Lurker with a message

[MichaelS.]

Hi my name is Michael, I have been lurking on the forums for a year or more and until now I have had nothing to say but here goes. Everybody here knows about the Kimberly Kamper, if not its a large trailer tent thing(technical term). Well they also sale in Australia a Karavan which is not sold in the US by anybody but I got a very nice e-mail from them today as follows:

Yes, You can purchase and import. The costs are our on-line price list less 10% local taxes, less 10% for export plus shipping costs which would be approx US$6000 plus any local taxes etc



Bruce Loxton

Kimberley Group

www.kimberleygroup.com.au

Cell 0417 00 77 93 Factory 02 6686 7344


how is that for a 1st post

(Just sharing info that they can be brought into the U.S. - I am not selling them.)

[BajaTaco]

Thanks for the info Michael, and congrats on the first post

[MichaelS.]

thanks

[Tucson T4R]

I have checked out their new Karavan. It's pricey but really sweet. I would be interested if I lived in Aus but the cost of importing with shipment would kick it over the top for me. Is a great little rig though. :-)

Welcome to Expo.

[MichaelS.]

I agree so far the only down side is the price and inport fees, but still very nice

[MichaelS.]

I was wondering other than price does anybody see anything wrong, that would need changing if brought to the US?

[Martyn]

I was wondering other than price does anybody see anything wrong, that would need changing if brought to the US?

Michael

Welcome to the Portal.

Be very careful with this importing idea, if you get it wrong you will either have to export the trailer or have it destroyed.

Kimberly makes trailers for the domestic market in Australia and they also export to the USA in limited quantities. I believe Slee is the importer to the USA.

The US model has a different VIN plate that indicates that the trailer conforms to all applicable US Federal regulations. The Australian model does not.

If you import a non US model the trailer has to be brought in by a registered importer. None of them will touch a small trailer like a Kimberly, and if you were to get them to do so it's big $$$$.

If you get a US model in Australia and export it you may have no warranty in the USA as it is a grey market trailer.

If Slee is the registered agent for Kimberly in the USA I would imagine they have an agreement with Kimberly that restricts the sale of US models through anyone apart from themselves.

[OutbacKamper]

I was wondering other than price does anybody see anything wrong, that would need changing if brought to the US?

I am certainly not an expert on the Karavan, but here goes:
- The electrics are all 220 volt, and would have to be changed to 110 volt
- The trailer would have to meet US DOT regulations, I don't know what this entails ( I'm sure there have been previous posts on this subject) 0n edit: see above post by Martyn
-There typically is very little, or no, insulation in Aussie campers and usually little thought given to keeping water lines, pumps and tanks from freezing.
-Propane bottles and fittings would need to be changed to US style.

I have seen the Karavan in person and was impressed with the quality and design. It is actually based on a design by "Highrise". Highrise make a trailer and slide-on camper version - the camper version would be easier to import, and then mount on a US made trailer

http://www.highrise.com.au/

You may also be intersted in:

http://www.conqueror.co.za/conqueror_flash.htm
-or-
http://www.innovan.com.au/about.htm

This is an Aussie Innovan trailer, something similar could be built in the US for a highrise or Innovan camper:



Cheers
Mark

[Funrover]

Anyone have a link where I can see this?

[MichaelS.]

Please dont take this the wrong way I am just trying to understand,the email I got was from Kimberly themselves not a dealer would this still be gray market and need to be appoved thought DOT?

Michael

Welcome to the Portal.

Be very careful with this importing idea, if you get it wrong you will either have to export the trailer or have it destroyed.

Kimberly makes trailers for the domestic market in Australia and they also export to the USA in limited quantities. I believe Slee is the importer to the USA.

The US model has a different VIN plate that indicates that the trailer conforms to all applicable US Federal regulations. The Australian model does not.

If you import a non US model the trailer has to be brought in by a registered importer. None of them will touch a small trailer like a Kimberly, and if you were to get them to do so it's big $$$$.

If you get a US model in Australia and export it you may have no warranty in the USA as it is a grey market trailer.

If Slee is the registered agent for Kimberly in the USA I would imagine they have an agreement with Kimberly that restricts the sale of US models through anyone apart from themselves.