Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

I've always liked that metal sitting in the bins but never could figure out a way to use them that seemed decent - using it for your vent holder is a great idea!

 

Yeah, the wraps these days open up an entire universe for advertising - maybe redbull will want me to be a brand ambassador, LOL! I've seen a few large format stickers that looked pretty good and the benefit of a sticker is that it is easily removed if your taste changes from Corona to something a bit more sophisticated...lets say, Macallan for instance. That'd be a winner for sure!

 

Im definitely a fan of the Mac. Although, I currently have one last pour of my Dalmore. Thought about a simple stencil of some mountains on the side using painters tape, and then use some black plasti-dip of course. It would probably be a bad idea for the summer months, but having a sold black wrap would be my style.

 

Might reach out to Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey - just about done with the diamond peak edition, enjoyed on the snow camping trip of course.

 

What are you guys using for stairs up to the tailgate?

I started out with just a two step folding stool and then found a super deal on an aluminum folder with five steps - the footing is super sketch in the snow though and no hand rail for the Mrs...thinking about adding some of that grip tape (just saw huge pieces available at HomeDepot).

Neither seem ideal to me at this point.

 

Hi there! New to this group. Shout out and big thanks to @Voltron4x4 for this trend, should be very helpful.
I was looking for some more infos and fotos than the main site for Kimbos, and beside the space rover Instagram, there is nothing out there. We see them going out of the factory, outside pics, and that it.
I don’t actually own a Kimbo, but it’s my dream rig, here in Canada with a 5 month winter... you know.
I don’t have a Tacoma either, since I decided to go with a Ford Ranger for the best in class payload capacity.
Now I have a 7.5 foot Six Pack camper, 1996, pretty neat old school retro look, but for winters I don’t trust the roof. I’m saving for a Kimbo.
So thanks for letting me in, I’ll post my questions in my next post

 

... and yes, that was my 2010 Nissan Frontier before switching to a 2020 Ranger.

@Voltron4x4 , how it goes with the mini cub wood stove? Kimbo says they stop doing this option because it was not working properly with cold temperatures and low pressure. You decide to put it lower to deal with that a bit as I wrote earlier, so how it goes? I would do the same, I think a wood stove is fantastic, if it work properly !

 

Lastly, any body hadded the shower kit ? They don’t throw a lot of information or corps about that option... 1600$ for a curtain ? I mean, was it really consist of ? Thanks,

 

Welcome Ranger - the shower options seems to be going through a few different configurations. The setup is located in the storage unit under the roof fan. It's a curtain, large stainless pump sprayer with a shower head instead of a wand, multi-purpose stove.

Explanation begins around 2:00 min into the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oqZ6zIMDXI

 

For the record - we don't have the shower option. If we were to go that direction, it'd likely be similar to what nelsonator has been investigating with the instant hot propane water heater or the diesel water heater for engine blocks.

 

For our Northstar, I remove the tailgate, and use

$447 Torklift A7804 Four Glow Step

GlowSteps for longer trips when the camper will be in one place. Otherwise, we use an

$64 Louisville Ladder AS3002 6966014, 2 feet, Black

aluminum 3 stepladder for easy access. We also installed a

$29 Stromberg Carlson AM-250 Lend-A-Hand Mini Assist Rail

Mini assist rail

 

Yeah - I have a version similar to the glow steps but man they are slick. I'll check out that 3 step ladder - looks sturdy.

 

Hi Ranger Phil,

I am opting for an outside shower, the idea of an indoor shower in that small of a space is bad idea in my opinion but that is just what I think. I am waiting on the Joolca nomad kit https://www.joolca.com/products/hot...Fk1656d-j2Eq3R3H8bUkKRTucFE2L4hIaAr7lEALw_wcB and will using the big propane tank the Kimbo comes with for hot water. It'll be an outside shower. I have a full size truck and will be using the galleys of the truck to store water, but there are many ways to carry a jerry can full of water (bolt em to the camper jacks or use tailgate storage rack to carry em). The Dickenson propane heater works great for me and Voltron is setting up a diesel heater and wood stove so there are loads of ways to heat.

