This is not meant as a rant thread, but for information to future buyers. For the price, we really like our TC. The floor plan ans setup is perfect for us, and I have the skill set to rectify the inherent problems of the unit. I don't expect assistance from Palimino, as it's been just over a year, but will send them a polite letter explaining my disgust at a couple of features. We're just returning from a two month tour of Alaska, and some of the problems didn't become apparent for a bit.
We noticed many little things when we bought the unit, but at the price realized there would e concessions: such as the water connections being directly over the electrical connection. A little common sense and care on our part would prevent any problems. The electrical connection is designed to be water proof, after all. But a bit of design sense would have swapped the placement. Easily done - I checked.
The use of machine screws when wood screws were required: the small step to the bed pulled off the floor it was screwed into when I stepped on the edge of the step. Luckily I was not injured as I fell to the floor.
The trim in the unit is shoddily attached at parts - its pulling away near the dinette seats due to an inadequate number of screws. The trim over the dinette is bulging awa because it was not glued in place - merely sld in place. a corner piece of trim in the bathroom was not cut to proper length - too long - which left along shallow cut on my leg the first time I got up up from the toilet.
If you remove the drawers from their rails - as designed - there is a slide piece which will pull out also if you are not careful, sending tiny ball bearings over the floor. The plastic catches are not overly strong, and the drawers are difficult to replace once removed, and don't work as smoothly. Once taken out and replaced. They are just inexpensive constructions and need to be handled carefully. I was going to install lock boxes on the floor beneath the drawers, but decided the drawers would not hold up to multiple removal and replacements needed to access the security boxes.
The main door latch will not close unless you hold the latch in the open position. The dor should just push close and the latch should catch, but it does not do so. I've already replaced the thin screen dor catch with a firmer one.
The gauges monitoring tank statuses are completely worthless. I just emptied everything but the grey, black and fresh water indicators all show they full lol. There is not status gauge for propane, such as our old camper van had.
Had a water leak first week out because a compression connection was not tight enough. The connection was directly over a 12v electrical bus which hot soaked. Noticed the leak when water began poring out from under the truck bed.
Customer service: I have emailed the company three times asking how to manually close the slide, in case of an emergency. Never received any reply of any sort.
The biggest problem is in the wet bath. There is a wood cover with four rubber feet that set on the plastic floor and covers the shower drain. It is designed to protect the shower floor when you step in to use the sink or toilet. In the second week of our trip, I notice two cracks in the shower floor when I removed the wood to use the shower. The cracks - which were punched completely through the floor by two of the rubber feet - were sufficiently wide to allow water to run through under the floor. When I pushed on the floor near the cracks, using my finger, I discovered there was nothing supporting the thin plastic floor at those two locations. Every time we stepped in to use the sink or toilet, half our weight was being held up by a thin plastic sheet, which eventually gave way, of course. This will require me to disassemble much of the bathroom to replace the 'pan' floor, after I add proper bracing. This was a major screw up on Palimino's part. The other problems I accepted for the cheaper cost of the unit. This was just sheer carelessness.
Believe it or not, I am, overall, happy with the unit. It fits our needs well and didn't break our budget. I just posted this so future buyers are not surprised at what they receive.
Happy travels to all.
2012 GMC 3500HD Crew Cab LB 4x4 DRW with Duramax 6.6 diesel
2013 Palomino Maverick 2902.
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