Palomino HS-2902 truck camper (6 month-Owner's Review)
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- Опубліковано 22 вер 2020
- This is a six month review of our Palomino HS-2902 truck camper. We discuss things we like and don't like. We also discuss what has gone wrong so far and what we've added or modified.
Hitch video link - • Holy hitch extension f...
The layout of our truck camper - palominorv.com/truck-campers/...
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I got the 2020 HS8801, and I love it. Much cheaper than the competitors, and the mods I made on it fix all those problems. 800watts of solar also let me run the a/c as much as needed in S Florida.
Wow 800 watts, that's a lot of solar. How big is your a/c? I have a 2000 watt generator and it won't even run the a/c alone.
@@MikAnda
It's the 11,000 btu Dometic Penguin II, with the soft-start installed. I can pretty much run it all day. I also have the Renogy 3000w inverter, and two 170ah Renogy lithium batteries. Lots of power.
Oh nice set up! Mine is a Colman 15k and it sucks lol
What a great review! We're in the market for a truck camper. You revealed some issues that we would have never thought of. This is a must-watch video for anyone considering purchasing a truck camper (new or used).
Thanks for the comment and for watching! Congrats on your future truck camper and happy camping! 🏕
In our video of our tour, someone told us that the reason they use metal blinds in the kitchen is because of some fire code. I guess that's true because it's been like that in all of our campers. Great review! 👍
Oh, fire code is totally a good reason for metal blinds, makes sense now! Something we can look forward to in future campers too. 😵
It looks like the engineers and the designers weren't paying attention when they came up with this one. This is an excellent example of why buyers should spend a lot of time examining a rig and imagining its use. Such a test will reveal many of the issues you pointed out. Not all, for sure, but it could save a buyer from making an expensive mistake. Cheers.
We were thinking the same thing. It seems if they just thought about a few of the things, they would have designed it slightly different. Thank you for watching.
The awning is a huge deal which i hasn't even thought of! Thank you so much for pointing it out! I'd be changing out that dinette table for a lagune mount in a hurry. You've made some really good points. Thank you so much! (The secret to shutting off obnoxious smoke detectors, is to wrap it in a shower cap while you're cooking).
Yea, the dinette is our next project. We will be trying the shower cap tip next time we cook! Great suggestion 😀 Thanks for watching!
Great review. Exactly what I wanted to know before buying one myself.
Jeez, you're a ball of fire Mike... such enthusiastic vocal delivery..
Lol I try
Really appreciate the video. Have a different brand, but same problem with no compartment door catches. Never thought of using magnets. Such a great idea. Going to the same mod on ours. Thanks again.
Awesome that we could help out! Thanks for watching!
That was a great review. I am looking at truck campers and this review opened my eyes to a lot of things I need to look at before buy a camper!!
Thanks! Glad to hear it was helpful. Good luck and happy camping!
Metal blind is for fire safety. I love truck campers. Great review!👍
Thanks!
Correct. That is actually am rvia code that manufacturers must follow.
It does make sense!
Loved it.. best honest critic review… real life issues to a normal person.. it’s not all rainbows and roses
It sure isn't, Thanks
Thanks for the honest review. Wife and I are looking at one and this gives us a lot to think about. We already have an older pop up camper so a lot of your complaints we are already used to!! Never enough room in these things but way easier rolling down the road with a Host!! Haha.
Lol! Thank you for watching our review. Which one are you looking at getting?
Thanks for the review. It helps us decide on which brand to purchase. The metal blinds are for safety. The roll up shades are a fire hazard.
Glad we can help 🙂
if you love each other nothing matter even if you only have a tent
Very helpful video. Thanx folks
You're welcome!
Glad I saw your video. We were looking into this model but after your review we may go with the Lance or Northern lite model. Hopefully, we get one trouble free... Keep safe...
Glad the video was helpful. Good luck with your purchase and happy travels
Very useful information!❤
Thank you!
Really good review .
Keep going on.
Thank you!
I honestly think I'm better off in my tent. Lol. Thank y'all for the exact video. Hope y'all have better luck than me. Mine sucks.
Thanks, Sorry to hear yours didn't work out so good.
