Australian Caravan+RV first sampled a Kimberley Kamper in Summer '07 when we hitched a Limited Edition to a Toyota Prado for a 4WD off-road camper trailer education course. For 2008, the Ballina, NSW-based company offers four versions of its distinctive orange-and-red striped camper trailers - SportsRV, Limited Edition and Platinum - and a huge array of options, from solar panels to quad-bike racks. This time, it's the top-of-the-tree $47,000 Kimberley Kamper Platinum we're going bush in, and in much warmer weather than our first freezing test too.

Talking Technically

Kimberley has made only minor changes for 2008. More extensive use of aluminium in framing and internal hardware has significantly reduced its mass. No change was required to the solidly constructed chassis that has been Kimberley's foundation for years: deep drawbar sections and a construction technique that interlocks each chassis member with those around it rather than simple butt-welding. Wiring and plumbing is exemplary. The Platinum's suspension - like all new KKs - is independent and the Platinum is fitted with Fox off-road dampers and over-ride disc brakes. The hubs feature big, beefy bearings and six-stud 16-inch Toyota/Nissan wheels with Cooper Discoverer tyres. The spare is installed amidships underneath.

Inside story

One of the best features of the KK is that it's relatively quick and easy to set-up, thanks to its flip-over, hard-floored design. Once sited, simply do a lap of the Kamper to unlatch the closing clamps, flip it over and tension the internal poles.

However, even though you're on holidays, you need to use some brains. Firstly, you must find a flat site that is several car lengths' long to provide room for set-up. Secondly, set-up is really a two-person job due to the weight of the flip-over frame. When packing up, the canvas needs to be tucked in to prevent snagging as the floor is clamped down - easier with four hands - and the weight of the floor and frame is a little much for one person.

But the effort is worth it as the Kimberley offers a huge bedroom (with queen-sized bed) adjacent to the hard-floored area that is big enough to set up a small table and chairs. The living space can be expanded with an annex and optional zip-on sections.

Out front, the Platinum features three of Kimberley's distinctive 'delta gull-wing' doors that rise smoothly on gas struts. Two are general storage areas big enough to hold a generator (and house accessories such as the outdoors shower and hot water heater, if specified) while the third (on the living side) reveals the heart of any camper trailer design: the kitchen. In fact, the gull-wing houses the fridge slide, the pantry and the cooker which, on the Platinum, is a quality stainless two-burner with wok burner. The sink unit, including cutlery drawer and a food prep area, slides out of the Kamper body side with extra support which is provided by drop-down legs.

The equipment is there but, like many camper/ caravan designs, there are compromises with ergonomics and accessibility. For instance, the pantry can't be opened when the stove is in use (making it difficult to grab the rice or pasta or whatever) and there is no 'bench' area adjacent to the stove. The stove controls face away from what I regard as the natural 'centre' of the kitchen. In fact, they are out of reach and the gas line swings in the breeze, getting in the way.

One nice feature is a small flip-up lid that allows easy access to 'smalls' (such as tea and coffee for Stop Revive Survive) without pulling the whole pantry out. The pantry itself is a good size and, like all caravans and campers, with some familiarity I reckon you'd get a few weeks' worth of food on board.

The electrics

The Platinum is equipped with a large 73-litre Autofridge on a slide (not installed in this prototype, hence my own little 40-litre Engel in these pics). Speaking of the fridge, in the sticky 37 degree conditions of our test, my poor little Engel was working hard to keep our beers cold in its boxed-in compartment until we stumbled upon the switch for the KK's heat extractor fan.

This provides ventilation so the fridge can keep its cool. In fact, Kimberley installs vents to all its storage areas, with two of the three fitted with dust filters. Elsewhere, automotive-quality seals keep the red stuff out and KK provides a 72-page Operating Manual to show you all the tricks and treats.

Huge house batteries allow days of sipping cold beers without worry. The Platinum has 210AH of AGM battery bank on board with an automatic 240V 20A charger and inverter. There's a plug available for tow vehicle and solar panel charging, too. With its 'distance to empty' gauge advising of battery voltage, it seems a good system.

Rope-like flexible LEDs take care of room lighting, with two reading lamps. Lights in the top edge of the kitchen lid over the cooking area and beside the sink provide useful light without glare. Pre-wired fly leads allow extra lights to be easily hooked up. LEDs are infinitely more reliable than conventional bulbs but their real beauty is low current draw, allowing batteries to last many times longer. The Kimberley is well-spec'd in the water well department, too, holding 130-litres with the option of another 70 on-board if you really need it. There's a hand-pump on the drawbar (for roadside cuppa breaks) with the sink tap being 12V.

We didn't try it, but the Platinum is equipped with an on-board diesel hot water system and shower, too. Rounding out the on-boards are two front-mounted 8kg gas bottles protected by gravel screens.

Towing the Kimberley

As we discovered last year in AC+RV's first test, Kimberley Kamper is a superlative unit to tow, tracking straight and true. With the rubber- isolated TREG off-road hitch, it is also silent without any jiggly-rattle often encountered with off-bitumen towing. You barely know it's there. With the long drawbar and smooth predictable reactions it provides, reversing the KK into driveways or caravan park bays is a snack.

However, get into the tighter, bushy stuff - as we did - and the overall length of the combo (as it is with any larger rig) is something you need to think about.

Take it all with you

One of the great features of the KK design is the ability to tailor it to your own needs. Extra equipment: boats, extra spare wheels - even a quad bike - can all be carried on the Kimberley. And that is in addition to the several extra canvas options that can be added to make the Kamper into a Kastle.

Thanks to the 'upgradeable' design of the chassis, most of this extra equipment can be retro-fitted if required for future adventures or by new owners.

In the end

Kimberley uses the tagline 'King Of The Off-Road' in its marketing and it's not without some substance. It's well designed - but not without fault - and beautifully built with no rushed workmanship or rough edges. All in all, it's a big, well-spec'd rig that's perfect for touring Australia's wide open spaces.

Caravan+RV magazine, issue 6, Winter 2008.