Kimberley Kruiswagen 2026 Review

Kimberley Kampers has spent three decades forging a reputation for tough caravans that can be towed just about anywhere you’ll get a four-wheel drive. However, with the release of the Kruiswagen, they’ve decided to do away with the tow vehicle altogether. 

It’s a model that was born out of new owner James Cockburn’s desire to offer a solution for intrepid travellers… being one himself. In fact, he drove a Land Rover Defender 130 from Venezuela up into Central America and then across the States, covering a total of 134,000km back in the early 2000s. So, he’s clearly qualified to design an expedition vehicle. 

Back in 2018, James revived the company after it fell on hard times. He’d owned two of the brand’s dealerships for 12 years, and while he was passionate about the products and vision his main aim was to de-risk through diversification. 

While the core range of campers had a strong following, James knew there was a need for an all-in-one, off-road capable motorhome – an insight that led to the birth of the Kruiswagen.  

By 2022 the team at Kimberley Kampers had a prototype Kruiswagen and James personally tested it on a grueling trip around Australia to ensure it was up to the task.  

“I drove it up to Cape York and then across to Darwin, I've even had it on Fraser Island, and it handled it all,” he said. 

“We knew when we came back that the spec was right, and we’ve been kicking goals with it ever since!” 

The Kruiswagen we tested has therefore been to every major desert in Australia, and has tackled the majority of the well-known outback tracks too, with plenty of battle scars to prove it. 

Built on the proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 419 LWB platform, the Kruiswagen represents a shift away from traditional motorhome design, with James telling us his one non-negotiable was to use “no timber whatsoever” in the fitout.  

Instead of heavy timber and RV-grade plastics, the Kimberley team opted for high-grade composites and aluminium, keeping weight down while also ensuring it won’t rattle apart on corrugated off-road tracks.  

It’s clearly a winning combination because since launching the Kruiswagen a couple of years back, James tells us it now accounts for more than 60 percent of the company’s total sales, with plenty of them doing the rounds in Australia, New Zealand and even the US.  

The Kruiswagen is available in two main trim levels. The Classic starts at $199,850, while the more off-grid focused Ecoscape begins at $247,990. 

For the extra coin, the Ecoscape adds a massive 5kW 48V lithium battery system (which can be upgraded to 10kW), an 800W solar array (upgradable to 1200W), and a full suite of luxury interior finishes as standard.  

Both models are designed to be driven on a standard car licence, even with the optional 4430kg GVM upgrade, which makes it an enticing prospect for those moving away from a heavy tow-rig and caravan setup.

Weight is the enemy of any off-road vehicle, and Kimberley has focused on keeping the weight low for the Kruiswagen. 

The interior is entirely timber-free, utilising high-grade alloy and composite sandwich panels for the furniture and cabinetry. Not only is this lighter, but it also won't rot or rattle apart. 

The body construction features composite sandwich panels with high U-value insulation properties, helping to keep the cabin cool in the harsh Australian heat. 

In terms of the base vehicle, it retains all of the luxury-focused Mercedes-Benz features like the infotainment system and advanced safety system. The Kimberley team has worked with Mercedes to ensure every feature and function of the vehicle works as it should, from the cameras to the automatic side doors. 

Externally, the Kruiswagen looks every bit like an expedition vehicle and it turns plenty of heads when you get it out in the wild.

Our test model featured the KK Alloy Sports Bar with an integrated LED light bar and a Warn 12-S Evo winch tucked neatly into the front. 

Other off-road features include electric automatic side steps that double as rock sliders, a 151L long-range fuel tank, and comprehensive underbody protection covering the engine, gearbox, and rear differential.  

A massive 2.2m by 4.5m electric roll-out awning is fitted to the roof rack, expanding the footprint of your camping setup at the press of a button. This is a real luxury if you’re used to manual awnings.  

Around the back, there are options for a swing-away spare tyre carrier, a ladder, and even a bike rack with gas-strut assistance. 

The Kruiswagen also features a modular outdoor kitchen, which features a compact sink, loads of bench space and it can be specified with a variety of cooking options, like a two-burner stove with grille or, the most popular option, a Ninja electric BBQ/air fryer combo. 

