Palomino-Yearling RV Exposed: Leaks, Lift Failures, Costly Repairs—What to Inspect First

(Serious Concern)

Do not skip a pre-purchase inspection on a Palomino Yearling—especially if the unit has seen years of weather. A professional inspector will pressure-test for leaks, examine soft spots in the roof/floor/bed slides, test the lift mechanism under load, and evaluate canvas, seams, electrical, and LP systems. This is often your only leverage to request repairs or renegotiate price before you sign. Once the dealer has your money, owners frequently report being “pushed to the back of the line,” leading to cancelled camping trips and months-long waits for parts and service.

• Find a local pro: Search: RV Inspectors near me
• If buying remotely, ask for a full photo set and a video call during inspection; insist on a detailed written report.
• Make the sale contingent on a clean inspection; if issues are found, negotiate repair timelines in writing.

Want to help others shop smarter? What did your inspector find on a Yearling?

(Serious Concern)

Owner narratives frequently describe leaks at roof seams, AC cutouts, and corner moldings on Palomino tent campers, including the Yearling series. Over time, failed sealant and compromised roof skins allow water intrusion that softens plywood, rots roof bows, and leads to delamination. On pop-ups, roof sag can also stress the lift system and canvas alignment.

• Symptoms: Stains on ceiling vinyl, musty odors, spongy “give” around roof perimeter, swollen cabinetry near corners, bubbling or waviness indicating delamination.
• Common causes: Dried/cracked caulk at joints; under-torqued fasteners loosening with vibration; aged roof membrane; poorly sealed accessories (vents, racks, lights).
• Owner impact: Costly roof rebuilds, mold remediation, difficulty selling, and reduced structural integrity. Older Yearlings are especially vulnerable because many have not been resealed annually as required.

Research threads and owner guides: Google: Palomino Yearling Water Damage, YouTube: Palomino Yearling Roof Leak, and Good Sam: Palomino Yearling Leaks.

(Serious Concern)

Multiple owners report cable snaps, binding lift posts, and pulley misalignment, which can trap the roof up or down. Pop-up lift systems are highly sensitive to rust, cable stretching, and worn sheaves. If the roof has absorbed water and gained weight over time, the lift strain increases. A failed lift can strand campers, create injury risk during manual raising/lowering, and cause frame twist if extended unevenly.

• Inspect before purchase: Have the seller cycle the roof from fully down to fully up and back, twice. Listen for grinding, watch for uneven corner rise, and note any “jerks” or hesitations.
• Budgeting: Cable replacements and post rebuilds can be material-cheap but labor-intensive; if shops are backed up, camping season may be lost.

Owner and shop reports: Reddit: Palomino Yearling Lift Problems, Google: Palomino Yearling Lift System Problems, and YouTube: Palomino Yearling Lift Repair.

(Moderate Concern)

On aging Yearlings, tenting material is a frequent pain point. UV exposure and moisture cause fabric shrinkage, seam failure, and zipper blowouts. Owners describe tracking down leaks to tiny pinholes or wicking at the stitching, only visible during a rain test. Replacement canvas is available from specialty suppliers, but lead times and installation effort vary.

• What to check: Raise the roof and spray with a hose; look for drips along seams and slider rails. Operate every zipper and window. Inspect for mildew embedded in fabric fibers.
• Costs: Patch kits are cheap, but full canvas replacement can rival a significant share of the unit’s value.

Verify experiences: Google: Palomino Yearling Canvas Problems and YouTube: Palomino Yearling Canvas Replacement.

(Moderate Concern)

Repeated reports note bent bed rails, sticky slides, and failing latches. When rails deform or rollers seize, beds can bind during extension. In severe cases, stress cracks appear at the bed box corners or at the slide openings in the body. Owners also point to under-built brackets that loosen over rough roads.

• Inspection tip: Fully extend each bed, load-test with a couple of adults briefly, then retract. Watch for binding or asymmetry.
• Repair reality: Parts are generally available, but DIY skill may be required to avoid long shop queues.

Owner documentation: Google: Palomino Yearling Bed Slide Problems and Good Sam: Palomino Yearling Bed Rails.

(Moderate Concern)

Owners commonly mention 12V battery drain, converter/charger failures, loose grounds, and lighting intermittency. On older Yearlings, corrosion at connections and missing strain reliefs can cause recurring gremlins. Shore-power cords and GFCI outlets should be tested; a faulty converter can take out battery health quickly.

• Checklist: With shore power connected, confirm charging voltage at the battery; test all lights; flip every switch; verify LP detector and CO detector operation (replace if out of date).
• Safety note: Non-functioning detectors are a serious hazard given small interior volume of pop-ups.

Dig deeper: Google: Palomino Yearling Electrical Problems and YouTube: Palomino Yearling Converter Failure.

(Serious Concern)

Water pump noise, leaks at PEX fittings, and brittle drain lines are typical on older pop-ups. LP systems require careful leak testing; owners report refrigerator ignition trouble, furnace short-cycling, and water heater corrosion. Some complaints point to inconsistent QC on appliance installation—loose screws, poor sealing around exterior vents, and clogged burner orifices.

• Safety check: Bubble-test LP lines at joints; confirm date-stamped regulator replacement cycle; test furnace and fridge on LP for 20–30 minutes under supervision.
• Moisture risk: Drips under sinks can saturate cabinetry and floors; look for swelling and delamination.

Evidence and troubleshooting: Google: Palomino Yearling Appliance Problems and Reddit r/RVLiving: Palomino Yearling LP Leak.

(Serious Concern)

Reports across lightweight pop-ups, including Palomino units, cite underspecified tires, premature bearing wear, and rust-prone frames. If the Yearling has sat unused, tire sidewalls may be cracked even with good tread, and bearings may lack grease. Overloading—especially with gear tossed under beds—can exceed the axle rating, leading to uneven tire wear and blowouts.

