New areodynamic front cap on Cougars??

[dmatt]

I have been reading here on the forum and noticed a few threads mentioning the a new front cap on the Cougars. I did not notice any special front caps when I was at the dealer.

Can someone post a picture of one? I'd like to see if something was missing from this unit or I'm just clueless

Here is the TT I was looking at:

http://images.rvs.com/13285/171260/2012%20COUGAR%2021RBS.JPG

[jq1031]

Visit www.keystonerv.com:)

[bgilly]

Here is mine 28RBS

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jsmpXlH5juY/TmFKusnIc2I/AAAAAAAABkY/slsTeg0vFRE/s400/2011-09-02%25252017.10.03.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fIFJEKVW3L0/TmEUj58C5HI/AAAAAAAABj4/_NitUWAUxuE/s400/2011-09-02%25252013.25.09.jpg

[dmatt]

Thanks for the photo. Keystone site is pretty limited on exterior photos, mostly interior ones.

My dealer has a bunch of different Cougar models and not one of them have that front end. I really like it. I wonder if it is something they can order or is it put on at the factory???

Nice setup by the way!!!

[jq1031]

Thanks for the photo. Keystone site is pretty limited on exterior photos, mostly interior ones.

My dealer has a bunch of different Cougar models and not one of them have that front end. I really like it. I wonder if it is something they can order or is it put on at the factory???

Nice setup by the way!!!

THE OLD FRONT CAPS ARE LEFT OVERS! Don't buy one it's the old style & nobody wants a left over that's why you are being courted by the dealer. The new front caps don't cost any more & you will have a MUCH more resellable RV down the road

[chuck&gail]

Yes older ones have older front. Is it a good deal? Depends on price! Our last two TT's were left overs bought at a good discount.

Build date is usually on the VIN tag on TT side.

[bgilly]

You can not add the cover on as a dealer add. It is structurly different. The main cap is fiberglass not filon or heavy mill ABS. It is about 1/4" thick. They use the inside of the cap to "blow-out" the front inside of the camper, using as much space as given with the new style, not to mention the added aerodynamics. Now the propance cover is the ABS material. It is a nice feature but does affect access to the battery and propane tanks with the propane cover to the tongue jack. Which brings another point. If you add a power jack, you have to watch what brand you get because if the jack powerhead is too big you won't be able to get the cover open much. I originally went with a Fulton Big Dog jack but it was a tight fit so I swapped over to the Atwood.

[dmatt]

Thanks for the info everyone. Not sure if it is a deal breaker but I like the new aerodynamic front end better. So glad I found this site!!!!

[bgilly]

If I were you I would try to look at one before deciding. The change came with 2012 year model though some 2011 productions came with them.
Just google the model you are looking for "2012 Cougar 28RBS" and it should result with dealers that have them.
Laredos also have a new cap design.

Bobby

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Just passin' thru.

Is the extra space in the nose cone usefull or just empty space and extra weight ???

Had to ask;

hankaye

[jq1031]

Howdy All;

Just passin' thru.

Is the extra space in the nose cone usefull or just empty space and extra weight ???

Had to ask;

hankaye

In my Laredo there is no extra space & I would presume the Cougar is the same!

[hankaye]

jq1031, Howdy;

What I ment was, do you gain any extra cubic feet of usable space with the nose cap or is it empty (for lack of a better discription) and useless except for extra weight?

Not trying to stir-up any bad feelings, just courious ...

hankaye

[jq1031]

Hank, the only usable space (in the Laredo) is taken up by the propane bottles. The access door is part of the fiberglass cap. To my knowledge no space is gained inside vs. the old cap. I understand your curiosity as there appears to be more space for storage but there is not & again to my knowledge there is no wasted space....Joe

[bgilly]

On mine, (Cougar 28RBS) in the front cargo pass-through, there is no extra space, that is given to the battery and propane. They did however wire a nice battery disconnect there:


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZR--IWkSfk4/TpEPToq6ZsI/AAAAAAAAB5g/rsLPo3QGc10/s640/IMG_0597.JPG.



But up above our bedroom headboard has a deep shelf, around 18 - 20 inches that is into the front cap. This would not be possible with a standard flat front:


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JJbupYpySvQ/TpD4RTYkpAI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/Pgu9dKbuXuM/s640/2011-10-08%25252019.40.30.jpg



https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zXrNZncnH9k/TpD2y8CMufI/AAAAAAAAB5U/hZBno2qikUA/s640/2011-10-08%25252019.41.14.jpg

[hankaye]

bgilly, Howdy;

Pix mean alot in these electronic communications. Thanks.
Those and your explanation help move the cobwebs away.

hankaye

[jq1031]

Both nice features that mine does not have. That battery disconnect is a great idea.

[bgilly]

Both nice features that mine does not have. That battery disconnect is a great idea.

And the switch next to that battery switch is for the front cap L.E.D. lights. That is also a nice perk!

In my opinion, I don't think Keystone will keep the cap. It looks so expensive, though it does really add in the improvement dept..
On my old Zeppelin Keystone use to have the kitchen hood front benzel as the central panel center for tank levels, battery and switches for water pump and water heater. It was an ingenious design but Keystone dropped it the next model year. When they design something that is novel but expensive, they generally drop it later down the road.
Although they have kept a few innovative items - so you never really know.

