What annoys you about your Kimberley Kamper?

[allan.kidd]

Don't worry Teabag - it has ended up in a good home!

[t303]

The thing that annoys me the most is that it came with override disc brakes. They work well in the outback, but can really be lacking in muddy high country. Would love to be able to fit their 'electronic' brake upgrade, but the dealers seem to be reluctant to do it and the cost is huge. Oh well.

Hey Traveller, can you DIY?  By coincidence I ended up with the same setup as KK on my Pioneer for less than $1K rather than the $3.5K or whatever KK want.  The only limitation that might apply depends on what type of caliper is fitted to your KK.  Mine has Triggs, (which have a limitation on the pressure they handle but that can be allowed for) or the PBR calipers KK put on their hydraulic override systems.

[GeoffA]

Looked at all of those, and bought a $6k trailer with a Oztrail tent on top. 

....been waiting for someone to post something like that......

[gronk]

Me too 

The closest thing to an annoyance I can think of is trying to read the inside switch panel which is located on the side under the bed, especially in the dark. When you remember what is where you can do it by feel though.
I know it's off topic, but one reason I chose the KK was the option of electric disk breaks. I can't understand why so few of the more expensive campers don't have this option 

One reason why I did a mod to both KK's I had.....added a 2 gang switch and mounted it to the upright bed support at the rear.......one switch for the underbed light and one for the interior light.....only had to reach into the camper ( without actually going inside ) and once you knew that the top switch was the interior, you could do it in the dark by feel..

[cm4x4nut]

The thing that annoys me the most is that it came with override disc brakes. They work well in the outback, but can really be lacking in muddy high country. Would love to be able to fit their 'electronic' brake upgrade, but the dealers seem to be reluctant to do it and the cost is huge. Oh well.

mine was delivered with over ride discs and we changed after woods to electronic.

Due to the fact there was only one KK service guy available to do the job at the time, I ended up doing most of it myself under his supervision whilst he was doing other work. I consider myself fairly handy and good at DIY and the job was quite simple

If you already have the disc overides, all you need to do is purchase the Hydraulic power pack off them, mount it on the draw bar. It then needs a constant supply from the batteries (this was probably the hardest part to do). You the re-route the existing brake lines to a valve you can lock for the handbrake as well as mount a manual override button for activating to use the hand brake, bleed the brakes and your done. I did at a later date change the override hitch for an OZ hitch to remove the bit of movement in the override mechanism.

Labour wise it took me about 6 hours to complete all up. Costs wise, because they made a mistake with delivery and I ended up doing 75% of the work myself..........no charge 

if you are handy, it is not a very hard job to do at all

[Bird]

We looked at the Aussie Swag and bought a KK

I too looked at both, and pissed my pants at the prices quoted.

[Pipeliner]

Looked at KK and Aussie Swag..........bought a Coota..........

Is Coota campers still trading?  They no longer seem to have a website.

[GeoffA]

Is Coota campers still trading?  They no longer seem to have a website.

Nup. They stopped making them a few years ago.

Used is the only option now.......they pop up occasionally.

[Traveller]

mine was delivered with over ride discs and we changed after woods to electronic.

Due to the fact there was only one KK service guy available to do the job at the time, I ended up doing most of it myself under his supervision whilst he was doing other work. I consider myself fairly handy and good at DIY and the job was quite simple

If you already have the disc overides, all you need to do is purchase the Hydraulic power pack off them, mount it on the draw bar. It then needs a constant supply from the batteries (this was probably the hardest part to do). You the re-route the existing brake lines to a valve you can lock for the handbrake as well as mount a manual override button for activating to use the hand brake, bleed the brakes and your done. I did at a later date change the override hitch for an OZ hitch to remove the bit of movement in the override mechanism.

Labour wise it took me about 6 hours to complete all up. Costs wise, because they made a mistake with delivery and I ended up doing 75% of the work myself..........no charge 

if you are handy, it is not a very hard job to do at all

Thanks Cam, I will look into it.

[Jason B]

We looked at the Aussie Swag and bought a KK

X 3, I have never used the hand pump either, I have a 20lt jerry on the drawbar to fill the kettle if I need to be quiet or can't be bothered sliding the kitchen out to use the electric tap. Do not have the on suite as we use a heat exchanger shower in the vehicle. It is heavy but it is bomb proof too. Love the KK. 

