Kimberley Kampers USA

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

That Australian price you are quoting is a base price without options, whereas the price Mars is quoting is with options. Like many rigs, Kimberleys have a long option list that do bring the price up quite a bit. So it's not fair to say that the price differential is all in markup/shipping. No doubt shipping is expensive and Dave has to keep the lights on, but you would have to compare an identically optioned Australian rig for it to be fair.

As a Kimberly owner for over 2 years, I generally agree with the points made above. It really is an apples to oranges comparison when compared to an Airstream and it totally depends on your use case if the Kimberley premium is worth it. No matter what lift/tires you put on an Airstream, it is still fundamentally an on road rig, and I guarantee if you are planning on taking it down more than the occasional well groomed forest service road you are going to encounter issues with the vibrations from off road travel. In the two years we've had our Karavan, we've not had a single system fail or even a screw back out due to the off road environment. I'm pretty sure that would not be the case with any off road package equipped regular trailer. Now if you are handy and don't mind fixing things this may not be a deal breaker for you. Airstreams certainly are nice on the inside and will offer quite a bit more space on the inside then even the T-class due to the significantly larger width. For us, the narrower width of the Kimberleys was a strong selling point in terms of being able to get it into places where a traditional rig can't fit (also why we got a Karavan over a Kruiser).

Good points especially on Airstream. Just to be clear I mentioned the 220,000 AU cost which is 144,600 US was the starting price. Then add 10 k in options Mars added brings the cost to 154,000 US. Keep in mind the starting price of 220,000 AU already has dealer profit in it. So I actually low balled my statement. It should be 46k us in 2nd dealer markup and shipping. That's more like keeping the lights on and a trip to Tahiti.

 

[Romer]

I wouldnt be able to take an Airstream to this campsite in the San Rafael Swell. Not a challenging trail in, but the bumps, dips and washboard road would play havoc on a road built camper. Like stated earlier. It depends on where you want to go

 

[Treefarmer1]

Treefarmer1 always appreciate your feedback and recommendations. Did you get a chance to watch the whole video? Quite a bit of off-grid/boondocking capability is this particular Airstream model. Granted it's not going to have Kimberley's off road capability, but liklely enough to be taken off the beaten path if taken slow/easy.

Check out some of the posts from this fella - With proper planning/precautions liklely more capable than most people realize.

Off Road Airstream

I could swing $ either one.... Obviously the ~80k less for the Airstream is a much easier pill to swallow...

Been checking out the other recommendations as well so thanks to all! 🍻

Just remember, there's much more to being off road capable than just clearance. We see a lot of trailers with flipped springs and other adjustments that give them plenty of clearance. How well a trailer can articulate over obstacles and handle extended wash board roads is more important. An off road trailer should still be in one piece when arriving at camp after being shaken, rattled and rolled. There was a good discussion here a while ago about how an extremely well built trailer like an Oliver Elite II could be made to have good clearance, but it definitely didn't perform well with the pounding of off road life. The Airstream Basecamp is a good effort to come up with a more off road capable trailer, but it sounds like that's too small for you.

 

[MARSSIVPilot]

Just remember, there's much more to being off road capable than just clearance. We see a lot of trailers with flipped springs and other adjustments that give them plenty of clearance. How well a trailer can articulate over obstacles and handle extended wash board roads is more important. An off road trailer should still be in one piece when arriving at camp after being shaken, rattled and rolled. There was a good discussion here a while ago about how an extremely well built trailer like an Oliver Elite II could be made to have good clearance, but it definitely didn't perform well with the pounding of off road life. The Airstream Basecamp is a good effort to come up with a more off road capable trailer, but it sounds like that's too small for you.

Yep - Spot on! 👍 Been burning up the internet reading/researching on forums, etc... The Airstream has very limited suspension articulation. Really didn't have any expectation that it would compare to the Kimberley in that regard, but I also don't want to be overly concerned everytime I leave the pavement with a trailer. Looking forward to seeing a T3 in person very soon. Thanks - You guys have been Great! 🍻

 

[Romer]

Just remember, there's much more to being off road capable than just clearance. We see a lot of trailers with flipped springs and other adjustments that give them plenty of clearance. How well a trailer can articulate over obstacles and handle extended wash board roads is more important. An off road trailer should still be in one piece when arriving at camp after being shaken, rattled and rolled. There was a good discussion here a while ago about how an extremely well built trailer like an Oliver Elite II could be made to have good clearance, but it definitely didn't perform well with the pounding of off road life. The Airstream Basecamp is a good effort to come up with a more off road capable trailer, but it sounds like that's too small for you.

