Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Fleet | Keystone RV Models > Fifth Wheels
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-16-2019, 03:59 PM   #1
Shasta Bob
Senior Member
 
Shasta Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Central Point, OR.
Posts: 104
New fifth wheel Cougar <34'

Looking for a new Keystone Cougar fifth wheel 34' or less, any ideas on models before purchasing pros and cons all ideas will be considered. im wanting the new auto level and new steps.
Shasta Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 04:16 PM   #2
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
The Cougar line is a "mid height fifth wheel". The smallest Cougar fifth wheel is 35'4". It's the 310RLS. There are no current model Cougar fifth wheels shorter than the 310RLS and it is no longer in production, so what's on dealer's lots is all that are available.

There are several Cougar Half Ton models that are shorter than 34' and most of them are available with automatic leveling. The entire Cougar Half Ton line are "light weight models" with the queen bed aligned front to back and there are no "bed slides" on any of the Half Ton Cougar line. Additionally, they all have a "laminated floor" and other "light construction techniques" that you may or may not prefer. The link below compares the two smallest Cougar models:

https://www.keystonerv.com/product-f...e/?l=3791,3792
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 05:55 PM   #3
Spinkboy
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: olive Branch
Posts: 26
29RKS is what I have. 33.7 feet long. Depends on your needs and use but love mine.
Spinkboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 06:47 PM   #4
nellie1289
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 639
Hey Shasta bob. Pull up Portland Craig’s list and look at my 336bhs. It’s a 2015. I’m not really trying to sell it but it is currently posted. I have thought about a toy hauler recently. We are in the neighborhood. Actually my first pic In there is at in n out in Medford !
__________________
2014 Ram 3500 Cummins, Limited, Longbed, CC. Every option but the Aisin. Airbags.
The Toy Trifecta:
2021 Keystone Montana 3854BR all options +Onan
2021 Malibu 23 LSV
2017 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS SE
2019 Can AM Maverick X3 Turbo XRS
nellie1289 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2019, 08:35 AM   #5
freejgar
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Newberg
Posts: 1
Love out Half ton Cougar

Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post

There are several Cougar Half Ton models that are shorter than 34' and most of them are available with automatic leveling. The entire Cougar Half Ton line are "light weight models" with the queen bed aligned front to back and there are no "bed slides" on any of the Half Ton Cougar line. Additionally, they all have a "laminated floor" and other "light construction techniques" that you may or may not prefer. The link below compares the two smallest Cougar models:

https://www.keystonerv.com/product-f...e/?l=3791,3792
I have a Half ton 283RETWE. It has 3 slides. Two opposing in the front which makes it more than roomy enough for a family of 4, and one slider up front for the closet. We love our rig. Yes, there are some differences like the laminate flooring etc, but I pull this rig with my Ram and and anderson ultimate and love it. The only pay off that I'm not so keen on is the 30amp services, but realistically that has only been a factor a few times when I really wished I had two AC units. Otherwise all things are great with our Half Ton Cougar.

Best of luck making up your decision.

Jim
freejgar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2019, 03:57 AM   #6
Whit66
Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 48
I have the 2019 Keystone Cougar 1/2 ton 5th wheel 30RLS, my question is how difficult/expensive would it be to add auto leveling?

Thank you
Whit66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2019, 07:57 AM   #7
travelin texans
Senior Member
 
travelin texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
Don't let the "half ton towable" marketing ploy fool you, most will quickly exceed the half ton pickups payload max & some are in 1 ton truck weight range.
Do your own math & DO NOT believe any advice from either the rv or truck dealer on safe towing weights, most haven't a clue or care as long as a sale is made.
travelin texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2019, 05:59 PM   #8
Whit66
Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 48
You are correct, mine is 8,800 dry and I have a 2014 F250 6.7 4x4... I would never tow this 5th wheel with a 1/2 ton
Whit66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2019, 03:18 AM   #9
Skippy38
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Melbourne, FL
Posts: 159
If you don't mind going to the XLite category, I have a 29RLI with 3 slides that comes in at about 8500lbs loaded and is 32" long....
__________________
Matt & Lori
2016 Cougar XLite 29RLI
2015 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi, 4.10 gears, GASSER
Skippy38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2019, 08:41 AM   #10
66joej
Senior Member
 
66joej's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whit66 View Post
I have the 2019 Keystone Cougar 1/2 ton 5th wheel 30RLS, my question is how difficult/expensive would it be to add auto leveling?