• Pre-trip safety: Replace aged “ST” tires (check DOT date codes); repack bearings; verify brake function if equipped.
• Alignment clues: Feathered wear or heat on one hub points to a problem; correct before towing long distances.

More on chassis-related issues: Google: Palomino Yearling Axle Problems and YouTube: Palomino Yearling Wheel Bearing Service.

(Moderate Concern)

Feedback on Palomino-branded campers often flags loose hardware, misaligned cabinetry, under-adhesed trim, and inconsistent sealant application. While some of this reflects age, patterns in one-star reviews of Forest River/Palomino products point to initial QC gaps that later become expensive headaches if not caught immediately after purchase.

• Red flags on walk-through: Stripped screws, uneven door gaps, missing or sloppy caulk, and rattling during tow.
• Service friction: Owners frequently report multiple trips to the dealer to correct small misses, compounded by long queues.

Corroborate with public sources: BBB: Palomino Yearling, RVInsider: Palomino Yearling Problems, and Liz “Amazing” content on builder QC and owner fixes.

(Serious Concern)

While many Yearlings are beyond factory warranty, this issue still matters to buyers of newer Palomino units or those hoping a dealer will “goodwill” repairs. Consumers frequently describe monthslong waits for parts, limited appointment slots, and disputes over what is “warranty” versus “owner maintenance.” For used buyers, getting post-sale support can be even harder—some dealers prioritize their own customers, leaving private-party purchasers in limbo.

• Paper trail: If a dealer promises to fix items prior to delivery, insist on a signed “We Owe” list with dates.
• Alternate paths: Independent shops or mobile RV techs can be faster; document work quality and keep receipts.

Service experiences to review: Google: Palomino Yearling Warranty Complaints and community threads on RVForums.com (use search bar).

(Moderate Concern)

Buyers frequently question the value of dealer-installed add-ons like fabric protection, extended warranties, or “prep packages” relative to their utility on a simple pop-up. Owners also report that advertised features don’t always perform as expected without additional setup—e.g., “heated mattresses” underperform in cold weather unless paired with adequate insulation and a reliable power source.

• Get line-item quotes: Request transparent pricing and decline non-essential add-ons.
• Test on-site: If a feature matters (furnace, fridge on LP, 12V USBs), run it during inspection, not after delivery.

Cross-check claims with owner reviews: Google: Palomino Yearling Amenity Complaints and YouTube: Palomino Yearling Review.

(Serious Concern)

Defects reported across Yearling units and similar Palomino pop-ups have clear safety and financial implications:

• Lift-system failure: A dropping or binding roof is a direct injury hazard, especially when hands or heads are near posts. An uneven lift can twist the frame.
• Water intrusion and mold: Rotted roof structure can collapse under snow load or during towing vibration; mold exposure is a health risk.
• LP leaks and appliance malfunctions: Propane leaks, CO buildup, and furnace short-cycling create life-threatening hazards in a small, enclosed space.
• Chassis and tire failures: Blowouts at speed or seized bearings can cause loss of control; even a minor incident can total a lightweight camper.
• Electrical faults: Faulty converters and missing GFCI protection risk battery damage and shock hazards.

Financially, these issues can quickly exceed the purchase price of an older Yearling. Roof reconstructions, canvas replacements, lift overhauls, and tire/brake service add up. For many shoppers, an inspection-based price reduction or walking away from a problematic unit is the most sensible course.

If you have a story that could help others assess risk, add your safety or repair experience.

(Serious Concern)

While laws vary by state, several frameworks apply to RV purchases, warranty enforcement, and safety defects:

• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (federal): Governs written warranties on consumer products. If a Palomino unit is under warranty, the manufacturer must honor its terms and cannot unreasonably delay or refuse covered repairs.
• State Lemon Laws: Many focus on new vehicles, sometimes including towable RVs. Lemon coverage for used units is limited, but some states have “implied warranty of merchantability” protections through the Uniform Commercial Code unless the sale is “as-is.”
• FTC enforcement: The Federal Trade Commission can act on deceptive advertising or warranty practices. Keep ads, brochures, and emails that promised specific features or performance.
• NHTSA oversight: Safety defects in motor vehicles and trailers must be reported and may trigger recalls. If you believe your Yearling has a safety defect (e.g., failing lift posts, fire risk), file a complaint with NHTSA and check for recall notices: NHTSA: Palomino Yearling.
• BBB and mediation: Some RV manufacturers participate in third-party dispute resolution programs. Review complaint patterns and resolution rates here: BBB Search: Palomino Yearling.

Documentation is decisive: Keep photos, dated inspection reports, all service paperwork, and written communications. If a dealer promised to repair items as a condition of sale and fails to do so, consult state consumer-protection agencies or an attorney. In disputed cases, owner documentation often determines outcomes.

Have you pursued a warranty or legal claim related to a Yearling? Share what worked and what didn’t.

(Serious Concern)

Typical pattern: A used Yearling passes a casual walk-around but later shows water-stained headliner and a binding lift corner. A DIYer discovers softened roof wood at the corners and frayed lift cables. Parts arrive quickly, but shop scheduling creates an 8–12 week delay during peak camping months. This scenario appears in many one-star reviews for lightweight pop-ups across brands; always verify independently via searches like Palomino Yearling Roof and Lift Problems and review forum photo threads.

(Moderate Concern)

An owner reports punch-list items at delivery—canvas stitch leak, non-charging converter, and a sticky bed slide. Dealer agrees to handle, but service is backlogged. The camper sits for weeks while the family cancels trips. BBB records across multiple RV dealers reflect significant backlogs and communication breakdowns; cross-check local dealers via BBB complaint and review pages listing Palomino-related sales.