Hi Folks, today I want to talk about using your Kimbo Camper in cold or snowy weather. There are a few challenges that you’ll run up against (with any truck camper) and I’ve found some great solutions to make it more sustainable and comfortable for you.
Kimbo was designed in the Pacific Northwest of Washington. There’s a lot of rain here and during the winter, it’s not just heavy rain, it’s very cold humidity. It’s a different kind of climate and over the years I’ve found a few hacks to making living in a camper a respite and a fun thing to head out and do during cold months.
The first most important thing to know is that you’ll need a generator. There are two that I recommend, and beyond these two, I wouldn’t recommend anything over 1000 watts because that’s just too much power and an unnecessarily big generator to bring.
Honda EU1000i : this generator is fantastic and even though it looks expensive, it’s so worth it; It’s quiet, and reliable. You’ll want this kind of quality because when you go to pull start this thing in the cold or snow you want to know that the pull cord isn’t going to rip off, and you’ll want to know that it will start.
Predator 1400 watt inverter/generator: this generator is a mock version of the Honda 1000 that’s sold through harbor freight but it’s half the price. I’ve personally used this generator in some harsh weather and I love the thing. It’s just as reliable and even has the extra 400 watts. Both of these generators are the same size and they’re easy to store because of how small they are.
So you’ve got a generator now and at a minimum you’ll be able to charge your batteries when it’s too cloudy for solar recharging. But an even greater benefit is in being able to use a dehumidifier to keep your camper cozy and warm. Here’s the one I recommend above all others.
Ivation 13-Pint Small-Area Desiccant Dehumidifier: this thing is my personal favorite because it not only takes humidity and moisture out of the air, but it also heats the air while it does. In addition to that, the most important thing you can do in a truck camper during cold weather is agitate the air so that you don’t get temperature separation between the lower part of the camper and the upper part. I’ll explain more.
When you warm a camper with just heat and no airflow the heat rises (like in a hot air balloon) and this may make your loft area feel really hot. Then when you step down into the lower portion it feels very cold. You need to blow the air around your camper and the way that I take care of this on grid (with a generator or a 110 plug in) and off grid (relying only on the batteries) are different.
If you’re on grid and your dehumidifier is blowing air, then that separation of temperature between the lower and upper sections of your camper is avoided. Since the dehumidifier is near the ground and its blowing heat you end up with a cozy and comfortable space. If you’re off grid however, and using just the Kimbo heater, then you’ll want to plug in a small fan that’s powered by a USB plug in and you’ll want to set it on the floor to blow the cold air up towards the ceiling to even out the temperature. The colder the temperature you’re camping in the more important it becomes to do this. I like to use this fan “FARADAY USB Desk Fans 5 Inches” and I only set it up when it’s needed. As a bonus when you’re not using it during the winter to mix the hot and cold of your camper, you can use it next to your bed as white noise or to keep you cool during the summer. I have a fan fan permanently mounted next to my bed for this and I love it.
And there’s one more thing. A “700 watt mini oil filled radiator” is a way of heating your space (on grid with a generator or 110 plug in) that I promise you’ll love. It feels like the warmth and coziness of a wood stove because it’s heating the surrounding objects and not just heating the air. I’ve mounted mine permanently to the wall of my Kimbo near the floor and underneath the refrigerator. With the generator, mini radiator and dehumidifier going, coming back into this space feels like the coziest and most awesome camping experience you could ever have.
I’ve tested dozens of versions of this setup and everything I shared above is the best of what I’ve come across. It’s versatile, nimble, simple, and so comfortable. I hope you all are doing great and looking forward to a Christmas with family. I hope you’re feeling content and grateful and supported. Talk to you next time,
-M