I have the real lite 1880 ,much like your, no slide,we had it for 3 years ,no prob,in the shower I put in a kitchen pull out , sprayer faucet with 48" hose, so you keep it in the holder at sink, pull out when showering, bath is small but gets the job done, also have pull out sprayer in kitchen sink,truck camper don't have much storage,I use the truck back seat
Yeah you really have to make your it own and be creative on these truck campers.
Hi I had a 2016 hs6609 water came in through the speakers caused a lot of rot under galley sold it was a piece of crap have a northern light camper now so nice hope things go well have fun : )
Oh no that sounds like a big headache!
Glad I watched this. That camper has so many flaws and the awning and speakers is a no brainer they messed up.
We agree! Thanks for watching.
Keep up on sealing the outside.
I bought a brand new arctic fox and 1cyear after purchase I dug out all the sealant and excess butle tape and resealed everything
Yeah, we've already had to reseal a couple spots.
Camper Tetris - we can so relate. Safe Travel
We bought a 2017 just a couple weeks ago. We hate the bathroom as well. What I figured out with the BR counter top is under the left side is the propane tank compartment. Also in the BR, another source of water showing up on the stoop at the door is where the water line for the toilet comes into the BR, they dont seal them well around there. So when showering, the water will get through.
Well, congrats on the camper and happy camping. Yeah I seen how they put propane compartment, I feel they could of found somewhere else for that but oh well. Didn't think about the water line coming in to the toilet, I'll have to check on mine. Thanks for the info and watching!
@@MikAnda I'm also planning either a relocation of the propane tank or switch to a laydown tank. We plan to remodel the bathroom. Eliminate the sink and counter, relocate the toilet to the left corner to open up the floor space for the shower. Be careful if you use the hard black shower floor cover. The corners ar rigid enough to crack the corners of the shower floor pan. When we bought ours there was a crack in two of the corners due the previous owners standing on it. Right now I have roof repair tape over each crack and it working out pretty well. I've had several veteran RVer's tell me to keep a roll of the roof repair tape with me, glad I listened.
@@pullemfar good idea bout the tape and I'd love to see how the bathroom comes out, not sure if we want to get into remodeling this camper but now that you put that idea in my head I'm kinda curious 🤔 lol
After tons of research I just bought new 2022 Loaded HS8801... happy I did... don't need slides or the extra weight in Alaska..just me
That's great! Congratulations 🎊. Happy camping.
I'm responding to a comment I think it's from your other video. Yes I had a box fan hooked up and the plug in shorted out. Waking me up not from fire alarm but crackling noise. That was the outlet itself shorting out.
Oh no. Good thing you heard that and woke up!
Just getting interested in truck campers myself, and came across this review. Appreciate the honesty in your comments. Question - if one wants to use the bath / toilet, can it be accessed with the slide drawn in? Or does it have to be extended in order to access the bath?
It is possible to get in the bathroom with the slide in. It is just very difficult and requires climbing. If you open the slide out about a foot you can more comfortably slide in there. The bathroom portion itself is not on a slide.
Nice setup....
Thanks
I’m glad I saw this review. It’s the very camper I was looking to order from the local dealer. I was sold on the price back in March. I see they have raised the price guess to capitalize on COVID. Back to looking at the higher end models. I plan on traveling in it within the next two years so quality is gonna cost a little more. Safe travels
Y'all are more calm than me. They wouldn't want me to do a video. Lol
WOW, some of these folks very hard on..small Typical RV glitch's....that are so easy to fix/modify! I have been around campers, boats and recreational products for 50 + years...and this is the way it is folks....so go spend 60-70 even 250k for an rv product if you want...you will still not like every single thing...IT WILL HAVE ''SOMETHING'' NOT RIGHT FROM THE FACTORY...IT WILL ALSO NEED SILLY REPAIRS EVEN WITH JUST NORMAL USE!!! iTS A FACT OF REC PRODUCTS LIFE! [that said ..it was a boner to put the awning on the wrong side..shoulda put slide on other side...oh well.....thanks for review!
