Please talk me out of this.

I have wanted a camper trailer for a while but price and size has been a barrier. I stumbled on this today and its pretty much everything I wanted. Including small size. I have 2 small kids age 5 and 6, and we love camping but my wife doesn't come with us due to sleeping on the ground, not having an escape from the heat, etc.

This would be my first camper and I know its not perfect but its a good starter one.

What should I look out for? What are some potential issues im not thinking about? Do I need insurance on it? I doubt I need a WDH with that low tongue weight. What size generator would be good?

At this price i seriously want to go pick it up this weekend lol.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2025-Palomino-Puma+Camping+Edition+121RKCE-5036542610#sid=810797

 

You gon' squeeze a family of four into that camper?

 

I'd say get it but I have seen a tire blow and destroy single axle trailers because they basically end up dragging a side or destroying the wheel. Get a tandem axle, much safer

 

You will definitely need insurance if you finance it. Your insurance company would be the best place to ask if you pay for it in full as DMV may require it due to the license plate. The insurance isn't that much. Our 2025 was $35K and our insurance is just under $40 per month. I would check out the Forest River forum for info on the trailer model itself.

Www.Forestriverforums.com

 

Same price, beds for all

https://rv.campingworld.com/rv/2025...SwJa8S2ONqlkUMQ16HIaApueEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://rv.campingworld.com/rv/2025...39IQU3oKC8u7aLHwpTUaAveXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Even cheaper....

https://rv.campingworld.com/rv/2025...35y6hgdNXqDk8afNWywaAgddEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

This was my exact thought. Entry level bunkhouses are practically being given away.

 

Even 4 people in our pup-up was tight and it had 2 queen beds. I couldn't imagine 4 people in that one.

 

OP my wife and I just went on a 3100 mile road trip with a rented travel trailer (21' Jayco). It was my wife, my 20 month old daughter and I, and that trailer was way too small for us.

I cannot imagine trying to fit a family of 4 in an even smaller trailer. Might be worth renting a trailer and going out with the family for a weekend to get an idea of what a certain size trailer will feel like all loaded up.

Lastly, are you or your wife tall? Im 6'2" and could not stand up straight in that Jayco (10 day trip hunched over did wonders for the low back). Most of those real compact camper trailers have very low ceilings.

 

I paid roughly twice that for our current 21' Bunkhouse, but I refuse to tow single axle and a slide is a must for us with 2 dogs in the camper. I've also owned several campers now and was attempting to buy a better quality camper this time.

 

That’s a camper for the family pet. Not a family.

 

Generator wise, I use a Firman 3200/4000 dual fuel (WH03242). Not the smallest, but not too big either and low idle mode is pretty quiet. Can be had at Costco on sale for $600.

Other options are Champion and the Predator2000, both are in the $500-600 range and should meet your needs.

 

This ^

If you can swing it, a small dual axle with a slide out is the way to go.

 

I have a single axle trailer and for 2 people it is good but 4 people would be tough for longer than a weekend. 22 footer

I have been focused on the potential tire failure but I have also made sure the tires are not past 5 years old and have a TPMS installed and working. Single axles can work and be reliable if you take care of the tires and maintenance.

With that said, I am always considering trading to a double axle trailer to get a few more feet of living space.

 

Practically doubles the price. Sometimes you just need a hard-sided tent with an AC and a shower, and you gotta roll the dice. Maintain those tires and bearings and hope for the best. Immediately replace the china bomb tires with quality if going that route.

 

That would be tight, but it's got everything you need.

Depends if you're always outdoors and just need shelter to sleep, or if you hang out inside and play board games or watch movies etc.

That price is tempting but you might find you outgrow it quickly and want something bigger.

When we bought ours in 2016 (first RV) I wanted to "get our third RV first" since I was sort of "convincing" my wife of spending the money. I wanted something that would hold together and not be a sore subject of repairs, more money, etc.

We were talking about getting a used pop-up, and then I went to the dealership by my office "just to look".

Somehow I convinced her that we should add a zero to what we planned on spending, and not worry so much about the purchase price but rather focus on the monthly payment, which is literally two nights in a shitty motel.
She would go back and forth between "It's really nice" and "It's so much money" (Both true) In a moment of weakness she said "Let's do it, and let's go now before I change my mind."

It's been over 8 years of trouble free fun and making memories, and she often turns to me when we're eating ice cream in the desert and says "I love our trailer".

Something with a slide gives you a lot more room in the same footprint, I'm still amazed every time I hit the button how much it expands.

 

Very true. I would add a TPMS system to your recommendation about maintenance, it can (hopefully) give you early warning of a tire heating up, losing pressure, etc.

We financed ours and I convinced the wife to forget the price, and just look at the payment. $249/mo. is like 2 nights in a shitty Bakersfield Motel 6. (My apologies to anyone who lives in Bakersfield)

So if we get out and use it, it's well worth it.

 

Don't get that one. Bunks at a minimum.

Consider what your family will do when you get stuck with a day of complete rain and ensure the trailer can accommodate those essentials.

 

This is the most important factor ... It is recommended to have a professional independent inspection even for brand new ones. You got to make sure everything works and nothing leaks which is normally found the first or second time taking it out.

Watch her channel and see the nightmares out there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RNEgTaX9DY

 

camping is about being outside, not hanging out in a trailer. If you all fit in your beds and the toilet works go for it.
Too many people get sucked into the “bigger is better” or “this layout is just perfect for us” thinking and none of it matters. “What if its raining, how will we all fit inside”? Pop the awning and enjoy the rain. Campers are mechanical nightmares so I say get the smallest nightmare you can sleep in and focus on being outside.

 

Yeah, my kids are small and its mostly for sleeping. It's not absolutely perfect but its better than nothing.

 

Very good point about inspection.

Some brand spanking shiny new rigs (especially those made in Elkhart, IN) have stuff that didn't get connected, or stuff that was slapped together fast 'cuz the next one is rollin' down the assembly line.

Attached (if the link works) is a very comprehensive PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) guideline that one of the members of my Lance owners forum put together. Very helpful. It's talking about Lance trailers but most of it translates to other makes.

https://community.lanceowners.org/f.../fodoid/608748171177515021/PDI_Trailer_21.pdf

It's also good to video the walk-through at the dealer where they show you how everything works, it's a lot to digest and easy to forget stuff.

 

Agreed, but double axles are much larger and more expensive. Only reason im considering this one is the value to size ratio.

 

Well ya, in Arkansas. I'd have to look locally for something similar. I do like that one though.

 

Fair enough. How much time were you guys spending in it besides sleepy time?

 

I've never purchased an RV local. I've bought three, all out of state. Had 2 of them delivered, drove 5 hours to pick one of them up myself. Saved THOUSANDS doing so.

 

This was pretty much what I was thinking. My kids would only go in it after being forced to at bed time. Im usually willing to spend more on stuff just because its smaller and more lightweight. I figured its not too expensive, new and its a starter trailer that I can maneuver and park easily at my house. It would probably be easy to sell in a few years too.

 

Fair point. I'd have to do a little number crunching to see where the sweet spot would be moneywise for that.

 

I agree with you, ideally. But, in that situation, we would be stuck in a tent anyway. Cramped and wet. With this upgrade, at least it would just be cramped but point taken.