Thank you
This has been asked before. The parts alone are approx. $3500 and if you don't do the work yourself I'll venture to say about $5000 (parts included) would get you out the door. YMMV
__________________

2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
66joej is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2019, 10:19 AM   #11
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
A consideration for any RV and especially the 30RLS, is how will the addition affect the overall cargo capacity of the trailer? The payload for the 2019 30RLS is just over 1900 pounds and the empty weight is 9000 pounds. Adding a 4 point electric leveling system will add roughly 300 pounds to the empty weight while subtracting that same amount from the available payload.

With a 33'5" fifth wheel, 1900 pounds "seems" like a lot of cargo capacity, but in reality by the time you load camping/living equipment, food and clothing to "fill available space in a 33.5' fifth wheel, 1900 pounds is cutting it close. Adding a leveling system cuts a lot of the "leeway" out of the payload., especially if you consider traveling with a full fresh water tank (60 gallons = 500 pounds) which would leave only around 1100 pounds for cargo.

Some can afford the $5000 cost to pay for the system, but can they also afford to lose the cargo capacity? Some can, some can't.....
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2019, 07:19 PM   #12
Tonkatoy77
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: North Plains
Posts: 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
A consideration for any RV and especially the 30RLS, is how will the addition affect the overall cargo capacity of the trailer? The payload for the 2019 30RLS is just over 1900 pounds and the empty weight is 9000 pounds. Adding a 4 point electric leveling system will add roughly 300 pounds to the empty weight while subtracting that same amount from the available payload.



With a 33'5" fifth wheel, 1900 pounds "seems" like a lot of cargo capacity, but in reality by the time you load camping/living equipment, food and clothing to "fill available space in a 33.5' fifth wheel, 1900 pounds is cutting it close. Adding a leveling system cuts a lot of the "leeway" out of the payload., especially if you consider traveling with a full fresh water tank (60 gallons = 500 pounds) which would leave only around 1100 pounds for cargo.



Some can afford the $5000 cost to pay for the system, but can they also afford to lose the cargo capacity? Some can, some can't.....


Just out of curiosity, how do you figure the auto level will add 300 pounds to the trailer? The trailer is already equipped with front landing gear jacks, and rear electric leveling jacks. I would assume the front jacks would be almost identical in weight, so you are thinking the rear jacks are 300 pounds heavier than the existing rear jacks?
Tonkatoy77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 04:09 AM   #13
Whit66
Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 48
Thank you, a bit expensive but I have some friends that just love it.
Whit66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 05:41 AM   #14
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77 View Post
Just out of curiosity, how do you figure the auto level will add 300 pounds to the trailer? The trailer is already equipped with front landing gear jacks, and rear electric leveling jacks. I would assume the front jacks would be almost identical in weight, so you are thinking the rear jacks are 300 pounds heavier than the existing rear jacks?
I did not take into account the weight of the "removed components" and that was an oversight on my part. You are correct in stating that the existing components will be removed and reduce the overall added weight. Here are the weights of the removed components and the 3.0 ground control system. What is not taken into account is the additional fabrication required to install the leveling system, which I estimate to be roughly 50-75 pounds.

Old scissors jacks, weight approximately 10 pounds each, total 20 pounds
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M6D4QFY...4-47ececc55c46

Old landing gear assembly, weight approximately 70 pounds
https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-Compo...ateway&sr=8-56

Lippert Ground Control 3.0 kit, weight approximately 230 pounds.
https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-Compo...s%2C177&sr=8-1

So, a "more accurate estimate" would be

Leveling system 230 + 50-75 pounds = 280-305
Removed components, 70+20 = 90

Net weight added to RV 190-215 pounds.

