Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Hello Kimbo Crew.

It’s been a few months since I posted about GVWR concerns. But you all helped me sort through those. I have a question about durability with the Kimbo. I live up in WY and find myself always driving on long washboard gravel roads to get out to trailheads, etc. how does the Kimbo hold up in these conditions? Is it designed to withstand years of travel over these types of roads? What kind of maintenance should I expect to keep it running? I’m still in the weighing my options phase between a Kimbo and a FWC fleet. I currently have a tow behind that falls apart every time I’m out. I’m ready to sell it and order a truck camper ASAP.

Thanks again.

 

How about a welded airplane...

 

i knew someone would say that haha! Snowmobiles are all rivits and glue as well and take huge stresses, everything process has its time and place.
Most modern dirt bikes are all welded aluminum, and to say they are tough is an understatement.

 

Yep - mountain bikes too.

 

Quick little update - been super busy with other projects but need to get the sink functional now. Pulled the sink out to test, yarded out the insulation to begin mapping out some large holes, and making sure the fresh/gray water tanks are placed as discretely as possible. More to come as I begin making some expensive aluminum swiss cheese!

 

Was up waaaaay too late last night trying to get this knocked out, but we have a functional sink!!! The fittings are temporary until some proper bulkhead fittings can be procured but they'll work for the near future. A major consideration was keeping the pump tucked up out of the way while still allowing access to the pressure adjustment. Keeping everything routed up and out of the way to maximize storage was important. Couple clamps and it'll be all wrapped up. Pretty happy with it so far but we'll see how it works in the real world - testing this weekend on a quick lake trip. Fingers crossed!

 

Forgot to include a pic of the new base installed to replace the 2x4's...working on adding some creative accents to the plain aluminum but that's after things are working so for now it's just basic.

 

That sink is so rad!! Good work

 

Yeti 500X Replacement Program

Howdy fellas - just found this...for those that have the Yeti 500X solar generator.

https://www.goalzero.com/product-features/yeti-500x-product-replacement/

Evidently the issue I had a while back with the heat was not actually the heat it seems...I've been having intermittent issues with the system refusing to charge (even when plugged into shore power) while well within the normal operating temps. Once rebooted, it's fine. This is not an issue necessarily if you are constantly checking it but when you expect it to be topping off the charge during the day and hop in later in the evening and it's at 25% - not ideal.

We have two more trips and we'll be exploring the EMA process.

 

I had the same problem. And now I know why. Filled out my request form. I think I will be posting this over at https://kimboexperience.com as well.

 

Nice work man! Very cool idea for the gray tank.

 

Well everyone, back in school teaching. A bit busy but next on the list will be the wood stove. Looking forward to starting that one for some fall trips.

 

One note - just to clarify, I don't have a good shot of it but there is a "P" trap under the sink.

It's this camco one here - https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Sewer/Camco/CAM37262.html

This style is very compact and hopefully keeps the vibe inside the camper mellow.

 

I'm brand new to the forum, but I've been considering a Tacoma/Kimbo combo (that's a mouthful) for a while now. I just wanted to say how invaluable this thread has been and how friendly and helpful everyone is on this forum. I'm a slow, careful driver over mountain passes and while other larger trucks aggressively tailgate and (nearly) run me off the road, Tacoma owners don't. It's an interesting phenomena and I'm just wondering if Tacoma owners are more relaxed drivers, or if more relaxed drivers happen to purchase Tacomas?

 

I think these are the same thing. (Tacoma owners are more relaxed drivers /more relaxed drivers happen to purchase Tacomas) But I think I know what you're getting at. I drive a truck with a camper now, previously a slow wrangler, because I'm not mature enough to drive something that has a fast 0-60 time. Each time I've been in something stupid quick, I've done something that I'm lucky to have made it out without a ticket or wreck. I'm good with my Truck and getting there eventually. The Tacoma keeps me a relaxed driver especially with a camper on the back.

 

Real nice work done by @nwfotolander on IG. Though I would share this work. Hopefully he won’t mind.

 

The Kimbo will be riding on the truck suspension you have. With my upgraded leaf pack and airbags underneath, I have no worries. The build construction is robust and the sealing process between the rivets is substantial. I wouldn’t saw a lot of washboards but enough to make thing fall off the shelf that I didn’t pay attention to. Other that that, all shelves and baskets built inside I don’t see failing over the years.

The only maintenance I see, which is pointed out by Kimbo when you take order, are a few tiny holes where the windows needed to be installed. They had something todo with the process. They are simply sealed with any hardware shop sealant. It was designed with the DIY guy in mind too. So they show you all the products they used if you’re going down that route. Any new holes or factory screws you remove you’ll know how to reseal them.




My replacement screws sealed when building out the inside and needed to remove the aluminum L bar inside.


Factory sealed Parts. Each standalone rivet sealed at base too.

 

Can one of you guy's recommend a circulation fan powered by the DC circuit for circulation the upper heat of the propane stove around the Kimbo?...mine is still on order so I don't know what plug type it uses also.....thanks up front.....

 

Just to clarify, I don’t have the propane stove/heater, but are you talking about the fan that’s built inside the Dickinson or another fan? Looking for just a 12v fan?

 

From reading some of the posts, the fan on the propane dickerson doesn't move a lot of air....sounds like a lot of stratification is taking place in the cold weather so I was interested in a recommendation on a small fan to move some of the air around inside......thqnks