mkirsch wrote:
If you're a first time RV buyer you have to keep in mind that RVs are not perfect even from the factory and do require periodic maintenance especially if left in the elements 24/7/365. Annual inspection/replacement of all caulked joints is almost mandatory if you want the camper to last. That TravelLite sat outside for probably three years and you can be darn sure the dealer never touched it.
On the subject of Palominos, mine is 16 years old. I've owned it for over 6 years now, and use it about 12 nights a year. It's holding up really well to being gently used, and is kept inside when not in use.
It was 10 years old when I bought it, and the only major factory issue I encountered was with the shower pan. The structure underneath the pan was a poor design, and the pan had cracked around the drain from flexing. The bathrooms in these are entirely different now, and are hopefully improved. In mine there was nothing supporting the OSB under the shower pan. You can see by looking in the driver's side rear storage compartment where all the plumbing is.
The other issue was the rear door leaking with the roof up in moderate to hard rains. Again, the rear door is completely different now so that issue is likely resolved.
this is good to hear re your Palomino, the price difference between them and the comparable Northstar is fairly significant. On the other hand I've got a 9-year old Jayco trailer that's starting to show some age. I understand no camper is perfect but all else being equal I wouldn't mind hedging my bets if possible, especially if I end up financing some of it. The Jayco has been a good trailer for us but after ten years it's hard not to conclude that most campers aren't really built to last.
I did read somewhere that Forest River had upped its game on the Palomino product line in response to issues several years ago.
Good news about a truck camper is that we've got a pole barn for storing it in the winter, could not do that all these years with the travel trailer.
