We found our expedition trailer.

[ExpoMike]

First, I guess I have to thank jagular7 and his thread on "What to do with my frame". In his post he mentioned the Kamparoo trailer. I was like "what is a Kamparoo?" Some Internet searching, lots of reading and months of looking a different options, my wife and I felt a Kamparoo Weekender would be perfect for us. Now to find one.

I contacted Glen at Kamparoo.com in Canada, who is a builder/importer for Kamparoo. They only build the Vacationer, which does not have the slide out kitchen and storage of the Weekender. In his reply to me he did say he had a MINT condition 2004 model and sent pictures. Well the last few days have been emails and pictures back and forth and as of today, we purchased this unit. :wings: :jumping:

It is being shipped down from Canada and if all goes well, I should have it sometime the last week of January. :26_7_2:

We are so excited to have found what we feel is what we want and need. Already starting to plan some long weekend trips. Here are a few pictures he sent me. BTW, Glen is a very stand up guy and very nice to work with. I expect nothing less with the rest of the transaction. Can't wait to start doing :camping:

 

[Rezarf <><]

Congrats! I got to see one of these up close in Australia, and at our Land Cruiser Rally here in Denver last summer and they are really awesome units. I can't wait for you to post up a lot more pics of that thing on some sweet adventures!

Congrats!:26_7_2:

 

[elcoyote]

Congrats! Glen is a good guy to work with and the Kamparoo is a nice unit. Happy Trails!

 

[spressomon]

First, I guess I have to thank jagular7 and his thread on "What to do with my frame". In his post he mentioned the Kamparoo trailer. I was like "what is a Kamparoo?" So Internet searching, lots of reading and months of looking a different options, my wife and I felt a Kamparoo Weekender would be perfect for us. Now to find one.

I contacted Glen at Kamparoo.com in Canada, who is a builder/importer for Kamparoo. They only build the Vacationer, which does not have the slide out kitchen and storage of the Weekender. In his reply to me he did say he had a MINT condition 2004 model and set pictures. Well the last few days have been emails and pictures back and forth and as of today, we purchased this unit. :wings: :jumping:

It is being shipped down from Canada and if all goes well, I should have it sometime the last week of January. :26_7_2:

We are so excited to have found what we feel is what we want and need. Already starting to plan some long weekend trips. Here are a few pictures he sent me. BTW, Glen is a very stand up guy and very nice to work with. I expect nothing less with the rest of the transaction. Can't wait to start doing :camping:

Congratulations! I just got to see Ali's Kamparoo when we were in DV together last week. The tent is well designed and crafted...it opens in less than a minute and you have a place to sleep and get out of the weather quickly. Collapsing and securing is about 5-minutes. It's a great design. You will love it!

 

[adventureduo]

Congrats! What type of suspension does it use?

 

[Willman]

Very nice!

Can't wait to see the action shots!

Congrads!

:26_7_2:

 

[spressomon]

Congrats! What type of suspension does it use?

Leaf springs (shackle at one end, floating at the other) and no shocks (Tregg hitch coupler). You'd think it would bounce all over when traveling over rough terrain. But after spending a few days trailing Ali & Michelle and their Kamparoo I was truly amazed! Hi speed washboard, rough stuff like up and over Lippencott Mine Road and the like...stable as can be. It certainly helps that it is about 1200lbs and a long relatively low CG. FYI: Ali's has 15" wheels & tires...12psi on the rough stuff and 30psi I believe on the highway.

 

[kcowyo]

What a great find! :jumping:

I can certainly understand why you and the Mrs. are excited. That should compliment your XJ perfectly. I've also heard nice things about alia's Kamparoo through the ExPo grapevine.

We'll look forward to news of your first outings. Hopefully photos too. Congratulations! :beer:

 

[Tucson T4R]

Nice find! You guys are going to enjoy this puppy. :jumping: Looking forward to the trip pics. :camping:

 

[ExpoMike]

Leaf springs (shackle at one end, floating at the other) and no shocks (Tregg hitch coupler). You'd think it would bounce all over when traveling over rough terrain. But after spending a few days trailing Ali & Michelle and their Kamparoo I was truly amazed! Hi speed washboard, rough stuff like up and over Lippencott Mine Road and the like...stable as can be. It certainly helps that it is about 1200lbs and a long relatively low CG. FYI: Ali's has 15" wheels & tires...12psi on the rough stuff and 30psi I believe on the highway.

