Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2025 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 17SC. For anyone looking for a smaller, more affordable travel trailer, Cherokee’s done something remarkable here. But there are a few downsides; we’ll get to those in a moment.
If you’re shopping for a smaller, single-axle trailer, you often have some compromises that are a given. Usually, the bed is east-west, and the interior is essentially one big room. In other words, there’s no separation between the bedroom and kitchen.
This trailer solves that and really establishes a new, very functional floor plan in this size and price range. In fact, it really trounces a lot of other examples I’ve seen. But first…
Start at the road with the Cherokee Wolf Pup 17SC
What you have is a single-axle trailer that rides on less expensive off-brand tires and a leaf spring suspension. I am in no way surprised by this.
But Cherokee does have a valve stem cap that changes color based on the inflation pressure of the tires. While my first choice is a tire pressure monitoring system, that’s not likely at this price point—so this is a not bad solution.
Being a smaller trailer, all the sewer connections are in a single place, which is good. I was also surprised to see tank heaters, so that might extend how long you can enjoy camping. This isn’t an Arctic-ready rig, but it would be great in the shoulder seasons.
This is a wood-framed, aluminum-skinned, “stick-and-tin” trailer build.
This also uses the EXACT-SLIDE® mechanism, which is a cable slide but one that’s specifically designed so you can occupy the slide room even when it’s retracted. Now, I know plenty of you do this anyway, but this is one of the only ones where they specifically tell you it’s cool to do so. You do with your RV what you want—I’m going to follow the instructions.
Good thing my wifey doesn’t read these. She’d never ever believe that I wrote that. I’m going to blame Diane. Hehe. [🫤 –Diane]
One more thing. This actually comes with a backup camera. Not backup camera prep, but with the darned camera itself.
What’s inside the Cherokee Wolf Pup 17SC
This trailer has the kitchen all the way at the back, and that kitchen stretches the width of the trailer. There’s a 12-volt fridge right at the entry door. The fridge opens both ways—so if you need to just reach in and get a bottle of ketchup or whatever, you can.
I think the initial examples of these fridges had some issues where the doors could fall off if you didn’t close them properly—but I believe that’s been worked out. In fact, I have one of these in my new trailer and I am really impressed with how efficient it is with power.
Other than that, there’s a two-burner in-line propane stovetop but a regular microwave oven. Bummer. I wish it were a convection microwave—but I don’t suppose you’ll be making huge meals in here.
However, with the counter extending most of the width of the trailer, except for where the fridge is, there is actually good counter space. Also, the single-bowl sink is a really good size.
There’s a drawer under the two-burner propane stovetop and decent cabinet space, as well.
On the camp side is a larger window and a dining bar. Beneath that are shelves where seven totes are included. So there is a tremendous amount of storage inside this rig for something of this overall length. They’ve done a super job.
That breakfast bar could also be additional counter space or a place to work.
There is a folding couch in a slide over on the road side.
Bathroom in the Cherokee Wolf Pup 17SC
One of the big surprises of this unit is that the bathroom splits the rig in half and extends the width of the trailer. I love this!
There’s a decent sink with a medicine cabinet over on the camp side. There’s plenty of space around the toilet, and the shower is a mini tub with a shower curtain. My only issue here is that they use a low-grade vent fan, whereas many of the Cherokee offerings use a higher-capacity vent fan. But they put the skylight and vent fan right above the tub so it works to extend the headroom there.
I actually stood in the shower and the headroom was good even without the additional space.
The one bummer is that the toilet in here is plastic, though there’s plenty of space. But I wouldn’t expect a porcelain throne at this price point.
Bedroom in the Cherokee Wolf Pup 17SC
You might be further surprised by the fact that the bedroom offers a north-south bed with cabinets and closets on either side. Not at all what you would expect in a trailer of this length, but they nailed it.