Yea people do seem to get hung up on the smallest things. We have made so many simple modifications on ours that have made quite a difference. The awning thing is silly! Although we have talked about moving it to the other side ourselves...
Thanks for watching!
thank you guys for the video. I won’t be buying a Palomino!
Oh no, did it come off that bad lol. Thanks for watching!
@wcompto I was thinking this exact same thing lol. No way!!!
I’ve owned two travel trailers and a fifth wheel. They ALL have issues. This is actually not a “bad” review. There’s a big difference between annoyances and actual structural issues.
Thank you. How do you like the 5th wheel? We considered one when we first started looking
After watching this; I’m definitely getting a motorhome
Lol didn't mean to scare you away from truck campers.
You didn’t scare me away really... I have kids and want to pull a trailer so I’ll just go used motorhome and have triple the space
Oh ok, in that case I understand
Looked at this camper over the weekend and noticed the awning on that side. Most be a reason they can't put it on the other side but you are right, really a waste of money.
We've gotten use to it being over there and some times park backwards in order to use it. We still haven't figured out why they did it, we have seen other campers with awnings on their slide out sides.. who knows lol.
On our 5th wheel we have the thule awning on a slide. We may go with the 8801. No slide but it does have the awning and speakers on the correct side. Looking gor something to do quick last minute trips or state and federal parks. We've learned no matter how much we spend on an rv, they have issues. happy camping.
We have learned the same thing! Happy Camping 😀
On that outside door access to your black water drain you could just install a cheap gas shock from your local hardware store. When you open it it will stay open until you force close it.
That's a great idea! Thank you!
Lost our exit window in the bedroom wasn't closed tight enough. I thought it'd be no big deal now it's been 2 months and nobody will take care of us I've called numerous places I called Palomino and Domino no good 2013 2902 love it but I don't understand the window I've had enough with the plexiglass taped on
Oh wow, sorry to hear that. We've had ours flapping in the wind before, we will have to take extra care to make sure it is closed.
Most people who buy a TRUCK camper don't realize until it's to late. There will never be enough room or storage. You need to realize that you will be camping. It's the simple things that you need.
Yeah, we do wish we had more room but were ok with it. It was one of those things we had to compromise with for the configuration we wanted.
We have a 2018 and not much has changed, i don't understand why they put the outside speakers on the wrong side 🤔 and we also do not like the dinette area either bumping knees is no fun 😐. What i did in my bathroom is i used the comand hooks and hung baskets over the counter and store our towels etc. And in the pantry I also got long baskets and store my stuff in there so all i do is pull out basket makes it nice and easy. Baskets seem to be my go to in my camper 😁 oh and command hooks.
The baskets sound like a great idea! We just got in to using command hooks everywhere too. They are awesome! We ended up putting hanging over-the-shower head baskets up in the bathroom, but I like the command hooks idea!
A truck camper is going to be tight living. The small dining area, the small bathroom are what you get. As far as the awning goes, you should have noticed that right off the bat when you first looked at them. Palomino would have been better off putting a short awning on the right side. You're right...it's pretty useless the left side unless you can just park the thing backwards. I have the HS 2901. Slide outs in TC's are notoriously troublesome. But in the 2901 (basically the same camper) there is no slide out. This makes for very tight dining, but that's part of truck camping for us. It puts that the awning is on the right side too. I also have that board hanging down across the bed ceiling but it doesn't seem as large...we've never really even noticed it. We replaced the kitchen faucet with a tall swiveling one that also has a sprayer. And every camper I've owned has had the weird empty/full tank lights. We love the overhead space over the bed, and we especially love the big fridge and freezer (rare in TCs) and the large tank capacities. The AC is horribly noisy, but again...that's a TC for you....no ducting and insulation to quieten it down.
But most of your problems are small, correctable or live-withable.
