Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

I’d definitely be interested. Feel free to message me. I’d like to know the details and options you selected. I’m actually waiting on a quote from them although I de-optioned it quite a bit as I want to built it out myself. Thank you Voltron4x4 for the heads up on this

 

Hi all, first time poster longtime thread stalker. For the past year and a half my wife and I have been the proud owners of Kimbo no. 98, and in that time we have thoroughly enjoyed our adventures in it. I discovered this forum while searching for answers regarding the unique challenges of Kimbo ownership, and was overwhelmed by the communities inventiveness, creativeness and willingness to help anyone in need. Which brings me to my first post announcing our difficult decision to sell our Kimbo. I have created a post on expedition portal with all the details with pictures and of course if anyone is interested or if you know someone interested I can be reached via PM. Regarding the unit itself, it's fully loaded minus the fridge (we used a Dometic cooler) and in excellent condition. Thanks for all the great information you all provide, it's been a great help.

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/for-sale-2021-kimbo-series-6-camper-no-98.236966/

 

Hi All,

Quick question for those of you with some experience... How important is the exterior vent for a 12V electric fridge? If I were to mount a fridge on the opposite bench against the side of the camper would it have issues with ventilation? Does it really need exterior ventilation or just a flow of inside air, say an inch or two of space behind it?

I've done some basic searching online but haven't quite found a clear answer.

Thanks!

 

The only fridges that I understand require venting is the propane fridges...the electric fridges just need air circulation space around the vents on the fridge.

 

Thought it was a good time to share my kitchen build, as I’ve finally about wrapped it up! I’m still waiting on some parts to finish the plumbing/water system/whale foot pump, and I have a few other details to work out, but hopefully it will be totally complete next week sometime. Everything is Baltic birch plywood except the epoxy countertop that I made out of mdf. As space is tight, one drawer fits my traditional camp cookstove and I added some extra counter space via a pull out. My cooler will live on the floor or outside. I spent what felt like one million more hours on it than what it would have taken someone who has done this sort of thing before… but I’m really pleased with how it turned out.

 

That is some fancy stuff. Well done

 

That thing is sweeeeet! Are you able to stand in front of the sink with the extra counter extended?

 

Hey everyone

Wanting to pull the trigger on one of these but unfortunately (in this case) I’m very tall. 6’4” barefoot makes it tough with a midsize.

So what Im wondering is if it would be remotely possible to extend the full bed platform with a slideout (like a FWC) and sleep north-south with some custom fab (notching out around the window apparently). As far as I can tell there is the drivers side half bed frame separating the cab and main living area to contend with. I have a sinking feeling that there is metal behind it and that one couldn’t simply make a wood replacement whose horizontal section is lower thus allowing a bed extension (even if worked around the vertical part, it would be fine).

This may dash my Kimbo dreams since I’ll have my girlfriend with me most trips. Otherwise its the choice. Anyone have any info on feasibility?

 

Very nice work! So cool to see all the different styles.

 

Bolting something to the back wall, what faces the truck back window, could act as a support for a platform that would store under the bed. With just the legs needing support it wouldn't need to be that robust. I'll have to give it some more thought and a look, but with one person sleeping north to south the second person would need to also. You would need to do something similar to where the wooden support is located. Im sure it's possible, just depends on how much work you want to do to replace that support. Maybe check with Kimbo about that idea. My buddy went with Scout due to this reason, he's 6'2, but was seriously wanting a Kimbo. If Kimbo can make this option work it would open it up to more people.

A lot of talent on this forum, hopefully some other ideas will come about.

 

I have a full woodshop and am handy so I’m definitely fine if that support is only wood, but if I’d need to get into metal fabrication I feel like it would be a non-starter on the Kimbo

 

I agree, welding anything to the aluminum would be a non-starter. The shell is sturdy and capable of having things bolted to it. I would think something collapsible/removable would work as a support on the back wall. I have used 1in HDPE to act as a spacer/backplate to mount flush with the 1in insulation that surrounds the inside.

 

If I can fab up a replacement for the drivers side barrier I’m good to go. Is there structural metal included in that piece that runs along the side of the bed? If I can fab up wood that attaches under the bed I bet Im in business.

 

Edit: Having the support hinge upward vertically may be possible too. That may keep you from having to remove it and it taking up space when folded down. Potential shelves underneath could be built in to use when in the up positions. Still haven't been in side mine, but just visualizing off of memory.

 

There is an L aluminum bar on the corner. I had to remove mine when installing solar and needing to get behind that insulation. Its easy enough to attach it back using machine screws and sealing it on the outside. I'll try and send pictures later.

 

Sounds like I can trace it off on some nice ply and make a modded replacement!
Thank you so much

 

So from the front window to the edge of the bed you have 58in. From the bottom platform to the ceiling you have 34in. So if you wanted to hinge something at the edge of the bed to extend the sleeping length for. north to south you have plenty of room. You would just have to create a different support to replace the driver side. Also, find a pad with the same thickness of the mattress for the platform. I bought a new twin memory foam mattress off of Craig’s List for $45 to cut up for additional cushions.

Attached are the reinstalled pictures of the aluminum L brace. Sorry for the messy bed, we are loading right now for some winter camping outside Steamboat. GF is taking her Avalanche I course at Bluebird Backcountry Ski Area.

 

One more thing, that wooden divider is more of a divider of the space than a support. I’m sure if you had someone standing on the roof right above it there would be pressure on it though.

 

I can! though I’m not sure I will if the heater is turned on.

 

Sounds like I’m in business. This looks like my best option. If I wanted something tall enough to stand up in completely I think I’d have to get a full-size or DIY one.