Kimberley off road caravans Blog

Just a quick update:

“Pam and I went up to Alstrom Point on Lake Powell, Zion and then down to Toroweap on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon last week.  The Karavan worked great.  Everywhere we went several folks came up asking about the Kravan and wrote down your website.  It definitely draws the attention since there is nothing like it here in the US”

Remote and peaceful camping at it's best - Alstrom Point

Testing the off-road articulation of our Kimberley caravan - too easy!

Glamping at Alstrom Point - just us and the stars!

Glamping on the Grand Canyon - Kimberley style!

The Kimberley Karavan off-road caravan allows us to escape the city lights and see natures light show!

The "Glampers" Watching a movie around the fireplace - Kimberley off-road caravan Alstrom point 2011

October 2011 – Trip to Rice Peak for Off-Road Testing of the Off-Road Caravan

Before just my wife and I take a trip to Utah I wanted to figure out my limits with a safety net of friends. We went up a Road to Rice Peak which is your typical old mining road with loose shale and steep slopes climbing up the side of the mountain. I wanted to see if 4Runner could pull the Karavan up something like that without assistance but I didn’t want to learn that off on my own. 

Tackling the Rice Peak road - testing the Kimberley Off-Road Caravan

I didn’t get any good pics of the steep sections since I was a tad busy driving but the bottom line is I was made it without assistance and it just turned into a fun camping trip with friends.

Showing off the Kimberley Off-Road Caravan - Rice Peak Trip

Everyone was really impressed with the Karavan’s capabilities and I know feel much more comfortable tackling more rugged terrain.

Even crawling down a steep downhill slope on loose rock the brake controller properly controlled the braking and the trailer never lost traction but still braked smoothly with the right power. I never felt like I was being pushed by the trailer even in those challenging conditions.

I’m ready for Utah now. 

Brad Garland – Arizona, USA

September 2011 – Trip to Redington Pass, Arizona, USA
(with Kimberley off-road caravan)

I went out this weekend knowing it would be the last hoorah of this years monsoon season.  It didn’t let me down.

Travelling with the Kimberley off-road caravan at Redington Pass Arizona 0911-25

This is how you peg down a Karavan when you know your going to get hit with 40 MPH+ winds and heavy rain.

A threatening sky - Redington Pass

Then as expected you see this coming:

Kimberley Off-Road Caravan Redington Pass 0911-10

Then you get hit.

A light show for the evening - Kimberley Off-Road Caravan Redington Pass

The rain poured down... but we were fine inside our Kimberley Off-Road Caravan at Redington Pass

The Karavan and awning did great with no problems. When it got really bad Roxy and I just hid inside until it passed.

Roxy cosy inside the Kimberley Off-Road Caravan at Redington Pass during storm

Brad Garland – Arizona, USA

Enjoying home comforts far from home in our Kimberley Karavan off road caravan - Mt Lemmon, Tucson, Arizona - USA

“After working way too much and only getting to play with with our new Karavan in the very demanding, treacherous environment of our driveway, Pam and I finally got to take her on the maiden voyage.  We only had a couple days so we ran off to the local Sky Island mountains to escape the desert heat and enjoy the cool pines of Mt Lemmon just North of Tucson.  I loaded the Karavan up with full water tanks and all the cargo I could think of to see how my 4Runner towed the max weight. The trip was a dream and my 4Runner towed the fully loaded Karavan easily up the mountain to our 8000 Ft pine get away.

The Toyota 4Runner easily tows the Kimberley Karavan off road caravan. Mt Lemmon, Tucson, Arizona - USA

My wife camped with me some of the time in my past Kamper but really enjoyed the creature comforts of the Karavan. I may never see a guy only camping trip again.   More comments to come from Pam.

All the comforts of home - hot running water, comfortable seating, airconditioning and comfortable queen-size mattress. Kimberley Karavan off road caravan Interior

All the comforts of home - hot running water (sink on right and shower on left), comfortable seating, DVD/cD, MP3 player, airconditioning and comfortable queen-size mattress - Kimberley Karavan off road caravan Interior

My wife Pam loves the comfort of the Kimberley Karavan off road caravan. Mt Lemmon, Tucson, Arizona - USA Note: The outside kitchen is not usually this high! We parked on a slope with the nose of the van really low and the tail of the van poking up in the air. The kitchen is usually at least 4-5" lower.

