There was a lot of interesting inventory at the 2024 FROG (Forest River Owners Group) International Rally in Goshen, Indiana, but one of the RVs that got a tremendous amount of attention was the Palomino Pause 19.6 overlanding travel trailer. We’ve looked at these in the past, but it was interesting to go and touch and see it for myself.
What is the Palomino Pause?
Forest River’s Palomino Division may not be at the top of your list if you’re into overlanding unless you’re aware of their Pause line. Of course, some owners of pickup campers likely have shopped the Palomino line, especially in their pop-up camper line. We’ve covered several Palomino RV products in the past.
Built differently
The Pause line is not only a complete departure from the company’s other products, but is quite a departure in the entire RV space.
This is an aluminum frame that is huck-riveted together rather than welded. Many RVs have enclosed underbellies, but this one is enclosed with diamond plate metal. Typically a corrugated plastic material is what is used.
While we’re down here, let’s take a look at the suspension, which is a MORryde independent air suspension. Independent suspensions are becoming more common, with our first seeing them on Australian RVs and then migrating to the Ember line.
Suspension animation
This air suspension goes to the next level, as the air suspension on this can be raised and lowered. At its top setting, the suspension provides up to 25 inches of ground clearance. But then you can lower the suspension once you’re at your destination so that you can get in and out more easily—or take advantage of the outside kitchen.
One of the reasons towable RVs are such an aerodynamic disaster is that you’re pulling a huge box behind you. It just takes some power to overcome the wind resistance. You can also lower the suspension such that the trailer isn’t as high in the air, which may help with this wind resistance, but then raise the suspension as you go over a driveway apron or hit the trail.
For aerodynamic reasons alone, I bet this MORryde suspension is going to be popular in a year or two.
Since there’s a provision for compressed air to operate the suspension, you can also use this to fill tires.
On the subject of tires, there are four that touch the ground on the initial releases of the Pause, but they also include two spares. The assumption is that you’re going to go to places that are barely places—and you may pop a tire. Or two.
Material differences in the Palomino Pause 19.6
It’s not just the chassis and suspension where this model stands out. The walls are a new composite material from a company called Ridge Corporation in Ohio. Their TransCore walls are a different type of construction than you’ll typically find in RVs. Palomino had a sample of the wall at the RV dealer open house event. And a big, big sledgehammer.
Dylan Risser of Palomino took the big sledgehammer and gave the wall all he had—and the wall was just fine.
Not only is this a different type of wall material, but the interiors of the walls are 3D printed onto the wall surface. Inside the Pause, there are examples of subway tiles and other interiors.
The advantage of this is that the walls are seamless, unlike in most RVs, but also don’t use a wallpaper-like product. That means there are no seams on the interiors either, which is a place where the seam tape fails with great regularity on many RVs.
Further, all the holes for the windows are cut with a CNC machine, so they’re very precise. While this isn’t typical in the RV industry, I know Lance uses the same process for holes in the wall.
I have seen more than one RV factory where a worker with a router simply free-cuts the holes in the RV walls. Yikes.
Another area where the materials are different is in the cabinetry, which is a powder-coated aluminum structure. There are soft-close hinges on the cabinets, but this is a bit more industrial feeling than some might be used to. However, it’s also more tank-like than most towables—so that’s a plus.
Technology
One more area where these are different is in the technology behind them. Palomino has partnered with Garmin to provide a whole RV monitoring system.
Many RVers are already familiar with Garmin as they have made navigation systems for many years, but they actually do much more than that. In the marine industry, they have full-house…er, full-boat control systems—and that’s what you have here.
Using an included Garmin tablet, you can operate just about any system on the Pause. You can raise and lower the suspension, including to levels pre-set by you; operate the lights; monitor tank levels; and almost every other aspect of the RV. You can also employ your own phone and tablet to do this.
But the Garmin device, called ONE, that’s included also incorporates navigation, of course. That navigation accommodates the length and height of your total vehicle so you won’t go where you won’t fit.
The term ONE is actually an acronym meaning Operation, Navigation, and Entertainment.
I haven’t had a chance to fiddle with that system yet, but I’m hoping to and will share a full review. I do know that it also incorporates things like customizable checklists—and that’s a good thing.
What’s it like
In the past, I had spoken with Dylan and seen videos. But this was a chance to step inside the Pause and touch it. The original Pause models are different than these newer “Reboot” series in that the Reboot series is intended to address some of the cost factors that were part of the original Pause line.