 

Great to have you here. Stoked to have all the creative ideas and problem solving in one spot for these rigs. Not a lot out there yet. I'm still a fan of the retro look too. I still think about grabbing one of those canned ham trailers and parking it somewhere if I have some land. You wont be disappointed with the Kimbo in the winter though.

I've only made a little progress on the design but what I have completed I believe it will all come together well. Still working on the kitchen and finishing touches on the diesel heater. What I can say is that my design will work with all the required clearances. I have a test piece of plywood to see how the hearth will fit and make sure all the proper pipe fittings fit inside the camper given the base thickness. I will have more length inside the camper than Kimbo's original design and will potentially be able to keep one of the two pieces of insulated pipe on while traveling. I also have a better designed cap for high winds that should improve performance too. I will be using 1in mineral wool in place of the insulation and covering it with aluminum plate reusing the mounts but with brass thumb screws. Excited about more brass in the camper. I also have some corrugated metal for heat shielding. My big unknowns are given the size of the ellipse that I have to cut, what rivets will remain that are holding the outside plate on. My silicone boot is large, but would like to keep as much aluminum from the cover as possible.

Hopefully that helps. A fellow Kimbo owner here in Breckenridge has the original install of the wood stove and hasn't had any issues. So with these design upgrades, especially the insulated pipes, I think I'll be happy. The wood stove is the biggest thing I'm excited about to have when camping. When weather turns and you're stuck inside for the day, I'll be very entertained. Not to mention the dry heat aspect during the winter. I might have to get a humidifier with this thing and the diesel heater. Waiting on the insulated flue parts from tinywoodstove.com.

EDIT: Add brass sheet to the back plate. MORE BRASS!


I plan on drilling through the hearth and bolting it to the propane box on the other side, possibly making it removable during the summer.



5in insulted pipe connector with 3in inner flue pipe. Have not removed the foam next to it yet, but this too will be mineral wool.

 

Jealous of this pic. Cant wait for next winter. It will be spring mt biking trip for our first proper Kimbo voyage.

 

Yep! Saw all those video too. But that’s an configuration that doesn’t exist anymore so are I sure that is still the same apparatus now? Like the wood stove he use and talk about is not even available anymore; I think I would go joolca hottap or whatever else cheaper than the Kimbo option, but would really like to see it for real first. Maybe I’ll ask the company directly and insist humbly that they should do a new video about this...

 

Might be able to request more info/new video on their Facebook page

 

Hey y'all! Longtime lurker on this thread. So glad to find the corner of the internet with all the Kimbo content!!

Just wanted to say hi, post some obligatory pics, and ask a Q as I'll be putting in my Kimbo order very soon.

I'm curious as to everyone's thoughts on fridges — The model from Kimbo looks like it fits great in the camper, but I'm wondering about a solution that will A) Be top loading so as to conserve energy vs the front-door fridge option, and B) Allow for the counter to be level with the sink. I'm thinking something like an ICECO VL35, with birch plywood adhered to the top door and a slider to access the controls — but I could be nuts.

It'd be sweet to have a level countertop across to the kitchen area, so as to make cooking inside during inclement weather a bit more comfortable (and most likely save a good chunk of change from the $1,600 fridge module).

Cheers!

 

Welcome! Stoked to be growing this little corner. Thanks for helping out. Placing that order is a great feeling, but then it’s just obsessive planning till the pick up date. But I enjoyed that too.

I’m looking at getting an ICECO too this summer, the one that doubles as a cooler like the Yeti’s. They use a great compressor. Your idea sounds great. I can take some measurements for you if you like. I did a lot of drawing during my wait time.

I’m torn between creating a spot under the main kitchen top with a horizontal slide or use that spot for storage. Since I took the main storage bin and made it my solar battery bin, I will probably create storage under the kitchen. When camping it will be nice not to have to run inside for a beer each time, just have to manage moving it outside and back in when leaving.

They still wired mine for the propane fan by the door even though I didn’t get it. I can extend that through the propane door outside and keep it powered when at camp. My table I installed with a Lagun mount doubles as a counter top/island if cooking. I can the swivel it over a make an L shape counter space. Hope that helps.