Jas

[gronk]

I too looked at both, and pissed my pants at the prices quoted.

Funny how someone will pay $50,000 for a 4wd and baulk at $50,000 for a camper ??

Now I know everyone doesn't like forking out big money for anything, but in perspective, for someone who actually uses their camper ( like more than 10 times a year ) that is in my opinion, money well spent ( and don't forget, on a good brand camper, resale is usually very good )

[Bongo]

1. Almost loosing a wheel after only 6000k from new. Wheel bearing failure. Possible cause over tightened bearing during production.

2. Foul tasting water. Kimberley are in denial about the problem. Previously I had a Trackabout and the water stayed sweet as without filters!

3. Poor after sales service from agent, even before I picked it up but I had signed on the dotted line.

[Rumpig]

1. Almost loosing a wheel after only 6000k from new. Wheel bearing failure. Possible cause over tightened bearing during production.

2. Foul tasting water. Kimberley are in denial about the problem. Previously I had a Trackabout and the water stayed sweet as without filters!

3. Poor after sales service from agent, even before I picked it up but I had signed on the dotted line.

i reckon i'd be unhappy also if i encountered those problems Bongo.
can't say i've had a problem with the water in ours, i always drink the stuff from the kitchen tap and have never thought it tasted bad at all (i do taste the water i put in when away from home first though to be sure it's ok). 
as for after sales service...your agent must be pretty ordinary. SEQ Campers (Brisbane agent) have been fantastic to us, i just got something repaired on Saturday on ours that i broke. no booking needed (i called thursday and said i might drop around there though), rocked up and fixed on the spot Saturday morning aswell as a few another minor thing also.

[Bongo]

Met up with the SEQ Campers mob when they where in Darwin for a leisure show earlier in the year. Very friendly and eager to help up to a point. They weren't the dealer I purchased from?

The suspension was replaced on the side that failed under warrantee.

But the repairer (not the agent but close by) charged me $150 to service the other bearings on the other side that "may have been over tightened during production as well". The bearings were not replaced. I was a long way from home and and was put in the position of having to pay if I wanted my Kamper back. I paid by credit card. I requested a tax invoice but never received one.

If the agent is reading this; how about replying to my email in regards to the faulty switch used to power up the brakes to act as handbrake. I know it was only last Tuesday but considering the $ I invested an acknowledgement would appear to be courteous.

It has only been 10 months since I was promised a solution to the kitchen slide not locking out. I believe a small thingy-a-ma-jig was promised.

Anyone have any tips for removing the agents marketing stickers? Or should I leave them on as a discussion starter in camp?

The water at the kitchen tap is filtered and isn't anywhere near as bad as that from the hand pump. I had two tanks installed and the plan was to reserve the front tank for drinking water and put sus water from creeks etc. in the rear tank. But the water from the front tank is undrinkable.

To date have only put in high quality water using food quality hose that has been run for a long time before filling and tasted before putting into the tank. I carry water in jerry cans for drinking or buy spring water from servos or supermarkets.

[weeds]

If the agent is reading this; how about replying to my email in regards to the faulty switch used to power up the brakes to act as handbrake. I know it was only last Tuesday but considering the $ I invested an acknowledgement would appear to be courteous.

One would third supplying a new switch would be straight forward although.........when I was sourcing all the bits for my electric over hydraulic brakes my local agent didn't have any in stock nor did the spare parts manual have the KK reference numbers for the components and they indicated to call the factory.

I sourced a narva switch......do you know what brand the switch is

I too would be frustrated


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[Bongo]

I have lost faith is my dealer honouring the warrantee.

I bought a Navara Switch, today, from Repco that appears on the outside to be indentical to the original switch. H/Duty Mom (On) 60amp at 12 volt. P/No 60033BL . $35 that should have been fixed under warrantee.

Now I know what they are, I have found them on eBay $21 delivered. The cost to Kimberley is probably less. Doesn't cost much to keep a client happy.     

