Newbie trying to match a TC to my 1500 HD

Just read your other thread also, sorry for your issue and hope you can get a solid fix.

I wanted to comment on the wheel well clearance. 1" on either side is about what I have on my Dually when loading my Lance. Actually I think that having minimal clearance actually makes the loading process simple. Over the years I have read many threads on this and other TC forums about elaborate schemes to be certain the camper is loaded and centered. What could be simpler than watching the wheel well clearance? If that's ok you can be pretty certain you're well centered.

Nice - looks like it worked out for you!

Well I finally pulled the trigger and went with the '07 Palomino 1251 SB. I purchased Torklift frame mounts, XL tiedowns, and Stableloads.
I am overall pleased with the purchase. I do believe it is one of the "cheaper" made TC's, but for the price I can't complain. It has all of the amenities that we were looking for, and a decent camper to start with. I am definitely glad that I went with the pop-up style with my truck. These things are larger than expected in person! The only bad spots than I found on the camper was the 4" wide OSB board that runs the width across the frond and rear of the camper where the roof curves down to meet the canvas. There are a couple of soft spots near the lights at the corners. I took some butyl caulk and covered the seams around all 4 corners and the corresponding lights, so hopefully that will take care of it. I took it to the CAT scales immediately after the purchase, and the results are in the attached pic. When comparing these numbers to my first trip to the scales the camper weighs in at 1960 lbs. Yea, a little more of a spread from the 1553 lb sticker weight! So once I am loaded I will definitely be over GVWR, but should remain under my rear axle ratings. FYI the weights were before I installed stableloads, so I'm not sure if that would shift any weight forward or not? The only negative aspect I see is the loading/unloading of the camper. I literally have less than one inch of play on both sides between the fender wells of my truck! I can foresee electric jacks and derringers for my XL tiedowns in the future.

I took it out this week for its maiden voyage with the G3 for some bowhunting. We really enjoyed our first time in the camper. It's like staying in the Hilton compared to my camper van! Now for the bad news. I will start a new thread for this topic, but I learned than my extended hitch, was not extended enough....:o

TN Sportsman wrote:

RWDIII wrote:
unless that 2007 Palomino is in great shape and Dirt cheap,find a newer 2014 or
new.
they made so many improvements in the new models,
the Palomino is cheep,best suited for someone who like to do his own repairs,but its 12k vs 24k,



The camper extends only 9.5 inches in the back on my 6ft.9in Ford bed

I do 4 wheel with it on sandy roads in the desert with no problems
I upgraded the 2013 model for the electric roof and one piece door.

Yea, those newer ones look sweet. I was really wanting to keep my budget fairly low for my first camper. He is asking 5k for it, and says it has been stored inside. I believe that is about the blue book value for it. It has the roof ac as well.

If you can fix the little stuff that goes wrong,go for it
The weak points are the crank up top
with the AC,there might be a lot of resistance or slack
with the added weight make sure you use the safty poles so it wont fall down it the middle of the night
Check the 2 piece door foor out of alignment
make shure the fridge has a fan on the outside

the dinette bed is only 5 ft by 34 inches
Make shure the latches that secure the top are tight
use good hold downs
beef up rear suspension
Go to LT tires
Good luck

RWDIII wrote:
unless that 2007 Palomino is in great shape and Dirt cheap,find a newer 2014 or
new.
they made so many improvements in the new models,
the Palomino is cheep,best suited for someone who like to do his own repairs,but its 12k vs 24k,



The camper extends only 9.5 inches in the back on my 6ft.9in Ford bed

I do 4 wheel with it on sandy roads in the desert with no problems
I upgraded the 2013 model for the electric roof and one piece door.

Yea, those newer ones look sweet. I was really wanting to keep my budget fairly low for my first camper. He is asking 5k for it, and says it has been stored inside. I believe that is about the blue book value for it. It has the roof ac as well.

unless that 2007 Palomino is in great shape and Dirt cheap,find a newer 2014 or
new.
they made so many improvements in the new models,
the Palomino is cheep,best suited for someone who like to do his own repairs,but its 12k vs 24k,



The camper extends only 9.5 inches in the back on my 6ft.9in Ford bed

I do 4 wheel with it on sandy roads in the desert with no problems
I upgraded the 2013 model for the electric roof and one piece door.

mkirsch wrote:
On the models where Travel Lite makes a "long bed" and a "short bed" version, they are IDENTICAL, except for the rear skirts/storage compartments. Same floor plan, same features. The "SB" models would have a more rearward COG than the long bed models once loaded, due to the extra storage space in the rear. It is not a concern unless you are a traveling leadsmith, and fill the compartments with ingots of lead, or you just have to collect a large rock from every place you stop.

If by "drop the tailgate," you mean REMOVE it, then yes it is common. It is NOT common to lower the tailgate and set the camper on it because the support cables are not designed for that much weight bouncing up and down on them for long periods of time. Many overhanging campers also widen out past the tail lights of your truck, and would interfere with the tailgate support cables.

That makes sense, because the owner said he had to remove the tailgate. As far as loading heavy in the rear, I feel confident that I can keep my blacksmithing and paleontological practices to a minimum as long as I leave my anvil and pick axes at the house. GM reccommends keeping the COG between the front and rear edges of the rear tire. I will have to measure, but I believe I am ok.

Mkirsch, have you (or anyone else here) experienced any major issues with your Palomino? I have read that the rear doors tend to not line up well over time. Other than that, I'm really considering this unit because it is one of the few pop-ups that I have found that has all of the amenities without breaking my wallet.

Also, this may warrant a separate thread, but I was always under the impression that tie-down systems were fairly universal. Apparently this is not the case, as one member pointed out if I plan on using a hitch extension for towing, that could affect the tie-down system. Question is, does one choose a tie-down system based on the truck, specific camper, or both??

TN Sportsman wrote:

whizbang wrote:
Isn't the Travel Lite Mountain Star 890R made for a 8 foot bed? I thought you had a 6-1/2 foot bed???

Over size, over weight. Bad combo. If the camper is the short bed version, you might get away with it and it could possibly work for you. I would be real reluctant to load up an 8 footer though.

Yea I have a 6'6" bed. I was thinking 8'6 was max if even possible on my bed. I dunno about one that size, but isn't it common to drop the tailgate to haul an 8 footer in a 6'6" and let the 18" hangover? I Thought that was the purpose of the optional "skirts" some manufacturers offer for certain models?

On the models where Travel Lite makes a "long bed" and a "short bed" version, they are IDENTICAL, except for the rear skirts/storage compartments. Same floor plan, same features. The "SB" models would have a more rearward COG than the long bed models once loaded, due to the extra storage space in the rear. It is not a concern unless you are a traveling leadsmith, and fill the compartments with ingots of lead, or you just have to collect a large rock from every place you stop.

If by "drop the tailgate," you mean REMOVE it, then yes it is common. It is NOT common to lower the tailgate and set the camper on it because the support cables are not designed for that much weight bouncing up and down on them for long periods of time. Many overhanging campers also widen out past the tail lights of your truck, and would interfere with the tailgate support cables.

Question: Is COG, say 38", measured from the front of the TC or the rear of the TC??

I've had two pop-ups and never had a noise or temperature problem.

I know the newer Palominos are real nice. A 2007, you would be well served to look very closely at the workmanship and quality.