Real-Lite truck camper remodel

[Alsie]

Hey all,

New to the site and so excited to find this! So my husband and I just recently purchased a 1986 Real-lite truck camper by Juno industries. Great thing about it, it came with all of its original paper work and booklets. That was a heck of grab considering anything about this company and its campers are non existent. 

Some minor issues that we are going through and fixing whatever the previous owners just band-aided. Such as our jack stand situation... apparently at some point the rear passenger side stand went through he unit. Busting through the dinette. Which crumpled some of the siding.

So my question being.. anyone with experience with these campers... does anyone know of the name or pattern style of the siding to the trim pieces of this unit. Or any ideas on where or how to obtain that information.

[16j7wbk56gt0p]

CONGRATULATIONS! Are you ever lucky! These were upscale, quality built & have a well know name. I had a travel trailer & later a motor home years back & can testify that they exceeded expectations. Recently spoke to the owner of Juno & told him how great the rv's were. He told me they were made by the best & they all were one big happy family that made them that enjoyed their work. Not seeing your siding & knowing several types used I can only guess it was a mesa style. If you google mesa siding you will find the different styles. Helmut from California makes most all of the different styles & sure they can make yours. They even have a video showing how they make it. If you send me or post pictures I will know what style.

[Alsie]

We are in love with this camper. You can see the quality and actual care to the design of this unit. I thought i had added a picture... i shall add a few

[16j7wbk56gt0p]

What a nice looking camper. Many dealers sold the truck campers as they were light but put together well. They then entered the class c mini with Ford, Cheve & Dodge. In 79 they started with trailers & later 5th wheels. In late 80's sold out to Mallard & couple years later Palomino. The Real-Lite name still exists today as it has a well respected heritage. Don't know if the quality even close to the original.  They used a monoque construction years ahead of others. The walls are solid! Never seen them take a short cut. They built a top quality rv & used the best grade materials and products available. Juno always used the best - never chincy. 0Where other mfgs were optional Juno's were all standard. 

[Alsie]

Wow! Thanks for the information. We were wondering if they were now merged with palamino.. because of the name. Its just amazing we can't seem to find any others out there. Did they just not make many?

Previous owners to us did some "work".. resealing horribly. So we are now on the mission to reseal every inch.. the proper way.
Very frustrating as we discover new areas that they.. "fixed" up.

[16j7wbk56gt0p]

They never merged with anyone. They built thousands. Few come up for sale. The owner told me he sold out to Mallard Coach. They came in loaded all & took away. 3 yrs later Mallard sold. The rights to the use of the name Real-Lite was also sold. John told me the rv biz has ups & downs (gas prices & economy). Juno had a 20 yr run so time to cash out & retire. Remember, it was QUALITY not QUANTITY. They made a honest profit, treated his customers, dealers & employees well. Most folks bought & new like them so much they stay in the family. Juno was a top notch outfit.

Glad to hear your going to redo it right. You got yourself a family heirloom. If close to Pittsburgh Would love to come see it.

[Alsie]

Hey,

Sorry for the pause. Went to visit family. Unfortunately we are located in NC. If we make it up that way sometime, I'll let you know. Funny.. we almost snagged ourselves another real-lite just this weekend. It's a heck of a steal. Tempted to still get it.....

[16j7wbk56gt0p]

Is it another truck camper? If it's a single axle travel trailer let me know post haste. Saw a RL 5th wheel real cheap last night but gotta have the right type truck to pull it. Hey, you got the real deal REAL-LITE. 

[Alsie]

It was another truck camper. Wow had no idea they made 5th wheels. If I come across a travel trailer I will let you know.

[Dave Ramsay]

Hello, I just bought a 1985 Real-Lite Model I think is an 850, with zero paperwork or manuals and I need some info. I also found that Juno Ind. had a recall on the 1985 thru 1989 units with an electrical issue, while researching more about an owners manual. Unfortunately I couldn't find much of anything about these RVs, so I would like to ask you does your unit have the LP tanks mounted outside in a storage area? If they are, are they vertical tanks (BBQ type) mounted on their sides? That is what I have and everything I read says never to lay vertical tanks on their side. I'm afraid to use them this way. Also I would be glad to pay you for a copy of the info you have about the RV. I am getting this ready to take to Alaska next spring so, I have some time to get it ready for the trip. Thanks

Dave Ramsay  

[Alsie]

Sorry for the slow reply. Sorry we have been out of town for our honeymoon. I will be happy to provide the manual. It will be another week or so before we are back into the area. We have all the original booklets for the equipment installed. 

As for the tanks, we have the tanks that are laying on their sides. We changed them out for "newer" tanks. My husband said it was because the older tanks didn't have the new valves that don't allow you to get the liquid out of the tanks. 

[Dave Ramsay]

Congrats on the wedding. I really appreciate being able to get the info, Thank You. I have talked at length to many different sources concerning the tanks being placed on their side and it seems that a vertical (BBQ) tank should never be transported or used on their side. So I have taken them out and replaced them with 5lb. tanks that will stand up in that small area. Thanks again for the help and info I'll be here working on the camper for the next few weeks (grin). Take care 

Dave Ramsay

[Patrick]

Do you have the books i just purchased a travel trailer a year older might have some helpful information in there I could use