Ready for Adventure

Story by Howard J Elmer, photos courtesy of Palomino RV

Aslide-in truck camper is never going to be the overwhelming choice of the RVing public. But, for a certain camping segment it fits the bill perfectly. Truck campers are not new to the overall selection of units available to the RV buyer, yet the models that are being offered today are different. That fact alone makes it worthwhile to revisit what you might just assume you already know about them.

The key benefit of the truck camper has always been the ability to carry your camper and still be able to tow a substantial trailer behind the truck. So, while this has not changed, there is one other emerging trend that the truck camper is perfect for - Overlanding. This RV seg- ment caters to off-road, off-grid adventurers and a truck camper on a 4x4 truck can get you further off-road then most of the towed trailers (that are said to be designed for that purpose) ever will.

In the case of the Palomino 2912, it adds one additional feature to the usual truck camper design that is unique to the brand - a drop-down rear patio deck. The 2912 is a larger camper; it’s designed to fit an 8-foot truck bed in a 3500-series pickup truck. It weighs in at 3,600 lb and has a length of 20-feet. This full-on camping capable camper has all the amenities you’d want and expect.

Now, to accommodate that rear deck, the entry door is on the passenger side of the unit. The deck, when lowered, exposes a second in/out door from the unit. This full fold-down 8x7-foot party deck patio also houses a 32-inch TV and small refrigerator built into the rear of the unit.

This unit really caught my attention at the Hershey RV show, not only because it was different, but because it so obviously offered a viewing platform for the events that many owners of these types of truck campers attend, such as horse shows, auto racing, dirt track events, etc. This deck set-up lets them watch and enjoy the events that they towed their horses, cars and powersports to, or just enjoy the view in an out-of-the-way destination far from pavement.

The 2912 is part of the Hard Side Max series and is a Palomino premium product. With the insulated, frameless windows and heated basement, this camper is ready for four-season adventure. A nice feature is the exclusive front cap windshield which opens the large living space to more light and creates an inviting atmosphere.

Standard Features

• LED Interior Lighting

• Vented Battery Box (1 on Soft Sides; 2 on Hard Sides)

• Battery Quick Disconnect

• Exterior Battery Charging Station

• Aluminum Frame

• Ball Bearing Drawer Guides

• Laminated Roof (Hard Side Only)

• Congoleum Flooring

• Mortise and Tenon Hard Wood Cabinets

• Pocket Screw Lumber Core Cabinet Stiles

• 55-inch One-Piece Door (Soft Side Only)

• Solar Prep

• Hi-Gloss Exterior Fibreglass (Option of White or Grey)

• Electric Roof Lift w/Remote (Soft Sides Only)

• Pre-Wired for Electric Jacks

• 20,000 BTU Furnace (Soft Sides Only)

• 3-Way Refrigerator (Soft Sides Only)

• Black Rieco Titan Convertible Jacks (Electric on MAX)

• Maxx Air Vent

• Frameless Windows (Hard Sides Only; Insulated on MAX)

• On Demand Water Heater (Hard Sides Only)

• Hot & Cold Outside Shower (Hard Sides Only)

• Front Cap w/Line X Windshield (Hard Sides Only)

• 12-Volt Tank Heat Pads (MAX Only)

• TV (Max Only)

• AM/FM CD/DVD Player w/Theatre Sound and Exterior Speakers (MAX Only)

• 6 cubic foot 2-Way Refrigerator (MAX Only)

• Heated and Enclosed Basement (MAX Only)

• Integrated Bumper (MAX Only)

• Microwave (MAX Only)

Palomino Construction

• High-Density Block Foam Insulation

• Alpha Super Flex Membrane Roof

• Plywood Substrate

• Decorative Wall Board

• Aluminum Framing - Fully Welded Superstructure (N/A on Soft Sides)

• Heated Insulated Basement (Max Series Only)

• White or Grey Hi Gloss Exterior Fibreglass

Also available is the Optional Badlands package which adds off-grid capability to the Palomino and includes:

• Thule Roof Rack

• 100-Watt Solar Panel w/ Charge Controller

• Second Battery Tray

So, if the idea of Overlanding, or of having a well-equipped RV that can really tow appeals to you, a truck camper is an option worth exploring.