Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Yeah, my '15 access cab 4cyl five speed is on the market right now, wasn't sure it'd be enough for the Kimbo and we needed the double cab space too.

 

I was getting around 13-14 highway but with wind, that will drop. I was always keeping it under 70. Mountain passes such as the I70 Eisenhower Tunnel out here, I was able to cruise up keeping it around 45-50 with out having to go past 3,000 rpm. Without camper I'm about at 17-18 highway. I think your right as far as the Tundra being about the same. You'll cruise easier but the V8 will probably make you break even some of the time. Consider tire choice too. You'll definitely want an E-rated, but keep an eye on the weights. Im running a 245/75-17 Toyo AT3 and it comes in at 40lbs. The 265/70-16 KO2 is 50lbs. You do trade off on the floatation of the 265 vs a 245 skinny, but you may be able to squeeze 1 or 2 extra MPG's out. With a full size you'll have some extra space on the sides of the camper for gear which would be cool. A V6 does work well though and the 6ft bed is a must. Curious about that V6 eco Boost on the Fords...

Correction: 44lbs for the Toyo AT3

Hope that helps.

 

A little progress today. Solar panels are now secure. Kitchen is coming together. Live edge from Craig’s List is working great I think. Also about to complete the heater cover and wrap that project up. Kimbo is sill a mess inside though. Almost as bad as my garage. Hopefully get some more done tomorrow but also getting my second dose of Moderna so planning on being out of commission Sunday.

 

Love the solar setup! Nice work on the wood - the slabs should be a nice rustic touch for sure. Looks like you are getting after it!

 

Im trying! Really want to be close to 90% done by the time we first head out. Kitchen is the focus now. Reconfigured the design before getting too far and stoked. Again, a lot of staring at that space. The RotopaX fits perfect below the table and the stove still fits on the bottom. Instead of trying to tap the water tank with a brass fitting I'm going to use this water pump with solid reviews. This really simplifies the total build and leaves more space up top. Chose this bowl for the sink and will just toss out the water, mainly just for coffee, brushing teeth, and drinking when the weather is nasty outside. I also have a piece of 3cm granite getting cut for the base of the stove. A bit more expensive but loads easier than a multi layer hearth with tile and a base.

YOMYM Water Bottle Dispenser Portable Electric Water Bottle Pump for Universal 5 Gallon Bottle (Black+White)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NRYR6B6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8

$8 GSI Outdoors 7.75" Mixing Bowl, Blue

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q9A07I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8




The panels are a 100w compact design by HQST, basically Renogy panels. A couple of amps shy of the regular 100w panels but fit much easier up top. Still room for a 50w or something else if needed. Barely made a dent in the battery the last couple of days and my girlfriend even used it as an office yesterday. Trying to run it down to about 40-50% while it sits in the driveway, best when lithium is not being used. But don't think I'll get there by the time we head out for our first bike trip.

 

Can't wait to see how it all shakes out - run the dehumidifier and it'll bring the batteries down...

Any plans for the first bike trip? You planning to mount the bike racks to the Kimbo or ?

 

Heading to Fruita most likely for my Spring Break. Plenty of wineries next door in Palisade, CO too. I have a Kuwat swing-out with a hitch carrier working great so far.

 

Also, you bike? Can't remember if you mentioned it before. Let me know if you have plans for CO this summer.

 

I dabble in it a bit, one could say...LOL.

Traveled to Denver a few years ago with the previous setup and had a wonderful trip but solo riding is tough in remote unfamiliar areas. Been hurt too many times and try to have someone around when fun is to be had so if the hurt comes, it's not life or death (usually).

I've got a 1UP and I'm working on getting a custom swingout built before the season gets to full boil but I need the flatbed on for the final measurements to finish the design.

Pic below from just outside Salt Lake City - Snow basin has some good riding.

 

Good to know. Yeah ready to get this season started. New bike and super shitty backcountry this winter has me ready. Got hooked years back when I lived in Crested Butte. Been scoping new places ever since. Will do some searching in Snow Basin.

Yeah I'm sure you have measurements from them on the flatbed but I would definitely want to take my own once installed before building.

 

I've ridden up to Sardine Peak a couple times, very scenic...that's all I got for the area due to solo riding and the heat was pretty bonkerz - I'll see if I can find a couple pics of the outlook (short detour that's worth it for sure).

 

The lookout, west over Brigham I think.



Sardine Peak view looking east.



The last push up to sardine peak - if you look close you can see the houses at the bottom of the valley...don't slip or you'll be someone's new skylight.

 

This was the previous solution, it was a quick fix and worked fine but it was not ideal because it didn't have a great departure angle :

 

Swingarms! Let's talk. SO Yakima makes the EXO, which is a swing arm that you can accessorize. Storage on bottom bikes on top, double storage, etc. Looks cool and will work great for mountain biking. https://yakima.com/products/exo-gearwarrior

However, I need a burly swing arm, I am hauling 1-2 dirt bikes type of weight (see photo). I have seen some van bumpers that swing out and seem fairly strong, but can they carry that type of weight? I looked at a kuat pivot v2 https://www.kuatracks.com/product/pivot-2/, and it can hold 250 pounds (rack plus gear). The KTM 300xc-w weighs 228 dry and then I would be putting the dirt bike hauler into the kuat pivot v2. If I hit a dip in the road at 65 mph the forces could result in some type of catastrophic failure...which would be bad. Alas, I will probably use the double joe hualer (pictured below) with only one bike on the outside (which allows me the ability to opwn the tail gate and get into the kimbo without taking the dirt bike off...or I could take the tailgate off). When we go on big trip with dirt bikes then I'll pull a cargo trailer and fill it with tons of stuff. I could also mount a hitch to the front of the truck and haul the dirt bike that way and have easy and unfettered access to the kimbo. WHat do you all think??

 

Great shots! Making this snow storm suck even more.

 

One suggestion, how about the double Joe hauler with the KTM on the outside, tailgate removed, and a Pelican cargo system between the moto and the kimbo?



Either a BX85S across the whole bike rail (that you can step on) using the roof mount kit, or a pair of BX80s on each side with a clear space/landing in the middle for the door to open. (you may need to get creative with the mounts). Although, results seem to vary with these cases, and they're not cheap, so purchase at your own risk.

 

I have the Pivot V2 and is solid and well thought out but defiantly not for the KTM, a 125 at most I'm thinking. Rolling without the tailgate would be the simplest. I would give that a try before a front hitch if trying to avoid the trailer.

 

Damn those look good.

 

I like those disc break accents!