AT Horizon v. Adrenalin Campers?

[phillyd2]

I 'think' I may have narrowed it down to either a Adventure Trailer Horizon OR a Adrenalin Camper so I thought I would toss it out to the hive for thoughts and opinions. For the sake of argument lets assume money is not a issue so lets talk campers comparisons only.

The Horizon seems to have a smaller footprint and I like that the wheels can be matched to my 4 Runner. But the Adrenalin seems to have a bigger tent and easier / faster to set up. Then again the Horizon may have more storage capacity.

Both seem sturdy for off road use but once we get to a destination either would be used mostly as a base camp. Campers will be a small family with young children so ease of use is a big benefit.

 

[spressomon]

I went from an AT Horizon to a Kimberley Kamper Sports RV, which is very similar to the Adrenalin and pulled each no less than 25,000 miles including into and over some fairly aggressive terrain. When both are loaded with dual batteries and water their weight is about the same (~2,500lbs). For a family (or a just a couple too!) there is little to compare: The KK/Adrenalin stomps a military style trailer for comfort and convenience. The Horizon and shorter trailers like it might be better matched for more extreme terrain but having said that I've pulled my KK through equally tight and gnarly terrain relative to non-Rubicon/Dusy/Fordyce type trails without issue.

The lower COG of the KK/Adrenalin also makes it much easier to manage in all situations: On and off road alike.

The only thing I'd want to add to the Adrenalin is a real heater...either a Webasto, Espar or Propex.

 

[phillyd2]

How is the storage in the KK/Adrenalin?

 

[spressomon]

I can't speak directly for the Adrenalin but hopefully Jon Harris will chime in. The KK Sports RV had significantly more storage, by volume, than the Horizon. The space under the queen+ sized bed/mattress is all storage area minus the forward portion that can contain up to 3-Group 31 batteries. The stove doesn't take up interior storage space and the slide out sink contains additional and significant storage area for pots & pans, utensils, etc. Then you have the nose box that is cavernous by compare to the Horizon. And if that's not enough, since you don't have an RTT mounted atop the trailer, you have the entire top of the trailer for all kinds of bulk storage space.

Given either a KK or Adrenalin can accommodate Dad, Mom and 3-4 youngsters it is super quick to deploy and pack up. If the weather is inclement you have a relatively large area within the main tent portion to get out of the elements all within, literally, 60-seconds of deploying the main tent. Whereas an RTT atop the Horizon, or other military style trailers, you would need to erect sidewalls that add considerably to the deploy and subsequent pack up time along with eating up interior storage space.

On the KK the kwik awning can be left zipped to the main tent during storage...or not: Your choice. Additional side walls and draft skirts can add additional utility quite easily without eating up interior storage space (KK makes a nice heavy duty "canvas" bag that straps to the top of the trailer for storing the sidewalls, etc. that doesn't need to be removed to deploy the main tent structure...very well thought out).

No contest IMO.

 

[TheThom]

If you haven't already you should read this thread about the Adrenalin camper.

I personally couldn't imagine camping with a couple of kids in an RTT. That's why I'm rebuilding a pop up. If I were in your shoes I would choose the Adrenalin especially with the caveat that it's not about the money.

 

[ddog45]

I love my adventure trailer. When my girls were younger all four of us slept in the EA 1800 sized tent now that the kids are 8 and 10 they sleep in there own tent. I think it is a right of passage for kids to sleep away from their parents in their own tent. I didnt get the comfort of a rrt till I was 32 years old. I think the adventure trailers shine when a person is traveling with a group of people that dont have trailers or the camping area is small. Often times I will park my chaser in a big pile of rocks and keep the flat spots for my fellow tent campers.
I also like that my chaser is narrow and fits down the narrow trails here in Colorado.

 

[kevint]

I'm fairly certain you'll max out at 2 kids in the Adrenaline-3 at the most if you don't mind climbing over them to get to the door.

 

[phillyd2]

If you haven't already you should read this thread about the Adrenalin camper.

Thanks. It was actually that thread that started me considering Adrenalin.

I've looked at a few video reviews of the KK and really like that they seem to have a much better kitchen set up than the Adrenalin. Are they the same company or is Adrenalin a copy of the KK?

