Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

I'm pretty sure this is the shower setup that Kimbo has currently:

 

Hi Northwest Dingo,

I am using a Marine Aire 18 quart fridge https://www.marinaire.com/MarinAire-18-QT-Refrigerator-Freezer-12V-24V-DC-p/pfc18d.htm that sips power, is top loading, and works well but is too small and I'll likely be combining it with a Yeti or one of the cool ICECO fridges you guys talked about when we go on longer adventures. The Marine Aire may become a freezer and then the larger chest will be a fridge.

The different levels for the kitchen as built by Kimbo seems like the weak spot in the build from a design layout perspective to me and I think what Voltron, Profloundering and others make will be awesome. I wanted the Kimbo built and ready from day one because we immediately went on a month long ski road trip, but I am sure there will be modifications to the Kitchen area down the road. I will have an outside tailgate kitchen for the most part.

 

That waterheater reminded me of my setup. FWIW, I ended up using an Ecotemp waterheater found here, with a 1-pound adapter like

GasOne Steak Saver Adapter 1 LB Propane Gas Grill Adapter Converter Universal 1 Pound / 16.4oz Disposable Small Bottle for BBQ Grill Propane Tree - 1''-20 Male Throwaway Cylinder Thread

this one, and installed the low flow shower head as seen

$59 Oxygenics 26481 Hand Held Sprayer Kit

here. It all fits in a Rubbermade tote like this one, that you can stand in while in the shower. We have a shower tent like

$25 VINGLI Pop Up Tent Instant Portable Shower Tent Outdoor Privacy Toilet & Changing Room

this one, which doubles as a loo for this little portapotty. For the water, I installed a T in the Notrhstar 13 gal. water system, and actually run the hot water back into the city water side of the sink faucet, so that we have hot water for dishes. Sorry, if this is TMI

 

Heater cover vent done! Glad that part is over and stoked the way it came out. Sure it’s symmetrical....

 

Wouldn't be surprised to see a Kimbo price hike very soon. Interest continually grows, if they ever get a national media mention, look out.

 

Possibly. I believe the Scout campers are the closest competition and Kimbo is inline with them I believe. Quality and design is much better in my humble opinion. Don’t really get the add a tent to the roof option unless my friends want to rent it out.

 

LOL, I just thought I would throw that out there for the thread lurkers that are considering a purchase, since this was about the time of year in 2020 when they had a price hike.

 

Just made my first cuts on the kitchen build out. Pretty excited to finally get an idea I’m sold on. Going to try and utilize some of that vertical space with planks on the side up, 38in. With a top shelf. Also it keeps me from having to use a frame underneath keeping space maximized. Have some live edge from Craig’s List I got cheap I’ll be using. Will get some pics up when I get a bit further. Still working on securing it to the wall and or base. Just a heads up on the design.

 

Yeah for sure. Get those deposits in as soon as you can!

 

Can't wait to see it!

The SherpTek bed has been delayed a bit so we're on hold for mods until that is completed.

We do seem to have a propane leak somewhere - going to do a dish soap test again on the hoses but I think it's internal to the furnace and getting progressively worse. I'll let you know what i find out on that as soon as I have a minute to tear into it.

 

SherpTek...

So, you're doing something like this, but in a Long Bed?

 

Yep! The one above is full-tilt custom shortlong bed with all the bells and whistles. Ours will be pretty basic (no custom bumper/under boxes/integrated diesel tank-heater/extended bed length/extended hips/lighting kit...you get the idea) It'll have the gas fill integrated in the bulkhead (long bed allows for this) so we can fill it without dropping the side gate and stock bumper to retain all of the sensors, the Kimbo alignment kit with the special spring mounts, and the mud flaps. Keeping it simple but we can add under boxes later as finances/need allows.

 

What kind of real world mpg are you guys getting? I’m giving this some serious thought and wondering if my plans for traveling with this setup are realistic. I’m truck shopping now and I’m up in there air at the moment. The thoughts of going with a V6 and a Kimbo are very tempting. The cheap bastard in me says get the 4 banger and a tent!

 

Awesome! More here if anyone is interested, with more photos of the Tacoma peppered in here. That's pretty cool that they make a 6' bed that fits on the 5' bed truck! Short bed guys take note if you're tired of having a short bed.

 

Well, it's the windy season for sure and we have a lot of mountain passes running down the middle of the state. That being said - the truck says it's averaging 12 mpg highway and 14 in town with the Kimbo and all the gear loaded and the outriggers installed.

That was the snow camping trip, going from the puget sound up Tiger/Snowqualmie/Blewett passes and compact snow. Average between 55-60 mph. and using the ext power button (not sure it makes a difference but will continue to monitor). Normally without the Kimbo it says around 16mpg with new tires and I drive like a grandpa - I understand it's not a hot rod and drive it as it is intended. Running 265/70-16 KO2 E-rated tires.

 

that’s great info. Thank you. I’m starting to think I may want to look at the Tundra as well. I’m guessing the mpg is going to be in the same ballpark.

 

Maybe - it's also a much larger truck and there are a few with Kimbo's mounted in them - it's definitely an option and it has a v8. I was looking for something nimble for trails and parking lots - it's great to be able to run up overgrown trails and not have to be terribly concerned with scratching the tar out of the truck sides and it's also very nice to pull into a parking space almost anywhere without having to worry about fitting. Really depends on your criteria...oh, and there's the price of the tundra too. Check out all your options for sure.

 

Saw our first fellow Kimbo'r on the highway this weekend when we were headed to the ocean!

 

For sure. This whole adventure started off as a rig to get us into the backwoods of Maine with our canoe. The original plan was a 4 cyl/5 speed econobox theme that would be my daily as well. The Kimbo has me rethinking the 4 banger.