Birth of My Kimberley Karavan

[Tucson T4R]

Hi Jon,

Not their first time through the US import process. Back in 2005 they had US dealers for the King Kamper models and sold several but not enough to support the dealer concept

Since then they have imported a few Kamper models for US purchasers directly from Australia.

My Karavan will be the first hard sided model imported to US and they are hoping to generate more interest in the US market and sell many more.

You could be #2. :wings::elkgrin:

 

[ckkone]

Awesome!

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Brad: Am I interpreting the cost correctly (in the conversion table?).
No one seems to have bridged the question (maybe being politically correct - not sure), but since this trailer would certainly simplify things when it comes to set up and tear down, I am interested, but then started looking at price ... my data says $75K? Is that close to right?

Dendy

 

[Tucson T4R]

Dendy,

No need to be PC with me. :sombrero:

Yes the list price for X model Karavan is in the $75K range and additional options can push it up into the high $80K range if you want all the bells and whistles.

It's not a cheap path to go down by any means but it is well engineered and built with quality.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Oh, I have no doubt about that. I just wanted to make sure I was interpreting correctly. If I had that kind of money to spend, I'd go this route rather than an airstream, and I have been a Wally B follower for years as I went with my grandparents to the rallys every year back when I was a kid.
I like this unit and the options, and hope to see yours in person one day!
Thanks
Dendy

 

[Tucson T4R]

Yep, no worries. I am getting to point in life that I want to get away from getting my butt kicked in storms, fighting flapping canvas and all the set up work. But I still absolutely want to be out in remote areas away from everyone when I want to be.

This hard sided set up will give me all the comforts, way more than I need, ease of set up and protection from storms. I also like how I can close everything up when I am in bear country. :elkgrin:

It is still rugged enough with the required clearance to take me to 80% of the remote campsites I towed my past Kamper to.

 

[indiedog]

I'm also planning on setting it up for viewing at next year's Overland EXPO

Sounds like you are on commission??!! :sombrero:

I note there is no difference in that they've kept the access on the port or left side as per Aussie conditions. So at least someone in the US will be using their camper the right way around! :sombrero: No doubt it'd be waaaay too much effort (and cost) to flip it for a one off. If the Karavan's popularity increases over there they would probably look at doing that I imagine.

Cheers, Indie

 

[Tucson T4R]

Just a fan boy. :sombrero:

Personally I don't see much motivation to reverse the design for the US. With my last Kamper it did make it a bit more convenient to have the kitchen accessible on the shoulder side of the road for quick lunch stops.

With the Karavan you would have to unlatch and raise the canopy to access the kitchen so I don't expect I will be doing that very often. If you have the time and desire there are plenty of pull outs where could do that safely no matter which side the kitchen is on. I can't think of any other reason you would want the design reversed so it doesn't matter to me which way it's configured.

 

[goodtimes]

Just a fan boy. :sombrero:

Really? I couldn't tell that you liked them. :elkgrin:

Personally, I hope to never see your trailer. And I *REALLY* hope Marisa never sees it! It's taken me a while to convince her that sleeping in the back of the truck with a fiberglass shell is being 'spoiled'. I don't want all my hard work to be for naught . . . :snorkel:




Ok, seriously, we'll have to get together some time to check it out. Preferably when a campfire is involved . . .

 

[AeroNautiCal]

What a beauty!

Since I first saw the Kimberley Karavan (iirc about 2005) I've been impressed with their clever designs, superb construction, comfort and capability

Nice to see this one make its way to the US.

The only 'issue' that I can see arising is that you'll have cramps in your facial muscles from all that grinning...

 

[Tucson T4R]

Really? I couldn't tell that you liked them. :elkgrin:

Personally, I hope to never see your trailer. And I *REALLY* hope Marisa never sees it! It's taken me a while to convince her that sleeping in the back of the truck with a fiberglass shell is being 'spoiled'. I don't want all my hard work to be for naught . . . :snorkel:




Ok, seriously, we'll have to get together some time to check it out. Preferably when a campfire is involved . . .

I like your idea to see it around a fire sometime. If Marisa comes I can just throw a canvas tarp over it and tell her it's just a big tent. :elkgrin:

 

[Tucson T4R]

What a beauty!

Since I first saw the Kimberley Karavan (iirc about 2005) I've been impressed with their clever designs, superb construction, comfort and capability

Nice to see this one make its way to the US.

The only 'issue' that I can see arising is that you'll have cramps in your facial muscles from all that grinning...

Thanks and you're right, I am already having facial muscle cramping issues. I'm hoping they will subside over time.

 

[Romer]

Looks sweet.

I was just wondering about two kitchens. Why would you need both. Maybe if the outside was a grille, guess that might be easy to swap. It would seem that could be valuable storage space.

Are there wrap around walls for the canopy?

Is the tent for other campers or is it to use as a shbower/bathroom?

 

[Tucson T4R]

Looks sweet.

I was just wondering about two kitchens. Why would you need both. Maybe if the outside was a grille, guess that might be easy to swap. It would seem that could be valuable storage space.

Are there wrap around walls for the canopy?

Is the tent for other campers or is it to use as a shower/bathroom?

Hey, it's not glamping unless you have way more than you need. :sombrero:

Just kidding. You could just have the outside galley and no inside kitchen if you want. Or you could reverse it and have no outside kitchen and only the inside option.

I opted for both and I plan to only use the inside in bad weather or maybe for making coffee in the morning. In good weather I expect to cook 90% of the time on the outside galley.

The tent you see is only used for extra sleeping room for kids/friends if needed. It wouldn't be set up unless needed.

Yes you can get wrap around walls but I ran out of pennies. :sombrero: I hope to add them at a latter date.

 

[indiedog]

I had to drive up to the coast north of Brisbane this morning and saw lots of vans, including the Karavan, all on their way to the show which starts in a couple of days. :Wow1: I'd send you some pics from the show but they don't like people taking them of their gear. Understandable.

Who've you been dealing with? Bruce? I'll have a chat to them to see if they'll let me come over to help you get acquainted with the new baby! :sombrero: Little chance of that happening I'm sure! :coffeedrink: