Camper Trailer

Hired one a couple of years ago. Built lke the proverbial! Go anywhere, easy to tow. Even SWMBO towed it because I had an ear infection and couldn't drive for the first part of the trip.You can mount a tinny on top or carry fire wood. Well built easy to use both set up and kitchen etc.
Negatives. Really only for two people - that's fine for me - tin lids have left the nest.
Wet canvas can be a problem if you have to fold up in the rain. The bed can get wet.
While we found it great for a go anywhere unit, we opted for a dirt road caravan with a few more creature comforts and when we want to go to those more inaccessable places we throw a tent in and leave the van.
We're happy but it's horses for course and it's a compromise in the end.
If you have doubts why not just hire one for a week or two.

Regards,

Hi

We have had ours for just over 12 months, travelled about 20K with it, all off-road. Took it through the Vic High Country at Easter and will take it to Cape York next year. Recently back from a trip to the Gulf. To date with have not experienced any problems at all.

Very well manufactured, easy to open and close and the company and its agents provide good after sales service.

If you are looking for a hard-floor camper that will go most places, than the Kimberley is worthy of your consideration.

If you are Sydney based, call Peter Hands at Express Tools and Camping down near Woollongong, he is the agent based in this area. He'll be happy to answer all your questions.

Regards

Researched them but bought another - excellent build, that is for sure - importantly, what will you tow it with ? Has over-ride brakes only - but electric is popular on other makes.

big bo,

KK are great and we nearly bought one til we came across ours. AORC

We liked the kitchen better, it needed no support legs and it faced the other way which also allowed a return bench with tea towel rack (the little things). Better internal storage under the bed. Stainless steel everything and they look superb. Made in Caloundra, just north of Bne by the most meticulous man on earth.
It would be IMHO Kimberley's toughest competitor, besides a different style like the Ultimate.

Cheers
John C

Hi big bo...

I've owned 2 KK's purchased through Peter Hands in Wollongong. I agree with the other comments. Towed ours through the centre and the gulf country. I'd previously towed a Trak Shak to the Cape on 2 other holidays but have no doubt the KK would be able to do the same trip. I have now moved onto an off road van after experiencing several weeks of wet weather on the NSW north coast. I'm also more interested in creature comforts such as the hard roof. I'd say my only concern is with the amount of equipment that can be placed onto the draw bar with the newer models. I'm sure you will enjoy.

Big Bo,
I'll add my two cents worth too.
We bought our KK in June last year and spent 3 months with it in WA last winter, took it up the CSR no sweat, this winter went to the Flinders Ranges Arkaraoola Innamincka etc and at no times had any problems. Had a couple of wet days last year on the WA coast but didn't experience any wet bedding etc.
Ours has a tea towel holder on the kitchen bench; we have a S/S box on the front RHS that holds the Honda genny and other bits & pieces. Very happy with it.
Plan to Coburg Peninsula next year and Cape York the next.
DB

Hi
I'm an ex-Ultimate owner who is evaluating what to buy in the way of a flip-over. At this stage I think the Aussie Swag looks really good value ... certainly worth checking out.

G'day big bo

We have owned our Aussie Swag "Classic model" for 2 years. We have towed it up to Cape York via the OTT, Darwin, Kakadu Nat Park, & The Gulf. No problems - not even wet bedding - a heavy duty plastic sheet comes with the Swag. If you have to pack-up wet (which we have done) - the plastic sheet keeps the bed completely dry. (Mattress & sheets, blankets etc.) Slide out, swing around kitchen is brilliant for morning/afternoon tea stops. (Don't need a thermos anymore).
You have to consider tow ball weight.
Also used for week-end getaways. (Keep pantry stocked & bed made for quick getaways.)
Strongly recommend a good look, and are excellent value. Check out website - aussieswag.com.au
Safe travels - Merry Christmas.
Jim-Bob

yes we bought ourselves a 2004 KK classic mariner ( boat rack ) last may in brisbane
took it to the cape in aug this year
had a few hassles though
damn jockey wheel fell too bit s at lakefield
though a bloody rough road
water tank / pump had a very chemical taste in it which we still have not totally got rid of yet - very unpleasant to drink
number of other minor probs including broken weld on ss kitchen bench
canvas not fitting quite right at doors etc, etc
quality check by kk prior to delivery was pretty ordinary

has now been back to kimberley and they have repaired it ok
but was a bloody pain when on cape york to have any probs at all
also be aware they are very heavy when fully loaded and our 3litre diesel patrol struggles to tow it ok you really need at least a 4 litre engine to tow a kk
also very heavy tow ball weight we have fitted overrider airbags to our rear springs to keep all level

would i buy another one - probably as there is not too many alternatives if you want to tow your accom with you plus take a small boat etc and go off road ok but they are really very heavy to tow and so you cant go to the difficult off road sites just the more or less easy ones

hope this helps in some way
see you gregr

good to hear from you big bo
the prado will tow it ok on the bitumen but will probably struggle a little bit off road
my 3.0 litre diesel patrol certainly does but it is also loaded to the roof with 2 fridges etc etc when we go away
i am about to fit a dtronic to get a bit more power / torque out of it

my K kamper weighs in at 1500 kilos fully loaded with 3 .75 m boat motor fuel etc
and the ball weight is a frightening 190 to 200 kgs
i lift the tow bar with the high lift when i need to

they are certainly strong and are built to take it ok which is why we bought it and not a campomatic or aussie swag but kimberley has a new owner and i guess they possibly are maybe alledgedly churning them out the door pretty fast these days or thats my impression any way

still a good tough trailer but i would be lying if i said we were not a bit disappointed with ours first up and its probs - however i will say kk have now mostly fixed them after a bit of whinging by me

did you say you are on the way to retire if so maybe be careful if you are over sixty and not super fit as they are pretty heavy to hook up to the 4wd and pulling back the boat rack and loading it back over the trailer can be a trial as well as flipping them open and closing them which while fairly quick does need a bit of strength or two of you working well together
so good luck - good trip
may the fish be biting where ever you are and the weather be kind
see you gregr

yea landie
well if your happy with your 2.5 liter diesel defender towing your kk then good luck to you mate but we have defender at work which i drive from time to time and which i hooked on to the kk the other day to see how it went and i think it performs a bit worse than my 3litre patrol mate

i reiterate i personnally think you need a 4.0 litre to tow a fully laden kk off road comfortably - of course dollars are the prob for all of us working types me included

see you and good kk camping mate
gregr