It might be ridiculous! But can I cut 17 inches off my Palomino Truck Camper Pop-up?

[PaulThePhotographer]

Yeah I might be crazy!

I purchased this 2005 Palomino Slide-in Popup Camper at a really good price. Of course I was told there was nothing wrong with it. And I did not have time to really check it out. So it does have some rotten wood and I can see where someone else fixed (or tried) to fix some things. I knew for the price it would have problems. But I really bought it to kind of tear apart and try and make it my own. I thought it would be quicker and cheaper. And if I really messed it up, well I could maybe use some of the pieces.

But here MY big concern! I really, really do not like that the the Bronco that sticks out past where the rear tailgate requiring my rear tailgate to be down. I kind of plan to leave it on almost all the time. (someday I hope to make my own, but use this until then)

That extra Length of the Bronco sticking out over the tailgate area makes the entry and exit angles very bad for any hill climbing or other off road obstacles with the Bronco. IMHO I even thought of putting some angle iron to support the "over bumper area" and leaving the tailgate off, but that makes that area of the Bronco even weaker and more susceptible to damage. It really isn’t that I would not want to damage the tailgate. But it very well might destroy the Bronco in that area,at the same time, if it ever got hit. But main objective is that I do NOT want to lose any of my entry and exits angles.

So I would like to know how hard it would be to chop 17 inches, either out of the middle of the Bronco, or 17 inches off the back of the Bronco? That would allow me to close the Tailgate. And with using a Pop-and-Lock Tailgate, it would seem to add extra security to the Bronco. Plus one last advantage is that might be quite a bit more of weight reduction?

I am pretty handy with wood and carpentry. So those part does not bother me. Neither does the Canvas.

But the Lift System is what is STOPPING me! Of course the company that made the system is out of business. “Innovative Design Technologies”! And I have done tons of research trying to see it works and how I could cut those 17 inches out and readjust the lift system to fit the new size. I tried to open the main box of the lift system but it appears it opens towards the Bronco. And to open it I would need to basically remove all the tubes and cables and everything else just to get to it.

So here is my “latest” idea! Cut the cable tubes under the Bronco, but without cutting the cables! I would do this in an area where I have the 17 inches of free tubes to wrk with. After I cut the Main Bronco the 17 inches I would work with the cables in that 17 inch area that I left for them.

Basically I would then could cut one the cables, making sure that both ends of that cable do NOT get pulled back or lost in the tubing. Then I would try and pull the 17 inches of the cable together and install a Cable Coupler. I would try and adjust that until it works correctly. I know I would need to cut more of the Tubing. I believe I would need to out a longer piece of that Tubing to be able to work with it. And I realize that the Cable Coupler would be larger and NOT fit the tubing. But I figure I could use some PVC pipe large enough for the “Coupler”, covering the distance that the “Coupler” would be moving. Then do the other side the same way!

So what do you thing. Reasonable? Possible? I am nuts”! Or any OTHER ideas?

———

I really want my Taco to be as light as possible with out all the work and time and money some of these guys have done with their GREAT home made campers. I do not mind if the majority of my Camper is very primitive. I thought about replacing some of the items with lightweight Backpack items. Such as portable plastic water bottles. My toilet will be a Bag system, probably with Kitty Litter, easy to set up and take down. And even carry a quick setup Blind. I replace the bed with and Air model already. But I am thinking about chopping of the majority of the bed area. I would probably use a Backpacking type of Hammock inside the Camper. But I have to get past the lift system first.

I tried to get rid of the extra weight first. So I took out many of extras. I now have No Propane items at all! (Heater, Tank, Copper, and I am going to replace ridge). Removed all the water elements. And the countertops and most counters are gone. (Not the ones in the back! Yet I even cut holes in the front areas to get access to rescue items which I intend to put in the bed.

Thanks for any comments!

