Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Hi everyone, this tread is still my favorite all over the web... quite interesting and everyone so generous sharing their time and info !
So I thought I might just give an update about my situation. There will be no Kimbo for me, sadly (kinda).

I went back and forth with it, fist the price up 15k to 20k freeze me a bit, but it's more than that. I wanted a Kimbo with a fireplace (a wood one), wich they don't offer anymore. I understeand I can still build one or instal it myself, but then I realised two things : I want to get rid of my beautifull retro six pack camper because 1 - building and repairing is time consuming, wich is not spent camping or else; 2 - the kimbo is not that much lighter from what I already have, so the truck will be suffering the same, all the time. that makes me go to tree 3 - A truck camper is made to be able to be taked out of the truck, but I can't, since I'm living in the city with no private parking... I would have to pay I private somewhere, each year... this too doesn't help with the build and repair part. Always in the streets... for example I don't have my camper yet on the truck, summer is coming, but it's at a friend's house and I have to go make some mods and repairs when he and his wife are feeling ok for me to go, wich complicate the thing even more...

So what's now ? I decided, after going back and forth about Kimbo and the other one, to pull the trigger on the other one. It's gonna be a Hiatus Camper. So, it'll stay on the truck (my Ranger - a V4 by the way @cupface, but a stong one...) all the time, winter and all. Bad point is since it's just a shell, I will have to build it out from ground to top anyway too, and I won't be able to put a wood fireplace... hey, you can't get everything in life.

So... no tacoma, no kimbo, but truckcamper fan for sure. I'll keep following the trend asking me if I made I mistake, I guess we son't know until at least 2023, the lead time of Hiatus being that long presently. And if by the meanwhile you get across a Black Ford Ranger with a SIx Pac camper, don't be shy and wave !

Cheers,

 

I believe you thought this out very well and that's the most important part when pairing these things up, there are a lot of variables (don't need me telling you that). For your decision to be functional you do have to make some tough ones, but in the long run you'll be much happier.

I have no doubt that you'll be stoked with your decision. Those campers are pretty sweet! Congrats on getting on this list. Those are definitely well thought out and covers that gap between pop-up tent and hard shell perfectly.

 

Welcome nothwest-dingo!

 

The Haitus looks like a great compromise - I like the idea that it's a hard side pop up, the soft sides just don't make much sense to me.

We'll keep an eye out for you on the trail.

 

I think the lighter weight of the hiatus will be good choice for the 4cyl also. Those older rangers are nice trucks I had a 1996 mazda b2300 (same as ranger), did a great job. EDIT, didn't see you had a new ranger, forgot about those. Congrats on your new truck. Amazing the wait for campers these days, I think the YOHO has a pretty long wait as well.

 

Yes. it's gave and take... space vs weight... less weight is always better, but then I don't want to just go back to my 4 square feet tent either ;-)
One big downside to the Hiatus or any kind of clamped truck camper without a dedicated floor, is it's not one fits all, like the kimbo...
Since I decided to go for a new truck, I thought it was less of an issue for me, I guess if I want (or need) to change the truck in 10 or 15 years, their will be lots of them on the market, maybe even still new one in production; I would not recommend a Hiatus camper to someone that is not sure to keep is truck for a long time, unless it's a very known popular easy to find in the used market truck.

So... there is that food for thought: Kimbo will go on any 2050 truck (I guess...), but for me it will work just fine being new.

The funny part still is that I choose this specific truck because it as the best in class payload capacity, to go with my six pac camper or a kimbo... but it's not lost, it's always better to have more anyways and don't go to close to max all the time...

My Nissan Frontier, previous truck, had some hard time I think with my six pac camper, especially for the brakes. some sketchy adventures last summer with lots of hills, lots of heat and new roads with fresh asphalt being poored, the oiled smoked and all... Ford Ranger 2019+ have better and bigger brakes, if I have that right.

 

So guys I'm torn. I have found a pretty cherry T100 8 ft bed with a 2.7L 4 banger automatic, and a Tundra with the 3.4L V6 auto.

I do realize that neither of those two trucks are a Tacoma, but the engines are well known here obviously.

What should I expect mpg wise between the two? That's honestly my foremost concern, along with maintenance costs. Will the 2.7 with the auto stall out on me going up a decent grade? I see and read about Toyota RV's with the dinky 22re lugging that weight all over the place. I don't mind going slow, but I don't want to not make it up a hill

Anyone with firsthand knowledge care to chime in?

Thanks.

 

Hello Kimbo Crew.

Voltron4x4 thanks for creating this thread for all of us to learn more about these rad campers. It’s been helpful to read up on them and how you’ve all been using/liking them. I’ve been eying a Kimbo for a couple years, I saw an early version in Wyoming several years back but have yet to commit. I finally got a tour of one down in Utah this spring and was blown away by the design. I was stoked to see a simple lightweight four season truck camper.

I’m close to pulling the trigger but I am concerned about the camper weight on my 2007 taco double cab 6’ bed. It’s not just me these days, I got wife, a 40lbs dog and a 4 month old boy. We’d be using this camping to bike, climb and ski out of so we’d have gear along with food and water. I’d have to get airbags of course but that doesn’t change the payload, just the pitching. My GVWR rating is 5450 lbs. The Kimbo at 930-1000lbs has me concerned my truck can’t handle the weight. I’ve noticed a bunch of folks on this forum and on Kimbo’s site have them on Tacos. Collin at Kimbo mentioned the axle weight for the front and rear being higher when running E rated tires but I’m not sure I understand what he means. What am I missing?

