Hard-sided adventure travel trailers in the US?

[Chi-Town]

Kimberly is overpriced (In my opinion vs AU competitors) that's why they couldn't sell in the AU market.
Most of the AU built Caravans are struggling because the cost to build is almost as high as the Chinese trailer retail price.
AU built campers are really nice but the labor cost is through the roof and production rates are a joke.
That is why the AU market is flooded with Chinese built trailers now.
With the Chinese (Black Series) already in the US market and more coming the price war is coming just like it did in the AU market.

I like the patriot simplicity but once again his pricing is up there against other brands with similar products.

Working in the RV industry I can tell you there's good and bad trailers from every country there is (US included).

The best advice I can tell you is:
1. Make sure you are buying from a licenced dealer. Licenced manufacturers are not allowed to sell direct to consumer without a Dealer licence.
2. Look at the ones that actually pass US standards. Look for the RVIA seal in the US, the CSA seal in Canada. There are independent engineering firms that offer certification also but reach out to them if you see their seal (or any others for that matter) to check authenticity
3. Make sure they offer good coverage in their warranty (not just structural), and ask what exactly is covered.
4. Make sure they have actual service points (preferably with certified technicians) or are willing to sublet repairs to your local shop.
5. Talk to other owners who have them (here or off shore). Talk to the happy ones, talk to the not so happy ones, but do your research.

And read this thread HERE

 

[ttengineer]

Most of the AU built Caravans are struggling because the cost to build is almost as high as the Chinese trailer retail price.
AU built campers are really nice but the labor cost is through the roof and production rates are a joke.

That’s what you get with a very socialist leaning government.

The only reason prices are so high for US built off road trailers and caravans is due to low competition and low unit production.

Having Black Series in the states will certainly change pricing, although I think they are still way over priced for what you get.




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[Chi-Town]

Not even going to comment on the political as this is not the place or time.

Black Series has no competition here (yet) so they can charge what ever they want till the next guy arrives later this year.

 

[DUTCH]

The GIC Black Series are listed as the worst of the worst on the Lemon Caravans & RVs in Australia Facebook page.

 

[DUTCH]

A past management employee of Kimberley is setting up a company to provide parts and service advice for all the various Kimberley trailers. He has a pipeline to all parts suppliers and will have manufacturing capability for Kimberley manufactured parts.

This is good news for existing and future Kimberley owners. While there may not be any new units made, the brand will have the service support it needs.

 

[Chi-Town]

How many kimberly units are in the US, may a dozen?

 

[DUTCH]

Counting the Kimberley Kampers, Karavans and Kruisers probably about 3 dozen.

Bidding on the company closed this past Friday. There were 8 bidders, including some from the US; so it's possible the company may resurrect itself, Phoenix like, from the ashes..

 

[Chi-Town]

Probably a Chinese manufacturer will get it. They are all looking to get in to the AU/US market and what easier way than to buy an existing name.

 

[DUTCH]

Probably a Chinese manufacturer will get it. They are all looking to get in to the AU/US market and what easier way than to buy an existing name.

Let's hope not. There's already too much Chinese content in the most recent models.

As a part of their Administration (read Ch 11) last December, they paid creditors $.06 on the $1.00. That appears to have cost them some of the better suppliers (Nature's Head, Vitrifrigo, Webasto, etc); and most of the replacements are now Chinese junk.

 

[Buliwyf]

So they can produce more overpriced turds?

Cut prices 75%. $80,000 for a dinky little shed built trailer is ridiculous. The hobo shacks in the for sale section of this forum bring me great amusement. ''Rebuilt surplus trailer with rtt, only $20,000! Great deal.''

 

[DUTCH]

So they can produce more overpriced turds?

Cut prices 75%. $80,000 for a dinky little shed built trailer is ridiculous. The hobo shacks in the for sale section of this forum bring me great amusement. ''Rebuilt surplus trailer with rtt, only $20,000! Great deal.''

You obviously have no idea what a Kimberley Karavan is and what is included on it.

 

[Landlocked]

I'm skeptical of the comments about Kimberley Kampers (in Ballina, Australia). A series of articles from the local newspaper there (Northern Star) make it clear that the "Administration" reorganization last year was trigged by liquidity problems within the family that owns the company (due to a divorce settlement). Controlling interest was sold to a new partner, and he quickly ran the company off the rails. The Northern Star reports that KK revenues were growing before this fiasco, from $11 million in 2009 to $18.8 million in 2016 (Australian dollars, of course). Unfortunately, the Northern Star is behind a "pay wall", so providing the URLs to their articles won't do much good here.

Please keep in mind that two people may disagree on whether a product is "overpriced", because they may have very different needs and priorities.

It sure looks like plenty of off-roaders in Australia bought KK products. I hope that we in the USA at least get a chance to consider whether these products are a good match to our needs and budgets.

 

[DUTCH]

I hope that we in the USA at least get a chance to consider whether these products are a good match to our needs and budgets.

Here's your chance at an exceptionally good price: https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/kimberley-karavan-for-sale.191409/

 

[DUTCH]

Word is that a bid for Kimberley Kampers has been accepted by the liquidators; and that the principal wants to improve representation in the US.

 

[Landlocked]

Dutch, any more news about KK's liquidation or possible sale? The local newpaper there (NorthernStar) has not written an article on KK since Aug 18.