 

[doctorit]

Sounds pretty ambitious! I'm sure there's a workaround for the pop mechanism (although I'm really not sure what it looks like in a Bronco), I would be more worried about general integrity of the camper after a chop. Would you re-frame most of the bottom? If you did, you'd have to re-skin the exterior.

Just by the looks of the photo, does the tailgate open really affect departure angle that much? It's fairly high. If you ditched the extended trailer hitch, it might be fine (?).

Regardless, good luck!

 

[adam88]

Just my two cents, but it comes down to how much you value your time. It wouldn't cost much to do it in materials, but I imagine it would probably end up taking a lot of hours to do it properly.

If it were me (since I value my time quite a bit), I would just sell the camper and buy another one that suits your needs. But... if you enjoy doing this kind of stuff and want a project then that's another thing.

 

[jkce72]

That sounds like alot of work. if I was going to attempt this I think I'd look at shortening the front part that fits in the bed. Then you wouldn't even need to mess with the top or lift system. Of course that might really screw up the weight ratio, and not sure how far the bed would be hanging over your cab.

 

[JHa6av8r]

I have an FWC pop-up with an 8' bed in my truck with a 6.5' bed with the tailgate down. The camper is high enough that departure angle has not been an issue because of the camper. Once in awhile I load a swing away bike rack from a hitch extension like the one in your picture. I've scraped it a couple of times.

 

[ripperj]

Like Doctorit said, it looks to me like the end of the camper and your bumper are both in the same line down to the rear wheel, so the camper is not really affecting the angle that much, but the picture is not the best to determine that.

 

[mtnbike28]

That sounds like alot of work. if I was going to attempt this I think I'd look at shortening the front part that fits in the bed. Then you wouldn't even need to mess with the top or lift system. .

I like this idea, especially if that is where the wood rot is.

 

[subterran]

I think you're overthinking this. My camper hangs off of my tacoma just as far, and at this point, I have been in some pretty bad places with no trouble. You have a reciever hitch on there, and that has ruined your deprture angle already. Thats the only thing that scrapes on my rig. I would just enjoy the camper for what it is.

 

[tanglefoot]

Sounds like it'd be a shame to cut up that camper. It'd be an awful lot of work to have it come out right. I agree with the others--the departure angle really isn't an issue. I have an 8-foot pop-up on a short-bed Toyota and the tailgate and rear of the camper have never gotten close to anything. The only think I've scraped is the hitch-mounted bike rack.

I thought the balance point (rearward weight bias) of the longer camper would be an issue but have found it really isn't. It looks a little unbalanced but the balance point of campers is usually pretty far forward. I haven't found it to be an issue at all. I really enjoy the extra interior length, with the storage closet that the SB campers wouldn't have, and the ability to completely stretch out on the bottom bed.

Looks like a really nice camper. I wouldn't cut it up more than you have to for repairs. I did some minimizing with mine too (fridge delete, no heater, no large propane bottle) but kept a simple water system (hand-pump sink and tank) and the stove (connect it to a 1-lb propane bottle).

Enjoy the camper!

 

[1stDeuce]

My thoughts quickly:
A - It would be a cool project, but IMO not worth it AT ALL, especially considering how much stuff you'd have to revise/relocate.
B - I'm running an 8.5' camper in a fullsize shortbox, so very similar setup, and my bumper/hitch both drag and halt forward progress WAY WAY before the camper/tailgage.
C - I'd really miss the extra room. I don't know how people live in a camper shorter than 8'.
D - I don't mean to insult you, but rather point out the reality that you're running either 18" or 20" wheels, and street tires, and no lift on a fairly long wheelbase. As I'm running a fairly long wheelbase also, I have my doubts that your rig is capable of getting so "extreme" that you have issues with departure angle before you're completely hung or stopped due to having such minimal breakover. (Or lack of tire...) Again, not meaning to insult, just to point out my experience with a similar (but larger) setup. Breakover has always been the limit of where I can go, not the tailgate being down.

