Palomino Maverick - Good? Problems? 1st TC. Advice welcome.
We're considering a Maverick TC. Specifically, the 8801. Our truck is a 2013 F250 extended cab long bed, gas, 4.30 gears, factory hitch with the Camper Package. We'll be towing a single axle, enclosed 6x12 utility trailer with a couple bikes weighing about 3,000 pounds. 350 or so tongue weight. Presently, the truck is rated and registered at 10k pounds. The Slide-In Camper Certificate that came with the truck says I have 2,125 pounds available ("Cargo Weight Rating"). I expect air bags are recommended. The 8801 extends past the back of the truck a little, having a 9 foot floor and is spec'd at about 2,400 pounds before options, I assume.
How's the build quality of the Palomono units? I haven't looked at one in the flesh, but they look OK on-line and I like the idea of aluminum construction. We've looked at Real Lite, Camp Lite, Travel Lite, Lance, and NorthStar, but the Maverick 8801 has a floor plan I think we can live with. Will I need a hitch extension to pull my little motorcycle trailer? Are there registration concerns in Virginia? It's my understanding I can up the registered weight above 10k pounds to be legal, without concern for the 10k pound GVWR, but I'm a little unclear on this. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Should I be looking at the pop-up TC models, due to their reduced weight (I think I'd rather get a toy hauler)? What other difficulties/hurdles might I run into?
I grew up camping with trailers and motor homes, but that was 30 years ago. This will be our first camper after tent camping for ages. Once I decide on a new camper, I assume my options are to find one and travel to it, or go to my closest dealer and make a deposit on an order. Any one know about picking one up at the factory to save some dough? What about recommended Palomino dealers within 200 miles of Washington, D.C.? I'd entertain used , if the price is right, but everything around here seems too high in contrast to new with a warranty.
Thanks, and happy camping!
How's the build quality of the Palomono units? I haven't looked at one in the flesh, but they look OK on-line and I like the idea of aluminum construction. We've looked at Real Lite, Camp Lite, Travel Lite, Lance, and NorthStar, but the Maverick 8801 has a floor plan I think we can live with. Will I need a hitch extension to pull my little motorcycle trailer? Are there registration concerns in Virginia? It's my understanding I can up the registered weight above 10k pounds to be legal, without concern for the 10k pound GVWR, but I'm a little unclear on this. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Should I be looking at the pop-up TC models, due to their reduced weight (I think I'd rather get a toy hauler)? What other difficulties/hurdles might I run into?
I grew up camping with trailers and motor homes, but that was 30 years ago. This will be our first camper after tent camping for ages. Once I decide on a new camper, I assume my options are to find one and travel to it, or go to my closest dealer and make a deposit on an order. Any one know about picking one up at the factory to save some dough? What about recommended Palomino dealers within 200 miles of Washington, D.C.? I'd entertain used , if the price is right, but everything around here seems too high in contrast to new with a warranty.
Thanks, and happy camping!