To fix that short closet rod, remove the holding receptacle on either end and wood glue a little square of 1/8 or 1/4 inch plywood for a spacer behind it. Very easy fix. My camper came with magnets on the right side storage but not on the left. Go figure. The things I dislike mostly about this (HS2901, HS2902) is the front window (ugly to me...and we never open the cover), and the height (It's not really top heavy with the basement tanks, but it is a wind catcher) the noisy AC..and the water wasted waiting on the "on demand" hot water heater to kick in...That is fixable with a bypass valve that diverts the water back into the fresh tank until the stream heats up. The system as is does save a lot of propane...but wastes water which is a big deal if you're off grid. We seldom or never are so the bypass isn't a big deal. The rear awning is great! The rear porch landing is also a nice extra you won't find on other brands. A back up camera is essential for safety. I'm not trying to be mean or rude...y'all are wonderful...but truck camping isn't glamping...it's tight living and sparse packing. It's the freedom it gives you parking, maneuvering, etc. that make it special. Good luck out there and don't get a knot on your head from hitting that board.
Thank you for watching our review video! We appreciate you taking the time to watch our video and adding a long comment. We always enjoy hearing how other people utilize their space. We love our truck camper, especially for our first camper! We have added so many little things to make it more comfortable. We didn’t notice the awning when we bought it as this was our first camper, so we didn’t know much. But we end up parking backwards often, that way we can still utilize it. We did add a swivel nozzle to the kitchen sink too, which definitely helped. A taller faucet sounds great! The big fridge and freezer were definitely a selling point to us, we love the space it gives us. The plywood as a spacer for the closet rod is a great idea! You’re right about the front window and the height. We rarely use the front window, and it fogs up a lot. And we are constantly catching wind and of course bugs. We love the freedom the truck camper gives us as far as parking, maneuvering, and towing. Did you install a bypass for the hot water? That is also a great idea. Thanks again for watching our video and Happy Camping!
Thanks guys you just saved me 26 K
👍
Where did you get the swivel nozzel for the kitchen sink I have the same faucet in my backpack 1200
I believe we got that one at Walmart and they also have different kinds on Amazon
Sink Water Faucet Tip Swivel Nozzel www.walmart.com/ip/Sink-Water-Faucet-Tip-Swivel-Nozzle-Adapter-Kitchen-Aerator-Tap-Chrome-Connector/400839118
@@MikAnda Thank you i will have to get one.
Glad to help happy camping 🏕!
So what is your verdict so far, do you like it, don't like it? We have a 2901 and like it with all its warts and flaws, it's been a good year of summer and winter camping (Covid camping). We looked at the higher end campers but the price of them in Canada is crazy. We have had a small hybrid and a 5th, but like a truck camper for the mobility.
Yeah we like it, we can deal with all the flaws except for the fact that it's not made for a passenger side campsite. Which is pretty much every campground, if we don't have a pull through everything (awning, speakers, outlets, TV, etc) is on the wrong side. we don't like that.
@@MikAnda Yes that would be annoying. Ours is the model without the pop out, so everything is on the correct side.
Oh ok that's good. We did a lot of research b4 we bought but saw nothing on that issue 😕 so live and learn lol
People, the bathroom can only be so big it is in a truck bed! Why not get a trailer if your gonna camp that way. A truck camper is for traveling
I don't think we said it was too small, just that the layout could be better.
The advantage of a truck trailer is the ability to camp in areas where the trailer would get stuck such narrow national forest roads or beach sandy access. With the truck trailer you can also visit a downtown or crowded area whereas managing a trailer through downtown Chicago for example would be a nightmare.
But you are right, if you are staying in organized campgrounds, the trailer gives you more area and more bang dor the buck.
My hs 2902 on the slide I'm just going to rip out the benches and just put a small recliner in that space.
Let us know how that goes, we want to do the same thing.
I honestly thought Palamino campers went out of business many years ago and from your review they probably should have. I realize they are probably at the bottom of quality and price so that may explain a lot. I myself am looking at the Eagle 1165 which is a triple slide truck camper which you do need a good size truck for but for what I want to do I want the space.
I'd say its a good entry level truck camper for the money and with this being our first RV that's where we wanted to start. We would like to upgrade to either the 1165 or the Host Mammoth but we would have to get a 8ft truck. Thanks for watching!
