Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Welcome! Left coaster here so take this for what it's worth...

Solar: are you planning to add solar to the stock solar install or are you intending to install all the solar by yourself?
Awning: the brackets will likely need some sort of reinforcement on the inside - if you plan to do it yourself, it'd be good to look at what they're doing if you can to reinforce the mounts.
Suspension: Honestly, I feel that if you're going to have corrosion issues with the airbags...you'll likely have issues with anything you use (leaf packs, airbags, add-a-leaf, etc...) can't think of anything that will survive the coastal corrosion.

The camper jack mounts are steel and will begin to rust if you remove the jacks every weekend because the bolts wear away the powder coating but they can be repainted - one thing that I've noticed is that not washing off the bugs isn't ideal for the finish.

 

Hi Profloundering,

Thank you for the response!

Solar - I asked for an invoice that included them putting 3 solar panels up with a splitter for a fourth ground panel to weigh against the cost of doing it myself since I don’t have the most experience with tools. Although I plan to do all custom interior work, fingers crossed.

When you say stock Solar install, you mean the add on package right? It doesn’t come with a panel does it?

Awning: You were correct, I had emailed them afterwards for an elaboration of the costa and she mentioned a reinforced back plate and how it’s labor intensive. I did ask if I could reduce the price by a third since my current awning is two feet smaller has been running fine on two brackets.

Suspension - My thoughts are, with complete ignorance of airbags and how they wear it’ll be easier to mitigate rust on leaf springs/metal components with spray on rust converters. Has anyone here gone suspension upgrades without airbags?

Thanks for the note on the camper jacks. Is it possible to remove the mounts completely? I don’t plan on dropping the camper often.

 

Was thinking if you have them install the base solar/solar generator...the basic wiring will be installed already and you could just add panels to the system...not sure what the standard solar install is (yes it's an upcharge to add solar - should include wiring, solar panel, and wiring). One thing to consider with the solar is where you plan to use it - we got the basic solar with one 100w panel and have found when we camp on the western side of the state, there are a LOT of trees, clouds/overcast that minimize the usefulness of the system...we're planning to add more battery to compensate.

Love to see what everyone does on the interiors - lots of great ideas...can't wait to see what you do with yours.

The jack supports are not readily removed - that would be a huge job and not advised IMHO.

 

I will say I took off my jacks before going on an extended trip (couple months across the country) and I regret not taking them. All kinds of things popped up. Wanted to remove some pieces of shelving, but only accessible with camper off the truck. Wanted to get minor service done at Toyota - none of the service bays in that city would accommodate the truck w/ camper (height wise). Basically I had them on there for months and never used them, but as soon as I took them off...

Re: solar, I'd say the cost of solar from them is worth it vs hassle of dealing with drilling through the roof and running cables etc. That, and the Dickinson fireplace, would be the only musts if I bought from factory (I got one used fully loaded (including 200w on the roof), and I'm in the slow process of pulling stuff out to design my own interior too).

 

It’s a bit of a conundrum but I’ll bite the bullet and let them do the install. It’ll help quicken my turn around to get back in the truck and on the road and I suppose peace of mind that didn’t mess anything up. It’s 1200 for the base Solar and then 600 for each extra panel.

Good point about the trees, I mostly boondock off the coast in baja so usually plenty of sun. I do have a 415 watt ground panel on a 15ft cable to help find sunny sections, the 300 watts for the roof is mostly for driving and if I’m hiking/surfing and don’t feel comfortable leaving a panel out unattended. I don’t know what your power consumption is but If you need any tips on extra power I went with a BLUETTI AC200max and have been very happy with it. What sold me on it is you can module your power banks with B300s. So I use the AC200max as my daily 2k wh battery and have the B300 3k wh battery for backup. The downside is from a custom inverter setup is you can’t run it off the alternator while you drive (as far as I know). The cigarette lighter port caps at around 115watts. I work remote from my rig so I'm heavy on power.


I’m excited to start planning out the build, I was pretty inspired from I believe it was h2o-bar’s build and want to do a. Similar U style seating below the bed, and storage on the other side of the closest. I’m praying my domestic fridge feezer will fit below the side window. Main differences will be I don’t need an indoor kitchen since I mostly camp in warm spots and prefer cooking outside so where his fridge and counter top will be a pantry for me and I’ll put a sink, mirror where most place a fireplace. Although I almost want to buy the propane heater purely for aesthetics but I’d never use it lol.

ah noted on the mounts, thank you.


I just realized you’re the one who cut the sides out on the bed right? Man, genius. Any build tips that come to mind?

Side not does anyone have the length, height and width of the aluminum bench below the window between the bed and fin?

 

Hi TaKimbo,

Oh man, now if I take them off that’s all I’m going to think about haha. I’m going to be full timing out of the Kimbo, in areas where I don’t need or is really safe to take it off and leave it. But an unexpected repair would be problematic for sure, thanks for the food for thought.

