Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Yo.

We have the standard length mounted and working well for us. There is still plenty of vertical adjustment. Once we found the right height we haven’t really messed with it. Hope the picture helps. There is still 1-2 inches on the vertical arm below the plate and the table currently sitting at about 33.5in.



We haven’t mounted our second plate but thinking up on the wall by the window where you climb in. That way you could set up a movie in bed. Make sure when you mount it on the storage box, you add a cross bar to reinforce the weigh of the table.



Yeah the AC will definitely need shore power. Even if you had a large enough inverter, the batteries needed would probably take up the whole floor $$$$.

 

Guess it depends on where. Curious on the weight. I know the roof can support us walking around, so probably a tire and mount if you can figure a way to secure it, just not near the middle. On the sides would probably create a good amount of stress depending on how rough your roads are. Both those options would worry me though.

It’s expensive but the easiest and probably best option would be the Wilco Hitchgate. You’ll get a swing out tire carrier and still retain you hitch for your bike rack. A tire may impact the bike closest to the tailgate with that option.

 

Awesome, thanks so much for the advice and for taking the photos! Yea I guess I never really thought the AC thing through. I am trying to get in touch with Collin to make an adjustment to my order but he's taking a while to respond. Hopefully the maxx fan is around the same price.

 

Hello Tiny_living......thanks for the Wineguard info....on another note, has anyone upgraded to the Maxxfan Deluxe?...It seems like the standard fan is what is supplied (comments from you all)....I have several emails in to Colin for the upgrade but he rarely returns questions....you would think if you spend 30K on a product, they would have some customer support........

 

I just installed the Maxxfan with manual lift and no remote (basically the same as the stock Fantastic fan). It took a little longer because I ordered some conformal coating fluid to waterproof the circuit board, I'd recommend doing this to any electronic device exposed to moisture. It's super easy, just like applying nail polish...couple coats and you're good.

We're just getting into the rainy/snow season so I'll have to let you know how it performs - I have high hopes.

As far as Collin getting back to you - just try to keep in mind that this is a boutique cottage industry and not Amazon, there are just a hand full of people to get these things out the door and I'd imaging that with the popularity rising - the orders are probably piling up. When I was picking my Kimbo up, Collin was busy helping building a base for a Kimbo going into a full size truck just ahead of me...so I guess I'm just saying that it's likely he's not sitting at his computer ignoring you.

 

Sorry the correspondence isn't quicker. Collin is handling a lot. From the building, orders, materials, customer service, and quality control I'm sure his hands are full. He does prioritize the orders close to finishing. Once it's on the floor, he'll make sure it gets taken care of. With the quality control and handmade nature of this camper, every rivet, small crew keeps the base price down. I'm sure he'll get back to you.

 

Check out the Rig'd swing away as well those things are NICE

 

If you wanted to keep the A/C unit and not use shore power the option would be a gas generator, like a Honda EU2200i. I didn't get the A/C unit and sometimes worry that I would like to have one, but then I just figure I haven't needed one and can just sweat it out. Also, it is so hot that I need an A/C unit it might be time to find higher elevations or an ocean. All the best!

 

No need for an AC unit here. Diesel heater worked great last night and with the fan’s thermostat kept it perfect at around 60 with it in the 20’s at night. In the morning less than 10% of our battery was used.(200ah) Pretty cloudy now and snowing but have plenty of juice before we hit the desert tomorrow.

 

Cheap little mod that’s working great so far. Just set the transmitter in the bed of the truck when we stopped for camp.

 

yeah, those diesel heaters are super efficient - Couple years ago we ran the heater almost three days straight and didn't get through one tank of diesel. However, in the Kimbo we used the furnace for three days and didn't use a gallon of propane...when getting a refill/top off on the way home, we had to pay the minimum because it wasn't over a gallon to top off.

