Six hundred campers.
For a small, independent manufacturer building handcrafted aluminum truck campers in Bellingham, Washington, that’s an impressive milestone considering the company was founded in 2016.
When Kimbo Campers recently rolled out its 600th Kimbo 6 camper, it wasn’t simply another production number. It represented 600 owners who chose a very different approach to truck camping—one centered on durability, simplicity, and thoughtful engineering rather than flashy features and unnecessary complexity.
We’ve been following Kimbo Campers since 2019 when we first interviewed founder Mark King. At the time, Kimbo was producing something the truck camper industry had never really seen before: a riveted, all-aluminum hard-side camper designed specifically for mid-size pickups like the Toyota Tacoma.
Six years later, that original vision hasn’t changed.
To celebrate Kimbo’s 600th camper, Truck Camper Adventure recently sat down with Paul and Evan Van Metre for an in-depth conversation about how these innovative and unique campers are built, why owners become so devoted to them, and what the future holds for the company.
Built to Last Generations
Ask almost any RV owner what eventually wears out on a camper, and you’ll usually hear the same answers. Leaks. Rot. Delamination. Seal maintenance.
Kimbo’s answer to those problems is refreshingly straightforward: eliminate as many potential failure points as possible.
According to Adventure Consultant Evan Van Metre, everything begins with the camper’s all-aluminum shell.
“Build quality is what sets Kimbo apart,” he told me. “The shell will outlast every truck you’ll ever put it on.”
That’s a bold statement, but after seeing hundreds of truck campers over the years, I can appreciate the philosophy.
Unlike conventional campers that combine wood framing, fiberglass walls, adhesives, and numerous seal joints, Kimbo’s shell is built almost entirely from 0.1-inch thick 5052 aluminum panels hand-riveted together using aircraft-inspired construction techniques. The seams are the structure.
The idea is simple: create a structure that can be repaired, serviced, and handed down for generations.
“I could buy a Kimbo today,” Evan said, “pass it to my kids, and they could pass it to theirs.”
The Camper That Helped Create a New Category
It’s easy to forget that when Kimbo debuted, hard-side campers built specifically for mid-size trucks were practically nonexistent.
Today there are several manufacturers serving Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, and Gladiator owners.
Back then, there weren’t.
Founder Mark King originally designed the Kimbo because he couldn’t find the camper he wanted for his own truck.
Sometimes the best products begin with solving your own problem.
The Answer We’ve Wanted Since 2019
One question has been nagging at us ever since our first Kimbo interview years ago. Exactly how many aluminum panels make up one of these campers?
During our interview, Evan grabbed his phone, walked onto the factory floor, and counted them while a new shell was being assembled.
The answer? Nineteen. Just 19 major aluminum panels form the primary shell.
No complicated laminated walls.
No hidden wood framing.
No mystery behind what holds everything together.
Watching the shell take shape reinforced just how elegantly simple the design really is.
Pressure Tested—Not Just Water Tested
Like every RV, preventing leaks is critical. Kimbo takes an approach that’s more common in marine and aerospace applications than in traditional RV manufacturing.
Each overlapping aluminum seam receives multiple layers of specialized sealants before the shell undergoes a static pressure test.
Instead of simply spraying the camper with a hose and hoping nothing drips inside, technicians pressurize the entire camper and check for escaping air.
Even tiny leaks become easy to identify.
Paul shared something that immediately caught my attention. Kimbo has campers approaching 10 years old that are still on their original factory sealant and have never required resealing—all while living outdoors year-round in the wet Pacific Northwest.
Anyone who has owned an RV knows that’s no small accomplishment.
Insulated Like a Cooler
One of our favorite moments during the interview came when Evan started talking about thermal bridging. That’s a topic most RV manufacturers avoid.
Rather than stuffing insulation between framing members, Kimbo mounts 1-inch-thick R-5 foam insulation panels directly to aluminum standoffs.
The result is continuous insulation with far fewer thermal bridges making the Kimbo a true four season rated camper.
Even better, every interior panel can be removed. Need to run wiring? Upgrade electronics? Repair something 20 years from now? Simply remove the panel and access the aluminum shell.
That’s refreshingly owner friendly.
Small Camper, Big Heat
One concern people often have with aluminum campers is winter performance. Kimbo owners don’t seem overly worried. The company uses a Dickinson Marine P9000 propane heater originally designed for boats.
