The Kimbo camper has all the time felt to us much less an RV and extra a classy backcountry hut secured to a pickup mattress. That is partly due to the hanging all-hard-sided aluminum construct, partly due to the Dickinson mini-fireplace flickering away inside, and partly due to the comfortable, rustic format Kimbo has managed to carve out of a tiny house. All of it combines into an ultralight camper that feels actually homey. Now, Kimbo provides to that homeyness, increasing out a few toes to create a extra absolutely geared up roaming micro-home for full-size vans.
Kimbo takes care to level out that the Kimbo 8 was developed to be far more than only a bigger different to the normal Kimbo 6. The brand new unit has been totally redesigned and reengineered to include a decade’s value of camper design expertise and a whole bunch of items’ value of buyer suggestions. Actually, Kimbo has been promoting an 8-foot (2.4-m) mannequin since we first regarded on the 6-footer (1.8-m) method again in 2019, so it clearly did not rush this one to market, placing in some severe R&D.
The 8 options Kimbo’s tried-and-true frameless monocoque development of aluminum panels riveted collectively. As in comparison with the Kimbo 6, it receives a heavier 2-in foam insulation bundle that raises R-value ranking from R5 to R10 for extra winter-ready functionality.
Kimbo
The Kimbo 8 shell appears fairly just like the 6 however is interrupted by one additional aspect window for a full 360-degree panorama of exterior views by way of 4 Arctic Tern double-panes. Kimbo additionally tacks on a 20-lb propane tank bay on the passenger aspect and a rear storage cubby sized to carry a fuel generator for backup energy.
The large benefit of extending a camper’s dimension, in fact, comes extra on the within than exterior. The Kimbo 8 separates itself from its older, smaller sibling most notably on the entrance and rear ends of the cabin.
To the left of the entry door within the rear nook stands a set moist rest room designed for versatile use. Kimbo continues to be finalizing the bathe system however thus far plans to put in a conveyable bathe system in addition to an non-compulsory water heater and presumably a water recirculation system. As a substitute of plumbing in a rest room and black water tank, it’s going to provide patrons the total spectrum of self-contained transportable bathroom choices, together with cassette, composting and dry-wrapping items.
Kimbo
Kimbo’s new everlasting rest room compartment options rotomolded development and replaces the part-time stowable answer it provides as an possibility for the Kimbo 6. By maintaining tools gentle and transportable, Kimbo maintains helpful flexibility. As an illustration, campers can pull out the detachable bathroom when showering to have extra room than in a standard moist tub with fastened bathroom.
All the way in which up entrance within the alcove, Kimbo takes benefit of the 8’s bigger footprint to put in a correct 60 x 80-in (150 x 203-cm) queen-size mattress. The 8-in-tall (20-cm) mattress contains a mixture of reminiscence foam and spring assist to supply probably the most supportive consolation.
Kimbo
A wall panel extending as much as the ceiling from a decrease shelving unit helps to seal off the top of the mattress from the remainder of the camper, making a type of devoted bed room house. The shelf down under, in the meantime, holds 4 baskets – one for every occupant’s garments and private results.
The seen dancing flame of the non-compulsory Dickinson Marine Newport heater will be seen simply behind that shelving unit. That was our favourite function on the unique Kimbo 6 and it stays a enjoyable little addition serving as each a mini-fireplace and a full-cabin heater. For many who do not need to add a heater straight away, Kimbo features a rooftop chimney passthrough with cowl as a part of the usual 8 bundle, making it straightforward to put in a heater in a while.
Kimbo
The Kimbo 8 is designed for a household of 4 and sleeps two kids on the convertible L-shaped couch. That couch expands with a cushion atop the drop-down swivel desk that doubles as a laptop computer workstation. Kimbo can be engaged on a raised bunk mattress format.
Kimbo
Throughout the aisle, the Kimbo 8 additional shines in providing an extended, spacious kitchen space with an accessible rectangular sink, accessible one-touch faucet and bamboo worktop. The accessible Iceco chest fridge will be topped with a worktop of its personal to create a separate meal-prep space that may additionally maintain the non-compulsory transportable propane or induction range when cooking.
A naked aluminum wall separates the rear of the kitchen from the coat/gear closet to the suitable of the entryway. This supplies a handy house for storing moist, soiled gear, sneakers and clothes, whereas the raised bamboo entry flooring panel supplies a spot to take the whole lot off earlier than traipsing mud and water by way of the cabin.
Kimbo
All these little baskets that add to Kimbo’s homey ambiance whereas maintaining on a regular basis necessities and meals objects organized do not seem wherever on the usual options or choices lists, so it appears like patrons should add in their very own options. But it surely should not be too exhausting to replace with one thing that works for you.
Kimbo additionally hooks up an ordinary electrical system with 2-kWh, 12-V lithium battery, 240-W Renogy photo voltaic panel setup, built-in wiring and shore energy hookup. Patrons can improve with extra photo voltaic, an inverter and Starlink prewiring.
Whereas the bigger Kimbo 8 does not fairly hit the sub-1,000-lb (454-kg) ultralight territory through which the unique Kimbo 6 sits, it nonetheless weighs in on the lighter finish of the pickup camper market, particularly when contemplating its non-pop-up alcove type and glued rest room. The usual mannequin weighs in at an estimated 1,275 lb (578 kg) dry, proper between the Olympic and Kenai fashions from fellow ultralight hard-sided pickup camper specialist Scout Campers.
Kimbo
The Kimbo 8 debuted at Overland Expo SoCal this month and is out there for order now beginning at US$42,990. It is constructed for full-size pickup vans and may slot in a 6.5-foot mattress atop the open tailgate or in an 8-foot mattress with the tailgate closed. Further choices embody air con, an exterior awning and sport-specific exterior racks. Based mostly in Northern Washington, Kimbo plans to start deliveries this summer season.
Supply: Kimbo
