New to campers - purchased a 1991 Palomino - Good camper?

We had a '03 Palomino 8801. I had to do some repair when I bought it due to poor maintenance.

I really liked it and it's construction was sound.

As Sidecar said, some say it's an "entry level camper". I think that's a term a lot of people like to use to say "I spent more money than You".

If you like it and it fits your needs then it then it's worth maintaining to a point. You only gave $500. If you built your own camper and bought used appliances you would pay more.

As to whether it's worth fixing, depends on what you enjoy doing.

I enjoy those kinds of project. I replaced the cab-over nose framing, roof framing and plywood over the bath, and put all new rubber on the roof of the 8801 I had. I think the total cost of repair was about $500 and about $100 was in polyurethane glue.

I bought most of the materials at Bontragers' in White Pigeon, MI. They are very reasonable.

KD4UPL wrote:
I would put Palomino near the bottom as far as quality. I once bought an old Palomino (no idea what year) 8' pop-up TC for $400. It also leaked. I fixed the leak, fixed the furnace, installed a water pump, battery, and inverter and used it for about 4 years. After I got married I determined the bed was too small.
I wouldn't buy another Palomino. I was always fixing something.

Interesting. I think you'll find since Forest River (Warren Buffett) bought them out, the quality has improved greatly.

I have has ZERO issues with my Palomino, nothing, nada. In 2 years of mostly off road camping, nothing has broke, nothing failed, nothing has gotten loose. It don't even squeak and I've twisted the heck out of it.

It don't leak either, but then seal maintenance is paramount, just like any camper (RV). Don't take care of seals and it rots, but then any camper will that has a wood frame.

Obviously, not for everyone but coming from a Lance to the Palomino, I have to say that I'm very pleased and because it's a PUP I don't even know it's back there....

I would put Palomino near the bottom as far as quality. I once bought an old Palomino (no idea what year) 8' pop-up TC for $400. It also leaked. I fixed the leak, fixed the furnace, installed a water pump, battery, and inverter and used it for about 4 years. After I got married I determined the bed was too small.
I wouldn't buy another Palomino. I was always fixing something.

BlissRamblyn wrote:
I am new to campers. I used to tent camp but with a little baby and a heavy work schedule that isn't much of a reality. So we purchased a 1991 Palomino soft side truck camper. It's fully functional and seemed like a good deal at $500 with a set of Happijac tie downs. We got it home and noticed it does have a leak and there is some water damage around one of the jack mounts.

Is Palomino a good brand? Is the system which raises and lowers the top reliable? Do they stand behind there product and are replacement parts for the top mechanism available? Is this a camper worth putting time and money into?

What I have and I had a Lance before it. It's not a 4 season camper by any shot but it it light and yes parts are available for the tent and the camper itself. In fact Palomino is right here in Michigan, just south of 3 Rivers or west of Coldwater about 20 miles.

I have a new one with a solid one piece door and the Reico-Titan electric roof lift, push button up and down.

Mine is new (last year) but I stay after the seals and caulk every 90 days.

They are wood framed so I'd be thinking about taking care of that leak and repairing any rot.

people say it's an 'entry level camper', but it fits my needs and lifestyle just fine and it didn't cost a fortune either.

Not heavy either. I have the top of the line model with a full wet bath and full of water, 2 full propane bottles and all my 'stuff', it weighs 2200 pounds, way below the payload capacity for my F350 Ford SRW diesel 4x4. I don't even know it's back there. I surely knew the Lance was back there however......

For 500 bucks, you cannot go wrong, even if it needs some repair.

If you need parts, advice or manuals, Goggle up Palomino Campers, Colon, Michigan and get the phone number and ask for Brian, he';s the parts manager and knows about everything about the campers, They will sell you parts direct and ship them to you. I know they do tent repairs there in Colon. Last time I was at the plant, they had 4 older units in the back for tent replacement.

It's not a double / triple slide camper with a sauna and widescreen TV but for the wife and I, it's just fine and being a pop-up TC, no wind resistance going down the road either.

Nice folks to deal with.

Palomino has been building RVs since the late '60s as I remember. Since you only paid $500, use it! Might want to do some maintenance on the roof and that one jack but I wouldn't spend bunches on it.