older Kimberley Kampers - which fridge fits in the front box?

[BrisVegasGolfer]

Hi all,

Still learning about Kimberleys,with a view to buying a pre-loved one.  There's quite a lot of the circa 2000 ones coming up for sale that I'm sifting through.  I looked at a couple yesterday, but I can't see how to fit a fridge in the front storage box.  The one that sits above the pullout gas cooker.  I didn't take a tape measure, but it looks to be only about 35-40cm tall.  I've got an Engel 40 litre, which is miles too tall.  Even the 60 litre Engel is 43-44cm tall.

I'm trying to avoid having the fridge in the car if I can avoid it.

This is the style I mean



Are the Aussie Swag / Pioneer / AORC / Complete Campsite equivalents any better?

Sorry for the dumb question, but I can't really stretch the newer delta box style.

[IanC]

UM .....sorry none.  This is the style we have.  I am popping over to work today to bring him home to pack for next weekend.  If you like I can tell you  the dimensions on the box.  We have the same dilemma.  The old ones are awesome little campers, light strong etc, but they do have some limitations. 

PM me if you want some more info on this style.

Allana

[BrisVegasGolfer]

UM .....sorry none.  This is the style we have.  I am popping over to work today to bring him home to pack for next weekend.  If you like I can tell you  the dimensions on the box.  We have the same dilemma.  The old ones are awesome little campers, light strong etc, but they do have some limitations. 

PM me if you want some more info on this style.

Allana

Hi Allana, thanks for that.  Yeah, if you could tell me the internal dimensions that'd be great.  It's mainly the height I think is gonna be the issue. 

Yeah, the canvas on the newer ones is roomier too, but it's not a deal breaker.

[Kris]

We have a 99 KK, like this one.  The awnings and walls 3/4 fill the box! 

Been out to the shed with the tape: width 1030 (+45mm behind the strut), 535 deep & 390 high. 

I've often pondered over making a new box with a slightly bigger stove, maybe one with an oven, but can't justify the $$! But I've got a ute with a kitchen set up in the canopy so the KK suits me! 

The storage pod in the sink drawer is an absolute pain, as whatever you store in there you need when you've got stuff all over the top!  But I still love the camper.  Didn't cost the earth, and is well built and never let me down.

Any more questions fire away!  Have fun with the search, Kris.

[IanC]

I agree with everything you have said Kris. 

On ours the actual opening size to drop in is 535 x 1005mm and it is 390 deep

At the moment we leave the fridge in the back of the canopy.  It works well for us.

[BrisVegasGolfer]

thanks heaps guys!

I looked at an older 1996 one yesterday and it's front box was a better size.  it didn't have a gas cooker at all though.  I could get a bigger fridge in there.

I'll probably leave my 40 litre fridge in the back of the wagon for day trips but wanted the camper to be as self contained as possible.

Off to look at a Mountain Trail Campers soft floor today with a huge kitchen and 60l engel both on slides, just for something different.

[gronk]

I used to have an early model, but never thought about a fridge in the front box...it was full of other stuff...bbq, pots and pans,canned food etc etc..

I think it would be too hot, even if you could squeeze one in..

I've always had 4wd's with lift up tailgates, and with the early KK, just parked the 4wd fairly close and left the tailgate up and used the fridge from there !

[Kimber]

Hi BVG

We have a 2000 Kakadu and carry a 32 L Engel in the front box, not just a simple drop in exercise as you will see. The box on our camper had several cracks in the base so we removed it for repairs and doubled the height of the lid (complete new lid) plus beefed up the floor to provide support mounts for the Engel and included a DC distribution box as well. As a previous post suggested the box will get hot so forced dust proofed ventilation is required and in our case we provided 20 watts of P.V. to power the fans. Have also added a water use monitor, reversing camera and lights, lowered the override hydraulics assembly, extra box for porta-pottie and hinged the stone guard to name a few.

If you would like more specific details PM me direct and I`ll help in any way I can.


Leigh

[BrisVegasGolfer]

cheers gronk & kimber!  i was thinking a workaround would be to have a new taller lid made up at a local metal fabricators.  i looked at another one for sale in Townsville this morning and figured the lid needed about 100mm added to it and some ventilation added.  The kamper was very rough and mouldy though (like most of the used ones I've seen so far!) so i didn't spend too much time looking at it.

I ended up buying that soft floor camper today anyway, so don't have to worry about that.  The one I got has a 60 litre Engel on a slide out the back next to the kitchen, which will do the trick.

[Kris]

 

Well done. I assume you mean the Mountain Trail!  Enjoy it