[Diesel Power]

What annoys me with Kimberly is that they won't change the inside of their Karavan to suit families.
I don't want the internal kitchen but would like bunk beds fitted there instead.
Did a factory tour in July and was told " too bad" in general terms.
They may change their minds when they see the sales figures for Complete Campsite Exodus and AORC eclipse and Quantum, which are set up for families?
Regards
Angus.

[weeds]

I have lost faith is my dealer honouring the warrantee.

I bought a Navara Switch, today, from Repco that appears on the outside to be indentical to the original switch. H/Duty Mom (On) 60amp at 12 volt. P/No 60033BL . $35 that should have been fixed under warrantee.

Now I know what they are, I have found them on eBay $21 delivered. The cost to Kimberley is probably less. Doesn't cost much to keep a client happy.     

thats the button that i sourced......i wonder why the original failed

[Dillonator]

Being picky... Which I guess is permissible when spending over $50k.

I would have expected better integration between parts/areas amongst the unit.
Our examples:
The BBQ plate doesn't fit in the sink. It's so close, but not quite there. Bugger if it needs a soak.
KK market their units with differing fridges, but do not align any drain holes for the fridge slide and fridge.

[gronk]

Being picky... Which I guess is permissible when spending over $50k.

I would have expected better integration between parts/areas amongst the unit.
Our examples:
The BBQ plate doesn't fit in the sink. It's so close, but not quite there. Bugger if it needs a soak.
KK market their units with differing fridges, but do not align any drain holes for the fridge slide and fridge.

Re bbq plate ....have you mentioned it to them ?......only way they'll know is from customer feedback !!..that's not to say they'll change anything...

I didn't know fridges had drain holes ??  I know Waeco's don't...

If that's the only things you don't like about the KK, then they can't be too bad a unit..

I've had 2 of them, and I did a fair few small mods to mine to get them the way I liked, and if I was buying a hard floor again, I would have no hesitation in buying one....

[Coiled]

Having used ours a few times now, we have largely settled into it very well. Biggest test is that the mrs loves it and doesn't regret the $$ one bit and I can set it up/ pack it down by self with ease if necessary (ie little one is requiring attention or getting away for a solo/boys weekend).

My only niggles are pretty minor
 - the pole box could do with being just a smidge wider as two of the awning poles can be fiddly to get in.
 - (as previously mentioned) the manual pump on the front "drinking" water tank can be fiddly to get things under. This is easily fixed with the addition of a flexy hose or opening front hood.

If you go for the space heater (highly recommend one of the heating options if camping in cooler areas) then make sure you opt for an override switch too so that it can run continuously and not time out after an hour.

Only thing I wish it had (and may rig something myself when time permits) is a bracket to hold the standard 100w solar panels when camper is closed so that fridge/freezer can be running whilst parked up (or towed behind a TUG that doesn't have power to rear for that matter) and keep batteries at 100%.

[Dillonator]

Re bbq plate ....have you mentioned it to them ?......only way they'll know is from customer feedback !!..that's not to say they'll change anything...

I didn't know fridges had drain holes ??  I know Waeco's don't...

If that's the only things you don't like about the KK, then they can't be too bad a unit..

I've had 2 of them, and I did a fair few small mods to mine to get them the way I liked, and if I was buying a hard floor again, I would have no hesitation in buying one....

Hi Gronk
Yeah, couldn't agree more. We do love our KK and its set up really suits us.
I have shared my pesky concerns, but if we don't point them out, no-one benefits.
The ARB is one of the options. It has a drain, which we write like when it comes to an end of trip clean out.
Cheers

[shakey55]

Well, I can't believe there are so many KK owners on one hand say they are great, then on the other hand complain about this and that.  Does not say a lot for the grand.

Maybe you all should have done more research and purchased a different grand.

I did lots of research, spoke with the manufacturer, had some changes made, now I have everything I wanted and no complaints.


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[peteandkyles]

What annoys me with Kimberly is that they won't change the inside of their Karavan to suit families.
I don't want the internal kitchen but would like bunk beds fitted there instead.
Did a factory tour in July and was told " too bad" in general terms.
They may change their minds when they see the sales figures for Complete Campsite Exodus and AORC eclipse and Quantum, which are set up for families?
Regards
Angus.

I agree. We are looking to trade up to something a little more friendly for the girls as theh get older (like an internal toilet) and Kimberley probably wont be it.