New Palomino Maverick truck camper

[maximus]

Looks like the "best" value in new campers right now is in the above unit. Do any of you have a newer one that you can tell me about. They all look good at the dealers, but I'm interested in how they hold up over time. Seems like the older units don't, but if the company's ownership has changed, things might have improved.
Thanks.
don

[abslayer]

This is were you are heading buy the cheap TC fine out it is******sell at a big loss buy the one you new you should have in first place.
How do I know this;)

[TraciK]

TomG2 wrote:
TraciK; As I am in the market for a new TC, would you mind mentioning the model, age, etc. of your Palomino? I understand they made some major upgrades in 2012.

If I remember correctly its a 2000 Bronco. Its not tore up at all. So, I really don't get what people are saying about the quality except for the leaks. Everything still works in it also. For a 14 year old camper its mostly in good shape. We do have some rotten wood. We are debating on fixing that are just leaving it alone and using the thing until we can't use it any more then get a newer one.

[Stars101]

Travel Lite has some decent floorplans and they are light weight.

[campingken]

http://www.panthercampers.com/home.html

Panther makes a light weight hard side camper with an E/W bed. They are reasonably priced and well built. They are built in the state of WA.

[TomG2]

Thanks RAZR66 for the picture. I admit that I was just quoting what the dealer said. Anyone with a GM regular cab?

[RZAR66]

TomG2 wrote:

billtex wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
I am in the market and need an east-west bed arrangement since I have a regular cab/long bed pickup.

Why do you think that?

Have you ever seen a N/S bed on a regular cab pickup? It looks stupid and blocks overhead vision.

I get lots of complements on how my combo looks. Also the cabover does not block the overhead view. I actually have to lean forward and look up to see the cabover.

[steve68steve]

We looked very hard at them, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy had one been available at a fair price in our area.

I read lots about the "quality" (or lack thereof) of different TC's here - much of it sounds confused to me.

1. Appearance: Cherry veneer is not higher quality than melamine veneer, it's just a different product. Finish/ color/ style are not 'quality.'

2. Features - Adding a generator, tank monitors, solar panels, expresso machine - those are features which justify a higher price. People often confuse 'luxurious' with 'quality.'

3. Design specification - A camper frame of black locust joined with pinned mortise and tennons and dovetails would last decades, even continuously wet. An Aluminum camper frame barely welded together someone who doesn't know what they're doing might shake apart the first time you hit a pothole. Which is higher 'quality,' wood or aluminum? The choice of one over the other is a design spec decision, not quality.

4. Workmanship is workmanship, not 'quality.' A perfectly executed, gap free camper made of cardboard, or an all Al camper expertly welded with some interior edges not filed smooth? Slathered Dicor vs. perfectly beaded silicone?

And on and on. If someone says it's low quality, ask what they mean. Maybe they just have a different spec than you, or a different idea of what "quality" means.

[TomG2]

TraciK; As I am in the market for a new TC, would you mind mentioning the model, age, etc. of your Palomino? I understand they made some major upgrades in 2012.

[TraciK]

We bought our first tc at the end of this summer. Its a Palomino. I did read the reviews so I was aware they weren't that good. But, the price was right for us. We didn't want to spend a lot of money to find out we don't like truck camping. We have only used it twice so far, two nights each time. Its much better than a tent. Ours does have some water damage. I really do not like the cassette toilet.

If I was buying a newer one I would not buy Palomino I would get a nicer one. Any way, ours isn't the best but it works for us for now.

[kerry4951]

I was in 3 of their new 2014 models at the recent Hershey RV show. I looked them over very well. I was not impressed but that's not saying others might like what they see. Certainly cost wise they are appealing.

[JimBollman]

Before current and past owners comment on Palomino look at the all new line for 2014. Not saying how they will shake out when people start buying them but they are an all new design and construction. They are also heavier and probably more expensive but thy do look a lot nicer than the design they used for 20 years or so. http://www.palominorv.com/Backpack/

Former Bronco 1200 Owner

[TomG2]

billtex wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
I am in the market and need an east-west bed arrangement since I have a regular cab/long bed pickup.

Why do you think that?

Have you ever seen a N/S bed on a regular cab pickup? It looks stupid and blocks overhead vision.

[billtex]

TomG2 wrote:
I am in the market and need an east-west bed arrangement since I have a regular cab/long bed pickup.

Why do you think that?

[maximus]

Thanks all,
I did the internet search and found the tc in the Quad Cities area and at a dealership in Michigan, both with good prices compared to Lance. Then I saw one parked at Menards and it really looked good. All the necessary bells and whistles. After many tc years, we want 3 burners, an oven, N/South bed, double sink, electric jacks etc. Of course, looking at one from the outside on a parking lot doesn't tell you about loose screws and a leaky roof. I like that Forest River now makes it. I'll let you know.
don