Electrical power is achieved without the help of a generator. It doesn’t need one. With six 12-volt absorbed glass mat batteries, a 1800-watt pure sine inverter, 415 watts of solar panels and appliances designed to be extremely efficient, owners have reported running the air conditioning sporadically plus the radio all day with power left over to run the heater fan at night. Although Kimberly does recommend bringing along a small generator for longer trips and when camping in shaded areas as the solar panels will not have the chance to charge the batteries fully without the help of the sun.
The suspension Kimberly designed for this trailer is outstanding. Independent and coil sprung with King off-road racing shocks allows for gobs of wheel travel keeping the tires firmly planted on the road, no matter the terrain. The special Tregg style hitch coupling eliminates any play and allows for more articulation than you’ll ever need.
The entire heating system...
The entire heating system is run with Webasto burners supplying a hydronic style system. This system pumps hot water through lines to the space heater, sinks and shower. The 3-gallon diesel tank (little black tank on the left) is small but substantial enough to power the heating system and the inside cook top for 20 plus days.
Throughout our entire road...
Throughout our entire road test, and off-road test never once did we hear a clank or bang from the trailer like we would usually expect. This is due to the Tregg style hitch coupler. The unit offers much more articulation without binding when compared to ball types, its rubber isolated and grease able with a zerk fitting.
When good clean fresh water...
When good clean fresh water from a stream or near-by lake is available, the Karavan is equipped with a “billabong pump.” This hose and stainless filter would be placed in a stream, lake or billabong, the pump would then be activated to fill the auxiliary tank or supply water for endless hot showers. Both fresh water tanks are completely separate and have their own pumps, eliminating the possibility of cross contamination.
Interior
The Karavan’s interior is compact but amazingly well laid out. Again, the engineers at Kimberly really knew what they were doing as everything has been thought of and remedied. The walls are white, powder coated alloy and the headliner is fully upholstered. Self-closing cabinets with marine grade hardware guarantee you’ll never have to clean up a mess caused by faulty latches and windy roads again.
The bathroom is a standard wet-bath type but features a super high end vacuum toilet. An item not usually offered in any RV. The smaller interior kitchen (as opposed to the full exterior kitchen) consists of a diesel catalyst powered ceramic top stove, 800-watt microwave and high efficiency 12-volt refrigerator.The dinette consists of a retractable composite table flanked by seating for three upholstered to the buyers liking. When it’s time for bed the Karavan features a queen size mattress with a light heating element built into the base to keep you cozy on those cold winter nights.
The Karavan is all about getting...
The Karavan is all about getting out and enjoying nature. The outside kitchen both maximizes outside time and increases interior space. Equipped with a Sovereign BBQ and a two burner stove this is the only place you’ll find propane on this RV. Built like a professional kitchen everything is made from high grade stainless including the double sink.
Road Test
For the road test we headed out to a popular camping destination outside Tucson Arizona called Chimney Rock to put the Kimberly Karavan through its paces. The trip to Chimney Rock includes some street towing, but is mostly dirt trails. The Karavan towed great and was extremely quiet on the street but when we hit the dirt the Karavan really showed us what it was all about. Chimney Rock is a popular four wheeling destination and we saw many high dollar, purpose built 4x4 rigs on the trail…as we passed them.
Kimberly takes pride in building RVs that can handle anything. They build these rigs to be no taller, wider, or longer than most popular SUVs. They do this to be sure the Karavan will follow you, effortlessly through whatever obstacle you may come upon. As we passed literally every vehicle on the trail this fact became more and more evident. Through deep ruts, muddy holes and off camber road transitions the Karavan was smooth, quiet and definitely capable of more.
The systems on the Karavan...
The systems on the Karavan are amazing and prove that the engineers at Kimberly know what they’re doing. From the battery maintenance and solar power systems to the high tech hydronic heat system, just about everything can be controlled from this panel.
The interior is extremely...
The interior is extremely clean and stays that way no matter the conditions thanks to a system that keeps the Karavan pressurized during travel making dirt and dust entry impossible.
The dinette seats up to five...
The dinette seats up to five and features a retractable table that can be extended out a few inches for drinks or snacks, or fully extended to serve up a four course meal.
Owners Pam and Brad Garland...
Owners Pam and Brad Garland say with the Karavan they’re no longer camping, it’s a little more glamorous now. Glamping it is.
Keeping the tires on the road...
Keeping the tires on the road is handled with a suspension system ready for the Baja 1000. Independent design with coil springs, a sway bar, limit straps and bump stops all dampened by a set of King off-road racing shocks. The increased suspension travel keeps the trailer grounded in even the harshest terrain.
Specifications:
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| MSRP: |
$74,950
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| Height with AC: |
6 feet 5 inches
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| Width: |
6 feet 5 inches
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| Closed Length (including tongue): |
17 feet
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| Opened Enclosure Length: |
16 feet
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| Opened Enclosure Height (internal): |
6 feet 5 inches
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| Opened Enclosure Width: |
5 feet 10 inches
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| Dry Weight: |
3197 pounds
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| Brakes: |
Disc electric over hydraulic with parking brake
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| Coupler: |
Tregg style
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| Suspension: |
Independent swing arm, coil sprung with King Shocks, limit strapped with bump stops
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| Heater: |
Hydronic heat system with Webasto burners
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| Air Conditioning: |
High efficiency 12 volt unit
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| Fresh Water Capacity: |
32-gallon main, 19-gallon back-up with billabong pump
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| Grey Water Capacity: |
16 gallons
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| Electrical: |
6 AGM batteries, 415 watt solar with 1800-watt pure sine inverter
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