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Gr8life's avatar
Gr8life
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2014

2014 Palomino SS-1500 First Report

I purchased a new Palomino SS-1500 truck camper on Thursday. So far, I am very happy with it and wanted to post some early observations. First, the 2014 Palomino Soft Sides are an entirely different camper from previous versions. Gone is the clunky two piece door in favor of a conventional 55" one piece. This makes everything easier. The combination of higher side walls and the one piece door means that all features can be used without raising the top. There is enough headroom to allow sitting at the dinette, taking something from the refrigerator, or using the bathroom with the top down. Another plus of this arrangement is that the exhaust fan can now be used to help suck in the flexible siding when lowering the top. Lowering the top is now a one button affair with the new electric lift.
Princesscraft Campers in Round Rock, Texas was very helpful and professional in arranging the purchase and installing my new camper and I would recommend them to anyone. If they say they have a unit in inventory, they have it, not like some of the "Internet" dealers.
I am sure that I will be on here looking for truck camping information and will be glad to answer any that pertain to my new Palomino.
Truck Campers
  • Gr8life's avatar
    Gr8life
    Explorer II
    Jan 21, 2014
    Good point. With a porch, extra doorway height would be helpful. Otherwise, stepping up and into the camper is not a problem. Palomino actually claims that most other pup up campers have doors shorter than their 55" version.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jan 20, 2014
    That's nice. Almost makes me want to look into upgrading...

    I'm just not sure I can bring myself to drill holes in a brand new camper for my back porch. It's one thing to punch holes in a 10 year old $2000 camper, but something entirely different to punch holes in a brand new $14,000 camper you're still making payments on.

    That, and I'm not sure about the 55" door. Being 6'1" and all, I like having the full height door occasionally. With the top down I mutter "I hate this camper!" every time I crawl in and out. With the top up I say "I LOVE this camper!" every time I walk through the door.
  • Gr8life's avatar
    Gr8life
    Explorer II
    Jan 19, 2014
    Palomino got a big shot in the arm (much needed) when they were acquired by Forest River. The 2014 Palominos are much improved over previous versions. Do a price check by looking at all the dealers, including those on eBay. I think the M in MSRP stands for Mythical as dealers often offer 20-45% off list.
  • RWDIII's avatar
    RWDIII
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2014
    Thanks for the PM and welcome to the Forum.

    we need some pictures and put together the Signature line.
    we need another Bronco person ,as there is only about 3 here that even like them
    Its going to take a while to improve thier image,plus the fact that a bare bones camper isn't for everyone.
    Plus it seems the dealers charge whatever the can and make up MSRP.
    I have never seen one close to the price that's on Truck campers Magazine.com
  • Old_Days's avatar
    Old_Days
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2014
    Congratulations on your new camper. I would love to own the electric roof. But it will be awhile.My wife and I own a 2011 palomino real lite 1603 and we love it.Great camper for the two of us. Come late may we are heading to Yellowstone and Colorado. Have a great camping season.
  • Gr8life's avatar
    Gr8life
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2014
    I owned a previous model a few years ago, a Bronco 1200. Palomino addressed any complaints I had. The older models required that the top be partially raised to open the back door. Now, I can get inside, sit upright at the dinette. In fact, for quick overnight stops, I will not even be raising the top while using the dinette bed feature. The side walls were lower which made it nearly impossible to use with the top down. The lift system was the old crank up kind instead of the new one button electric lift.

    I realize that Palomino is not top of the line, but should serve my needs well. I saw a lot of used campers that originally cost 3-4 times what mine did with huge problems while shopping for mine. I prefer simple and new over old.
  • d-mac1's avatar
    d-mac1
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2014
    Good info! Did you compare to other models and if so, what led you to get this one?
  • exhaustipated's avatar
    exhaustipated
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2014
    Congratulations on your new purchase. Princess Craft at Round Rock is a very good dealership. After you made your purchase did "PJ" mention to you about Princess Craft's 2nd Annual Texas Truck Camper Rally from April 3rd to April 6th at Kerrville, TX? I hope you consider it so you can show the camper off and have a great time at the Rally. I know I'll be there along with another couple from Kansas. Maybe we'll see you down there this Spring.

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