Forest River Palomini
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Printed Date: 18 Jun 2025 at 5:40am
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Topic: Forest River Palomini
Posted By: Podsible Dream
Subject: Forest River Palomini
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2013 at 1:25pm
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Has anyone had eyes on or hands on the FR Palomini? Looks like a wider version if the R-Pod. ------------- Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |
Replies:
Posted By: r-Griz-pod
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 10:58pm
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A little late on the response but we looked at them before purchasing a 177 a couple of weeks ago. We liked the configuration of one of them but there was no comparison on the quality of the construction and looks of the Palomini. They may both be made by FR but you can't tell without the label. ------------- r-GRIZ-pod |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 12:38am
Thanks for the info. We are very seriously considering purchasing a new 2014 177 (after 20+ years of camping with popups). I am nearly ready to pull the trigger on a great deal, but my wife is starting to get cold feet. One of her main issues is the lack of a real canopy (she's not a fan of the R Dome). So we started looking at Palominis on the internet tonight. I've never seen one in person, but the pictures seemed to indicate what you stated. Could you elaborate a little? Any specifics you liked about the R-Pod over the Palomini, other than perceived quality issues? Thanks. |
Posted By: JStrube
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 12:52am
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I can tell you the roof was lower, I can stand in the RPod bathroom, not the Palomini. I did like the layouts though. ------------- 2012 181G |
Posted By: Podsible Dream
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 7:08am
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RE the R-dome. we have spent the last 10 days here in Maine, New Brunswick and on the Gaspe in Quebec. it has rained at least 6 of the days including the last three straght here in Gaspe. The dome is a life saver - keeps you dry, gives you another room and means you can cook outside even in the rain. we never cook inside the pod--couldn,t imagine the grease and smells in the bedding and curtains after several days in the rain!! we have a camp kitchen i made and a 2x4ft folding table in there to eat on -and collect stuff on! when the weather is nice it acts as a screen room, andwhen we are away, it keeps prying eyes out of our stuff. e have used silicone spray liberally on the track and replaced any protruding screws, i made a pull reinforcement with a cord on it, we can install it in less than five minutes.it i wouldn't trade it for an open awning or canopy at all. we are some happy campers! Walt ------------- Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 8:37am
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Just to pile on the dome thing.. A dome can do EVERYTHING a "regular awning" can do, and tons of stuff it can't. Once you have done it, it can be put up, staked down, in 5-6 minutes. At the Goshen rally, 32 of 36 pods had their domes up.. We looked at the Palomini at a show last year.. wasn't impressed. Can't say exactly why.. ------------- |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 11:11am
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We have a home made awning and the dome. In rainy or crowded conditions we use the dome, otherwise we usually opt for the canopy. There are ready made options out there other than the dome if you really don't want it. If the dome isn't already a part of the package you're considering, a canvas shop can make you a simple awning cheaper than buying a new dome, even using much more robust material, like Sunbrella. If by real canopy you mean one that's permanently attached and rolls out like other RVs, then no. You'll have to invent that yourself. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 12:35pm
My dome still smells like the BBQ chicken I grilled during a cold and rainy afternoon. Not, necessarily, a bad thing!  fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 12:44pm
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Fred, my problem, in your pod, would be the fact that I'd be continually hungry!
This weekend the wife is going to make baked beans in the convection oven. I hope the Pod smells like baking beans & not the aftermath....  ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 12:49pm
This is when the 10hp Binford 5000 bathroom exhaust fan comes in very handy!!  ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 12:58pm
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That's why we upgraded.. ours goes to 11..
------------- |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 3:38pm
| Thanks for all the replies. I think we've crossed the Palomini off the list, and are back to the R-Pod. I'll be calling the salesman tomorrow. Now I just have to get my old popup sold! |
Posted By: M3
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2014 at 8:44pm
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I went to the dealer prepared to purchase the Palomini, (the price was really good). Liked the layout, but was just not blown away by it. When the salesman walked across the floor, it seems to give a little too much for my taste and he was not a large man. They had two Rpods on the lot, so I decided to take a look even though they were a couple thousand dollars higher. To me, there was no comparison in construction. The pod just seemed to be better built and more solid. Well worth the difference in cost. I have owned a number of campers and for whatever reason, just was not impressed with the Palomini. The Palomini had some positive features that the pod didn't, like the awning, and a gas grill that mounted to the bumper. Still, those (for me) were not enough to make me buy it. Do not regret, for one second, choosing the pod instead. For what it's worth. ------------- Mary and Tucker (my sheltie) 2015 r-pod 178 (lilypod) 2013 Toyota Tacoma |