@@MikAnda don’t forget to check out the Eagle 1200 too. The bathroom was the biggest thing for me that is why I like the 1165. Seriously the bathroom for me was the kicker. I am still waiting till next year. I have seen a few deals on the RV Trader app that have truck and campers for sale but you should have no trouble trading that dodge dually they are heavily sought after. There is a company that builds beds for campers with all sorts of add on’s but then your talking about a lot of money. My plan is to tour the U.S. I want to really see the back country and bring my jet ski and enduro motorcycle along for that extra off road stuff. Good luck to you and I will be watching you guys.
@@nevysadventuresllc9074 yeah we like the 1165 over 1200 and you're right, the bathroom is a big deal. Our plan is to do the same thing in bout 5 years, so we'll have plenty of time for research or maybe by then they'll come out with one even better 🤞. Thanks for following and good luck on your future adventures!
I also looked at the Eagle Triple slide this past weekend, and you could pretty much buy 2 of these for the price of the Eagle. Most of the Eagles are out of the folks with the Palominos price range. Palomino a good entry level (aka low price option), for folks who do not have the loot. I have had 3 different TCs, and they all have their issues, and all 3 eventually leaked water at some point.
Yeah bunch of drunk people working sometimes. Lol. Yeah I think I'll put this here. No thought at all. Lol
You should do a video on your truck. Is that a converter dually?
No, its just regular 2018 dually mega cab 6 speed with some mods but I do want to do a custom bed with storage. Thanks for watching!
I'd really like to know how your truck drives with the camper back vs. without. I've got a f-350 SRW, crew, long bed but I've never had anything super heavy in the bed nor as tall as one of these campers.
It rides a little smother with it in there, not much. But, when putting something that heavy in the back of your bed air bags definitely help. It rides okay with the air bags. It rides like crap without because it's riding on the helper springs. As far as the height we just have to be more conscience of how tall we are but it rides very similar like it's not even there. We measured ours and it's about 12 feet 8 inch tall.
@@MikAnda Very interesting and thanks for the response. I bought my truck with airbags and torklift (?) tie downs already installed so I think I'll be good there. I just got the camper shell off for the first time since I've owned it and I'm eager to get some weight back there to see how it feels.
Nice! Yeah your all setup then probably just some adjustments and then roll on out.
Wow. My ac is loud also.
Please where did you get the sink cover?
The sink cover was already in the camper when we bought it.
Fire code doesnt allow for the fabric shades next to the stove. They would love to use the other kind.
That makes sense. Thank you.
There's storage under the dinette seats in our 2017, is there storage under yours?
Yes, we have storage under our dinette seats as well. We totally forgot to show them off during the review! Definitely holds a lot under the seats, only down fall is using them as a daily storage since you cant access them if someone is sitting there. So we've adjusted for this and usually just store things we won't really be using in there.
@@MikAnda I'm planning to modify the seats by adding drawers on each end to eliminate the hassle of removing the cushions, etc... or by replacing them with a jacknife sofa and swing out table tops. There's a video in "covet the camper" UA-cam page.
Converting to drawers is a great idea. It sounds like you have a lot of remodeling work ahead of you. Excited to see how these projects turn out!
if you wanted more space , you should have gotten a big trailer.
Lol, that's an interesting concept. I think you just made a breakthrough . We specifically wanted a truck camper bc we tow stuff with it.
No,I’m joking. My wife and I just bought our new 2022 2902 palomino.
Nice! Congratulations. Enjoy and happy adventures!
Mines back in shop. The fridge went out again. Only lasted 3 trips.
Wow, that's no good. Is something overloading it? Are they going to look further into it?
MikAnda nothing overloading it. The gases in it are leaking or clogging it up and won’t get cold. They are doing test now. The camper not even two years old.
Dang, well hopefully they get it resolved. We have like 5 months until our manufacturing warranty runs out so I'm kinda counting on something to go wrong right after lol. Good luck Jeffery
@@jeffreycouch6175
Mine is less than a year old, and I've already had to replace the refrigerator. It really needs to stay level. But I love the camper.
Are those torque lift steps?
Yes they are.
Fire code for the kitchen shade, has to be metal.
That makes sense!
