disapointed with new kimberley

Submitted: Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:07

ThreadID: 81672 Views:7955 Replies:6 FollowUps:10

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Andrew WA

I have resently purchased a brand new 2010 Kimberley Kamper Platinum Model and am extremely disappointed with the service that I have received and the finish of the Kamper.
Our Kamper is fully optioned and I can not believe the poor standard of the fit out.
Is anyone else experiencing the same??

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Reply By: Best Off Road - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:25

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:25

Have you addressed the problems with the manufacturer?

I think it only reasonable to offer them the chance to deal with the issues prior to lambasting them on a public forum.

Jim.

AnswerID: 431941

Follow Up By: OREJAP - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 10:10

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 10:10

Hi Jim, I don't think he was "Lambasting" the manufacturer at all he was merely asking if any Forum members have had similar or any issues. Isn't that part of the "Public Forum" situation?

FollowupID: 702768

Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:40

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 21:40

Andrew, can you explain the fit out issues with the new KK....service "should" be good for the price and reputation. Have you contacted the customer service directly to explain the dissatification in your purchase? They have built up a good following over the years not to listen.

Hope that helps,
Andrew

AnswerID: 431943

Follow Up By: Andrew WA - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:04

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:04

Hi Andrew,
Working through the issues, we are rapped with the kamper as a hole, but as you say for the price.
It is a group of small things that as a hole lead to being a bit disappointed.

Bed lights that do not stay up and fall behind the mattress.
Lead on the controller of the space heater gets caught on the draw under the bed, so the draw does not come out.
The remote control for the stereo does the some.
When you pull out the drawer under the bed it pulls out the plug on the battery charger.
Few things with the boat loader and kitchen.

As I said they are small things that all can be fixed but for the price I dont want to have to do them. And it always concerns me that you will lose warranty the minute you do something yourself.

We will get there in the end, just wondering if others had found the same.

FollowupID: 702744

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:42

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 22:42

I had noticed some "electrical" quality issues with some of the older KK eg. insufficient size battery wiring, short wiring etc. I wouldn't have thought that these issues still existed in the current models, however i may be wrong.

For a new model, you should not have to pay to fix these teething issues IMO, so a friendly conversation with the customer service division should be a good start.

All in all a good camper which needs some focusing on their QC possibly. As someone on the forum (mike?) said awhile back about the electrics, "for electricians they make good carpenters". I'd buy another one tomorrow given the need.

Andrew

FollowupID: 702747

Follow Up By: Member - Boeing (PER) - Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 23:09

Friday, Oct 01, 2010 at 23:09

Andrew, As you say you are happy with the camper as a "whole" so the issues should be addressed with "KK". It is unfair not to give them the opportunity to re-address any short comings. If they fail to rectify the position and given the upper end of the price range that you have paid please let members know.

Cheers

Mark

FollowupID: 702752

Follow Up By: The Landy - Sunday, Oct 03, 2010 at 08:01

Sunday, Oct 03, 2010 at 08:01

We had a 2003 KK (since sold) and it had the same issues with the lights that you mention.

Generally it was a good unit, but I hear what you are saying.

Cheers, The Landy

FollowupID: 702825

Reply By: PhilD - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 00:12

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 00:12

I have a 2010 Platinum that has done 15000kms so far this year over some very average country and through pretty deep water, and generally I am very happy with it. There are a few things that need fixing or servicing, but that relates to sealing around the kitchen, destroying front flaps with stone damage, and other wear and tear.
I have a boat loader, rear swingaway for motor, heater etc. I have modified some things for personal preference, and things like the heater power can easily be tucked away, or tied out of the way.
I suggest you talk to the dealer and also think about what your personal preferences are, compared to real problems with the build of the product.
The factory could improve its level of customer service, but start with the dealer, and if you don't get satisfaction, ring Ballina and be as obstinate as you need to be.
Hope this helps.
PS it is critical that you get your tyre pressures right on the trailer, to ensure you do not overheat and destroy the Fox shocks in very corrugated and rough conditions. I run 22psi cold in the tyres in these conditions, and this keeps the temperature around 150 degrees at good speeds.

AnswerID: 431948

Follow Up By: Andrew WA - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 15:55

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 15:55

Worth carrying a spare shock do you think? Probably not that easy to find.

Going through it with the dealer when I can get hold of them, Factory is to far away.

Any other spares that you would recommend would be great.

Cheers,

Andrew

FollowupID: 702789

Follow Up By: PhilD - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 17:59

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 17:59

Yes, I have 2 spares although I haven't used one yet, but seen someone who was running 10 ply Coopers and 30 psi at speed over severe corrugations destroy one in the top of the Kimberleys. No other specific spares for the trailer , but a good selection of tools and gear to fix things and get you out of trouble.

FollowupID: 702801

Follow Up By: Who was that again? (Vic) - Sunday, Oct 03, 2010 at 00:30

Sunday, Oct 03, 2010 at 00:30

Phil, and Andrew, I tow a Karavan that has now done close to or even more than 50,000 and still on the original shockers. If you take care and drive to the sensible speeds for low pressures in your tyres when on broken or corrugated roads.

I carry an infra-red temperature sensor and have never seen the shockers close to 100 Celcius. The Fox shockers seals are expected to be good for 200 degrees, over that you can expect to pay dearly for military spec.

Phil, I am using LT tyres too, which Kimberley don't protect against these days. I like soft tyres to protect suspensions.

Karavan owners can join the Karavan Owners Group for support but I think Kamper owners have never set up such a beast. Karavan owners can go to KKOG and go through the joining process. New membership has a $25 joining fee as well as a $25 membership, but the people are great

FollowupID: 702821

Reply By: braggy - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 07:23

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 07:23

Hi Andrew, I have a Kimberley Karavan, 4 months old and 12000k, there were some small similar faults like yours, however KK agent in SEQ was exellent in their response to my problems, I think you will find KK are proud of the product and will be glad to make you happy again, just let them know.
Q.C does need a bit of a rev.
Cheers Ken

AnswerID: 431951

Follow Up By: Andrew WA - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 10:31

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 10:31

Thanks Ken,
Glad to hear the your faults have been soughted. this is the feed back that I was hoping for.
Sure mine will end up the same, QC is the issue.
They should be proud of their product it does turn some heads.

FollowupID: 702769

Reply By: Member - Wim (Qld) - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 13:26

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 13:26

Andrew

We have a 2009 KK and also had a couple of issues in the beginning.
However the rep in SEQ sorted them out at the first service.
Now very happy with the KK.
However, I have found it difficult to converse with the factory. They don't answer the phone or emails.

regards

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AnswerID: 431972

Follow Up By: Andrew WA - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 15:45

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 15:45

Thanks for the feed back,
I think you understand what my issue is with service fully.

Thanks again.

FollowupID: 702788

Reply By: Gronk - Monday, Oct 04, 2010 at 00:09

Monday, Oct 04, 2010 at 00:09

I have bought 2 KK's and have had very good service and rapport with them.....if you have any dramas....get in touch with the owner of KK....do a search....Bruce Loxton..direct ..and I'm sure he will stand by his product..

AnswerID: 432071