A short-bed truck camper model by Kingstar has long been in the making and it’s finally here. We got our first look of the new Kingstar KRUZR 6 at the 2024 Overland Expo Mountain West and to say we were impressed with the short-bed, benevolent beast would be an understatement. The KRUZR 6 has everything that you would want in a modern, state-of-the-art overland truck camper and more. How modern? How does 1,380 amp hours of lithium, 1,000 watts of solar, off-grid AC, Starlink Internet, and diesel heat? Throw in Kingstar’s new Luxe package and it all sounds pretty great to us.
So what are the differences between the KRUZR 6 and KRUZR 8? The key difference is that the KRUZR 6’s floor length is 8 feet long—15 inches shorter than the KRUZR 8’s. This results in a shorter sofa-living room on the passenger side and the loss of the rear closet on the driver side. Everything else about the camper’s exquisite interior is essentially the same as previous Kingstar campers. Of course, there are other differences between the series 6 and series 8 campers, as they are called. To learn about these differences, and the latest developments at Kingstar, we spoke with Marcus Niemela, Kingstar CEO, at the 2024 Overland Expo Mountain West.
Hi, Marcus. Great to see you again. What campers did you bring to the 2024 Overland Expo Mountain West?
Marcus Niemela: Hello! We brought a 6 and 8 series KRUZR with the CA/flatbed builds. We just released a detailed video explaining our CA builds.
This is our first time seeing the KRUZR 6 in person. What can you tell us about the camper?
Marcus Niemela: The 6 series camper got us into the short-bed market which has been a time coming. With the CA build coming to fruition around the same time it has expanded its relevance in the flatbed market. Folks can opt for a smaller habitat and larger garage with it.
What are the specifications of the camper?
Marcus Niemela: The 8 Series camper is 9 feet 3 inches on the floor with a residential queen sleeper bunk. The pickup truck grey tank is 20 gallons and the CA build grey tanks are 30 gallons. We offer the Thetford cassette as standard (wet-bath) and the Wrappon Trekker 12 volt cartridge toilet as optional. The cassette is offered in the dry-bath version and Trekker is offered only in the dry-bath option.
The 8 series starting weight is right at 3,000 pounds dry with 32 gallons of fresh water and optional 30 gallon auxiliary tanks. The 6 series is all the above, but is 15 inches shorter, weighs 2,855 pounds, and offers 25 gallons of fresh water and optional 25 gallon auxiliary tanks.
How is the camper built? Is it a true four-season camper?
Marcus Niemela: Unabashed wood framed with closed cell (R-13) insulation. As you know, Kingstar is a manufacturer of aluminum horse trailers and offer a plethora of aluminum accessories as well as our roof system is stainless steel and aluminum. It is by choice that we use wood for the campers and not because of lack of fabrication abilities. Wood is quiet, warm and dry whereas aluminum is cold, wet and loud. A Froli isn’t required in a Kingstar camper with dew stripes outlining where the framing is inside the camper running down the wall. Yes, our campers are very much four-season.
The electrical system in this KRUZR 6 is amazing. What is the camper equipped with and what comes standard?
Marcus Niemela: All Kingstar KRUZRs come with 460 amp hours of lithium, 400 watts of solar, and a 3,000 watt inverter. On a KRUZR 6 or KRUZR 8 series you can get up to 1,000 watts of solar and 1,380 amp hours of lithium, enough to run our air conditioner off-grid all day. Our habitats are not KOA Campground chasers, dependent on 30 amp service and water hook ups. Get out there and stay out there is our motto!
What comes standard with regard to the refrigerator, range, and other appliances? What options do you offer for each?
Marcus Niemela: All the amenities listed above are included in either the Camino or KRUZR—turn key from the get-go. Our options and accessories line-up is extensive to say the least. Out motto is, “It’s Your Adventure. Bring It.”
Can you tell us about the wet-bath and toilet? What options do you offer for toilets?
Marcus Niemela: As stated earlier, the Camino and KRUZR come with the Thetford cassette toilet standard in the wet-bath and are offered in the dry-bath version. We also offer the Wrappon Trekker 12 volt cartridge in the dry-bath option only.
Can you elaborate on the windows and doors found in the camper? Any plans to offer the dual thermopane, tip-out windows with built-in window screens like those offered by Tern Overland?
Marcus Niemela: All Kingstar campers come with dual thermopane glass windows. Until we find a tip-out manufacturer that will profile our upper bunk window to parallel the roof line of the sleeper bunk we are staying where we are at. As with anything in life, it’s not all positives—unless you’re asking about our side mount AC unit—the standard non tip-out thermopane glass windows do have head-and-shoulder advantages over acrylic tip-out windows. Yes, we are not in denial that the tip-outs have their advantages and we hope to offer both someday, hopefully, Tern Overland reads this article and will accommodate our aesthetic needs—we sure do love their Wild Lands doors!
What are the primary differences between the KRUZR 6 and Camino 66. What is the base price for each?
Marcus Niemela: The KRUZR is our Expedition Series $59,960.00, full-time to digital nomads customer base that demand opulent appointments inside and out with cutting edge technology. The Camino is our Adventure Series $39,960.00, tried and true basic components that get and keep the show on the road (Camino), if you know what I mean.
Maximizing storage seems to be a priority with all of your campers? You’ve devised clever ways to capitalize on it. What has been your guiding philosophy with regard to this?
Marcus Niemela: The philosophy is…why not? We view our habitats in cubic inches and not square feet. Thus, everywhere you look you see form and function, be it the tidy paper towel holder inside or the fish and ski locker outside. Potti-to-pillow, these campers must exceed our customer’s expectations!
We like that philosophy. Can you order the Truma Combi Diesel in the KRUZR 6?
Marcus Niemela: Yes, our Diesel 1 and Diesel 2 packages are available in 6 and 8 series KRUZR models only. The Diesel 1 comes with the Truma Combi Diesel with the Furrion two-burner induction cooktop. The Diesel 2 package comes with all the above with the addition of the Wallas Oven—all electric, no liquid propane (LP)!
We love the KRUZR 6 rig that you brought to the show. Can you tell us more about it?
Marcus Niemela: Yes, it’s a tricked-out benevolent beast in water, solar and battery capacity, but showcases our Luxe Package. Luxe includes the brushed aluminum siding, a Tern Overland door, a walnut countertop and various walnut appointments, with a Buckstop Stage 3 Ford F-450 carrying the load with 43-inch tires.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us, Marcus, about Kingstar? Anything in the works for 2025?
Marcus Niemela: Yes, we do! For all you flat-bed customers, you will REALLY like it!
You mean flat bed, not short bed..
Yes, it’s a short-bed camper with an CA flatbed option.