Know that this trailer is pretty short, and I believe this is a short queen mattress. But the fact that you can walk around the bed and get to closets and overhead cabinets is pretty impressive.
Another thing in here is a small inverter by the bed on the camp side, which would be great for something like a CPAP machine. Inverters take a bit of power themselves, but these smaller ones take less than a whole-trailer beast so this really makes sense.
Boondocking and travel access
When I first saw a video of this trailer, there were some issues with the design where travel access was limited. Since then, they’ve made enough changes that you can get into the bathroom and bedroom with the slide in.
As mentioned, you can also use the couch with the slide in, and the rest of the trailer is pretty accessible. So I would say this is good with or without the slide out.
Cherokee now includes a single 200-watt solar panel with this. In the past I would say a single panel wouldn’t even compensate for the 12-volt fridge. But if my measurements of this fridge in my own new trailer are correct, a single panel could compensate for the fridge’s consumption. Obviously, more testing is to come.
Interestingly, I spoke with someone at Lippert when I was at Open House and he remarked that the efficiency technology of newer compressors, refrigerators and air conditioners is advancing quickly. Perhaps this fridge is a beneficiary of that.
Conclusions about the Cherokee Wolf Pup 17SC
I mentioned a few hitches in the giddy-up of this trailer. Obviously, no rig is perfect.
But one of the weird things I saw was a vent hole in the wall between the bathroom and the main living space, and another between the bedroom and the bathroom. The air conditioner and heater in this little RV is not ducted, so I would imagine that hot or cold air is going to have a bit of a challenge reaching the bedroom.
I suspect owners are very quickly going to put some sort of fan in here to help move that air along.
Overall, I really like this trailer, especially at this price point. The features, layout, and design are really unusual and quite usable.
Funny thing—I was in Indiana last week picking up my own new trailer and I got to see a bunch of new products from Forest River, including this little trailer, in person. I had a great opportunity to capture pictures and impressions, which I really appreciate. But the day I went to Cherokee, it was dumping buckets. So you’ll see a very wet me in the photo of the shower here. (And, no, I don’t usually wear a raincoat in the shower.)
Those who know me, know that I absolutely, positively and completely despise rain and winter. So I may or may not have been a grumpy Gus. But I appreciated the opportunity to see a bunch of new Forest River trailers.
Anyhow, this might make a great trailer for someone traveling solo, or even a couple. What do you think? As always, I’m grateful for your comments.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with Peggy.
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Just curious of trailers model designation. It’s a 17SC but it’s 23′ 10″? What does SC designate? I have a 17RP (rear patio) and its 17′ minus the tongue, 20′ 2″ overall. Is there a universal code RV Manufacturers use for the designation of these models? Like RB (rear bunks) or BB (bunk beds) and of course RP (rear patio).
Sometimes these labels make sense but SC – I have no clue. I would think RK (Rear Kitchen) might be more logical but I’m not in charge.
A while ago I wrote a piece here about deciphering RV model numbers – you can read that here. But this one is a total mystery.
Solar collector – charger….?
Just for kicks, I Googled it. Very helpful and always accurate A.I. (not) said the SC stands for Single Bunk.🤔🤣 Yeah, right. So “C” stands for Bunk? And I don’t see any bunk in there, single or otherwise. But nice try, A.I. Have a good day, Tony. 😀 –Diane
This Cherokee is 700# heavier and 2′ longer than our 2012 sofa slide, dual torsion axle trailer was. Our fridge was in the same location and the contents never spilled out and the pop cans never exploded. But I imagine that might not be the case with a single-axle, leaf-spring suspension. As a newbie weekender for a young couple without kids, this trailer might work well. But I would not want to take it to Alaska, like we did with our 2012 trailer!
Useless as a dry camper/boondocking unit with only 26 gallons of fresh water.
Thank you, Tony! Does seem as though it is left to the owner to spread the heat or cool throughout the RV. I expected the “price point” to be much lower than $40,000. Happy new year and safe travels!