GI Pirate
Observer
OK so here's the deal. I started looking in to the idea of some sort of expedition vehicle when I lived in Florida. Being an avid backpacker and "off-grid" enthusiast I wanted a way to travel long distances from South Florida and be comfortable on the way, and in "base camp" scenarios. After the same questions most of us noobs ask here were solved. i.e. (Jeep, SUV, Truck, Van?. RTT, Pop-up, interior conversion, Astro-Conversion, or full blown Sportsmobile)?
After reading for months and months I moved back to my home state of NC. Raleigh to be exact. Which is perfect, 3 hours from the mountains and the coast. It was settled I need a camper. My new job in NC provided me with a company car. This then opened the door for me to make my daily driver more of an expedition platform.
That platform is NOT ideal. A 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4dr 5.7L 4x4. With 150k on the clock. Terrible torsion bar front IFS, light duty axles, and to top it off, it had no tow hooks front or rear, and no factory tow package so it has a small spring pack. However, after driving it ten years I have added navigation, a great sound system, cold air intake, performance cat back, a super chips tuner and a Yukon Dura Grip Posi. Def not a rock crawler. The aftermarket does little to support this drive-train. Only one locker option (Detroit) for the rear and no front axle traction aids. Lift kits are very expensive and complicated.
Now that I have settled on a temporary base vehicle until I can afford a Dodge Power Wagon I need a camper.
I have looked at flip-pacs, RTTs, slide ins, pop-ups etc... After over 12 months I found my camper.
On EBAY I found a 1983 Palomino Mini L. Used twice, put in storage and then just pulled out. It is in as close to new condition as a 25 year old camper can be.
After reading for months and months I moved back to my home state of NC. Raleigh to be exact. Which is perfect, 3 hours from the mountains and the coast. It was settled I need a camper. My new job in NC provided me with a company car. This then opened the door for me to make my daily driver more of an expedition platform.
That platform is NOT ideal. A 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4dr 5.7L 4x4. With 150k on the clock. Terrible torsion bar front IFS, light duty axles, and to top it off, it had no tow hooks front or rear, and no factory tow package so it has a small spring pack. However, after driving it ten years I have added navigation, a great sound system, cold air intake, performance cat back, a super chips tuner and a Yukon Dura Grip Posi. Def not a rock crawler. The aftermarket does little to support this drive-train. Only one locker option (Detroit) for the rear and no front axle traction aids. Lift kits are very expensive and complicated.
Now that I have settled on a temporary base vehicle until I can afford a Dodge Power Wagon I need a camper.
I have looked at flip-pacs, RTTs, slide ins, pop-ups etc... After over 12 months I found my camper.
On EBAY I found a 1983 Palomino Mini L. Used twice, put in storage and then just pulled out. It is in as close to new condition as a 25 year old camper can be.