Actually this unit has shocks as well. It has the Trans-Continental package which gives it a longer tow bar, bigger wheels/tires and off-road suspension. Here's a pic that was sent. We so can't wait and glad everyone seems to say it is a good unit. Down the road, I may build an independant, air ride setup like the Adventure Trailers to help it ride even better but I want to see how it is currently.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Leaf springs (shackle at one end, floating at the other) and no shocks (Tregg hitch coupler). You'd think it would bounce all over when traveling over rough terrain. But after spending a few days trailing Ali & Michelle and their Kamparoo I was truly amazed! Hi speed washboard, rough stuff like up and over Lippencott Mine Road and the like...stable as can be. It certainly helps that it is about 1200lbs and a long relatively low CG. FYI: Ali's has 15" wheels & tires...12psi on the rough stuff and 30psi I believe on the highway.

I would be interested to hear Ali's thoughts on this... last I heard he was investigation the options for a minor suspension overhaul, longer leaf springs, shocks and a true pivoting shackle system. I know he has some pretty wild handling on our trip through. However, we were a fast moving group and that may have pushed it a little past the intended design, Ali may have learned the "sweet spot" of that trailer.

As for the camper/trailer itself... WOW! Very purpose-built & well constructed!

 

[Lawrence]

Congrats. 3 or 4 months ago, I spoke to Glen many times about this particular unit and he was a pleasure to deal with. You'll enjoy the ease of operation and the shelter it provides. Probably one of the better sytems out there along with the Kimberley Kampers.

Edit: I have a Kimberley Kamper and a custom built military style trailer, both with different suspension setups. Let me know if you are in the LA area and want to drop by to get some ideas.

 

[jagular7]

Congrads on the market search as well as the purchase. Going through the market of trailer mfrs then figuring what will best fit is hard to do for sure.

From the pictures, the tongue ball coupler has quite a bit of drop. Is that adjustable? To add, from the underside suspension picture, you have the spring slider leaf where the rear frame mount is a slider and not connected rigidly to the frame. This makes the leaf itself very rigid and not flexible. In typical leaf springs, the spring changes length through the 'flattening' of the leaf itself. The shackle lengthens the leaf by swinging. Leaf springs changes from a concave to flat to convex shape during suspension cycling. Typically, the leaf springs don't go truely into these 3 phases, but it should freely flatten itself.

Remember, the shock limits the oscillation of the suspension and has no support component for the suspension.

Looking forward to owner pics of plus and minus of the design and layout to match your expectations.....

 

[ExpoMike]

Congrads on the market search as well as the purchase. Going through the market of trailer mfrs then figuring what will best fit is hard to do for sure.

From the pictures, the tongue ball coupler has quite a bit of drop. Is that adjustable? To add, from the underside suspension picture, you have the spring slider leaf where the rear frame mount is a slider and not connected rigidly to the frame. This makes the leaf itself very rigid and not flexible. In typical leaf springs, the spring changes length through the 'flattening' of the leaf itself. The shackle lengthens the leaf by swinging. Leaf springs changes from a concave to flat to convex shape during suspension cycling. Typically, the leaf springs don't go truely into these 3 phases, but it should freely flatten itself.

Remember, the shock limits the oscillation of the suspension and has no support component for the suspension.

Looking forward to owner pics of plus and minus of the design and layout to match your expectations.....

Yes it is adjustable up from the location in the pics. Really doesn't matter as the first thing I am putting on is a Lock 'n Roll hitch. Standard ball setup is not going to work off-road.

As for the suspension, thanks for the info and you are correct about the style. I am going to see how it works as is. I have a set of rear springs off my Cherokee that I might try if I don't like this. They would have a shackle at the rear. If I don't like that, I will do an independent, air bag setup. Luckily I have the machine facilities in my garage to do any of these setups.

I owe it to you that I even found these trailers. Thanks for putting the name in your post and good luck with your setup. :26_7_2:

 

[Dave Bennett]

Nice find Mike, you guys are going to enjoy that!

Now let's get the ExPo SoCal Chapter together and go out to Anza in March! :camping: