Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2018 Forest River Palomino
The 2018 Forest River Palomino has some issues with its equipment, particularly involving the tongue jack and incorrect labeling. While it has few owner complaints, checking the integrity of the jack and verifying tire specifications are vital for a used purchase.
Known issues to inspect
Jack may fail
How to check: Inspect the jack for water damage or separation
Incorrect tire label
How to check: Check tire label for size and pressure accuracy
General suspension issues
How to check: Test for unusual noise or instability on road
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Initial inspection
What to check: Check tire label information matches actual tires
Red flag: Mismatched tire information
- 02
Static check
What to check: Inspect power tongue jack for cracks
Red flag: Cracks or water signs on jack pad
- 03
First minute idling
What to check: Listen for odd suspension noises
Red flag: Suspension creaks or groans
- 04
City driving
What to check: Feel for smooth suspension over bumps
Red flag: Rough ride or excessive bouncing
- 05
Parking lot braking
What to check: Test brakes for consistent stopping power
Red flag: Brakes feel weak or inconsistent
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the tongue jack been replaced?
- Are the tires original or replaced?
- Have you had any suspension repairs?
- Any issues with stabilizers or levelers?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Maintenance records
- Recall repairs documentation
- Tire replacement receipts
- Original purchase receipt
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/18/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2018 Forest River Palomino.