Perhaps you, like RV Travel reader Donald Wright, are looking for a less bulky fifth wheel. Here’s what Don wrote recently:
Gail, fifth wheelers keep getting larger and heavier. Does anyone make them lighter and more aerodynamic?
I’m not sure about the aerodynamics, but the 2026 Puma 255RKS is definitely lighter weight. Let’s take a look.
Overview
If the question is whether there are any lighter, more manageable fifth wheels out there, the 2025 Puma 255RKS is a great example of one. It is a compact rear-kitchen fifth wheel with one slide. It offers a fifth wheel feel but with a lighter weight. This RV is best suited for a couple but has flexibility for an occasional guest.
Behind the walls
Forest River’s Puma has AlphaPly roof protection, an enclosed Darco-wrapped underbelly, solar prep, ducted air conditioning, and power gear that includes stabilizer jacks and front jacks.
Key specs
- Length: 28 ft. 5 in.
- Exterior width: 8 ft.
- Exterior height: 12 ft. 2 in.
- Hitch weight: 1,102 lb.
- GVWR: 8,800 lb.
- Dry weight: 6,754 lb.
- Cargo capacity: 2,046 lb.
- Fresh water capacity: 43 gal.
- Gray water capacity: 70 gal.
- Black water capacity: 30 gal.
- Awning size: 18 ft.
- Price: $34,000
Interior and living space
Step inside, and the first thing you notice is that the 255RKS feels efficient. The dining area is centered on the slide, facing the sofa. The rear kitchen is positioned along the back wall and extends into an L-configuration, giving a more spacious vibe. The 255RKS feels open, with generous walk-around space for a comfortable vibe for everyday camping.
There is a small but functional three-piece bath off the hallway that leads to the front bedroom.
I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of storage in this smaller fifth wheel. It seemed very workable to me.
Kitchen
I appreciate the rear kitchen’s layout. There is adequate prep space, and I really like how the rear window adds nice natural light to the RV interior. (Blinds are closed in the photo.) The light-toned cabinets help keep the area bright.
Appliances are stainless-steel: a 12V refrigerator, microwave, oven, and range hood. (I would prefer to have a micro-convection oven, but that’s just me.)
You’ll also see a glass range cover and an undermount sink. The overall kitchen design is compact, but quite workable for the way we RV. (There are also exterior kitchen options on the Puma 255RKS.)
Dining/living room
The dining/living area is set up for relaxed camping. The booth dinette slide helps open the space up, and the jackknife sofa gives you a place to stretch out. (I would probably switch out the sofa for two recliners.) The fireplace option adds a cozy touch, and the entertainment center can be viewed from both the dinette and sofa positions. Rounding out the amenities is LED lighting and Bluetooth stereo—both nice choices.
Bath
The bath is small and basic, yet functional. A skylight allows plenty of light into the space. Access to the commode is a bit confined, as is the 34″ x 34″ shower. However, both are doable. I appreciate the dedicated medicine cabinet in the Puma 255RKS, and there is a small bit of countertop for your toothbrushes.
The nice surprise is that in the hallway directly outside of the bathroom, you’ll discover both a linen storage space and a wardrobe, which more than makes up for the limited storage options within the bathroom itself.
The not-so-great surprise is the bath and bedroom door configurations. In the current floor plan, the two doors may “fight” with one another. (I have seen a barndoor solution in alternate floor plans. It’s a much better setup, in my opinion.)
Bedroom
Up front, the private bedroom gives the 255RKS a nicer separation than you sometimes get in shorter fifth wheels. An actual door separates this area from the rest of the RV, which I really like.
Windows on opposite sides of the bed will allow for a pleasant cross breeze, and there are two storage cabinets flanking each side of the queen bed, with overhead storage, as well.
Bed access, though somewhat tight, is possible from both left and right sides for convenience. There is a bedroom TV hookup, but that’s not something we’d use.
Overall take
The 2025 Puma 255RKS is a good answer to Don’s “lighter fifth wheel” query. It’s compact, with an efficient layout. It provides a nice rear kitchen, private bedroom, and one-slide living space—all within a lighter-weight package.
The Puma 255RKS is not a tiny trailer, but it does seem like a smart fit for RVers who want a fifth wheel that is easier to tow and park than some others.
Please note the 2025 version of this trailer is dealer stock only, meaning it is no longer being built at the factory, but is still available on some dealer lots.
What do you think about the 2025 Puma 255RKS fifth wheel? Tell us in the comments below.
MORE FIFTH WHEEL REVIEWS:
- 2026 East to West Blackthorn 229RK—short and sweet
- 2026 Brinkley Model G 4150: Separate office, huge garage, lots o’ luxury
- Brinkley Model Z 2900—Luxury fifth wheel that feels like home
- 2026 KZ Ridgeway 32ML fifth wheel: A couples-friendly layout
- Explore the 10 best 2026 fifth wheels under 30’
RVDT2941
It appears that there is no access to the bathroom (or bedroom) with the slide out in. That’s a deal breaker for us. Too bad, otherwise this is a nice trailer. I would also prefer theater seats.
Thank you for the review, Gail. The comparative tank sizes are puzzling. The cumulative volumes of the fresh and black tanks is approximately the volume of the gray tank. Is this the usual relationship between the volumes of the three tanks? Seems that fresh should be much larger and wouldbe nice if black were at least marginally so. Have a great week and safe travels!
Yep, no bathroom access in a parking lot or bath-bedroom access when overnighting in a Flying J RV parking space definitely means “no way, no how”! I wouldn’t take this floorplan if you gave it to me free of charge.
The picture of the 5er don’t match the floor plan or am I missing something. The door shows forward in the picture and on the floor plan at the end. Where the door is, if located at the rear is a no go for me. I want the door closer to bedroom for emergency exit.