Bobby

[jmcope]

We have the Cougar 24RLS with the aero cap. Looks great. It has easy opening "latches" that allow quick access to the valves on the propane tanks.

One caution, learned the hard way, concerns the type of load distribution hitch you use. We wanted to use the chain-hanger type we already had. It's the kind where you slip a chain link onto the hook on the bracket, then rotate the bracket upward to apply the load. The aero cap was in the way, so we had to totally remove it every time we hooked / unhooked the TV. We switched to an Equalizer hitch (other brands are also available) which eliminated the problem.

Just a word to the wise....

[dmatt]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm thinking I'll wait until Spring to get the TT and hopefully the dealer will have some newer 2012s with the front cap. I checked the build date on the one at the lot and it's 4/13/11. Kind of hard to call that a 2012

[jq1031]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm thinking I'll wait until Spring to get the TT and hopefully the dealer will have some newer 2012s with the front cap. I checked the build date on the one at the lot and it's 4/13/11. Kind of hard to call that a 2012

That's a smart decision to wait. Let your dealer sell off the old inventory & when he restocks you can make your move. In the mean time check the online wholesalers for price quotes on the products you're interested in. In my case I had a fist full of quotes before approaching Lazydays RV out side of Tampa, Fl. After the reality set in that I was prepared to buy somewhere else we made the deal. It cost me $350 more to buy from them rather than a dealer outside Orlando, but I felt it worth the money to have the comfort level of a local dealer (50 miles away) for service work, recalls or any other problem that may arrise. It turned out to be a smart move as they treat me as if I purchase a half million $$ motor home. Good luck & keep us posted!:bdance::bdance:

[mosey]

If you buy one just make sure you have a long enough shank for the hitch or your tow vehicle could hit the front cover

[dmatt]

Thanks for the heads up. I have a longer shank due to towing the car behind the MH so I'll use that one.

Going to the Pamona RV show this weekend to really get a good look at the difference models all at one time

[jq1031]

That was good advise from Mosey, on one of my first back ins, my truck tail light & the front cap kissed causing the big red plastic tail light assembly to be replaced at a cost of $230.00. I Learned that one the hard way!:(

[dmatt]

Well. Went to the RV show and talked to the Keystone rep. Found out that the Xlite TTs have the new front cap, but the reg Cougars do not!! Guess that answer's my question.

On a side note, I came away from the show more confused that when I went in!!! I looked at Outbacks, Cougars and even the 1/2 ton series 5th wheel. Not sure how I'll ever make up my mind:thumbsup:

[bgilly]

Well. Went to the RV show and talked to the Keystone rep. Found out that the Xlite TTs have the new front cap, but the reg Cougars do not!! Guess that answer's my question.


I am a bit confused on what the Keystone rep. is calling a regular Cougar. Cougars are separated by class (tongue tow and 5th wheel) and by region (East and West coast). The standard Cougar is a 5th wheel only model in the East coast and on the West coast they have a TT selection that states "custom colored fiberglass cap".
West coast is the only model that seems to have a standard Cougar in a TT. High Country and XLite both distinctly show the new style cap

[rdf254]

West trailers are same as last year east have new front. West plant did not retool. Unfortunately I ordered a west rear kitchen befor I found out.

[smiller]

Just FWIW, 'aerodynamic' in this context is essentially marketing BS as it's unlikely there's much a difference between the old and new models in that respect. In fact the rear of a vehicle has as much or more to do with aerodynamic efficiency than the front.

[hankpage]

Just FWIW, 'aerodynamic' in this context is essentially marketing BS as it's unlikely there's much a difference between the old and new models in that respect. In fact the rear of a vehicle has as much or more to do with aerodynamic efficiency than the front.

I have to disagree with this one. I have towed a lot of bricks down the highway and changing the shape of the front end has made the largest difference in fuel mileage for me.

I went from an 8000 lb. 10' high trailer with a flat front to a 11000 lb. 12' high trailer with a rounded ("aerodynamic") front and gained 4mpg over the same trip with the same TV. Drag may be the culprit with cars and trucks but when towing that big sail sticking up behind your TV is gonna bite you in the wallet every time. JM2¢, Hank

[smiller]

I can't speak to what any individual may experience with two different trailers of different design, but in general you cannot necessarily tell all that much about the aerodynamic effect of changes by visual appearance or intuition, just not the way it works. Rounding the front end a bit might help a lot, or a little, or not much at all, if it is done 'just to make it rounded' or look more streamlined. I don't doubt your experience, I'm only saying that if anyone is counting on such a change to make a huge difference they may be dissapointed.

[jje1960]

After reading the thread.... Just wondering why all the major trucking companies would spend the significant money on their aerodynamic alterations to their rigs, if it does not make a difference? Just an observation.

[smiller]

Well for my part I didn't say aerodynamic alternations don't make a difference, what I was saying is that un-engineered cosmetic changes (which I believe the end cap change to be) won't necessarily make a difference. In the case of a fleet-wide trucking operation I would assume that the company would insist that the changes were well engineered, tested, and documented before committing the investment. Maybe Keystone did that, you tell me... ;)