But DO remove at least the rear jacks if you plan on any offroading. You would want to do that even if your camper was shorter, as snagging a jack and ripping it off the camper leads to a LOT of work to re-attach it.

Go camping. Enjoy your camper. See what you learn. Make changes from there. You may find out as I did that "wheeling" with a giant camper in the back, even a stripped one, is just not really fun at all, but camping is much better in the camper than in a tent!!

And good luck fixing the rot. See my camper thread for some repair I've done. It's not rocket science, but it is a lot of work...
Chris

 

[subterran]

VERY well put, 1stDeuce. I also do not mean any insult about the tires, but I noticed that, too. Low-Pro tires have a much higher tendency to have flats than a 16" wheel with beefier tire would. They look good, but performance suffers and the thing that you really need to watch out for is getting way back there and having a flat. While we are on that subject - MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET TO YOUR SPARE TIRE. Be sure you can lower it, and change it if you need to. VERY important!

 

[PaulThePhotographer]

Thanks

Sounds pretty ambitious! I'm sure there's a workaround for the pop mechanism (although I'm really not sure what it looks like in a Bronco), I would be more worried about general integrity of the camper after a chop. Would you re-frame most of the bottom? If you did, you'd have to re-skin the exterior.

Just by the looks of the photo, does the tailgate open really affect departure angle that much? It's fairly high. If you ditched the extended trailer hitch, it might be fine (?).

Regardless, good luck!

Thanks for the reply!

Maybe a few words might help my questioning these things. I have have been wheeling (pretty hard) my 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser for maybe 4 or 5 of the last 7 or 8 years. And I had problems with it in this regard. As in, tore off my tailpipe, my "Back Bumper" is basically gone. I believe I just need to rethink and realize the Tacoma was NEVER bought to do anything like we did with the FJ Cruiser. (But it is hard to see some "area" sometimes and not at least think about it exploring it. lol)

There Are at TWO OTHER reasons for making the Bronco fit the Bed, and have the Tailgate up at the same time. 1# It seems with the "Pop and Lock" Tailgatelocking mechanism, that would make the Bronco much more secure. 2#: I do have a 16 ft trailer, that I am also trying to fix up a little it as a camper, but basically to bring along my Yamaha Super Ténéré motorcycle. And that "hitch extension kind of scares me.

Now!

The Extended Trailer Hitch was just for testing also. "If" I chop it, the Extended Hitch would be gone. I believe the "Bronco" does not have much of a bottom frame anyway. So if the Bronco was the same size as the Taco's Bed, so IMHO, not much if any of the "Strength" of the Bronco would be lost? Plus, I believe I I have a pretty decent way to make it strong. (I would hope!)

I would NOT "re-skin" the extereior! With the Bed and the Bronco being the same size and attached securely it would seem to me to be enough. ????

Just my two cents, but it comes down to how much you value your time. It wouldn't cost much to do it in materials, but I imagine it would probably end up taking a lot of hours to do it properly.

If it were me (since I value my time quite a bit), I would just sell the camper and buy another one that suits your needs. But... if you enjoy doing this kind of stuff and want a project then that's another thing.

Thanks for the reply!

Part of the problem here is I have watched and looked for a "long" time for a Pop-Up that would fit my Tacoma. Plus, also NOT be pretty expensive, since I always intended to chop it up and removed most items to try and make it as light as possible. That is why this is one of the main reasons I purchased this Bronco.

That sounds like alot of work. if I was going to attempt this I think I'd look at shortening the front part that fits in the bed. Then you wouldn't even need to mess with the top or lift system. Of course that might really screw up the weight ratio, and not sure how far the bed would be hanging over your cab.

Thanks for the reply!

I can NOT shorten the front, except for the bed that hangs over the camper. All the lifting mechanisms and front legs are right there on both sides of the front of the bed. I believe it would a heck of a lot more work and puzzle to figure it out. That way.