Dual water tanks total 196 litres, made up of a 110-litre underbody tank and secondary 86-litre tank, again adding to the off-grid capability of the Kruiswagen.  

The Kruiswagen has legitimate off-road chops, if the winch up front isn’t a clear giveaway. 

Mercedes’ all-wheel drive system features a center diff lock and the nine-speed automatic has enough reduction in the lower gears to make the Sprinter capable of soft sand and fairly technical tracks. 

Where it will come unstuck, though, is on crests where rampover angle is needed. This is a downside of any long wheelbase off-road vehicle, and it’ll only be an issue for those looking to do seriously tough tracks.  

With the 50mm lift kit, high performance remote reservoir shocks, and BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, the ground clearance is impressive for a long-wheelbase van, and helps alleviate any rampover dramas. 

Another benefit of the lift kit is the compliance the remote-res shocks offer. The Kruiswagen rides significantly better than a stock dual-cab ute, soaking up road imperfections with ease. 

For those carrying heavy gear, the upgraded 4430kg GVM increases the payload by 330kg, ensuring you stay legal even with heavy items like water tanks and a winch.  

What do you get inside the Kruiswagen?  

The standout interior feature is the Powerglide loft bed, which lowers from the ceiling over the rear lounge area at the touch of a button. This solves the biggest issue with motorhomes – the fact the bed takes up half the interior space. 

This means the entire floor space remains usable for dining and relaxing during the day without the hassle of making up a bed every night. Simply lower the bed and you’re good to go.  

A handy feature is the passenger seat, which rotates 180 degrees to make the extendable benchtop a mobile office or desk space.  

The kitchen area is equally impressive, boasting Corian benchtops, a 130L or 190L fridge, and a dual-plate induction cooktop. Of course, there’s also the massive outdoor kitchen. 

The ensuite is a full-size gelcoat shower with a composting toilet, which eliminates the need for a bulky blackwater tank and smelly chemicals. The team is also able to fit a small basin. 

The Kruiswagen is a compelling off-grid option if you want to be able to pull up at a campsite with minimal setup. For a quick night away, it’s hard to beat.  

Being off-grid-ready out of the box, the Kruiswagen is a zero-fuss option for those wanting to get in and go. You do however have a few of the usual motorhome concessions, like a compact living area and limited bedding. 

This means the Kruiswagen is limited to couples, because as a two-seater with one bed, it won’t accommodate families. 

The massive electric awning and outdoor kitchen mean you aren’t relegated to the interior of the motorhome, so it offers a fantastic mix of indoor and outdoor living. This is a real plus on big adventures, because you do get sick of being inside after long days on the road. 

All in all, the Kruiswagen is about as liveable as an off-road campervan gets. The Kimberley team has intelligently maximised every inch of space in the Sprinter and no DIY van build is going to get close.  

If your idea of a holiday is a caravan park by the beach, the Kruiswagen is probably overkill. But for the couple that wants to traverse the Tanami or explore the Cape in comfort, it's in a class of its own.  

It's expensive, yes, but when you factor in the engineering, the off-grid capability, and the passion that’s gone into the Kruiswagen, the value is certainly there. 

James and the team at Kimberley Kampers have designed the Kruiswagen to be used, so if you intend to do a proper lap of Australia, where few roads are off limits, then this is the way to do it. 

Price: From $199,850 (Classic) to $247,990+ (Ecoscape)  
Base Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 419 LWB AWD  
Engine: 2.0L Bi-Turbo four-cylinder diesel (140kW/450Nm) 
Transmission: 9G-Tronic Automatic  
Tare Weight: 3340kg to 3565kg  
GVM/Payload: 4100kg (std) to 4430kg (upgraded)/Up to 760kg  
Water: 110L fresh (standard), 50L grey  
Battery: 2000Wh to (optional) 10,000Wh 48V Lithium  
Solar: 200W to (optional) 1200W  
Hot water/space heating: Webasto diesel
More info: Kimberley Kampers, Ballina NSW