Needless to say no more palojunkos for this guy.
hey guys, you are so cute - we have been camping for over 30+ years and I don't get why that camper has a slide on right side and awning on left, doesn't make sense. Go boon docking so no hookups.
Thank you! Luckily so far we've been okay hook up wise, just our awning has not really been used. Although we do put it out alot still. Being long time campers, do you have any advice or tips to share?
@@MikAnda totally take it out as much as you can and totally stay grounded
What kind of chairs are those?
Zero gravity chairs, they are really comfortable but heavy. Multiple different stores sell them.
Controls are not accurate. Cause my water tanks are empty and that thing shows full as of rite this second.
Ours do the exact same thing.
For a comment. The reason I bought mine is because I didn't know what to look for and it's my first truck camper.
Same here. We have definitely learned what our next one will be like!
Yep not alot of space. Exactly
I owned a Forest River 5th wheel once ..............never again. My camper was complete crap. It leaked and water damaged all over within 6 years was a complete junker. I’d go trade that sucker for anything that’s not made by Forest River. That company needs a serious lesson in water proofing and caulking. The service department at my dealer also sucked.
We are for sure looking at new options that are NOT Forest River! What do you have now?
MikAnda can i get a price on this camper
I'm sorry, it's not currently for sale
I don't care for the Palomino product and would most likely buy an Arctic Fox
You get what you pay for. For their price point can't really complain, but like you said Artic Fox and others are much better quality. It's our first RV so thought we'd start there.
@@MikAnda no doubt it's best to buy entry level to see if you even like truck campers. The price tag on Arctic Fox and other brands is high for sure.
I got a build sheet for both today at the local dealer. The comparable Artic Fox is $20k more that the 2910. 2910 is a little bigger than the 2902. For $20k, I pretty much would deal with the issues considering I would only use it maybe once a month. In my research, the problem with the Artic Fox is no fiberglass cap on the front. Look at most 10 year old campers out there and the water always intrudes on the front end. You can see it when looking at the front and you will se waves. It’s with coming in from the lights or the window, if it has one. I have owned 3 truck campers, all sufffered water damage. For the close to double price difference, I would deal with the Palamino issues. Just store it inside and reseal EVERY YEAR.
@@hitmanhite yeah we have no problem with ours except for the dinette being a little small, all the other issues can easily be dealt with and even dinette can be fixed to our liking.
Like I said no thought into this thing.
what are you asking for it
it for sell
I'm sorry, it's not for sale at this time
Use rare earth magnets on that back door.
Never heard of those. I'll look for some and give them a try
@@MikAnda if you can’t find them, you can dismantle an old hard drive to get a pair.
That's interesting! Would it also be in an old laptop hard drive?
I think we found some on Amazon we will try.
Quite possibly. Depends on the kind of hard drive. SSDs won’t have them.
Why did you buy it, then?
Because it was our first RV and we didn't want to spend that much. We still love it overall, we just think these manufacturers can do better on designing them in some areas.
@@MikAnda I can't get over how small the dinning area is. When I saw the same camper it doesn't look that small. I'm thinking about a truck camper or a van.
Yea the dining area is really small. We were thinking of replacing it with either a love seat or U-shaped dinette. That is our biggest complaint.
Hahahaha. Yep the shower. Suuuucks
Yes. Very cheaply made
Mr. personality! Wow! Probably should h@ve had a script of some sort...
Yep my drawers the bottoms fell out with hardly nothing in them. Pure poor quality.
If I known then what I know now. Nope. So if you want mine I'll sell it to ya.
Yeah sell while you can. Lol.
i've watched a lot of truck camper videos, no offense, if that works for you great. but i wouldn't be happy with that unit.
It's our 1st RV so we wanted to start with the most affordable and for the price its very doable.
I got the 2020 HS 8801. I love it. But I've also made many modifications to it.
We love ours too. We've done little things to it and want to modify bigger stuff but we're still unsure if we're going to keep this one or upgrade to something else.
Palomino campers are junk. Had one and had to give it away to get rid of . Bought a Cirrus camper by Nu Camp.
Yeah we like the Cirrus, what model did you get and how do you like it?
I seen alot of major problems with cirrus,heat systems, water problem,unable to get parts!!