Kimberley Kampers - Q & A

The Question and Answer section has downloadable information sheets. Either click on the Section number to open or cright click and select "Save"

 

Section 1: Under the Kamper: Chassis and Suspension

3 Pages

 

Section 6: Water Storage and unique system of 4 sources

6 Pages

 

Section 2: Body built to last

3 Pages

 

Section 7: Storage in a Kimberley everything has its place

6 Pages

 

Section 3: Outside Cooking: clean and easy

3 Pages

 

Section 8: Outside Awnings Size and time to Erect

 

Section 4: Inside Comfort on a cold wet night Cosy Queen-size Bed

3 Pages

 

Section 9: Living with Kids, where do they all fit?

 

Section 5: Sustainable Energy Stay long with the energy system

3 Pages

 

Section 10: Going for a Barra Trip, how easy with a boat, outboard and separate boat trailer?

 

1. How many people does the Camper sleep?

The Camper has a Queen Size bed that takes a couple comfortably. The bed position means that you don't have to climb over your partner to get into either side of the bed.

Customers with children use a double bunk bed (or 2 blow-up mattresses) on the hard floor of the Camper.

For more comfort, there are 3 different bedrooms that can be added: The kid's bedroom is a simple addition that zips onto to a sewn in zip on the driver's side around the door and side wall. It has a built-in floor, 3 windows and uses only 2 exterior poles. It is like a sock that zips on and 2 minutes later the 2 poles are up and the kids inside. It will comfortably take a folding double bunk bed that can store on the Queen bed when travelling. This kid's bedroom can be used with the boat loader and Selecta-Swing-Away™ Carrier.

The second option is an integrated bedroom inside the NEW Extended Awning.

The third Option is a complete second bedroom that fits along the driver's side and zips on in the same way as the Kids bedroom. This will take 2 adults and 2 kids comfortably.

2. Where does the Camper have 240V and 12V power points?

It has two 240 V outlets inside and one outlet on the outside. A 15 Amp lead is necessary to connect the trailer to the mains power. There are also at least 2 x 12V outlets (1 inside/1 outside) with the power sourced from the Camper’s own battery system. There are Velcro ties sewn into the Camper’s roof in 2-3 locations both inside and outside to take the 12V LED Flexi-Strip™ lighting (or Fluorescent lights) that can then plug into the 12V sockets on the Camper. The 240V power circuit is fitted with a safety switch. The Battery charger is a 12V 10Amp Intelligent multi-stage charger. The batteries are 70Ah AGM batteries. These batteries can be expanded to 210Ah.

There are additional 12V outlets added with any fridge option. You can also add units near the water filler so that you can plug in an electric pump unit for your shower. You add any number at most locations.

There are additional 12V outlets added with any fridge option. You can also add units near the water filler so that you can plug in an electric pump unit for your shower. You add any number at most locations.

The lighting inside the camper is the NEW efficient LED Flexi-Strip™ which is sewn inside the camper roof and fitted to light up under the bed. This is standard on all models except the Escape.

3. What is the capacity of the Campers water tank and does it have a hot water system?

It has either a 70litre Polyethylene tank or a 130 litre stainless steel tank.

We have purposefully chosen NOT to install an integrated hot water system for 2 reasons. When integrated there is added maintenance complexity in remote locations.A portable unit can be easily exchanged. Secondly and more importantly, the portable unit can pump from a billabong and heatup water for a hot shower without using water from the on-board water tank. You can then have a hot shower for as long as you like!

The portable unit we recommend is the Coleman On Demand hot water system. It will run 150litres of water from the rechargeable batteries and disposable gas cylinder. Alternatively, you can connect the unit to the larger second gas cylinder on the camper trailer.

4. Has the Camper got a spare tyre?

It has a new tyre which is stored under the Camper and winds down by chain on the spare tyre winch.

In addition you can carry a second spare wheel and tyre on the Selecta-Swing-Away™ Carrier.

5. Has the Camper got brakes?

Yes. The Escape model has electric brakes operated from the vehicles electric brake controller. The other models have hydraulic Disc brakes which operates independently of the vehicle, hence no special requirements for the vehicle. There is the option of electronic Disc brakes which is the ultimate in braking using a signal from the vehicles brake controller to operate the hydraulic disc brakes.

6. What sort of suspension does the Camper have?

All models have fully Independent trailing arm suspension with coil springs, shock absorbers, polyurethane bump stops, interlocked stub axles and bearings. The suspension uses swing arms with coil springs that pivot from the drawbar of the chassis. The camper actually sits on top of this assembly which explains why glass and other fragile items can travel 5000kms in a Kimberley Kamper kitchen without breakage. The swing arms are manufactured by Kimberley in 6 different configurations so that the tracking distance between the tyres, once the matching hubs are fitted, is very close to the vehicle. The resulting smooth wheel tracking reduces fuel consumption when travelling over sand or through wet conditions. The wheel hub setting and wheel studs can also be matched to most vehicles for inter-changeability.

