I started a thread very similar to this when I was looking to purchase our hard floor and you very quickly realised that this a bit like Ford versus Holden. It depends on what you and need and who and how you camp. Any one who says they would change a thing is not be being honest, and as you will see from the comments above there are always little things you could change, but this is how these campers evolve.
Like Bunyip said we ended up with the KK, because of the options we wanted it worked out the best value for money and the setup suited us more.
Likes :-
The kitchen - tons of bench space and storage space in the kitchen there are four draws on the bench one for cutlery, one for misc stuff like scissors egg rings gas lighters e.g., one we use for all the plates bowels and cups (setting of
and the other for coffee, tea, scotch glasses and other bits and bobs. There are also two hatches on top of the bench, one has the fire Extinguisher along with garbage bags, fire lighters, snap lock bags etc and the other is which runs the length down to the sinks stores the water filter, long tongs and toasting forks.
All the pots pans and food is store in the split pantry next to the bridge. Oh and the Wok burner (so in love) boils a kettle just as fast as at home, and cooks like your at home and you can put really big fry pans and pots on it (we also have a two burner stove but the WOK burner is used the most). Would recommend getting a WOK burner on any camper you purchase.
Water tanks - We have two which are both located near the back of the camper. The 70ltr is only used to fill kettles and for drinking water the 120ltr attached the hot water runs the sink and shower.
(This was an issue with AS because with them the second tank had to go on the draw bar (adding a lot more weight) and the spare tyre would have to go on a swing-away (very costly).KK charges about the same for the swing-away but we didn't need to have it. If you don't want a second tank then this is irrelevant.
Camper - Bed is 160cm wide ( the AS one is narrower but this gives you access to side storage, which I think for many could be a big bonus, for me I would probably end up packing up the camper then realising the Car Keys are in the side storage (The wider bed means plenty of room for bunyip, me and the fur kid)
The KK has whats called an extended tent which means the end window is slanted towards the ground, this gives as more useable floor space especially with my daughters stretcher and if its raining but hot you can have that huge window open without fear of rain getting in.
Storage - There is heaps of storage in the gullwings for tools, chainsaw, awning walls, CG mat, solar panels etc. We can pack enough cloths shoes and towels for 3 of us with space left over in the under bed storage. My daughters Stretcher and sleeping bag fit in front of the draw for pack up. We also have a table which slides and the draw.
We have those bulky reclining chairs (Bunyip loves them I a have returned to a normal chair) They fit in a Rhino rack pack on top of the gullwing along with a few more chairs and one of those lifetime tables with the seats that snap in underneath (highly recommend them to everyone). The Rhino Sack stays put all trip and is not required to be removed for setup.
Don't like -
Just like Bunyip a Kite-Kat (AS) a wider awning would be great but both KK and AS have these ones so that they do not have to be removed for pack up, I reckon this out ways the negatives.
KK there are two larger awning options ( the largest is huge) but they can not stay attached.
No light switch on the outside of the camper for internal light, its OK now that I know which switch it is but in the dark before that certainly made things interesting.
The top pantry needs a cover, where dust and stuff getting in has not happened so far, I could imagine if you where in a windy dusty spot this could pose an issue (Bunyip is charged with remedying the problem).
Both KK and AS are great robust quality campers, So are from all accounts CC and AORC ( with AORC no under bed storage access did that one in for us as well).
Write a list of whats important to you work out you budget, and then find the one that meets you needs to the most.
Am I biased towards KK, of course I am it best suited to OUR needs!!!! Your needs will be different.
Oh and just quickly, saying that one is better than the other because of the number of used ones one the market is a stretch. If you divide how many are made per year by how many are on the second hand market KK would win hands down by a long shot.
LB
