Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 21:45
Bought a new Classic in 2005 and for two of us it is perfect. Erects in about ten minutes for short overnight stops, takes a little longer to close up. This is more to do with carefully folding up tables and chairs, repacking the pantry and kitchen than the time taken to close up the camper.
For longer stays the awning and the ensuite provide additional comfort. I opted for the 2.4 metre awning with canvas walls at the ends (for privacy at some busy sites). I have since bought a 1.8 metre awning – it has less poles, doesn’t need struts and if you don’t have the sun roof attached the tent will fold into the camper with the smaller awning in-situ.
I use the sun roof all the time. As stated above it keeps in warmth in winter but is exceptionally cooler in summer. Also protects the canvas from bat and bird droppings!
There is an enormous amount of mesh covered by zip-over flaps. Spent the last two weeks in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the KK provided cool accommodation in temperatures up in the high thirties. Low overnight temperatures were not a problem once the internal curtains were zipped.
If you run the fridge off a dual battery set-up in the car you will find the 70AH battery pack in the
Kimberley ample for about ten nights running the odd fluro, internal lights and the kitchen pump. You could back it up with solar or generator if your demands run high or add more batteries. Also managed to stretch the 130 litre
water tank over eleven days touring (drinking and cooking only) using river
water for showers and washing-up etc.
The later models have an extended tent that may provide accommodation for the kids during the short overnights. Alternatively the ensuite is large enough for a small bed. Allow ten minutes to erect it. I would probably opt for a ‘quick erect’ tent for the kids if you go the way of the
Kimberley Kamper, particularly for the quick overnights. Last trip I did down the Strezlecki we took our son and he camped outside in a swag. For longer stops the extra trouble of erecting the full awning and ensuite is worth it.
We like the idea of an external kitchen as it is accessible for roadside stops and keeps the cooking smells outside the sleeping accommodation.
The storage box on the Classic is a bit tight even for two of us – the larger gull-wing box would be essential for a family. I probably carry a few more luxuries than most folk and the back of a Prado doesn’t offer the storage capacity of a ‘Troopie’ or dual cab.
They are
well built underneath and will tow to
places I probably wouldn’t get the 4WD into. On the highway the turbo-diesel settles in at 100 – 110 and you hardly know the camper is there.
I personally would probably buy ‘new’ again. Although a low time used example may arrive on the market place offering quick delivery, the seller would probably get new price or better given immediate availability.
Can’t fault the
Kimberley, it is easily maintained,
well built and designed for the task it does, all of which is reflected in the price.
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Follow Up By: Member - Toytruck (WA) - Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 09:36
Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 09:36
Road Runner,
thanks for the detailed response. You've convinced me. As others on this thread have quite rightly stated it's a lot of buck but you get a lot of camper.
Toytruck
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