NEW for 2006 in the Classic with Boat Loader, Limited Edition and Platinum Models: Mono-tube Shock Absorbers

This shock absorber is a high pressure, mono tube design. These are a newer design and the Monotube design allows them to operate at cooler temperatures. Monotube are under high pressure, from around 200 psi, to as high as 360 psi. The hydraulic oil and Nitrogen gas are in separate chambers, separated by a floating piston. This allows the shock/strut to function without any aeration or foaming. This is years of racing technology adapted for off-road use.

The Fox Monotube shocks that we have selected had NO Temperature rise during the test trek. They have a smooth-bore seamless alloy body with Teflon lined steel aspherical bearings. These bearings won’t have the heat and deformation problems associated with polyurethane bushes under high camper loads. (with boats and outboards) The shaft is hardened 17-4 stainless steel hard chromed. They have Billet Aluminium body caps and eyelets with clear cadmium body plating. The shaft is protected with a rubber boot in the same style as the Kimberley Gas Struts.

7. What size tyres & rims are on the Camper?

Standard on the Escape, Classic and Limited Edition are 31x10.5 x 15 Tyres with a 15 inch 5, 6 or 8 stud pattern rim. On the Platinum Model 16inch wheels and BFG All Terrain Tyres are standard. (Mag wheels and exotic tyres are extra)

8. How does the Camper match the wheels to the towing vehicle?

There are several swing-arm assembly/stub axle dimensions which means that the Camper can be fitted with wheels and tyres to suit most 4 wheel drives. The stud pattern and the wheel centre offset therefore match the towing vehicle. The wheel track is extremely close to Nissan Patrol, Toyota Landcruiser, and the current model Landrover Discovery. We have supplied matching wheels and tyres to the following vehicles:

Landcruiser
Prado
Landcruiser Sahara
Lexus
Nissan Patrol
Nissan Narvara
Landrover
Mercedes ML Series
Ford Territory
plus many others

Note that the Mitsubishi Pajero Exceed has Alloy wheels that have a difficult combination of offset and stud pattern and steel wheels and recommended.

Overall we don't offer any warranty on alloy wheels as they have a tougher server life on a trailer than the vehicle and can't be repaired easily. We will fit them at customers request though.

9. What storage does the Camper come with?

The standard front storage box on the Escape and Classic is 1100Lx600Wx300H storage box on the A frame. The total space is 0.22cu meters including the pantry drawer. The Limited Edition and Platinum have a Gullwing Storage Box with a total capacity of 1.05 cu meters. The Gullwing Storage Pak is therefore 4.78 times larger capacity than the Standard Storage Box.

There is also: under-bed storage drawer; side storage packs either standard or optional depending on the model

10. What sort of Kitchen facilities does the Camper have?

The kitchen comes in 2 parts. The kitchen sink, cutlery, pantry and other storage is contained in a large drawer that pulls out on a slide. It has a sink fitted with an electric water pump, cutlery draw, and 3 other different storage compartments.

The cooker is located in the front storage pack. It is a 2 burner gas stove with griller permanently connected to either a 9kg or 2 X 4 kg gas bottle(s). In the Escape and Classic models, there is an additional pantry located in the same drawer as the cooker.
The Gullwing Deluxe Storage Pak has a stainless steel Fridge slide and/or a pantry with Stainless steel lid. Up to an 80 litre Fridge/Freezer can be fitted.

11. Does the Camper come with any facilities for Jerry Cans?

The Escape and Classic come standard with a triple jerry can holder and have an option to have another triple jerry can holder fitted between the storage box and the Camper.

For the Limited Edition and the Platinum, the Gullwing Storage Pak takes 3 Jerry cans inside on the Driver's side. There is an option for another 3 jerry cans in front of the Gullwing Storage Pak.

For any model, the Selecta-Swing-Away™ Carrier with triple Jerry cans or the Spare Wheel and Jerry Can is an option. This increases the maximum carrying capacity to 9 Jerry cans for the Limited Edition and Platinum Models.

12. Does a Camper come with the NEW style tropical roof?

Yes, all the campers can have the patented Hi-Top™ Tropical roof fitted. Our field tests by customers have demonstrated up to a 25% reduction in temperature inside the camper tent because of the Hi-Top design.

In addition there is little or no condensation inside the tent in winter.

The Hi-Top™ Tropical Roof self erects and stays on the camper all the time.

13. What sort of coupling and Jockey wheel does the Camper have?

It has a treg coupling. The coupling simply bolts into the same hole as a standard 50mm tow ball.
A pneumatic, swing up Jockey Wheel is standard for the Escape and Classic. A semi pneumatic rubber jockey wheel is standard on the Limited Edition and Platinum.

14. What is the Payload of a Camper?

The Campers have a compliant Aggregated Trailer Mass of either 1400kgs (Escape) or 1600Kgs. This allows you to load a payload of 300 - 400 kgs comfortably.

15. Can we store anything on the roof rack of the Camper when it is closed?

Yes, approximately 100 kgs on the Classic, Limited Edition or Platinum using the boat loader or 40kgs with out the boat loader.

16. Will the Camper be able to travel to Cape York/ Kimberleys/Gibb River/ Tanami etc?

Yes, most definitely. The Campers are built for the conditions experienced in travelling to these areas. All of the Treks shown in the Trek pages (85 treks shown) on the web site can be travelled by a Kimberley Kamper.