This was the shake down cruise before taking a more serious trip to Utah later in the year. Everything worked perfectly and the set up was a breeze. The new coil spring mattress was a bit firm for us but we learned that at home and so we added a synthetic pillow top mattress cover that added a ton of comfort and complimented the firm base mattress perfectly. The added pillow top mattress cover doesn’t conflict with closing the Karavan and provides an excellent comfortable bed.

Our van has plenty of LED lighting inside and outside - but all the lights draw minimal power so we don't have to worry about running out of battery power. Kimberley Karavan off road caravan. Mt Lemmon, Tucson, Arizona - USA

We both loved the galley and had great meals both nights. One of our favorite things was listening to classical music on the excellent audio system while Pam was inside preparing our vegies and passing them to me who was cooking our dinner on the outside galley. That was both a pleasure and very efficient.

(L)Our van has an on-board toilet, hot shower and plenty of battery power so we can stay in remote locations like this with the whole campsite to ourselves! - Kimberley Karavan off road caravan. Mt Lemmon, Tucson, Arizona - USA (R) GLAMPR1 - The registration plate says it all!

I loved the almost instant hot water and the shower off the back of the Karavan!  What a great way to freshen up after a day of hiking before relaxing for the evening which obviously will make the wife’s evening more enjoyable.
Now we are seriously looking forward to out next week long outing up in Utah in October.”

Brad & Pam Garland
August 2011

Click here to see more images of this trip – Mt Lemmon August 2011

Here is an update from the happiest new Karavan customer in the USA!

Kimberley_off_road_caravan_Karavan_Brad_Dock_and_Bruce_Loxton

“The day finally arrived and my new Karavan was patiently waiting for me in a Long Beach warehouse. I met Bruce at the warehouse and then towed the Karavan back to the hotel we were staying in. It was great meeting Bruce. He’s  passionate and proud of the products Kimberley Group has produced.  Just the qualities you like to see in a CEO. He had flown all the way to Long Beach to be able to hand the first Karavan in the US over to me and provide training on all the features.  I appreciated his commitment to customer satisfaction.

We spent 3 hours going through the simple set up steps and passing on his tips how all the wonderful creature comforts worked.  I have to say for many, purchasing something at this level sight unseen can make you a little apprehensive. Not for me. After previously owning a Kimberley Kamper I already understood the quality of their product line and felt comfortable the new Karavan would meet all my expectations. After spending some time with my new off road home I quickly realized the Karavan not only met my expectation but it blew them away. This is truly an example of engineering and manufacturing at it’s finest. My kudos to the entire Kimberley team that brought this unique product from the first vision to the final product. Well done.

The drive back home to Tucson is about 500 miles. The trip was smooth as silk, the only problem being the crowds that gathered around the Karavan every time I stopped for gas.  It certainly gets folk’s attention, especially anyone who has any knowledge of off road overlanding and the demanding build quality that type of use requires.

Once home I spent the next day setting it up, filling the water tanks and learning about all the amazing built in systems that will make life in the back country a total joy.  As expected, every system worked perfectly. Now I just have to pack it up and ready it for the first opportunity I can find to break away from work and drive over the horizon.

More photos to come from my first trips to my version of paradise.

Proud Karavan Owner,
Brad Garland ”

Kimberley_off_road_caravan_Karavan_Driveway

Kimberley_off_road_caravan_Karavan_with_Toyota

Tuesday – May 31, 2011

Karavan 5555 build is finished and is undergoing pre-delivery tests and final checks before it ships out today. See the photos below:

Karavan 5555 Interior - Pocket Spring Innerspring Mattress added and Table is in Out position

(L) Table is made from solid "Corian-like" material - features soft radius edges, gentle curves and is extremely durable. (R) Underbed Storage Drawers for clothing

(L) Ensuite features toilet and shower integrated in to one recess for space saving. (M) Chemical-free Vacuum flush toilet with ceramic bowl for easy cleaning (R) Shower controls and outlet - this can be mounted to canopy above recess for hands-free showering.

