By Cheri Sicard
A tiny travel trailer usually means giving up certain things. The Sunset Park RV Retro 126 Ruby (also labeled R126) tries to keep the fun parts and the practical parts—a full bath, real cooking, and a roomy place to sit.
In the video at the end of this post, PJ from Princess Craft RV walks through the smallest model in the Retro line, and it packs a lot into 16 feet.
This Ruby keeps weight and size friendly for a lot of SUVs and small trucks with the right hitch setup.
- Dry weight: 2,480 lbs.
- Length: 16 ft.
- Exterior width: 7 ft. 6 in.
- Interior height: 6 ft. 7 in.
- Fresh water: 35 gallons
- Gray tank: 30 gallons
- Black tank: 30 gallons
PJ notes that a 3,000- to 3,500-pound tow rating puts many owners in a comfortable range.
Exterior
The trailer shown is bright yellow, and it leans hard into that classic look. Other exterior colors are available, too, including turquoise and blue.
A few details sell the Retro vibe:
- Fender skirts over the wheels
- Whitewall tires
- Round taillights plus chrome hooded lights up high
The power awning adds to the “little retro house” feel when it’s open. Up front, there are 110V outlets for things like string lights.
The Ruby uses Air-LITE windows from EckCo Plastics. PJ calls them almost unbreakable and points out they don’t scratch like acrylic. They’re compared to the material used for airplane windshields.
Two interior looks: full retro or more neutral
Inside, the standard finish is knotty pine cabinetry with a black-and-white checkered floor. Buyers who like the retro outside but want a calmer cabin can choose an ash cabinetry package with a “graphite” interior and a wood-plank style floor.
Even at 16 feet, the trailer doesn’t feel cramped. The 6’7″ interior height helps, and there’s enough open floor space to move around.
The oversized dinette is the main living and sleeping area. The corners are cut so it’s easier to slide in, and the table is big enough to work on like a desk. PJ says it can also seat a group for games.
At night, the dinette drops down into a large queen-size sleeping area. The cushions are on the firm side, which helps them hold up over time, but someone who wants a softer bed may add a topper.
This area also answers the common “Where does the TV go?” question. There’s a TV backer on the cabinet side, with 110V, cable hookups, a 12V connection, and USB ports nearby. Overhead cabinets run across the space, and touch lights under the cabinet brighten the dinette. Pleated shades on both side windows pull down for blackout privacy.
For storage, there’s a tall cabinet that works well as a pantry, plus overhead cabinets and several drawers.
Kitchen appliances and features include:
- 12V refrigerator with door shelving, a crisper drawer, and a freezer
- Large sink with a solid cover that doubles as prep space
- Three-burner stove with a glass cover
- Oven and a microwave
- Vent hood with a light and fan
- A 110V outlet placed well for a coffee maker
Under the counter, the LP and carbon monoxide detector is easy to reach, so it’s not a hassle to check or silence.
A 100W solar panel comes standard, with an option to add another 190W. The solar controller is mounted with the main controls, along with switches for the water pump, water heater, interior lights, and the power awning. The standard water heater is a 6-gallon gas unit, with an upgrade available for gas and electric.
The bathroom is tight, and taller campers may need to crack the door for more space at the toilet. The shower is a 32″ x 24″, with a skylight for extra headroom. There’s also a power fan option, and a wall-mounted medicine cabinet with shelving and a mirror.
Road-ready gear
This small trailer still includes features that aren’t always found in this size class: an outside shower, a black tank flush, and clearly grouped hookups for tank fill and city water. Dump valves sit forward, with gray on the left and black on the right.
Up front, it comes with two 20 lb. propane tanks under a hard cover as well as an electric jack. PJ also points out a one-piece PVC roof, mixing modern materials with old-school style. The Sunset Park RV Retro 126 Ruby keeps the retro charm, but it doesn’t skip the practical stuff.
Learn more about the Retro 126 Ruby here.
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It may just be me, but no trailer looks “retro” with black metal/plastic trim around the door, windows, storage bays, roof vents, etc., plus a black awning cover. If all of those items were aluminum-colored or white, then I would consider the exterior more “retro”. And this trailer appears to be just a new version of the previous Riverside-brand retro trailers with a new name on the side. If I wanted a similar model with a knotty pine interior, but didn’t want to pay new-RV prices, I would check RVTrader.com for the Riverside versions.
Thank you for calling attention to the video and summarizing it, Cheri! This is a cute, functional, and tiny RV. Have a great weekend and safe travels!