Thanks for the help. Hope you all are getting out on some adventures this spring. Cheers.

 

Can't advise you on GVR but I know that at least one person on here has his Kimbo on a second gen taco, and am pretty sure when looking at the Kimbo site that the "display" is also a second gen taco. Basic answer on the E rated tires, they are made to handle heavier loads, a must along with suspension upgrades such as airbags. I might of missed it but is your truck a 6 cyl? EDIT : Welcome to the forum btw!

 

Tacomaroma thanks for the speedy reply. Yeah, my truck is a 6-cyl, 2nd gen body. My combined axle weight rating is 5,865 lbs. According to Collin this plus E rated tires should give me an extra 415 lbs more combined load than the GVWR rating. I just want to be sure my truck will will be able to safely handle the load of this camper plus family/gear/food/water. Figured you all might have experience/thoughts. Maybe I’m overthinking it but truck handling is a big concern of mine.

Thanks again.

 

Well some thoughts come to mind. It wouldn't be exactly the same because of weight distribution but you could put 1200 lbs in the back and drive around to see what it feels like. That might sound a bit extreme but buying say a half yard of gravel for 25 bucks and then giving it away is cheap compared to buying all new tires, air bags and a 20 k camper that you find our later you are uncomfortable with. Also the jacks are removable, I think that should get you another 60 lbs or so. For handling there are lot of upgrades, sway bars etc, I am not an expert on those. When Voltron sees your post, he will probably chime in with some ideas since his truck I think is a 2nd gen dbl cab like yours. Hope it works out great whatever you end up doing.

 

Welcome and all the right questions. I appreciate the thanks too, stoked it’s provided this space for everyone and grateful for everyone’s input.

Yes, I am damn close if not slightly over GVWR with my girlfriend, two dogs, food and gear. With the airbags and E-rated tires you are providing the support that allows the truck to carry it comfortably and it does it very well. Now with that amount of weight you’ll obviously drive it more cautiously. Braking, taking corners, coming down mountain passes has all been a relaxing experience and had no doubts about the trucks capability. The V6 also handles the climbs well and here in CO and can make the big ones cruising at a respectable 40-50mph if you want to keep it close to 3,000 rpm or under. Off road capability at low gears and slower speeds is impressive. Although I am reinforcing the rear tie downs a bit. Stretched them a little on a pretty solid trail to the rim of the Grand Canyon. Will post more on that when finished but not a necessary mod. Hope that helps a little. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

 

I wish I could help out with this. I would probably recommend hitting up some 4 banger threads and see how that have done with heavy loads.

 

Welcome WY_4x4!

I think everyone running a Tacoma on this forum has grappled with this issue to some extent and owners have come to the consensus that adding the airbags and E-rated tires mitigates most of the concerns. At the end of the day, common sense will prevail - performing at least the basic support improvements and (as Voltron said above) driving at or below the Truck's limits will be key. These things are not racecars or rock crawlers and should be driven as such. I've successfully driven in some hairy snow conditions, highway, mountain passes, high winds, and a little sand.

The next thing to accomplish will be to get this thing weighed and know exactly how much weight is involved.

At our heaviest we'll be hauling 5 gallons of water, a fridge, three adults, three mountainbikes (two are electric) with the bike gear, three spot bike rack, food, drinks, bedding, port-a-potty, full tank of propane, tools, recovery equipment, and a pop-up shelter.

All of my gear will be below at or below the bed sides (except the bicycles) so the suggestion by Tacomaroma to use gravel as a stand in would be a great way to simulate the weight, however there is also the wind aspect - it'd be very difficult to duplicate the impact the taller structure has. That being said, the weight of the Kimbo height is minimal in my experience and even while turning or in very high winds it behaves very admirably. The biggest impact I've noticed with the height is that the gas mileage deteriorates exponentially the faster you go. I've been experimenting a bit with different speeds to maximize mpg and minimize being a nuisance on the freeway.

Suspension note: the airbags keep your truck level and the E-rated tires have stronger sidewalls to keep you from wandering all over the road.

Hope this helps!

 

These little steps fit between my kimbo and the side of the bed on my 3rd gen. Height comes out to where the top step handle is the same as the tailgate so you are not stepping over the handle and possibly hooking your foot on it. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-Compact-2-Step/5000211399

 

Just to update - I ended up going with a first gen Tundra 3.4 V6 auto 4WD. Kind of a rare duck I think. I know that the manual would get better mpgs but my stick days are behind me.

Would have done the T100 2.7 but I think the regular cab would have killed my bad back. Maybe I'll swap a 2.7 in when the 3.4 goes LOL

Another piece of the Kimbo puzzle complete for me. I'm excited!

 

Good to hear man. I'm sure you will be very happy traveling with that one.

 

Thinking the V6 Tundra was a good choice also. I guess it's just me from the old days last century but 4 cyl just doesn't seem right for this much work, but then my first truck was a 89hp datsun 1600 so I am probably out to lunch.

 

Thank you. The astronomical mpg drop-off from my current car (Prius) is going to be a shock, but maybe I'll end up driving less and being outside more. (I would keep the Prius but on a very limited budget.)

 

Not a huge update but finished the new rear tie down install. There was already a hole next to the original bolt, just had to drill through the plastic bed. I also had to remove the original bolt to give room for the distribution plate. I guess that’s what you call it. Painted the surface and tightened the new ones down to the recommended torque. Need a breaker bar for the front so hopefully take care of them by the weekend.