(L) Multimedia Centre - LCD TV mounts on cabinet door. (R) Cabinet door opens for DVD/CD storage. Black unit in middle is CD/DVD/MP3 Radio Player which is connected to the overhead speakers and optional external speakers.

(L) "Corian-like" kitchen benchtop - this material has great heat resistance (you can place a hot pot directly on to it). It is also easy to repair if scratched - just buff out with wet'n'dry sand paper. (R) Galley Kitchen includes diesel-powered cooktop, plenty of bench space, Stainless steel sink, hot & cold automatic water faucet and dish draining area. LED under-bench lighting is easy on the eyes. NOTE: Flooring is lightly textured "bamboo-look" vinyl.

(L) Easy-glide Aluminium drawers on ball bearing runners. (R) Cupboard storage underneath cooktop.

(L) Special outlets for USA (R) Karavan control dash has all important display and controls in one convenient location.

(L) Single seat - lifts up for storage underneath (R) 133L 12V Fridge with remote compressor for improved performance.

(L) LED lighting is used throughout. Round light is over shower recess, long light provides kitchen lighting. (R) Long LED light over kitchen cooktop and preparation bench.

Karavan 5555 - with Extended Awning and Second Bedroom

Karavan 5555 - Exterior

Karavan 5555 - checking awning and bedroom

(L) Second bedroom - you can see the automatic all-weather window pop-up awning that allows you to leave the inside window flap down for ventilation when raining. (R) Multibox - storage space, vacuum toilet cassette and holder for gas bottle. Optional Kargo Karrier luggage rack seen on top

(L) Master Galley Kitchen - an excellent outside kitchen, includes 2-burner with griller stove PLUS stainless steel sink with hot&cold faucet, dish draining area, utensil storage, cutlery drawer, fold out stainless steel preparation table. Optional external speakers are shown.

Monday – May 30, 2011

Karavan 5555 is nearly finished now! The build crew are applying the last of the finishing touches and are performing the rigorous systems checks that are carried out on every Karavan that leaves the Kimberley Factory. Interior is almost complete – the vinyl flooring is covered by a protective carpet layer during construction which appears in the image. In one image below you can see our Kimberley Underbed Membrane heater installed – this keeps the mattress warm and  helps prevent condensation. The solid surface bench tops are fully installed now and look fantastic.

Not long now until we take this to the Port of Brisbane and ship out! Photos below:

Applying finishing touches to Karavan 5555 - 140W Solar panels on canopy roof.

Installing outdoor kitchen and USA-spec clearance lights for Karavan 5555

Karavan 5555 - Interior - Solid surface bench tops granite appearance without the weight.

Testing the diesel hot water system on Karavan 5555

Underbed heater Installed ready for mattress to go on top - Karavan 5555

Friday – May 27, 2011

Wow these Karavans come together quickly! The canopy is now in place and cables connected for lowering/raising. Bed slide is in and the furniture upholstery has been added. More pictures below:

Adding decals to the Karavan Canopy

Pam and I are drooling watching this build. We can’t wait to pick this up in Long Beach and begin our Karavan adventures.

Brad

Thursday – May 26, 2011

Some more progress on Karavan 5555. The insulation and wall sheeting has been added to the wall frames – you can see in the photos them being finished off – they are bonded to the frames with high strength adhesive. Batteries have been installed but not wired in yet (210Ah of AGM batteries) – these are installed above the axle for lighter drawbar weight in the X-Series and it improves storage space in the Multibox front box). AGM are a sealed battery with excellent deep-cycle performance and because they are sealed we can be flexible about where they are mounted.

The front Multibox storage box is nearly finished  - you can see the extra space created by moving the batteries rearward. Above the box you see the Kargo carrier that’s been installed to carry extra gear – perfect for ‘dirty’ items like firewood or fuel.

Check out the photos below:

Adding the finishing touches to the walls sheeting

Batteries installed, ready for wiring and front Multibox Storage Box