That is a great point. I bought an Offroad Jayco that feel apart on washboard roads, not even a trail or any obstacles

The thing that sold me on the Kimberley is that it is designed for the Australian outback which can be unforgiving. It isn't like you can drive into town to get aa part. I started with a Kamper for 5 years and then upgraded to the Karavan which I have had for 8 years. There have been zero issues from driving on trails. These have great suspensions with trailing arms and clearance, plus are built well to take the vibrations. I can only speak to the Kimberley Kamper and Karavans as I have never had an S3 or T3



you can get to campsites like this where everyone else left their camper at home and brought RTTs or ground tents

 

[MARSSIVPilot]

That is a great point. I bought an Offroad Jayco that feel apart on washboard roads, not even a trail or any obstacles

The thing that sold me on the Kimberley is that it is designed for the Australian outback which can be unforgiving. It isn't like you can drive into town to get aa part. I started with a Kamper for 5 years and then upgraded to the Karavan which I have had for 8 years. There have been zero issues from driving on trails. These have great suspensions with trailing arms and clearance, plus are built well to take the vibrations. I can only speak to the Kimberley Kamper and Karavans as I have never had an S3 or T3
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you can get to campsites like this where everyone else left their camper at home and brought RTTs or ground tents
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Certainly more than I'd be willing to put a T3 Kruiser through, but pretty awesome nonetheless! 😁

 

[Over the hill]

Holy Smoly...If the KK can do that then the places where NO ONE is around must be endless...

 

[catalyzer]

We're considering a KK Series 7. Its hard to find owners reviews... for those that own KKs what are the things you love about them + what are the things that you hate or wish were improved?

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Romer]

what's a series 7?

I love it goes anywhere I go. It sets up quick without the awning.

The stock heater was poor and I replaced with a diesel heater

I upgraded to the shocks the new ones are built with

It takes a while to deploy the awning. Mine is bigger than the current awning. Mine has to be manually feed first into the sail rack. The new Kwik awning is already attached. Only negative with that is it provides less coverage than mine. Debating on changing though.

I changed the mattress to two Exped singles

Still love mine after almost 9 years

 

[catalyzer]

what's a series 7?

I love it goes anywhere I go. It sets up quick without the awning.

The stock heater was poor and I replaced with a diesel heater

I upgraded to the shocks the new ones are built with

It takes a while to deploy the awning. Mine is bigger than the current awning. Mine has to be manually feed first into the sail rack. The new Kwik awning is already attached. Only negative with that is it provides less coverage than mine. Debating on changing though.

I changed the mattress to two Exped singles

Still love mine after almost 9 years

thanks @Romer . your feedback is appreciated!

 

[cmo5]

I also don't know what you mean by a Series 7? If you could clarify this and what model of Kimberley you are looking at, then I think you could get better more focused feedback to your question.

We love our Karavan. Nothing else gives such a great combination of towability and the ability to fit in a garage combined with the interior living space, quality, and off road capability. The build quality is excellent. We have had ours for 3 years and have had no significant issues with it. Dave (the US rep/importer) is fantastic--extremely knowledgeable, responsive to questions, and a really nice guy. The Kimberly community is small (but growing) and also very supportive and helpful.

The Kruisers are great if you want more space and the bigger form factor. The new Kube looks neat but I have yet to see one in person (Dave said he might have one at Overland East).

My advice is to try and get to see one in person if you can. Dave is based in Ohio, and is at all the Overland Expo shows. Depending on where you guys are and what model you are looking at, good chance you can find a local owner that would be willing to show you their rig.

 

[Tex68w]

Any Kimberley owners here based in Texas?

 

[Romer]

and the ability to fit in a garage

That one is HUGE and one of the main reasons I picked the Karavan. I have had other campers out side and they age quickly. Though this one would have held up better, but no sense in aging it with hot/cold cycles and weather when you can keep your investment nice and cozy in the garage.

 

[FordGuy1]

My wife and I have owned our S3 for 16 months now. We did have to work thru a few issues, and parts are not quick to get. But, I now can say that I don't feel that it is over priced at all. The trailer performs so well, I don't even know how to describe it. The suspension is unbelievable, it is amazing where I have taken this trailer. All the electrical has been flawless less a failed diesel heater module. It so nice to have way more battery than we can ever use, and it holds enough water for a week with a few showers. Dave has been so good about handling any issues that has come up, which was the most concerning thing for us, getting warranty repairs. I would say that it is important for a person owning one to be able to make repairs, because there is no way I am letting a RV repair guy touch this trailer.

 

[Willieweed]

Any tips on how to open the water filler on a 2005 Kamper King? The key works okay but cap turns and won't release.