Palomino Truck Campers Fit a Variety of Travelers’ Needs

Nimble and easy to drive and park; good on rough terrain; fits in most garages — these are all pros for truck campers, according to Go RVing, and Forest River’s Palomino truck campers fall right in line with these descriptions.

As a long-time manufacturer of this RV type, Palomino has found ways to produce truck campers that appeal to a wide demographic of campers, while keeping the quality high and the prices affordable.

RV PRO asked Palomino General Manager Ben Meloche to tell us more about their truck campers and how they fit into a dealership’s offerings.

RV PRO: How long has the Palomino brand made truck campers?

Ben Meloche: Palomino has been around since 1968 exclusively building pop-up tent campers. It wasn’t until 1989 when truck campers were introduced. We started with pop-up campers, then shortly after added hard sides.

RVP: What are consumers looking for in truck campers today?

Meloche: Customers have always had a wide range of reasons they prefer a truck camper. I believe the largest segment is looking for a camper that fits their needs to fulfill their lifestyle. Of course, people are always intrigued by new features and gadgets, but for the most part, floorplan, size and weight, and storage space are the driving factors.

RVP: What demographic largely looks for this RV type, and for what purpose(s) are they often used?

Meloche: Unlike some of our other products where we see a more defined demographic, truck camper customers are wide ranging. For the most part, these individuals have a specific purpose for purchasing a truck camper. Many people are wanting to tow something behind their camper like a boat, or a trailer for snowmobiles, four-wheelers or horses. But I would say the majority of them just want the freedom to explore places that are difficult to reach with a trailer or motorhome.

RVP: Tell us about the requirements for the trucks that can hold these truck campers — what would dealers want to make sure customers know about pairing with the right vehicle?

Meloche: We build a lot of different models to accommodate just about any truck. The most important information needed is the vehicle payload capacity and size of the bed of the truck. Once you have that established, you can narrow down to find the right camper for the customer.

RVP: What features in your truck campers do you think stand out the most?

Meloche: I think it is difficult to drill down specific features for all Palomino truck campers. We have four different segments that touch on different price points, different sizes depending on the vehicle, and for different overall camper uses or experiences. The common feature throughout the Palomino brand is the quality construction and materials we use to build them. Many of our dealers carry other truck camper brands. What makes Palomino truck campers so popular is the value and quality customers see while choosing to invest in this type of lifestyle.

RVP: What do you think would appeal to customers most about your truck campers?

Meloche: This falls back to lifestyle choices or purpose. Truck campers are your best option to visit hard to reach places, off the main road or campground. Or they are also great option if you have something you want to tow and take with you during your travels.

RVP: How has the truck camper changed over the years?

Meloche: I have been here almost 20 years and the most change I have seen is improvements with the production materials and components that we use. Other things like solar panels, 12-volt appliances and lithium batteries have all been great additions to truck campers. That technology changes so fast but has really improved the way people are able to use their campers.

Palomino Truck Campers

At Open House Week in Elkhart, Indiana, Palomino truck campers were on display, showcasing three distinctive lines — Soft-Side, Hard-Side and Hard-Side Max, each with refreshed interiors and updated exterior graphics.

The Backpack Soft-Side Truck Campers include an electric lift that helps customers easily set up their camper without needing to hand-crank the top up or down. There is also an optional remote. The 55-inch one-piece door makes the truck camper easier to enter and exit, and the exterior is available in a white or gray gel coat.

The Backpack Hard-Side Truck Camper’s fully aluminum-welded frame is lightweight, Palomino says, and the interior has been redesigned to include more cabinet storage. The frameless windows are also a new upgraded feature.

Finally, the Backpack Hard-Side Max Truck Camper is Palomino’s premium product, which includes insulated frameless windows and a heated basement. The front cap windshield, an exclusive to Palomino, opens the living space up.

Palomino says there are plans to introduce two new truck camper models in the near future.