Birth of My Kimberley Karavan

[Tucson T4R]

The other option in the summer is to skip the lower elevation (hotter) Toroweap and just pick a higher, cooler spot like Point Sublime. Cool pine trees to enjoy between the storms.

[Redline]

Higher, cooler, and trees always sound great in the summer!

[toyotatruckjunkie]

OK, I've just read all 30 pages of this thread.
1st, Beautiful trailer. My offroad Casita idea is a cheap man's attempt at a copy.
2nd, I am so envious of your adventures. I'm living vicariously thru your trips. Cheers to you.
3rd, Fantastic photos. Please keep them coming.

[Tucson T4R]

Thanks. I am enjoying the bajeebas out of it. Looking forward to Colorado in August I hope. I appreciate your comments and will try to keep the photos coming.

[inonil]

I too found this thread for the first time today and agree that you deserve all of the compliments therein. I have spent months in the Grand (rafting) and have taken thousands of photos, the best of which pale in comparison to yours.

I'm curious, where should one start if they would like to procure a camper similar to yours? Hopefully you understand that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Also, I'm curious as to whether you ever originally considered mounting the KK onto a Flatbed, so as to allow for towing a toy (boat comes to mind).?

Thank you for taking the time to share your adventure with the rest of us.

Mike

[Tucson T4R]

Hi Mike,

Thank you sir.

To import or discuss flatbed mounting options you should contact the Kimberley CEO Bruce Loxton at bruce.loxton@kimberleygroup.com.au

The Kimberley Karavan website is: http://www.kimberleykaravans.com/

While we were at the Overland EXPO Bruce talked with a few couples that were interested in mounting the Karavan on a flatbed. I didn't hear all the details but the bottom line was as long as the truck was big enough like a Fuso or Mog then he would sell them the Karavan without the lower sub-frame and suspension and they could mount it on their flatbed. You would only need to relocate the water tanks and it would easily bolt right on.

I never personally considered the flat bed option because I use my tow rig as my daily driver and I like being able to unhitch the trailer in camp and have the lighter truck to go explore the area.

I would love to see more of these imported to the US. If you get seriously interested and want to see one before pulling the trigger your welcome to take a look at mine if you are in the Tucson area sometime.

[inonil]

In follow up...

[Tucson T4R]

In follow up...

Put your crampons on, it's a slippery slope.

[Keyne]

Wow awesome trailer. Also kudos on the article in RV Magazine Summer 2012. I was wondering now that you have had the trailer for a while how has the reliability been? I have read on various Australian forums the early models had issues with the slide out bed frame coming a part, etc. I also read the customer service was excellent but bringing it back to the factory was typically required. I would think for obvious reasons that would be difficult (cost etc) to do from the US, so I am interested to hear about your experience. My wife and I would love a similar setup (daily driver as tow rig and use the trailer for comfy weekend camping). I hope more come to the US.

Regards,

K

[Tucson T4R]

Thanks Keyne. It was nice getting a few of my photos published in that article. A first for me.

I also heard there were some weak spots on some of the early models. I think most of those have been engineered out and the current models are pretty reliable now. Other than one early water pump pressure switch failure in the first month (a US made Jasco water pump early life failure) and a couple skylight bug screen retraction spring problems, mine has been rock solid.

I have a background in aircraft and computer electronics and I'm a halfway decent back yard mechanic so I can do most of my own maintenance. If they start importing more and want to grow the market they would need to have some form of a US service network set up. For me, I'm fine with working with them remotely and they ship me what I need easily. They had the failed water pump on my doorstep in about 36 hours.