I have an FWC pop-up with an 8' bed in my truck with a 6.5' bed with the tailgate down. The camper is high enough that departure angle has not been an issue because of the camper. Once in awhile I load a swing away bike rack from a hitch extension like the one in your picture. I've scraped it a couple of times.

Thanks for the reply!

I am just so used to driving the FJ Cruiser wherever. One of my original thoughts was to try and build one the same size as the Taco. But, talk about issues! All of a sudden I would have a lot. And take forever since I have no garage and the heat of the Florida weather! I even thought about a Topper and cutting the top and figuring a way to lift the top to the right height and build the required fill in areas. (I still like this idea! Or a Flatbed. But to be honest I am almost 61 and lost my brother to cancer a few years ago. We built and destroyed many things! lol But I must admit that the two of us together was the ideal situation for projects like this. And by myself, well, I know it would be much different and a lot harder.

Like Doctorit said, it looks to me like the end of the camper and your bumper are both in the same line down to the rear wheel, so the camper is not really affecting the angle that much, but the picture is not the best to determine that.

Thanks for the reply!

Nope took it out to a local small spot to test it some. And Yes i did purposely try a little more radical thing then I probably would. And I did get it stuck. Just because the read wheels drove into a Straight UP Dirt Bank. But the Rear Tailgate did slam into the dirt/sand a few times. I was easy on it.

I think you're overthinking this. My camper hangs off of my tacoma just as far, and at this point, I have been in some pretty bad places with no trouble. You have a reciever hitch on there, and that has ruined your deprture angle already. Thats the only thing that scrapes on my rig. I would just enjoy the camper for what it is.

Thanks for the reply!

Please see above, "if I did chop off the extra so the Bronco would fit In the Tacoma Bed with the Tailgate up. I would NOT use any Hitch Extension.

Sounds like it'd be a shame to cut up that camper. It'd be an awful lot of work to have it come out right. I agree with the others--the departure angle really isn't an issue. I have an 8-foot pop-up on a short-bed Toyota and the tailgate and rear of the camper have never gotten close to anything. The only think I've scraped is the hitch-mounted bike rack.

I thought the balance point (rearward weight bias) of the longer camper would be an issue but have found it really isn't. It looks a little unbalanced but the balance point of campers is usually pretty far forward. I haven't found it to be an issue at all. I really enjoy the extra interior length, with the storage closet that the SB campers wouldn't have, and the ability to completely stretch out on the bottom bed.

Looks like a really nice camper. I wouldn't cut it up more than you have to for repairs. I did some minimizing with mine too (fridge delete, no heater, no large propane bottle) but kept a simple water system (hand-pump sink and tank) and the stove (connect it to a 1-lb propane bottle).

Enjoy the camper!

Thanks for the reply!

I understand everything you area saying. But I just have tis nagging feeling about it all. (If you saw my FJC, you might understand better. It scares people away. lol)
There is really noting out there that fits my needs, and I hate to have to give up some of the things. LOL

My thoughts quickly:
A - It would be a cool project, but IMO not worth it AT ALL, especially considering how much stuff you'd have to revise/relocate.
B - I'm running an 8.5' camper in a fullsize shortbox, so very similar setup, and my bumper/hitch both drag and halt forward progress WAY WAY before the camper/tailgage.
C - I'd really miss the extra room. I don't know how people live in a camper shorter than 8'.
D - I don't mean to insult you, but rather point out the reality that you're running either 18" or 20" wheels, and street tires, and no lift on a fairly long wheelbase. As I'm running a fairly long wheelbase also, I have my doubts that your rig is capable of getting so "extreme" that you have issues with departure angle before you're completely hung or stopped due to having such minimal breakover. (Or lack of tire...) Again, not meaning to insult, just to point out my experience with a similar (but larger) setup. Breakover has always been the limit of where I can go, not the tailgate being down.

