Looking into buying a second hand kimberley kamper - advice wanted.

[johnhu]

Hi all,

I'm currently in the market for a used, but good quality, Australian built hard floor (rear fold) camper trailer in WA.

One of the camper trailers I'm looking into is a 2009 Kimberly Kamper - Platinum model.  As I know there are others on the forum with more experience than me in these campers I thought I'd ask a few questions to get some feedback/opinions.

• The kitchen was downgraded to the standard kitchen by the current owners when purchased (mono cooker).
     
     Are there any issues with wind blowing the gas out on this cooker. It seems a bit 'exposed' to this. Does anybody have suggestions on using the storage 'box' behind the cooker so items can be accessed easily, or any suggestions of upgrades.

• The camper comes with both the kwik awning, and a bedouin awning complete with all walls.  There no chance of me ever using the bedouin awning. Is there a market for this awning/walls second hand. The camper is a little over my budget, but if there was a likelyhood of selling this awning/walls for a fair amount , it would make the price much more attractive.

• There is an underbed drawer fitted. This might be handy for accessing items, but seems to waste a lot of room. Is the drawer something that is easy to remove.

• The owner has the tropical roof, but has it removed. He mentioned that this was because it annoyed him greatly flapping about in the wind (which WA has lots of). Is there a 'fix' for this, or just one of those things to be put up with if the tropical roof is installed.

• The trailer connection plug is the 'large 7 pin round' plug.  Most vehicles in WA use the 'small 7 pin round' plug'. Is there any issue replacing the plug, or is there an adapter commonly used.
  

Lastly, I'm ok with checking things out from a mechanical perspective in general when looking over the camper, but is there anything specific to the kimberley camper trailers I should look at when inspecting one.

Thanks for any (practical) advice on this.

John
Perth, WA

[LC]

Hi John,

Some answers to your questions

1) I've never had any issues with the  wind blowing out the flame - except once when we were camped near a lake and it was blowing 30 odd knots straight off the water - but as I like to go kitesurfing I cancelled making coffee and got the kite out instead!

2) no idea about trying to sell the Bedouin awning. I have a quick awning, and normal large awning with walls. I use them both on depending on how long I'm staying.

3) Underbed drawer is easy to remove, but don't see why you would, its great for putting clothes etc in, but each to their own.

4) the tropical roof can be tightened even more with some poles and tent ropes off the back. There are eyelets in the tropical roof for exactly this reason.

5) Don't see why there would be any issues changing the plug. I would imagine the camper uses a separate Anderson plug to charge batteries etc so don't see any issues there. I think the large round plug is just something KK like.

And lastly althought its not a 2009 model, you could always by mine which is for sale!

cheers
Lindsay

[ivan]

I just happen to have a 2009 platinum.
Good stove mine has a Kimberley stainless wind shield that works well.
You should be able to sell awning easily depending on your price.(check new price on their web site)
You can change the 7pin to any plug you want.
Draw comes out.
Check the age of batteries ,general stone damage , correct tyres and wiring and damage to canvas where all the arms fold together which can pinch canvas.

[johnhu]

Thanks for the info all - much appreciated.

John

[WilSurf]

On the awning, if it fits mine I might be interested.
And I am in WA.

[RebsWA]

I would change the plug on the car to the big round one. More robust and less troubles.
Check the "ball weight" of the KK as they are very heavy when the front storage boxes are loaded.
You need a car with a solid rear end. That's what put me off buying one a few years back.

[johnhu]

On the awning, if it fits mine I might be interested.
And I am in WA.

PM Sent.

John

[gronk]

I had an 07 model with that kitchen storage box. We thought it was great......I put in a couple of dividers and filled it with all sorts of food and other stuff. The other front box under the stove was good for cans of food and sauce etc.

We do miss that griller though !

[Rumpig]

Good stove mine has a Kimberley stainless wind shield that works well.

our stove has the same, and rings that go around the wok burner and other burners also from memory

I would change the plug on the car to the big round one. More robust and less troubles.

exactly what i did, and then changed the other 2 trailers i also have to the big round plug aswell.

[johnhu]

I'll check with the owners if they have a wind shield as mentioned. I didn't see it, but it could have been packed away.

I was hoping to avoid changing the socket on the vehicle, as there are often other work site trailers etc that I tow - which all use the "common" (in WA at leas)t small 7 pin round setup.

mmmm, I wonder if I can mount two sockets on the vehicle. Leave the small 7 pin for work trailers and add a new large 7 pin for a kimberley (both wired up in parallel). As there could only be one trailer plugged in at any time this seems like it should work. Will have to do some more investigation.

Thank you all. Much appreciated.

John

[Rumpig]

I'll check with the owners if they have a wind shield as mentioned. I didn't see it, but it could have been packed away.

I was hoping to avoid changing the socket on the vehicle, as there are often other work site trailers etc that I tow - which all use the "common" (in WA at leas)t small 7 pin round setup.

mmmm, I wonder if I can mount two sockets on the vehicle. Leave the small 7 pin for work trailers and add a new large 7 pin for a kimberley (both wired up in parallel). As there could only be one trailer plugged in at any time this seems like it should work. Will have to do some more investigation.

Thank you all. Much appreciated.

John

i just carry a couple of different common size adaptors in my vehicle for when i need to tow other peoples trailers, or use someone elses vehicle to tow one of my trailers...saves having 2 different plugs on your vehicle.

[RebsWA]

I was hoping to avoid changing the socket on the vehicle, as there are often other work site trailers etc that I tow - which all use the "common" (in WA at leas)t small 7 pin round setup.

John

Just get a conversion plug from repco so you can still do the work trailers. About $15 IIRC.

EDIT Rumpig you just beat me