I apologize for making the mistake of expressing concern for adding 300 pounds to the trailer with a 1900 pound cargo capacity when it should have been closer to 200 pounds of added weight.
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 06:04 AM   #15
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,237
New fifth wheel Cougar &lt;34'

I doubt the total weight of ground control 3.0 4 point is 300 pounds. We have installed it. I’m thinking more like 150, The jacks aren’t that heavy You could do it yourself in a weekend, the installation instructions are well written.

Now that I posted, I see John said 200.
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 06:10 AM   #16
Tonkatoy77
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: North Plains
Posts: 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
I did not take into account the weight of the "removed components" and that was an oversight on my part. You are correct in stating that the existing components will be removed and reduce the overall added weight. Here are the weights of the removed components and the 3.0 ground control system. What is not taken into account is the additional fabrication required to install the leveling system, which I estimate to be roughly 50-75 pounds.



Old scissors jacks, weight approximately 10 pounds each, total 20 pounds

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M6D4QFY...4-47ececc55c46



Old landing gear assembly, weight approximately 70 pounds

https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-Compo...ateway&sr=8-56



Lippert Ground Control 3.0 kit, weight approximately 230 pounds.

https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-Compo...s%2C177&sr=8-1



So, a "more accurate estimate" would be



Leveling system 230 + 50-75 pounds = 280-305

Removed components, 70+20 = 90



Net weight added to RV 190-215 pounds.



I apologize for making the mistake of expressing concern for adding 300 pounds to the trailer with a 1900 pound cargo capacity when it should have been closer to 200 pounds of added weight.


I’m sorry, I still don’t understand your math? The 3.0 leveling kit is 229 pounds and comes with literally everything you need to install, including mounting brackets. What components are you referring to when you you are adding 50-75 pounds? And the new Cougar fifth wheels don’t have old scissor jacks on the back, they come with these....

https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-29870...bilizer&sr=8-1

So the numbers I come up with is 229-70-70=89.

And then you mentioned a payload of 1900 pounds. Keystones website say 1977. So the OP would still have a payload of 1888. IMO that is more than enough payload for a weekend warrior. Even for the occasional week long trips.

I just don’t want the OP to get worried about doing something they want to do because of some false numbers. I’m not trying to argue, just want the OP to have as accurate of numbers as possible.
Tonkatoy77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 06:42 AM   #17
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77 View Post
I’m sorry, I still don’t understand your math? The 3.0 leveling kit is 229 pounds and comes with literally everything you need to install, including mounting brackets. What components are you referring to when you you are adding 50-75 pounds? And the new Cougar fifth wheels don’t have old scissor jacks on the back, they come with these....

https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-29870...bilizer&sr=8-1

So the numbers I come up with is 229-70-70=89.

And then you mentioned a payload of 1900 pounds. Keystones website say 1977. So the OP would still have a payload of 1888. IMO that is more than enough payload for a weekend warrior. Even for the occasional week long trips.

I just don’t want the OP to get worried about doing something they want to do because of some false numbers. I’m not trying to argue, just want the OP to have as accurate of numbers as possible.
Maybe, weigh your trailer, install the system and then weigh your trailer. I'd be interested in the outcome.... Hopefully, then you can provide the OP with the accurate numbers. Have a Good Day !!!!!
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2019, 07:49 AM   #18
Tonkatoy77
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: North Plains
Posts: 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
Maybe, weigh your trailer, install the system and then weigh your trailer. I'd be interested in the outcome.... Hopefully, then you can provide the OP with the accurate numbers. Have a Good Day !!!!!


My trailer already has the 3.0 system from the factory, so there’s that....
Tonkatoy77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 12:45 AM   #19
Big1
Senior Member
 
Big1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WA
Posts: 384
We look at the 310RLS and really liked it.
Big1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 08:09 AM   #20
7Iron
Member
 
7Iron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Mobile
Posts: 91
If you can handle 35' 8'' see my recent post wrt the new model this year : 315RLS.
7Iron is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cougar, fifth wheel

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.