So... looked at the Palomino, the owner / inheritor has title to it. No rot, canvas is in good shape, honestly looks like it may have been replaced within the last decade, no signs of rodents, The folks that had it got it as part of an estate, and had no idea what their Dad had done to it. Tried selling in an estate sale with no takers and just wanted it gone so they could clear out the barn to sell the property...
This leaves me with a quandry. Do I tear down or restore a reasonably decent condition pop up camper?
There are some serious issues I have with a pop up, but foamie "tech" may fix those issues. Mostly the complete lack of insulation due to the big canvas sides and bunk ends. I certainly wouldn'd mind if if I could figure out a foamie way to add insulated hard sided bunk ends and formerly canvas sides...
Basically the issues I see with a PU are...
#1. No insualtion. The canvas sides and bunk ends basically act as giant heating greenhouses. This can be mitigated with alumized mylar covers known as PUGs or Pop Up Gizmos, or home brewed variants of same. And alumized mylar covers for the side canvas.
#2. At least with this unit, no AC. I keep pushing on this due to where I live and where easy camping for me is, HOT and HUMID climate. I would have to adapt the trailer to accept AC. Doable, there is a prime spot for it, but still, work...
#3. The 3 way fridges in pop ups, and truck campers, typically are IMHO uselessly small and inefficient. I would be better off with a quality cooler OR a 12v compressor fridge. This would require tear out, plumbing and electrical reconfiguraiton and trim work.
#4. Pop Up campers are typically low to the ground, and are a serious hinderance off road. There are modern versions with lifted suspension and larger tires. The old units can be lifted, especially leaf spring campers, do a spring over conversion, use lift shackles, and mount up a pair of taller / wider tires.
#5. In the case of many of the free, cheap pop ups, they are going to be older, with all of the decor choices that comes with.
Lots to do. Trying to decide fix it, or tear it apart I don't see any rot in this thing, just aged rubber parts and 1980s decor choices... That can be fixed...