But DO remove at least the rear jacks if you plan on any offroading. You would want to do that even if your camper was shorter, as snagging a jack and ripping it off the camper leads to a LOT of work to re-attach it.

Go camping. Enjoy your camper. See what you learn. Make changes from there. You may find out as I did that "wheeling" with a giant camper in the back, even a stripped one, is just not really fun at all, but camping is much better in the camper than in a tent!!

And good luck fixing the rot. See my camper thread for some repair I've done. It's not rocket science, but it is a lot of work...
Chris

Thanks for the reply!

A- That is what I am worried about. And then needing up with something that "still" does not what I want.
B- I understand your points also. But I know the Tailgate does get hit.
C- I "believe I understand that also. (In the 70's I rode around my 750 Honda all over the USA, without any real proper gear. I almost froze one night out sleeping on a desert concrete Picnic Table, and had to use my "wet" sleeping bag to try and stop the chilling cold wind from hitting me. lol)
D- Don't worry, about insulting me. I am not afraid at al of admitting I am/was wrong about something. Thanks anyway. **** Actually the 20 inch wheels and tires were kind of a "Bait and Switch" tactic by the dealership. They were the only dealer anywhere close with a Access Tacoma 4x4. Their website showed a "standard" access Tacoma with no extras at all on it (it has the same "Vin" number. We talked to them on the phone a couple of times. We got a "Complete Out The Door Price" on the phone. SO we made arraignments to Purchase it. And drive the Hour away that it was sitting at. Half way down we called again to confirm the price, and they 'Confirmed" the price. ***** So we make it down there late in the day and "this" is the only Tacoma there, with everything on it as you see it now. ?????
Big time blow up. The Sales Manager said the "internet/phone" people don't really know what is on sale. Or even the Internet. And he wanted a whole lot more ?????... I told him I had a Confirmed Deal, price and everything. He said tough. So I told him to take everything off the Tacoma. NO, No, they could not do that. Then I really got upset and said that the State of Florida would probably love to here about verifiable "Bait and Switch" Tactics from a Dealership. Things changed right after that. Their attitude changed. To make a long story short,the price did go up a little bit, but nothing like they had wanted. I believe I paid slightly more for all the extras. But that is the reason for the Wheels and tires. And I do kind of like them around town. But before I take my "Exploration" trip I will replace those wheels and tires to something a lot more suitable to some offloading. (My FJC had Cooper STTs on it.)

One other thing is that is I was kind of hoping to make this into a photo-blind type of vehicle.

VERY well put, 1stDeuce. I also do not mean any insult about the tires, but I noticed that, too. Low-Pro tires have a much higher tendency to have flats than a 16" wheel with beefier tire would. They look good, but performance suffers and the thing that you really need to watch out for is getting way back there and having a flat. While we are on that subject - MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET TO YOUR SPARE TIRE. Be sure you can lower it, and change it if you need to. VERY important!

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, when I started messing with the Pop-up, I removed the rear tire. Except the dealership did not even provide me with the Lug-nuts for the Steel wheel.
SoI have to get some. But I will do that when I get the new wheels and tires when everything else is ready. Hopefully. Someday! lol The kind of funny thing is that I measured the spare and it is almost the same size as those Fancy wheels and tires.

*****

I actually have a video and a few images of where I tested it out. But I have not got around to working on them yet, for the same reason that I took so long to respond back here. It has been a very bad couple of weeks for me. ALL my Mac's went down at the same time. So I am now "finally getting everything up and running again, albeit rather slowly. Neither of my Mac's will take their "Time Machine" Backups for some reason. So I have to re-install everything from scratch. Arrrgghh... (At Least I got them back up.)

Thanks again for all your thoughts! (Or any others!) I will in a few days make short video or show a couple of images from that "Trial"!

Paul

 

[Markgyver]

My co worker removed about 17" from the front of his camper so he end up with a longer cantilever over the cab and did not have to screw around with the roof.