Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Also - a decent set of stairs that won't move around when you get in/out and some good traction especially in the snow or wet...a little collapsible step stool is fine in a pinch but a solid solution is warranted (at least with old joints).

 

Yeah the cushion for the corner nook was not available at the time due to their supplies during COVID. They are zippered so you can add what ever filling you want. I found a brand new memory foam queen topper that we will be cutting into for custom cushions and dog bed.

I talked to another Kimbo owner and he has used yoga matts for the floor which I plan on doing soon. It will help with the dirt in the summer and cold in the winter I'm sure. Grab a step stool too.

I second the baskets! We put those in the first night ourselves. I think just organizing gear for the first trip was our biggest priority since we did get the base model and was on the road right after. We really didn't need to do anything else.

Make that bed as comfortable as you want. It's already a great mattress but in December it will be nice to make it better than home. We picked ours up at the same time and I can say that we wanted to sleep in every chance we could.

For your tires, I'm guessing they are E-rated KO2's. Those are a must. I would add the airbags to the list with the Daystar cradles. Not sure how HD your rear leafs will be but I doubt you'll want super stiff when the Kimbo is off. The Daystar cradles will allow you to keep full flex of your suspension.

Any big ticket items you plan on adding or upgrading, you might want to keep an eye on the wait times/backorder status.





And lastly, get a hood with the scoop on it, it will help with the HP when youre driving into the wind. I speak from experience.

 

Working on this mod now for massive HP gains...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luaW7v6sKmA

 

If you are somewhere that you can't access a decent bathroom or the ground is frozen for digging a hole I recommend these for bathroom solution:

For the deuces
1. 5 gallon bucket (doubles as a trash can)
2.

$15 Reliance Products 9881-03 Luggable Loo Snap-on Toilet Seat with Lid for 5-Gallon Bucket, Black, 13.0" x 1.5" x 14.0"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000B13MT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8
3. 1 Gallon Crystal Geyser plastic bottle (Pee jug)
4.

LIANGDU Portable Female Urinal Bag, Women Urination Device, Woman Standing up Pee Funnel, Silicone Reusable Collapsible Urine Cup, for Car Outdoor Camping Travel Backpacking

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P73QC9M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8

 

Would this work for the HP gains on my "big tacoma" https://www.moosejaw.com/product/rh...bxT30WuwPT65h6BfPCj0rXCigtFzbKKhoCSBMQAvD_BwE

 

I've heard good things about the build quality, I would rather do something like this over pulling a camper

 

We used this in the winter and if you use the chemical, it's the only way my wife would be amiable to any primitive camping/travel.

https://www.thetford.com/product/porta-potti-365/

This chemical works like magic, we switched once and that was a huge mistake - never will we use anything else again:

$19 Thetford Aqua-KEM Original - RV Holding Tank Treatment - Deodorizer - Waste Digester - Cleaner - 32 oz 09852

https://www.amazon.com/Thetford-Ori...gid=pla-570131654098&ref=&adgrpid=63195598478

 

Yep - I'd consider this to be heirloom quality, should be able to be enjoyed for generations.

 

I agree that the build quality is top notch, nothing else like it unless you wanna drop 60k on a Nothern Lite, 200k on a Bahn Camper or be forced to drag an airstream and even then those options are mostly for full size trucks and have a lot of stuff that isn't necessary and will be bad in the serious cold (plumbing). The Scout campers are neat and are basically copycats of Kimbo, but they are made from way different materials and and are owned by the big corporate camper companies that cut corners in order to increase margins and shareholder checks.

 

Yep, I went over in my head where and how we like to camp and this fit the bill perfectly. Plus you can turn around or park it anywhere you normally would. Quality is exceptional.

 

We went this route. Mostly for desert when you have no trees and for next winter. We’ll see if we see if we upgrade to a Thetford down the road. This one stores neatly outside between the Kimbo and the bed of the truck and spare bags inside the Kimbo.

$85 Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Portable Folding Toilet - Plus Bonus Original Wag Bag Kit

Cleanwaste Portable Toilet w/ 1 Waste Kit (D119PET)

 

Thank you to everyone for the awesome recommendations! Having slept in a small cabin loft with a wood stove, I can appreciate the fan recommendation for sure! I'll have to email Kimbo about a Maxxair fan, good call!

 

Hi all. First post here. I apologize for the long read!

I'm going to be picking up my Kimbo in October! Very excited. This thread has some great info (added a 2nd solar panel to my order as a result!), so a big thank you to all the contributors. The Kimbo will be my full-time home.

I'm starting to look at trucks. Current vehicle is an '08 Prius, which I love and am torn about keeping after the Kimbo. My budget is fairly limited for the truck purchase. I drove an older Tacoma the other night and while it was nice and I liked the size, I'm not sure I want to mess with the suspension upgrades I'll need to have the Kimbo on it for extended periods of time. So, I'm considering an early Tundra or T100. Frankly I'm leaning toward the T100 as I'm an odd duck and something about going retro with the truck and modern with the Kimbo is appealing. Parts might be an issue though. A V6 Tundra might be interesting if I can find one in my price range.