Marine heaters must produce dry heat because moisture is the enemy aboard a boat, and those same advantages carry over beautifully into a truck camper. Several owners have reported comfortably camping in temperatures well below zero. One owner even told Paul she opened the windows while skiing in 8F weather because the camper had become too warm inside.
That’s not something you hear every day.
Simple Electrical System, Endless Possibilities
Kimbo also takes an unconventional approach to electrical systems. Rather than permanently installing proprietary lithium batteries beneath cabinetry, the company uses portable Bluetti power stations.
The standard system includes a 1-kilowatt-hour battery, while buyers can upgrade to a 3-kilowatt-hour unit. It’s a practical decision.
If technology changes—or a battery eventually wears out—owners can simply replace it without tearing apart the camper.
And because Kimbo’s electrical demands are so modest, the system goes a surprisingly long way. The LED lighting, roof fan, refrigerator, and other essential systems consume so little power that one 120-watt solar panel can replace much of what they use during the day.
With up to 360 watts of rooftop solar available, many owners can remain off-grid almost indefinitely under favorable conditions.
Air Conditioning That Doesn’t Have to Stay Put
The company’s wall-mounted air conditioner reflects the same practical thinking. When connected to shore power or a generator, the compact 6,000-BTU unit cools the interior effectively.
But here’s the clever part. When summer ends, owners can remove the air conditioner entirely and reclaim that space for storage by using removable panels. It’s one more example of Kimbo refusing to accept that RV components have to be permanent.
Of course, some owners have gone much further. Several have installed larger battery banks, inverters, rooftop air conditioners, and custom electrical systems.
Because the interior panels are removable, running additional wiring is remarkably straightforward.
Built Around the Owner
One thing became increasingly clear during our conversation. Kimbo doesn’t simply sell campers. They help owners build the camper that fits their style of adventure.
Some buyers order little more than the shell and heater before completing their own custom interiors. Others choose fully equipped, turnkey campers.
One owner created a cat pass-through between the camper and truck cab. Another built a sophisticated diesel heating and cooking system.
Kimbo’s 600th camper featured a custom wraparound lounge designed specifically for owners whose favorite camping activity, according to Evan, was “lounging.”
It’s hard not to smile at that.
Looking Ahead: Meet the Kimbo 8
After years of customer requests, Kimbo is preparing to introduce the larger Kimbo 8 for full-size short-bed and long-bed pickups. Like everything else the company builds, it has gone through extensive real-world testing.
Founder Mark King didn’t simply design it on a computer. He built cardboard mockups. He built wooden prototypes. Then he lived with them.
After months of camping, he completely redesigned portions of the interior before approving production. That’s the kind of product development you don’t often see in the RV industry.
The current prototype weighs approximately 1,662 pounds fully equipped, while a nicely outfitted Kimbo 6 comes in around 1,200 pounds.
Aside from being larger, the Kimbo 8 features a queen-size cabover bed, an enclosed wet-bath with cassette toilet, more storage, and upgraded R-10 insulation throughout.
Tough Outside. Cozy Inside.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for first-time visitors is what happens when they step inside. Outside, the Kimbo looks industrial. Otherworldly. Like something designed for a military expedition.
Inside, it’s warm, inviting, and remarkably comfortable. Wood finishes, thoughtful lighting, clever seating angles, and efficient use of space make it feel more like a tiny cabin than a traditional RV.
Paul pointed out that even the seating angles were intentionally designed so conversations feel more natural.
Those little details don’t show up on a specification sheet. But they absolutely influence how a camper feels.
Six Hundred Campers—and Counting
As our conversation wrapped up, we asked Evan what he enjoys most about working for Kimbo. His answer wasn’t about aluminum or batteries. It was about people.
“The human connection aspect is one of the greatest pleasures,” he said. “People are excited about these campers.”
Then he shared something that perfectly captures what Kimbo has built over the past several years. Many owners give their campers names. They don’t view them as RVs. They talk about them like members of the family.
In an industry where many RVs are traded in every few years, that’s perhaps the greatest compliment a manufacturer can receive.
Six hundred campers is an impressive milestone for any boutique manufacturer. But after spending time with Paul and Evan, it’s clear the number isn’t what matters most.
It’s the philosophy behind those 600 campers. Build something durable. Keep it simple. Make it easy to service. Design it to last a lifetime.
Judging by the enthusiasm of Kimbo owners, that’s a philosophy that continues to resonate with truck campers looking to spend less time fixing things—and more time exploring the places their trucks can take them.
For more information about Kimbo Campers or to get a quote, email the company directly at sales@kimboliving.com.
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