Advise on pickup camper

[Troy Cline]

I have a few questions on pickup campers. I have a 1/2 ton silverado ext.cab z-71 5.3 liter and I pull a 1890 lund pro-v. Can I put a light weight camper like a Palomino bronco on this rig? Will I need any after market products for the suspension etc.

If I can use my current truck, are there any used ones available ? I would like to purchase one before memorial weekend.

[sparcebag]

I have the palomino for a full sizs bed it weighs 1300 lbs.works fine on my ford f150.Isnt the bronco for the s10 sixe pickups?? I dont know what mines nick name is without looking?

[Troy Cline]

I'm not sure if the bronco is for a full size and I'm not attatched to any brand. I will be in minnesota next week shopping for some kind of pick up camper. I was hoping to find something used that I could use with my current truck and boat without any modifications. I have searched the web and had little luck so far.

If I need to go new can anyone suggest a reputable dealer.

[sparcebag]

If your in the Willmar area get the West Central Tribune newspaper it has lots of campers at this time.I've also noticed when a Palomino is advertised its gone quickly,I like mine but last one I had was a 11' on a 3/4 ton PU,it had lots of room,but we only use this one for max 5 nights at a time,only in it to sleep and get outta rain & some cooking and eating.

[Troy Cline]

Thank you. I just checked the west central tribune on line, but there were no pickup campers at this time.

I will be in minneapolis area shopping on monday 5/21/07 then I will be in the alexandria area after that. ANYBODY suggestions?

[bigdog]

Here are a few dealers, I can't recommend one over the other, but they are all close to 94 between Mpls and Alex.

Monticello RV Center (montirv (Contact Us Please) com), Pleasureland in St Cloud (right off 94), there is a place in Rogers near Cabelas but I can't remember the name.

[minndonn]

Try a search on hsolist and RVTrader for PU campers. I personally lean towards a pop-up PU camper just for the lower clearance in the woods and campgrounds when moving. I like the scissor type lift system as it is very strong. I have forgotten to fasten the top down before driving and it expands up but can handle it. I am not sure the corner only lifts would do as good. I like the quality of a Northstar PU camper, but more expensive and hard to find used.

[scaup]

I have the same truck and a smiliar sized boat and had a pop up camper for a couple of years and hauled it all over with the boat with no problems. Check the Alex paper I saw a used one listed recently.

[Zarkohl]

I bought used a Lance Squire a couple of years ago and it has workout great. Only thing I did was get heavier load rated tires. My boys are now teenagers an need more room and/or privacy, so I am actually thinking about selling it and getting a 5th wheel. Just wondering what others thoughts are between truck camper vs. 5th wheelers.

[Mike #1]

I have one for sale on this fourm. It is a 10'8" Corsair fully loaded.

[Mike #1]

Sorry about the last post, mine would be to large for your truck.

Do you know what the payload is on your silverado? On a 1/2 ton I am guessing around 1500 to 2000 lbs. Make sure you are well under that because you have to add in the extra weight for all of the things you bring on the trip. Also, check the ply on your tires, make sure they can handle the extra weight. You should have at least 8 for a camper. I had 10 ply tires for my camper.

[Troy Cline]

Thank you for the information.

I bought a 1999 palomino w-8500 from Hart trailer in Long Prarie. I am picking it up next monday. The web is a wonderful shopping tool.

[ChuckN]

I have a older 7' Palomino "mini" pop-up PU camper I've used for several years. It is a camper made for small pick-ups like a Ford Ranger (I would never put this in a Ranger, however lol). I use my F150 5.4L to haul it around, and I have taken several trips with a boat. It's a great combination.

I added overload springs to my suspension, and it helped a lot. I would highly recommend some sort of additional support on the suspension springs, especially with more weight on the rear end from a boat. You will definitely notice more stability while driving.

I found this post late, and looks like you found one. There is a local guy (45 miles from Alex)who has a mid-90's 8' PU Palomino camper for sale that is quite nice.