My new (used) TC - a couple more questions...

[BMW442]

Just got around to taking a picture & then figuring out how to upload it, I hope this'll work:



It's an old Palomino Bronco Mini L
probably from the late 80s?

I know Palomino doesn't have the best rep in terms of quality but the price was right (free) and I have been wanting a shortbed popup TC for many years. Also, I don't have to do any mods to the truck (supposedly dry weight is only 740#) and it seems to be in pretty good shape for its age

Next step is to build a shorter in-bed riser to bring it down a few inches
planning to do rubber mat on bottom, then 3 stacks of 2 2x6s (one on top the other), then 1/2 weather treated ply on top.
Is that overkill? would 2x4s work just as good?

The HECO crank was stripped so I ordered 2 new ones, haven't been able to get the top up yet but the canvas is super clean, it was either never used or extremely well taken care of or replaced recently

There's no smell, but some water definitely got in at some point, there's a little mold under the bed & in that underbed storage area, I'm gonna rip that out and rebuild it.

Also, the bottom of the cabover part is kinda saggy, I'm assuming that will need work too.
You can kinda see it here


I *think* there's some water damage inside the roof, it seemed really heavy when my buddy and I tried to lift it by hand/backs. the rear corner (like near the fridge) is also sagging so I assume we'll have to pull back the outer skin to get in there. Hoping we don't have to redo the entire roof but we'll see.

Shore power electric works, though it makes a low buzz. Haven't tested the gas yet.

Entry door doesn't have a key, so I gotta get a new mechanism for that too.

It came with some old turn buckles, which Im planning to just hook up to the tie-down eyelets inside of the bed, maybe run some steel cable through the square tubing on the underside of the camper just to be extra safe. I'm assuming that with the super light weight that I don't need full-on torklifts. Not planning on doing any extreme off-roading stuff with it either. Any thoughts on this kind of set-up?

Also planning to build one of those 3/4" plywood stands (like 2 big Xs) for it so I can take it off the truck to work on the roof. Gonna be a project but I'm looking forward to it. I have 3 days off each week, hoping to just work on it as much as possible and have it ready for camping in a month or so.

[bens170]

Tarkin75,
I like your platform you made for your popup TC. What did you finally come up with for your tiedowns? Also, what did you find that needed to be repaired or replaced on the popup TC?
Thanks
Ben

[smh1040us]

I don't want to hijack this discussion but would appreciate advice on the easy fix for a locked up lift mechanism.
Just happened to me this weekend and now the top is down, gears are stripped and mechanism is locked tight.
Any help appreciated.

Mark

[cewillis]

BMW442 wrote:

The HECO crank was stripped so I ordered 2 new ones, haven't been able to get the top up yet but the canvas is super clean, it was either never used or extremely well taken care of or replaced recently

If your lift mechanism has the linear gear strips that the crank is suppose to move, there's something to look out for. Since the crank was stripped, it's possible that pieces have fallen into the inside of the mechanism and jammed the linear gears. When you get your new crank, take it easy -- if it's hard to crank, could be jammed. Easy to fix, but be careful to maintain the alignment of the gears and the internals of the mechanism.

[BMW442]

That's a good looking platform, I like to whole extra storage concept.

I ended up just going with the rubber horse stall mat, 2 layers of 2" foam sheets, and some 1/2" ply on top. It looks a lot better now, theres only about 1" clearance over the cab but I'm gonna take it off to put on the X stands soon (once I build it).

Jacks worked ok, though the 2 jack system is definitely kinda sketchy. It kept sinking in the back so we just lifted that by hand then put some blocks between the rear corner and the bed rail temporarily. There's a spot on the rear left side corner where the previous owner attempted to put a plate for a third jack, but never got around to finishing it. I'm definitely going to hook that up.

Also, on the 2 jacks that came with it, the lower/inner pole piece is very rusty. It still worked ok, but made me kinda nervous. Has anybody here ever dealt with that -- like hitting it with a grinder or sanding the rust off? Or should I just buck up and buy new ones? Or is it no big deal?

[Tarkin75]

Hmmm, for some reason my earlier link didn't come through, try this.

Platform

Later
C

[BMW442]

Thanks for the advice everybody, it is much appreciated!

I'm going to HD today so I will look for those hi density foam sheets

It actually came with 2 manual Reico Titan jacks, one on each side, on different sides of the COG. When we got the camper they were set in about 6 inches of mud, but still worked ok. Eventually I want to get atleast 1 more (though ideally have 4 on the corners) but for just lifting it up a little to replace the riser they should work fine.

Thanks again for all the tips, this forum is extremely helpful. I should be getting my replacement crank anyday now, will post an update once I finally get it popped up!

[tonymull]

I think just a sheet or two of blue or pink foam underneath will do if you want to save the weight of the plywood. everyone says it won't compress. I built a couple of pallet like things and I can stow stuff like poles, oars, a ramp, which I use instead of steps, and a rug under the camper. Sounds like you got a good deal so you can afford some parts!

[whizbang]

Nice find.

Don't go overboard on the platform. Mine is 2 x 4's on the sides and front and rear and a couple to 1 x 4's on edge in the middle.

The 2x4 and 1x4 are sandwiched between top and bottom sheets of 3/8" plywood.

[Tarkin75]

I agree with Grit dog... that is overkill for your "platform"

here's how I did mine... Combination of those Xbraces and the platform to lift it up. I placed each of the cross wise "runners" directly underneath the "runners" on my camper, so it's all fully supported, and threw pink foam in-between the 2x2's.

Also, not sure how the Palomino's cranked up but I start off with a 100$ Jayco popup that I ended up junking. It had a similar issue where the top was hard to crank up. But that was because the cables that pushed or pulled? the top up in some places weren't on the sheeves anymore, and the pulleys were lifting up. So, it could be a sign of more issues... something to look at.

Later
C

[billtex]

That's the way to start!
The humm from converter is normal in the older units...just beware it is likely Univolt (fixed) voltage (not 2 or 3 stage) if you're not careful you will boil your battery.
New multi-stage converters are not very expensive ($150-$200)..
Check on cl for some jacks...it will make your life easier..even if they are manual.

Good luck,
Bill

[Grit_dog]

Just throw some high density foam in the bed with a thin sheet of plywood on top. No need to carry around all that extra lumber.

[SpknTC]

Nice! You've got a great starting point...FREE!! Enjoy!

[MN_Ben]

Nice find! Looks like the F150 will handle that just fine.
I've used turn buckles in the past. Overtightening them will pull the eyelet from the camper. So be careful.
Did it come with jacks? I cut part of the legs off saw horses to set mine on when off the truck. Similate to what you mention with the plywood x but I was able to shim the legs for unlevel ground.
Dont lay in the overhead bed unless you have it supported. It will tip forward on three legs. Don't ask me how I know this.

[Wagonqueen_Truc]

awesome... With any used unit a little elbow grease goes a long way... Enjoy!