We're just getting into the TC world - downsizing from our 5th wheel toyhauler. We've been looking for an inexpensive older unit to cut our teeth with, but we've found there's plenty of junk out there - especially older wood frame units that have suffered from leaks.With that in mind, we're looking at non-wood brands. Alpenlite with their aluminum frames, and some of the fiberglass units like Bigfoot, Northern Lite, etc.I just found an old Peak unit in excellent condition in our price range, but I've never heard of them before. It looks just like a Kodiak, and the owner believes that they were bought out by Kodiak in the early 2000s.Does anybody know anything about these campers? Is there a wood frame under the fiberglass? Or is it built like a boat? Anything in particular to look for on this brand?Thanks in advance for the help.

I don't think aluminum is a guarantee. I don't know anything about the Peak brand, but there are stories for other brands of badly welded frames with broken welds. If the aren't weld correctly they break on flexing of the bed/camper.For any brand, you need to fully inspect for leaks. Even fiberglass models like Bigfoot and Northern Lite can have leaks and they are just as much of a issue with those brands to fix. For campers, the biggest problem compared to a boat is that there are a lot more holes to potentially leak. For instance, you don't usually drill holes in the bottom of the boat except for through hulls, but there are lots of holes in the top of campers for lights, vents, etc. that are potential spots for leaks.I prefer aluminum frames, btw. But, all types can be good.

Thanks for the advice. I'm with you - I prefer aluminum, but I wouldn't rule out an incredible deal on a wood framed unit. The aluminum and fiberglass units seem to hold their value better, which is a good indicator to me of quality and durability.I know aluminum and fiberglass isn't a guarantee, but if water ever does make it's way in, at least the structure doesn't weaken like it does with wood. Cosmetic repairs I can handle - structural, not so much. And they all leak eventually. So I know a throrough inspection will be in order no matter what brand I choose.Anyone have any direct experience with Peak/ Kodiak or similar?I've heard horror stories about the Fleetwood units, and sure enough, the two I looked at had major sag issues - one Elkhorn and one Caribou. Avoiding them like the plague.

Peak manufacturing in North Battlefield Sk Canada built the Kodiak truck camper.I don't know if they are still in business. They also built 5ers tt, and motor homes. web site www.peak-mfg.com

I've never heard of Peak.My Fleetwood (I've heard the stories too but mine has been really good.) says "aluminum frame" right on the outside. Well, the roof trusses are wood, the area around the door is wood. The framing around the front window is wood.I was in a campground one day when a guy stopped by to admire my camper. He said he used to work for Fleetwood. I asked him about the framing. He told me roughly where the aluminum was and wasn't. Basically, the vertical walls that were full height were wood. Anything curved, or shorter than full height was wood.

Interesting feedback. I've never heard of Peak before either. Externally, the TC looks IDENTICAL to the later Kodiak units - carbon copy right down to the location and shape of the panels and storage cabinets.Anyone out there have any direct experince with Peak/ Kodiak?I've heard of people that have had a great experience with their Fleetwood units, but let's face it - people are selling these things for a reason, and often the reason is that they don't want to deal with problems that aren't worth fixing. 2 of 2 that I could find and look at had structural problems, and it's easier just to cross them off the list than to roll the dice.Side note - looked at an old Avion TC today - needed a full restoration, but even after all these years, it was still solid and almost everything worked flawlessly. Plus, it just looked so cool - art deco jet age styling at it's best. They sure don't build them like they used to. If I was interested in a project, I would have snapped it up in a heartbeat.

Peak Truck Camper | Good Sam Community

free_radical
Explorer
Jan 18, 2014
mkirsch wrote:

Aluminum framing is no guarantee that the camper won't leak, and if it does leak you will still have problems with mold and rot. You need to keep up on the maintenance.

me thinks all aluminum camper such as Living lite wouldnt have anything to rot even if it did sprang a leak,as everything even the interior is made of aluminum.

