Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Haven’t bought yet, just seeing if it is possible, saves quite a bit of money with the refund. Trying to decide to buy or just use my truck topper and save the money

 

Truck toppers are cheaper... But the Kimbo gets the likes.




But in all seriousness, it's a big investment. If you convinced yourself it's worth it, you wont be disappointed. If you change your mind they are easy to sell, as long as you don't cut new windows and add a sky light.

 

I've been mulling over my options and wondering if anyone else is running into this - the rain runs straight down the sides on the over the cab portion and every time I get in the truck I have to navigate through the waterfall...looking at putting some "gutters" above the doors to help manage the runoff. Here in Washington, rain is a thing...LOL.

 

Would you want to source the same rubber channels on the back door? Would they be enough?

 

OK--so the spray bottle immediately revealed the problem--connection right at the airline where it exits the airbag through a brass fitting. Probably an end that I cut--carefully, with a razor knife--that somehow didn't seat properly. There is no way to get to this easily without jacking up the rig and removing the tire. Do I dare do it with the factory jack and the camper on? Or better to remove the camper? I mean, it's conceivable I'll have to jack it up at some point with the camper on, right?

 

Didn't even consider the rubber option - don't read into that statement, LOL.

I was looking at extrusions in a "J" configuration to adhere to the entire front overhang. Bend it around the front and over the doors back to the radius at the outrigger mounts area.

Haven't given it a whole lot of thought yet - summer is quickly approaching and there are so many items that I need to get on in the next month...

 

Lemme tell ya, practice is always a healthy option - at some point you'll need to practice removing the tire with the Kimbo on but what you're working on requires access to the top of the bag and tucking the axle up there might complicate things a bit with no pressure in the bag to keep the axle out of the way. Maybe you can throw some air in the bag to give you some space to reach in and shove the hose into the fitting a bit more? It'd be ideal to remove the Kimbo while working under there, when removing a tire you aren't (usually) under the truck...also - USE JACK STANDS please...don't need anyone on this site having an estate sale.

 

Getting truck ready for my Kimbo, which I will be picking up at the end of this month. First up, new tires. KO2 All-Terrain E-Rated. I'm having them put on this Tuesday. Poll question for owners and wannabe-owners. White letters outside or inside? I've seen maybe three vehicles in South Florida recently with white letters on the outside and I lean toward being a non-conformist, so there's that. Feedback welcome.

 

Blackwall out. White letters don't hold up well and only look good when new. Easy to damage if they rub the curb or a rock on the trail so I always recommend blackwall out.

 

I agree with @Enoch. That's a good practical reason for blackwall out. Plus I just prefer more black on the truck.

 

The aluminum J extrusions would look really nice. Or you could save some weight and go full pool noodle. When you're ready to go swimming, just grab your gutters.

 

Thanks everyone for all of the great info on this thread. A question: is anyone about 6’ tall or a little more and comfortable sleeping in the bed with two people and blankets? Wondering if the length of the full bed is enough when fully stretched out.

And is anyone down in the Ventura/Santa Barbara area and interested in letting me and my wife look inside a Kimbo?

 

YES--planning to use jack stands. And my nervousness comes from needing to be under there for a bit mucking around with the hose connection. Probably safer to take the camper off, but, geez, I've got the camper jacks off and everything. Oh well, suppose I need practice removing and installing the camper, too. I'll let folks know which route I go!

 

Geez--any tips on how to get the damn air line out of the brass fitting? Pushing in on the fitting with an 8mm wrench on either side of the line. Will not budge. The videos make it look so easy...hah!

 

Just helped my install her airbags for the truck to be Kimbo ready. We had a leak in the brass threads to the bag side. The factory sealant seems pretty lacking.

We had to disconnect the hose a couple of times from the other end. You have to press pretty hard with a crescent wrench or something similar while pulling on the hose. Before reinstalling I recut the end for a fresh end.

For our leak on the bag end we just used some blue loctite. If that doesn’t work we’ll get something more air hose related.

 

I’m right at 6ft. I sleep with a couple of pillows so with my head a little up I don’t touch the end unless I stretch for it. When the lady is beside me it’s a little more diagonal.

 

THANKS--I was thinking that I might have a leak around the brass thread, but luckily it was just the air hose connection. The key to getting the thing off seemed to be draining ALL, and I mean absolutely ALL of the air out of the system. I even had to push up on the airbag to push out the residual air. Then it came off with pressure applied to the brass ring with a wrench, but still not real willingly. Naturally, the only local hardware store open on Sunday did not have an air hose cutter, so I tried again with a fresh razor knife and it appears to have worked--NO BUBBLES. Hooray! Now to mount the camper again.

 

Yep razor blade works just as well. Good to hear.

 

Picked up #200 last Monday morning at the Kimbo headquarters in Bellingham. It was great to meet the team and see the production process. Collin was helpful, informative and helped install the rig and run through the operating of everything. I ordered the extra sleeping platform which removed the seat on the side and ultimately gave more room for modifications on the interior. We’ll see how to adjust after some adventures to see what we need. Plus I can fit a pack and play for my son on that floor space. The quality and craftsmanship in these campers is incredible. I’m blown away by how well they are built. Excited to see how well they hold up over time. Anyone who has concerns about the quality, you will not be disappointed.

Drove back to Wyoming and camped along the way. Truck handled well with the added weight with airbags installed on the rear. 35lbs in the bags, front tires 55lbs, rear tires 65lbs.

My little man approved.

 

Nice man! Glad you’re stoked. They keep improving the little things too like the double latches on the propane door. Just refining as they go. The base is rock solid. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.