Cougar - FRONT CAP CHANGE

[jerseyphil]

A short time ago, I noticed a change in the Front Cap of the Cougar Fifth Wheels. I sent an email to Jeff Runells, the Product Manager of Keystone Cougar asking what happened to the lights in the front cap. He said they changed the cap about 6 months ago and relocated the lights. They now have LED's just above the Hitch Vision mirror.

WAS THERE MORE TO THE CHANGE THAN JUST CHANGING LIGHTS. The shape of the cap on the lower part was also changed. I was wondering if there were any problems with the earlier front cap, which may have prompted the cap change?

ANY COUGAR 5th wheel OWNERS OUT THERE with a front cap problem?

Thanks,
Phil

[Jim W]

I think this was longer then 6 months ago. My 318SAB Cougar has the LED lights above the mirror and redesigned front cap. I bought my camper in Feb of 2010 and this was on the dealers lot in time for the January RV shows in Chicago IL.
Jim

[jerseyphil]

Thanks Jim

[dea3851]

I ordered mind before xmas last year, and mind came with new cap, I love it ,I was told they had trouble with the other lites,because people would leave them on at nigth and the lite sockets would melt, and it was costing to much to replace them, and they went with the leds, was find with me I love my cougar. Don

[jerseyphil]

Don,

Thanks for that info. I will definitely look for one with the new cap.

Phil

[hankpage]

I don't have any problems with my '07s old style front cap. As for the docking lights I think they are useless for hitching because all they do is blind you as your backing up. I replaced the bulbs with amber LEDs but still only use the trucks bed light for hitching.

[kenn209]

My 2010 has the LED's up front, But I noticed a change in the grpahics on some of the 2011, The cap has a darker color now. Pretty nice lookin...

[Houndie Dog]

I picked up our 2011 326MKS yesterday and it has the new gray front cap and new style graphics on the side., Heres a couple pics. The dealer said we just got lucky and scored the new cap and graphics at no charge (we didn't order it this way). We really like it.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_6456_0_9ef046863654002bc32b103e8a71096b.jpg
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_6456_1_62816ab646a6959566c0774da5207c3c.jpg

[kenn209]

That is really nice looking!!

[hankpage]

Very nice! I like the way the graphics flow from the front to the side.

[Houndie Dog]

Thanks, We really like it.......There is another new change, the bottom 18" or so of the sides are gray for the length of the trailer.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_6459_0_798850d9808a321e7f5c308024de4624.jpg

[Ruffus]

Wow, that really looks nice. I looked at the front cap on mine today and I have some new graphics also, love bugs, grass hoppers, moths and a few other things that I won't even guess at. 5,000 miles in the last three weeks and still moving South towards Mexico, no telling what I'll pick up down around Nogales.
Ruffus
:D

[KanTC]

Grant & Melisa -- LOVE the new colors... very sharp!!... and coordinates well with Lucy, Ethel, & Fred too :D

Ruffus you made me <LOL>... we have a few of those yellow splash graphics this week too. Ewwww! ;)

Happy trails, Terri [& DH Kevin]

[hankpage]

Ruffus, Don't be complaining about those Mexican bugs. I'm still scrapeing off some of your home-grown Florida bugs from last year. :rolleyes: Just make sure you have papers for all of them when you come back North. :D

[W5WI]

I just took delivery of a 2011 326 MKS myself. It is the standard white one. I thought at first that yours was a High Country version. Then I looked closer at the sides and saw they were still white.

I really like the new color scheme! Mine is all white. Must be an earlier version of the 2011's...

[jje1960]

We also picked up a new unit yesterday.... were lucky they had originally sold the old style that we originally were interested in, we got the upgrade!

[Ruffus]

Sharp looking rig!!!!!

[jje1960]

Definitely agree that the new graphics are an improvement, not that the old scheme was bad, just a nice change.

[Harried Harry]

Funny you should ask. Today I was walking around my yard and noticed a little crack on the front cap of my 2003 Cougar 276. It was cracked through in a Y shape for almost 3 feet. Two days ago, it was fine. What happened? I am not sure, but the temperatures for the past week have been below freezing. We had three days of below zero with the coldest -8. The estimated cost to replace is about $1200, according to the phone estimate I received. Oh the good news ( :rolleyes: ) Sunday we made the final payment and received the title today!