In other words, these are less expensive.
In some ways, I can see and feel this. Rather than being metal, the cabinets are wood. They all have mechanical latches on them, but I liked the solid feel of the metal cabinets. But remember… I’m weird.
What’s inside the Palomino Pause 19.6
The model I saw was a bunkhouse unit. While the previous two that I had seen had some unusual interior design features, this one does not.
Essentially you have a queen-sized bed at the front of this unit, a dinette on the road side, and a kitchen on the camp side. In the back are bunks that measure 28” X 72”. Finally, there’s a bathroom and shower beside the bunks.
Nothing unusual, but not everything has to be unusual. They have that covered in the frame and suspension of these.
Okay, there was one thing I saw. The back of the road-side cabinet walls featured removable panels so you could access the wiring back there. I like that. So often a wiring issue means damaging walls or other surfaces that cover the wires. Here you can just get to them. Smart. Other trailer companies should do this, as well—but likely won’t.
Power in the Palomino Pause 19.6
The standard solar and power package on these units is 200 watts of solar with 50-amp chargers, along with 270 amp-hours of lithium power. You can also upgrade to a system with 600 watts of solar on the roof and a 400-watt portable panel, along with a second 270 amp-hour lithium battery.
Or, there’s even an option for a system with 800 watts of solar panels on the roof and two 400-watt portable panels, along with 1,080 amp hours of lithium battery. My gosh.
The company also includes the Coleman Mach A/C unit with soft start technology built in.
Boondocking and travel access
Of course, a rig with tires like this and an adjustable suspension and all the other things that make up a build like this should be great off the grid—and this one absolutely is. There is a SHOWERMI$ER to save water. There are even traction pads if you get stuck going where you’re going.
Since there is no slide room here, everything is always accessible.
My thoughts
It’s going to take a while for this model, the Palomino Pause 19.6, to catch on. But for those for whom this model fits their use case, I don’t think there’s an RV better-suited. The floor plan, materials, design, and feel of this are absolutely unique—in a good way. They’re not different just to be different.
There are now two distinct lines for Palomino Pause—the original Pause and the Reboot models, which are more affordable, but still not cheap.
I think that some of the things in here could also be adapted to more mainstream models, though using this caliber of material isn’t going to ever result in a cheap RV. But I think there’s room for something that can compete with Airstream and not be a total throwback to the 1950s.
Overall, I hope Palomino sticks with this unique line and I’m sure there will be buyers who seek these out over time. Those for whom this is appropriate certainly will be rewarded by something different and, yes, better.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
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I noticed this trailer has those ‘becoming unpopular’ one piece stairs that might be a problem in a tight rest area for a quick stop. They are also unpopular when they are full of dirt, water, or (gasp!), snow. Other than that, being a big boondocker myself, I see a lot of good stuff here though it looks like you have to go to bed in order to watch the TV.
I agree on the steps, but I would bet the TV is on a swing arm. 😉
after my purchase of an Ember Touring edition, I immediately replaced the hated drawbridge steps with Torklift Revolution Uprising scissor steps. I can deploy them in tight spots in. seconds
I looked these up, Russ. They look cool. I might look into them for our 12 year old Arctic Fox.
I would love to learn more about your experience with your Ember. I like what I see but you experience things first-hand, which has even greater value.
I don’t like these steps for the reasons you mentioned plus my wife doesn’t like them because she knows of someone who brought a small frog into their RV (ironic since I saw this at the FROG rally!).
I will say more and more younger people just eschew the TV for something like a tablet or computer screen so the placement of the TV may not matter to them. Perhaps they, like us (I’m an old fart who behaves like a child) might even take the TV out.
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 The price relative to the perceived build and material quality seems a clear case of “you can pay me now or pay me later.” That is, it seems much more “buy and go, go, go” than other RVs that too often are “buy and fix, go, fix, fix.” This is certainly an intriguing RV. The apparent sturdiness makes it attractive even if it never leaves pavement. 🤔😯 🙂 Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels and safe stays! 🙂
The more RV companies that have at least one model with a modern suspension syatem, the better. Maybe there will be a trickle-down effect once they learn how to build something besides their usual horse-and-buggy leaf springs. Let Ford trucks keep their leaf springs, but give RV owners a 21st century suspension! Please!
This is why I bring it up so often. There are choices we have but you have to know what you’re looking for to be able make a wise choice.