Need advice on TT purchase

[WpgCouple]

HI, my wife and I are looking to purchase our first travel trailer. We have looked at several, but keep coming back to the 2010 Puma 25RKSS.

Any advice or help would be much appreciated.

My only towable experience is with a pop-up tent trailer.

[Randy the sly old fox]

This is a big step up from a pop-up tent trailer - you will be looking at over 6000 lbs of weight with a full tank of freshwater - and with batteries and LPG your tounge will be easily pushing 600 lbs - not to mention what you store under the bed. I have never had a rear kitchen - I have heard that at least with 5th wheels, rear kitchens tend to bounce things out of cupboards more often than if the kitchen is placed directly over the wheels. The overall plan looks nice for two people - even though it can sleep 6 - as long as at least two of them are small kids. Not that it is mandatory - but I see no place for a TV - or radio. Like I say these are not mandatory for camping - but do come in handy for keeping up with news and weather. From a construction standpoint it looks pretty standard stick and tin - easy to maintain and repair - it does dent easily however. You are going to need something substantial to tow it with - You could probably tow it with one of the newer 1/2T trucks with a 5-6L engine and proper rear gears and transmission. A good Weight Distributing hitch with sway control of at least 750 lb capacity would also be recommended EaZ lift does both WD and Sway Control in one unit. Palomino has been in the RV business a long time - from what I remember they started in pop-ups.

One thing I have done when looking at different units and floorplans is to kick out the salesman - close the door - and pretend to camp - stand in the galley - does everything feel right - can people pass behind you if necessary - sit on the toilet - do your knees touch the wall - can you reach the TP - sit on the sofa - is it comefy and cozy - sit at the dinette - can you eat and then play board games - lay on the bed - look at the clothes storage - where would you hang a wet coat or hat - where would you store them. Since you already have experience with a pop-up it will be easier to imagine yourselfs in the new rig.