New areodynamic front cap on Cougars??

dmatt · 10-06-2011, 01:03 PM

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:

jq1031 · 10-06-2011, 02:22 PM

Visit www.keystonerv.com:)

bgilly · 10-06-2011, 05:18 PM

Here is mine 28RBS

dmatt · 10-07-2011, 04:18 PM

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 · 10-07-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!!!

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 · 10-07-2011, 04:52 PM

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 · 10-07-2011, 05:39 PM

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 · 10-07-2011, 06:53 PM

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 · 10-08-2011, 05:19 AM

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 · 10-08-2011, 07:22 AM

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 · 10-08-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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

hankaye · 10-08-2011, 11:45 AM

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 · 10-08-2011, 12:21 PM

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 · 10-08-2011, 07:16 PM

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:

.

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:

hankaye · 10-08-2011, 08:17 PM

bgilly, Howdy;

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

hankaye

jq1031 · 10-09-2011, 05:52 AM

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

bgilly · 10-09-2011, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jq1031

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 · 10-09-2011, 07:50 AM

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 · 10-09-2011, 10:50 PM

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 · 10-10-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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!

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