I have found a pretty cherry T100 not too far away but it's a regular cab and 2.7L in-line 4 cylinder. That engine puts out about the same power as the 3.0 V6 and I'm drawn to the improved mpg possibilities, though I realize it won't be a big improvement in that regard. I live in the flat Midwest, don't drive fast, and don't plan on towing, so I'm wondering if the 4 popper might be enough? Anyone have their Kimbo in a 8ft bed?

My Kimbo will be fairly bare-bones from the factory. I've got the solar and propane stove modules and the rest I'll be adding later. I'm hoping Kimbo will let me pay them to still build the kitchen cabinetry (at least the sink area), as I actually like the space allocation and plywood, and it would save me some work. I think I'll be going with a 12v heated Geyser camp shower with a pop-up tent and a Luggable Loo. Maybe a Wrappon Green toilet if my kid can't stand the 5 gal bucket. 12v fridge as well, probably the smallest I can find, either an Engel or Iceco.

I guess my main Kimbo question for everyone is what to do about a guest sleeping area. My son and I will be in the camper a fair bit and I don't really want to share the main sleeping area with him as I'm a light sleeper. I originally asked Kimbo to include the A/C module, but I'm reconsidering as it seems a cot could fit across the benches in that space with some imagination. So what do you all think? Anyone want to take some measurements for me? Specifically what is the length from the seating over by the window across the floor at an angle to the bench near the closet area. (I'm wondering if a cot might fit diagonally.)

I see that SpaceRHover on IG has slung his A/C out the side window. Anyone else done that? I know it's not the cleanest option, but I have a hard time giving up that seating area space to the permanent box that Kimbo builds to house their A/C unit.

Thanks to anyone that can help!

Matt

 

Excellent!! Very exciting - the T100 is a great option IMO, I always liked them but yeah they're a bit of a rarity...the early Tundra may be optimal.

Can't speak to the A/C but should have much more info as the seasons get warmer - we skipped the A/C as it was just a 110v home unit repurposed for the kimbo and seemed quite crude and not solar friendly.

We're planning to take my mother-in-law with us on some trips and I've relocated all the electrical (almost) away from the sleeping bulkhead so we can install a sleeping platform convertible to a bench seat across that space. It also fits the Iceco 65 perfectly below...although I'll be designing the sleeping platform so it can be raised out of the way for access to the fridge/freezer.

general dimensions:

31" from the bulkhead to the nearest spar (the one by the window)
74" across to the widest area above the angles
67.25" across flat to the bottom of the angles
39.5" across the open space between the two pieces of aluminum angle on the seating areas.

It'd be great if someone could verify the dimensions just in case there is some variance between builds or my ruler is off.

Hope this helps.

also to note - we are not using the factory goalzero plywood structure or the large storage area with the teak top located on the floor.

 

Congratulations! I sure you'll be very pleased with your new home. Looking forward to see what you come up with after you pick it up.

With a stock T100 or any other Toyota I would still recommend getting airbags installed in the rear. A dated truck is likely to have soft leafs that will sag with the Kimbo. If it's an 8ft bed, there will be a great front porch for you.

I haven't experimented with the secondary sleeping platform yet. If you are planning on AC in the cutout that Kimbo has designed, then a diagonal bridge would probably work best. The design of the platform could be whatever you can imagine. Something collapsable would probably be ideal and maybe dual use outside for a table or seat.

 

Thanks to you both for the very quick replies!

If the consensus is that airbags are a must, I'll keep Tacomas on the list of trucks to consider. I was hoping to avoid installing those, but I guess it might be worth it? Now to decide on the front porch of an 8ft bed or a extra cab room for stuff. In the summer if I go with a window A/C unit I won't want that hanging out in the Kimbo when I'm not using it.

You guys think that the T100 2.7L 4cyl that makes nearly the same power as the 3.0L 6cyl of that era (1995) will suffice for flat terrain? I don't mind going slow lol. There is a Tundra V6 extended cab in the area that I'll be driving tonight.

Thanks very much for the measurements, Profloundering. I intend on moving the Goalzero as well if I go straight across with the sleeping platform. No storage cubby for me either. My hope is to find or make a cot/flat platform that will fit that space so that I can either remove it or store it flat against the bulkhead when not in use. The Discobed has caught my eye as a possible option, though I'm sure there are cheaper setups.

Thanks guys!

 

A 4 banger will definitely move it, but not sure about your level of "suffice." With added gear and supplies you'll probably be putting a lot more stress and higher RPM's than a V6. I'm no mechanic by any means but just going off personal experience and being in a 4 banger 1st gen Tacoma a long time ago. I rather have the extra HP and not need it than need it and not have it. A T-100 would be pretty cool but to sacrifice on engine performance my not be worth it in the long run.

 

I drive a Prius, so my bar for what suffices regarding available horsepower is reaaaaallly low. Haha.

The Tundra ride and interior plushness will probably win me over, though I like the vintage look of the T100 more.

 

Welcome! I may see you there ... Also picking up my Kimbo in October I didn't know about the beefed up solar option! Will have to amend my order.