Aluminum or fiberglas shell would be the best choice imo.

wonder why Airstream co.doesnt build TCs??
noxinnhoj
Explorer
Jan 18, 2014
I saw a kustom coach truck camper yesterday,looks just like a Kodiak,google kustom coach tc
abslayer
Explorer
Jan 17, 2014
These camper were build about 100 k from where I live Peak was the name of manufacture of TC Kodiak TC

They are no longer building campers.
I looked at these TC and FW back in the day many times and they were of very high quality and dam expensive at the time about 25% more than others at the time.
username_taken
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Joe417 wrote:
I notice that the M8801 Palomino's, used, are fairly reasonable in price. My first TC was a 2003 or 4 that I bought cheap because it needed repair. I replaced the roof and front cap, finding them easily repairable. The side and rear were aluminum framed stress skin panels. The top was a stress skin panel with a wooden border frame that sits on top of the aluminum framed walls.

I couldn't tell it was on the truck.(2500HD) Unfortunately my wife didn't like the interior proportions as she's 5'1" and everything in it is far from the floor.(no basement)

The complaints I've heard are usually based on fit and finish, which I think are voiced by those with loftier personalities. My only issues were that the tanks were small, giving us only about 3 days on the black.

I paid more than twice the price of the Palomino for my current 2005 AF and it needed repairs too. The AF is much more comfie, but, it almost twice as heavy.

I think the Palomino is a good lower budget TC. My wife didn't, so I lost. It would be nice to win just once in a while...or maybe not.

Good luck with your hunt.

Thanks for the advice - is the Palomino 8801 a popup camper or hardside?

Prefer hard side TBH - we do a lot of off roading at the dunes and other riding areas, and a popup can be pretty loud inside. Drunkards ride their quads until about 4 am, then the early risers get started about 6am.
username_taken
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
54suds wrote:
The Kodiak 's quality was similar to BF 1500 series or a N.L. lite series they had 1 inch foam insulation and the windows were single pane. The shell was made of 4 fiberglass panels that attached together the same way Bigfoot and NL are .

That's exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. I suspected as much, but I really wanted some kind of confirmation from someone smarter/ more experienced that me in the TC world.
Joe417
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
I notice that the M8801 Palomino's, used, are fairly reasonable in price. My first TC was a 2003 or 4 that I bought cheap because it needed repair. I replaced the roof and front cap, finding them easily repairable. The side and rear were aluminum framed stress skin panels. The top was a stress skin panel with a wooden border frame that sits on top of the aluminum framed walls.

I couldn't tell it was on the truck.(2500HD) Unfortunately my wife didn't like the interior proportions as she's 5'1" and everything in it is far from the floor.(no basement)

The complaints I've heard are usually based on fit and finish, which I think are voiced by those with loftier personalities. My only issues were that the tanks were small, giving us only about 3 days on the black.

I paid more than twice the price of the Palomino for my current 2005 AF and it needed repairs too. The AF is much more comfie, but, it almost twice as heavy.

I think the Palomino is a good lower budget TC. My wife didn't, so I lost. It would be nice to win just once in a while...or maybe not.

Good luck with your hunt.
54suds
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
The Kodiak 's quality was similar to BF 1500 series or a N.L. lite series they had 1 inch foam insulation and the windows were single pane. The shell was made of 4 fiberglass panels that attached together the same way Bigfoot and NL are .
username_taken
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
54suds wrote:
Peak /Kodiak info

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23332061.cfm

That looks exactly like the one I was looking at. Same floorplan and everything. Any feedback on the quality of these units? Are they as well built and trouble free as the Nothern Lite or Bigfoot campers?
mkirsch
Nomad II
Jan 14, 2014
I've offered this advice many many times, and will offer it here again:

CONDITION is far more important than brand reputation or any "known issues" with an older camper from a defunct manufacturer.

If the camper is 10, 15, 20 years old, is in good shape, leak-free, and everything works, it doesn't matter if it's from the best brand ever or the worst brand ever. It's made it this far. How bad could it possibly be?

Aluminum framing is no guarantee that the camper won't leak, and if it does leak you will still have problems with mold and rot. You need to keep up on the maintenance.
54suds
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
Peak /Kodiak info

http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23332061.cfm

Forum Discussion

Peak Truck Camper

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Truck camper mileage

Truck camper alternatives

Truck charge camper battery?

Truck camper sadness

Truck Camper COG