17. Can you leave your bed made up?

Yes. A white plastic sheet is placed on top of the bed so that when the Camper folds up any loose material on the floor does not enter the bed.

18. Can I store other items on top of the bed when it is travelling?

Yes, we travel with collapsible bunk beds, a folding table and 2 chairs on top of the bed before we close the Camper. (If you use a thick doona then this load may be to thick, and you store the chairs under the back of the bed).

19. What type of electrical trailer plug do I need on my Vehicle?

The trailer comes standard with a large 7 pin round plug or a flat 12 Pin plug. There is the option of a high current (50Amp) Andersen Plug.

20. Can we use a solar panel to charge the battery system?

Yes. You can plug the solar panel 12V outlet lead straight into the side 12V socket of the Camper. The 2 x 50W units that we ship locate on top of the 2006 Model Gullwing and are protected in a Neoprene and Leather cover.  They simply plug into the camper.

21. Is the Camper water proof?

Yes. To achieve the ultimate in water proofing, the best canvas is used with the finest stitching on proven designs. The canvas has a hydrostatic rating of 750mm head of water column.

Our trained staff use ultra-fine needles, 2 sizes smaller than the manufacturers recommend; and their quality of workmanship is superior.

All the canvas is both designed and made by us in our factory. The designs avoid multiple seams on pressure areas by giving both strength and seam tightness.

22. How do I carry bicycles on the Kimberley Kamper?

The Selecta-Swing-Away™ Bicycle carrier will take the Thule 2,3,4 or 5 Bike carrier in the rear. The Thule carrier can be removed easily and positioned instead in the 50mm receiver hitch on the back of the vehicle when the camper is not connected. This means you can travel with the bicycles to the campsite, then move all the bicycles easily to the back of the vehicle if you wish.

23. Is it possible to have more than three Jerry cans on the front of the Camper?

Yes a second jerry can holder is available as an option giving a total of 6.
Tthe Selecta-Swing-Away™ triple jerry carrier would bring the total to nine, which is 180 litres.

24. Where about in the Camper do you put the fridge?

The Classic and Escape have an option of fitting a 40 litre fridge to the A-frame. With this option a larger battery and battery charger is also supplied.
With the Limited Edition and Platinum Models, the Gullwing Storage Pak can take up to an 80 litre Fridge.

25. What is special of The Kimberley Kamper Fridge Storage?

In the Gullwing Deluxe Pak, the Fridge is stored in a dustproof space. The difficulty is that fridges need ventilation to operate efficiently. There is a fan forced ventilation system with industrial filters that keeps the air flowing but filters out the dust. The fan is a special Japanese ball bearing unit that is whisper quiet.
Our experience with fridges is that the eutectic chest type of unit works most efficiently. Upright conventional fridges loose all their cold energy every time the unit is opened and it is very difficult to have a freezer/fridge option that works effectively. 3 way fridges are not practical in travelling as the gas unit takes some time to settle down.

26. Can we have a fridge with a freezer?

Yes. Most of the manufacturers are now incorporating a freezer as either a separate unit or with the feature of separating the bottom layer with polyethylene board.

27. Can I have a fridge in the Camper and a freezer in the vehicle on the same battery system?

Yes. The best way to configure this is to have the vehicles unit wired in such a way that when the vehicles ignition is turned off, it isolates the vehicle’s fridge/freezer from the vehicles battery and allows the vehicles’ fridge/freezer to draw on the Campers battery system through the standard 7 pin socket that connects the Camper to the vehicle. We used this configuration for our 2003 Test trek with a 73 litre Autofridge in the Camper and an 80 litre Waeco unit in the Vehicle. This was very successful. There was 140Ah capacity in the Camper for this Trek.

28. Is it possible to have extra 12 volt outlets internally & externally?

Yes. There are additional units added with any fridge option. You can also add units near the water filler so that you can plug in an electric pump unit for your shower. You add any number at most locations.

29. What weight is the canvas used in the roof and walls?

All of the canvas used on the Camper is pure duck 2 fold yarn warp & weft construction. 100% Australian Made. Dynaproofed.
Roof - DX12 Light Sand - Loom weight 400 gsm (11.8 oz), Finished 470 gsm (13.86 oz)Walls - Khaki Billabong - Loom weight 280 gsm (8.26 oz), Finished 370 gsm (10.91 oz)

30. How does charging with a Generator work?

Very simply you just plug the generator into the 240V socket on the side of the Camper. The automatic battery charger in the Camper does the intelligent switching to charge the Campers battery system. However, be careful with generators:

31. What is the maximum battery capacity available?

You can have up to 210Ah of capacity. This will give you 4-5 days with most 60-80 litre refrigerators.

It has as standard an input for a solar panel which would extend the capacity.

32. How can I light up the Annex easily?

New LED lighting in strips sewn on to the Silver reflective canvas with Velcro backing is available in 1.2m lengths that are perfect for the Annex area.


About Us | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | © 2004-2006 Kimberley Kampers™