 

Thanks @nelsonator! I think i am going to keep the AC option and get that little Honda generator. If it were just the girlfriend and I, we'd definitely be fine without it. It's more so for the pup - the little guy runs hot. PS, not to be creepy but I watched your interview on Youtube around 100X lol. It helped me make the decision between the 4 wheel camper and the Kimbo so appreciate ya doing that!

Hey @Voltron4x4, if I were to keep the AC option, you think i'd still have room to mount the Lagun table on the box where you have it? Seems like it would be a tight squeeze. I know it's tough to say since you don't have the AC.

 

Hey Tiny Livin: I think that sounds like a good plan with the A/C generator combo. Better to be looking at it than looking for it. Also, you're stoked you're getting a hard side camper. The pop ups are cool for everything except their actual purpose of being a camper. You don't want to shell out a bunch of money for something that is a quasi-tent. I just went on a trip back to Idaho and it seemed pretty unanimous with the boys that the hard side camper is the way to go - that goes double if you're using it in the winter all the time and if you go to deserts where the winds can pick up.

Speaking of which, trip update. Idaho was a blast - Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Moto, Family and Friends. Slept in the Kimbo every night, performed perfectly. Made it down through Moab again, so much fun. Then (unintentionally) took the Truck on a Jeep Trail in Canyonlands NP, I was certainly concerned for the dirt bike hanging off the back, the Kimbo, and truck drawers but everything was just fine. Good field testing.

I finally made a purchase on a new dirt bike rack that will allow me to put the tailgate down without needing to unload the bike. I am going to need to mod a MTB rack onto it as well so that the dirt bike and MTB can hang off the hitch. I'll keep you posted on the progress. I was looking at the Rakattach.com swingarm, but the weight capacity was 275 pounds and with a ramp style rack, dirt bike and MTB bike it would be close or over. I also felt like the weight would be too much for the swingarm too. Rakattach said they want to make the moto version eventually but they don't have one and 1 up, who produces and/or sells them, said they had no definite plans to build the moto version.

Alas, I went for the https://www.alljackedupinc.com/ Switch Hauler 108-321, which allows the tailgate to open when the platform is down without having to unload bike. We pull over in rest areas and do a lot of dispersed camping and I was tired of having to unload the dirt bike in order to get into the camper and then lock up the dirt bike too. The thing is built really well, super bomber. It's new so I'll let you know if it's everything I hope it will be.

The shower system from Joolca works great. I'm still working on the photo shoot Voltron. Here's a few I did take on the trip:

 

Damn dude, you got everything in. Nice work. Looking forward to the shower pics.

Currently in the desert after some early winter weather in the mountains. Looks like it got down to 12° last night. It was another comfortable night in the mid 60s with the windows cracked in the Kimbo. Diesel fuel did just fine on the outside all night.

 

I’m not quite sure how large the panel is on the inside unless I take off the insulation. If anything you could just move it closer to the middle of the storage box, flush with the AC unit.

 

Really like the black and white. I’m planning to be in Colorado Nov 12-20. Trying to camp near Copper Mountain. Not sure where you’re located. Maybe a meet up will be in order, I’ll be skiing. Which bike rack do you have? Is it integrated with the swing arm. I may get a front brush guard with a 2” receiver.

 

Sounds great man. I’ll be around, live in Denver. Keep me posted. I have the Kuat rack and swing out. The swing out is solid, been real happy with it. You can any 2in bike rack on it which is nice. Our rack is a few years old and will probably get some more robust next year.

 

Kimbo just raised the price to $40K for the full build model (could be because of the new battery + increase in material pricing). Glad I got my order in early!

https://www.kimboliving.com/details

 

That's a huge bummer...looks like they are also requiring a 40% deposit as well.

I've been emailing them for about 3 weeks trying to get a conversation started. I would love to chat with someone before putting down that kind of money, and also that seems to be the only way to order. Pretty disappointed I'll likely have to pay the higher price even though I've been reaching out with no response.

I definitely understand not being on top of emails as I also work in the industry, but this is concerning considering the price of the build.

 

Im not quite sure what options you are looking at, but there are possible DIY alternatives which would bring the cost down.