Yea I think you’re right about the hassle, I’m going to let them do it. Same with the awning, I have an awning/arb spare room that is too useful on hot coastal days to leave behind. Man that fireplace is so cool, I just would never use it sadly. I’m full electric anyway and don’t even bring propane. What are you thinking about doing or have already done for the interior?

 

Ha sorry about that! But yeah had several 'why the hell didn't I bring those' moments. Have considered wrapping them up and storing them in the space between the camera and bed sides. Although haven't checked to see if they'll actually fit

Ever evolving plan for the interior in mine. Have just pulled out the old kitchen top / sink, and bought a rectangular bar sink replacement. Going to do one flat work top, and enclose the space underneath / fridge with cabinets. If I were starting from scratch I'd have ordered bare bones and done a similar U shape couch like you mentioned - putting the fridge under the center part of the 'U'. But mine came with the AC - and although I rarely use it, I'm finding it hard to get the motivation to rip it out, and change the existing fridge just because. It's a small place, but still endless options!

 

Sorry if you mentioned it already but what truck are you using?

The bed is from Sherptek (https://sherptek.com/), so it's an entirely new bed system. Removed the stock bed and this one bolts into place. Still finding new ways to utilize the adaptability of the system - I can use it to haul around the Kimbo with less weight than the stock bed with the added benefit of the additional storage, utilize it for dump runs/hauling stuff like a normal truck, remove the flanks and hips entirely and it becomes a flatbed to haul all manner of oversized/odd sized items...additionally the tie down/mounting options are endless. Every one is custom made for your primary application, if you can imagine it - likely Ryan can engineer a solution for you.

We have our fridge on the floor under a seat/sleeping platform that easily fits and extra adult or large pup or two small pups. If you plan to install the fridge below the window, it'll shorten the seating are of the platform. If that's a concern, maybe consider mounting the fridge next to the closet on the other side. I had initially planned to mount an upright fridge (marine style) in that space so the floor would be more open but as it worked out the seating platform took up enough space that I wasn't losing additional floor space by just throwing the fridge under that unused space, this allowed me to mount the sink in the space the fridge was originally going to be mounted (also the marine fridge was super expensive for it's size).

 

Just noticed the bamboo table top - is that an Ikea cutting board?

 

Nope, just found a 1" Bamboo Table top (not IKEA) that was big enough and used it for the counter top.

 

Voltran4X4 Did your wood stove cause any problems for you when getting insurance? A Cubic woodstove would be my best option, but I'm thinking it might be a deal-breaker with the insurance company. I wonder if it would be best to just keep it on the down-low.

 

It wasn't an issue at all. I just called on the phone and sent the details of the camper and the website and they gave me a rate on the current base price which is what we purchased. I do have a bit invested in the solar set up along with the stove, but was just concerned over the camper.

Been MIA for a bit here, mainly due to work starting back up. But things are good and just got back from an extended weekend fall trip where we used the stove frequently, both in the evening and the morning. I went to Tractor Supply and bought 10 compressed logs for $1.30, brought 3 with me and went through 2. Hope everyone is getting some play time this fall.

 

When it comes to mountain passes I just get comfortable in the slow lane with the truckers. Im still passing them and that's enough for me to save the money on gears. Though it is tempting to re-gear for sure. Personally, I just don't want to put too much into the truck. The suspension did come before my Kimbo and that gets used both when the Kimbo is on and off. Be stoked to hear when someone does do it though.

 

This would be a good option for my girlfriend when she's in the Subaru and wants the Starlink up.

 

You can save a lot by doing the solar yourself. I did have Kimbo install the wiring only though. I took care of everything else and very happy with my setup. It wasn't difficult installing the panels.

 

Anyone ever mount ski racks to the ladder like this? Did you encounter and issues or want to move it somewhere else after a few trips? I would rather rely on someone sage advice than see these planks get destroyed cause I didn’t foresee something. Thanks!

 

I have my rack on the ladder but with the skis horizontal. I used some rubber spacers on the mounts to keep it tight. Have had no issues other than loading up more than one pair can be a little challenging.

 

I actually removed my jacks and was able to get a slight increase in gas mileage. Plus, it feels like a little less "width" without them. I do carry them in a drawer under the kimbo and am prepared to replace and raise the kimbo on the road if required.

 

I put 2x100watts up the day I picked up my Kimbo.. this was in addition to the 100w the former owner had -- just need self tapping screws, a drill, eternabond, vhb. Probably $250-300 all in.

I think you'll be fine with that battery -- watch out for the 12v 115watt timeout. I run Starlink, two laptops, and also work from the road. EF 2000w and GoalZero 500 get me through the week on relatively sunny days.

 

Great job! I love it