive load control - the more you load them, the stiffer they become. With a lighter load, the springs will compress easily for soft engagement and a less bumpy ride. The springs can also compress by as much as 80 percent to support a heavy rear load and to help your factory suspension bear up under the load. This evens out the weight, which levels your vehicle and ensures that your front tires are making better contact with the road. A level ride means that you have improved driving control, ensures safe headlight aim, and helps to minimize sway. The springs also support your factory suspension, which helps prevent sagging and reduces bottoming out.



https://www.etrailer.com/p-SSR-101-47-2.html?hhyear=2015&hhmake=Toyota&hhmodel=Tacoma

 

How do you like that dickinson p9000? I'm considering ways to mount one into my Super Pacific sometime this winter. Is the heat output good? Do you find yourself running the fan much?

 

Finished right before the snow comes tomorrow. Airbags and Daystar cradles installed for the Kimbo. It was a pain in the ass but went fairly smooth. Happy to share what I learned if your doing this yourself later. Stoked to see what the ride is like later.



Edit: Just a heads up, I switch the T union for separate valves. I was told by a member that air could shift from one bag to the other causing more wobble. Made sense so switched it.

 

For moisture, I usually keep a window cracked at night, regardless of the outside temperature. I occasionally still get some condensation build-up on the front window but feel that comes from sleeping so close to it. Regarding solar and fuel mileage, I’ve got 100w Renergy panel on top and a goal zero 100 inside (issued from Kimbo) and they serve me well. Gas mileage has gone down roughly 20% on the hwy and 15% in town (17mpg hwy, 15mpg town). Fuel mileage hasn’t changed our day to day driving much if at all simply because the truck is home/only mode of transportation however I do take into consideration more route planning if driving more than just locally to try and optimize fuel mileage/daily wear and tear on the truck.

 

What’s up guys, I’m curious if anyone has experienced separation of the felt from the R5 insulation on any of the indoor panels? This showed up roughly a week ago and it’s grown worse. Any ideas for a remedy? Thanks as always

Seth

 

Is that directly on the insulation or on a panel? Curious what the layers are?

 

Looks good.

You may or may not know about fabricating (or

$75 Firestone WR17602506 Air-Rite 2" Axle Bracket Extension

buying) axle bracket extensions as mentioned over here? Picture here.

Also, for a truck camper, I've always installed the airbags individually pressurized, so they are not linked. This way you prevent the rocking back-and-forth in the corners. It makes a world of difference. They go over it here.

 

Thanks for this. I may have to separate the lines down the road. Should be an easy fix.

 

Received an email the other day. Looks like my Kimbo will be ready a month early. I'll be heading out middle of December for pickup. Stoked! Unfortunately they are not offering the wood burning stove anymore so it looks like I have another mod to add to the list. They are still giving me the chimney cut out and sealed for the later install. I'll definitely be making some changes to the location and stove base. Looking forward to it.

 

Cool idea. Sub'd for future reading.

I wonder how well the construction holds up over time with lots of washboards. Also wonder what real world MPG #s are? I mean nobody gets good mpg doing this type of thing in a Taco, but dang, thats a big sail up there haha

 

Very cool. And expensive. Why did they not make them slightly longer and get rid of the tailgate? It just looks weird and it's a lot of space (relatively) that's lost.

I've done more than a year of camping over my life and you always need to have ventilation, no matter what the temperature. It's unbelievable how much moisture one human can exhale during a nite's sleep. I have a cap on my truck and sleep in the back a lot; even with the front sliding window open and the side vent windows open I will still wake up in an ice cave if it's a cold nite with no wind. Sometimes I even leave the cap's door cracked open a few inches to help- I sleep with my head at that end. Once I had an elk cow try to open it that scared me when I heard the noise at 3AM a foot from my head- she was dragging her nose across the bottom! Of course I thought I was about to be eaten by a bear LOL

 

Weight was probably the biggest concern. Also, this current design works in both short and long beds, any longer and it might have been exclusive to just long beds. They do have a full size truck version in development though. Personally it will be nice to keep the stock backup camera and also have somewhat of a deck with the tailgate down when parked.

 

the separation is from the felt that is directly adhered to the insulation.

Thanks for the response!