 

[STREGA]

Thanks. It was actually that thread that started me considering Adrenalin.

I've looked at a few video reviews of the KK and really like that they seem to have a much better kitchen set up than the Adrenalin. Are they the same company or is Adrenalin a copy of the KK?

Having own a AT Horizon and been around Jonharris's Adrenalin trailer I would say the Adrenalin would better suit your needs. I have seen the KK (at the Overland Expo) and they seem to be a nice trailer. The Adrenalin is a Australian style trailer (the owner is from Australia) built in the USA but is a little more suited to the type of trails we see here in the states. IIRC the only parts on the trailer that are not made in the US is the hitch and the tent material which are sourced from Australia, the frame and aluminum body are all built locally.

 

[spressomon]

Thanks. It was actually that thread that started me considering Adrenalin.

I've looked at a few video reviews of the KK and really like that they seem to have a much better kitchen set up than the Adrenalin. Are they the same company or is Adrenalin a copy of the KK?

Two separate entities: Adrenalin and Kimberley. There are probably no less than 2-dozen, and more if you count soft floor model variants, separate manufacturers of this specific style rugged on/off-road trailer, in Australia to select from. Although not 100% definitive but I believe Kimberley is the only AU trailer (Kamper and Karavan...not sure about their new Kruiser) mfg that is authorized/legal for import in to the USA...

 

[phillyd2]

Oh, interesting. Should I instead consider importing?

 

[spressomon]

^ IMO only if the Adrenalin doesn't meet your needs. The KK is a more expensive trailer though...so for most your budget will enter in to the decision. FWIW I believe the Adrenalin is very competitively priced for the USA market and a very good overall value. The Adrenalin is also several hundred pounds less in weight...always a good thing all things being equal of course

Having said that the KK and Adrenalin are similar in appearance but there are some significant differences that warrant the additional price of the KK (assuming those differences are of value to you of course). If you are interested in a new KK PM your e-mail to me and I will share my experiences doing that back in late '08/early '09 with our KK Sports RV direct purchase from KK in AU.

 

[phillyd2]

I am interest but please do share here so others may benefit as well. It's been a little frustrating trying to find good info.

I'm planning on visiting the Expo later this year so I could get hands on experience with some of these as so far I have only seen some pics and videos on line.

 

[spressomon]

Short answer: The import process for our Kimberley Kamper Sports RV went smoothly overall. You will do a bank transfer of funds to KK locking in the exchange rate for your purchase at the same time the deposit is wired; there are forms you will need to fill out at your bank for this process. Bruce Loxton KK CEO/President/Owner was very accommodating with a number of changes we wanted. On the west coast you will take delivery at either the Port of Portland or as we did the Port of Long Beach. Not sure what port is used on the east coast but KK would be the best source.

I think Bruce is now including ocean freight apart of the purchase price amount for USA bound trailers. Whereas this was as separate amount for us which resulted in a little float in the dollar amount. You will be responsible for dock and handling fees as well as a container fee which totaled about $1200 in all IIRC. These amounts may or may not be included now in the purchase price amount...again check with Bruce for up-to-date information.

You will take out insurance and have a power of attorney to cover anything customs related until you take delivery. This isolates your liability until you take possession. The overall time line ended up being about 3-4 weeks longer to pick-up IIRC. Once the ship leaves the AU port you typically can get real time updates as to its whereabouts on the ocean. For an unknown reason our container took longer to get through customs...I think our experience was probably typical given the sheer amount of container volume that enters our country at any given time; IIRC it added a couple weeks to our original pick-up date. To avoid dock storage fees you only have a couple days at most leeway to pick up the trailer. That, with the customs delay, made scheduling the drive to LA a bit of a challenge. So you just need to be flexible.

I think KK did a great job of redesigning the new "kitchen" slide out on their trailers among other positive and useful changes they've made since we bought our's. They are a company that is driven to refine their product...each year sees new changes since Bruce bought the company a number of years ago.

 

[phillyd2]

Thanks for some great info! My company does a fair amount of international shipping so I'm not worried about that.

I think the next step should be to visit overland expo to get hands on with some of these trailers. But you are right that the redesigned kitchen is amazing, at least form what I can see.