Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Congratulations!

I use 2 burner stove on a fold away table outside. I have a small base camp single burner for inside if the weather is bad. I use a granite tile as a hotplate and store it under the bed. You'll be fine with either propane or butane stoves inside. Butane will release less h2o but I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference. If you want to primarily cook inside just get a stove with a decent area to set a skillet on. I would only use a pot on my single burner inside. Im sure others will chime in with their setups.

For the camera, I would recommend looking at a wireless one. It would probably be less work than relocating a wired one built into the tailgate. Maybe combine these two products...

Wireless Backup Camera 5" for Truck: Easy Setup HD 1080P Rear View Camera for Car - Stable Signal Clear Night Vision 2 Channels for Pickup SUV - DoHonest V25

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Wire...ackup+camera+for+trucks&qid=1658597024&sr=8-4

$25 Rubber Molded Magnetic License Plate Holder Magnets Set of 2 With Blue With Screws

https://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Coated-Magnetic-License-Magnets/dp/B01BLKMIU2?crid=3B4570IOGPABK&keywords=magnetic+license+plate+holder&qid=1658597137&sprefix=magnetic+linen%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-6

We have a we-boost and its working well with a bar to two in areas for my girl to do web-dev work. My buddy has Starlink. I've been meaning to reach out and see how it's working on his van. I thing the big issue was power consumption and how many batteries you want to carry or using shore power.

 

Thanks Voltron4x4! Appreciate the info and suggestions. We will cook outside as much as possible but do want to be out in the winter months in higher elevations so will want to be able to cook inside.

I was hoping to keep an extra screen out of the cab and just use the in dash one. But agree that may be hard to do. I like the wireless aspect of your suggestion and most likely will go that route.

I am really interested to hear if anyone has setup Starlink and if it’s working out for them. I didn’t think about the power draw.

 

Just talked to my buddy who does computer security. It’s been solid for him, only drawing ~30ish watts. Each firmware update seems to get more efficient. This a lot less than what we thought. He hasn’t had any issues in his van and he goes pretty far for climbing sites. Hope this helps.

 

Yeah I like a clean dash too. At least this way you can take it down or disconnect with the right wire ends and store when not in use.

 

Awesome news, looks like you'll be able to get all sorted out before the winter hits!

We just use a camp chef (knockoff of the old kerosene ones our parents used - but propane).

I added a wireless system off of Amazon and LOVE it - i just throw the smallish screen in the passenger cup holder and it runs all the time so if I ever have the inclination (and I do quite a bit) to check on the bikes that are usually hanging off the back - just a quick glance settles my nerves. It also helps because the bikes obscure the stock camera, the wireless one is mounted high on the chimney guard so it avoids the bike rack obstructions, it also gives a wonderful perspective for reversing as well. One thing to be aware of is that the refresh rate isn't the best but for what I use it for, it's fine.

 

Chris and Wendy,

Congrats on your future Kimbo! I bring this single burner:

https://www.rei.com/product/179537/eureka-sprk-butane-camp-stove

It's butane, and super easy/handy to setup. The burner itself is sort of wide, like the flame footprint is quite large, like something you'd see on a large at home gas range...if that makes sense. A single quart small saucepan, for example, would have the flames licking up the side probably. I don't mind it because I use all large stuff, but something to be aware of! I also use a silicone mat for the top of the fridge, which keeps, heat, water, food, dirt, etc. away from the wood "countertop." I also have a two burner coleman stove for outdoor cooking that I will sometimes bring along, however it doesn't work insid the kimbo, on that wood countertop above the fridge; the footprint is just too big. the single burner fits very nicely though. Totally safe to cook inside the camper as long as you vent the space. I'll keep a couple windows cracked and the MaxxFan on the lowest setting.

 

Hey All,
We are due to get our Kimbo in 10/22. Getting ready to submit our final build order. Thoughts on the AC unit in the Kimbo for the living in the mountain west? Thanks

 

Congrats, what number are you getting?

 

#248

 

You can always take it out in the winter if you think you'll use it and have a storage compartment. Although, you'll be camping while plugged in or carry a generator. Ive camped in friends' driveways where you could also plug in. I've been fine without in CO though. Usually if it's that hot to need one while camping, I'll probably not want to bike which is what I mostly do in the summer.

 

I don't have the AC unit and have been fine without it. I don't stay at parks where there is electricity and when its hot I just use the fan to pull air over the bed area. I would need to get a generator to run it out in the wilderness and I am conflicted about that because I generally don't like it when other people are running their generators anywhere near where I am camping. I say don't get it and use that money for something more fun, sweating is fine, cleans out the body.

 

one more question for those with Ford trucks and Kimbos - are you using the stock bed hooks or did you install anything aftermarket? The stock make me nervous. I am considering these for the front mounts, and then some after market mounts for the rear

 

My setup is different because I have a set of truckvault drawers underneath the camper. I think the front mounts you found look very strong and well built and the the front mounts see the most strain because of wind. They look a bit pricey, but they seem strong. Hope this helps.

 

I have been using the stock hooks on my F150 for 5000km. They hold super well. i was nervous at first myself. HOWEVER if you plan on having the kimbo come on and off the truck on a regular basis, definitely look at something different. The stock ones are not easy to get on. No fancy mounts needed, just some heavy D-ring tiedown points mounted to the bed will do.

 

Because they are difficult to reach? Glad to hear you have had no issues.

 

They are a pain to reach, and not easy to feed the straps through. Collin from Kimbo has a F150 as well and ended up cutting away a large chunk of the bed liner to better reach the hooks.

 

Interesting - what kind of bed-liner did he need to cut?

 

Hey everyone - been a busy summer, the Kimbo is off during the week and then back on almost every weekend - lots of back and forth.

I saw some quick release plates (DJacker - horrible name) that allow the camper jacks to be slipped into place and a simple pin holds them from falling off but you don't lose any integrity...seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itPM5VuR4mE


These would be only for taking the camper off, I wouldn't use these plates for driving with the jacks on.

I'll be testing my own version in the fall and let you know how it goes.

 

LOL, 500 Euros for a few CNC'd pieces of steel. SMH...I do like the idea though.

 

EXACTLY...I know it's more than just plates but that seems a bit proud.