Kimberley Kampers Platinum

Kimberley Kampers undoubtedly has one of the best factory locations in Australia – Ballina on the far north coast of NSW. So it wasn’t exactly a hardship to arrange a visit to review one of its camper trailers.

Our review camper was the interestingly named Platinum and it came with an impressive fit-out list. It’s been designed for travellers who want a fully fitted-out camper trailer for comfortable touring.

All Kimberley Kampers are built on a box section chassis with 6in x 4in (150mm x 50mm) rectangular hollow section (RHS) members. The drawbar runs back to the front suspension mounts and the entire chassis is hot-dipped galvanised.

Like many camper trailers, independent suspension is used with trailing arms, coil springs and shock absorbers. The disc brakes are operated by hydraulic override or the manual parking brake.

Wheel size is a boofy-looking 16in x 7in and to save on the amount of spare wheels carried, Kimberley will match the trailer wheels to the tow vehicle.

Underneath the Platinum chassis are both the 130 litre water tank, protected by aluminium sheeting and the spare wheel.

On the very well equipped drawbar are the slideout fridge, slideout cooktop, storage bin for generator and outboard motor, pole carrier, hand-pumped water tap, two 4kg gas cylinders, stone shield, snap-up jockey wheel and Treg hitch.

The trailer body is zinc annealed steel while the top, complete with roof rack, is made from weight-saving aluminium checkerplate. A one-piece polyethylene moulded interior and pinchweld rubber seals on all openings prevent dust intrusion.

Fishos will appreciate the boat rack for the tinnie which hinges over to the offside, and behind each wheel are small stainless-steel lockers.

The Platinum is not too bad on the eyes, the only odd-looking item being the boat rack when it is off the trailer. The recessed tail lights and rubber protectors on the gas struts are practical and neat.

For the offside there is the option of either an attachable ‘ensuite’ or a larger ‘room’ for children. Plenty of poles and ropes are also supplied.

SWIFT SIMPLICITY

Being a rear ‘hinged’ camper trailer, it’s easy to set up. For a quick stop, it’s a matter of lifting off the boat rack (assisted by gas struts), releasing four clips on the roof and lifting over. Hey presto, the roof becomes a floor and sleeping accommodation is available. Setting up the awning does take a little longer, but with no real dramas.

The practical kitchen area is quite sophisticated, with a slideout kitchen bench that comes out from the front of the trailer. There’s a stainless steel sink and 12V pump water.

Sliding out from the gull wing box on the drawbar is the three-burner cooktop, 73 litre 12V Autofridge and stainless steel ‘pantry’. A dust-free venting arrangement is fitted to the gull wing box. For a roadside brew, the kitchen is well set up for easy access.

Sitting on a steel framed base of PVC custom board, the queen high-density foam mattress measures 6ft 7in x 5ft 4in (2m x 1.62m).

Two gooseneck reading lights supply illumination and on either side there are a couple of storage pouches. In addition to the reading lights, Kimberley has introduced some new technology in the form of LED lighting. A strip of LED lights runs across the high part of the canvas roof and a second strip is fitted in the frame underneath.

There’s a fair bit of this in the Platinum: in addition to LED lights, both gull wing storage boxes have LED fittings. All the electrical controls, both 240V and 12V, are mounted on the nearside wall at the foot of the bed. Both the water tank and batteries have monitoring gauges. On the outside of the trailer are 240V inlet and outlets, in addition to a 12V socket.

SUMMING UP

It’s difficult to find much to criticise about Kimberley Kampers’ Platinum camper trailer. The trailer is certainly well built and comes with just about everything you’d want when camping.

Of course, it also comes with a price to match and that’s only to be expected. If you like lengthy outback trips in style, it’s a small price to pay!

Call Kimberley Kampers on (02) 6686 7344 for more information or visit the website at www.kimberleykampers.com.

Advised Tare: 1080kg

Advised ATM:            TBA

Advised ball weight:  120kg (depending on options)

Base price:      $37,920 (plus options)

GOOD POINTS

Well equipped drawbar

So simple to set up

Impressive fit-out

Excellent battery capacity

Easy-access kitchen for quick stops

NOT SO GOOD

Wish we could have kept the vehicle for longer!