___________
2008 Dodge QuadCab LB with 6.7 CTD
2003 Keystone Cougar 276
2004 8.5 Apache Truck Camper

[Festus2]

If there was a tiny hairline crack in the cap which you may not have noticed before, it may have allowed some moisture (snow?) in the space which, during the freezing temperatures, may have expanded and widened the crack. If it is gelcoat over fiberglass, you might try getting some white expoxy and doing the repair yourself. If it is a crack wide enough to be a structural issue, then applying expoxy will not solve that problem.

[Harried Harry]

When I got on the ladder to look at it, it had a space about 1/8" wide just below the join on the roof. The left side had moved and all the edge sealant (silicone) was shifted away from the edge trim. I think something might have hit it (bird?) or it was an Act of God. After all, it is now Paid For!:cool::(
If I can figure out how to upload pictures, I'll do that tomorrow. I know I now need to add about 10 feet to the length of my porch so snow won't fall on the trailer roof. The porch is only 30" long; only the cap of the trailer is exposed.



__________________
2008 Dodge QuadCab LB with 6.7 CTD
2003 Cougar 276
2004 Apache 8.5 Truck Camper

[Maxzd]

Yes, new graphics are much improved looks more modern. The new cap on our unit looks really good. It was a surprise when it showed up ordered in august and arrived late October. The dealer still has same model old front for my 325srx model. I don't see a major difference on the cap other than color. The led lights are awesome, backing up at night very nice light easy to see.


When the weather gets better I am going to spend some time applying gelcoat to ensure it says looking good.

[msp2jxr]

Hi Grant and Melisa,

We too just purchased a 326. It will have the grey cap and graphics. We can't wait for it to arrive! Thanks for sharing your pictures, they are getting us excited for ours to come in.

[Houndie Dog]

Hi Grant and Melisa,

We too just purchased a 326. It will have the grey cap and graphics. We can't wait for it to arrive! Thanks for sharing your pictures, they are getting us excited for ours to come in.

Awesome ...... I know you will enjoy it. The kitchen is what sold us and we really are happy with it. ENJOY !

[VA_Ray]

Hello, I am new to the forum here. I have a question on these new front covers. I noticed a few weeks ago on my mother's camper (2003 Cougar 276EFS) that there was a leak in the bedroom. The wall paper felt damp in the corner and part of the wall feels soft. The camper has been sitting for the better part of 2 years since my father was sick and passed. We thought the roof was leaking, so we are taking it in for service. Then just the other day, I was there and saw a huge (probably 18 or 20 inch) gash in the front cover. I assume that is the leak. I was searching on line to see if others had this issue, and I ended up here. It goes in for service next week, but is this a manufacturing defect that is known on these campers? The question now is does she pay to have it fixed or just try and sell it as is.

[hankpage]

Hello, I am new to the forum here. I have a question on these new front covers. I noticed a few weeks ago on my mother's camper (2003 Cougar 276EFS) that there was a leak in the bedroom. The wall paper felt damp in the corner and part of the wall feels soft. The camper has been sitting for the better part of 2 years since my father was sick and passed. We thought the roof was leaking, so we are taking it in for service. Then just the other day, I was there and saw a huge (probably 18 or 20 inch) gash in the front cover. I assume that is the leak. I was searching on line to see if others had this issue, and I ended up here. It goes in for service next week, but is this a manufacturing defect that is known on these campers? The question now is does she pay to have it fixed or just try and sell it as is.

VA RAY, Welcome to the forum. There have been some folks who have had cracks in the fiberglass nose of their fifthwheels but I wouldn't say it is common. The resale value of the trailer will be much higher and it will sell quicker if it is repaired properly. You will have trouble selling it "Duct-taped and moldy" unless very cheap.
If the crack is as large as you say the water damage could be extensive. I would try to get the dealer to give you an estimate and then decide. Even repaired it may take a while to sell so you will have more invested.
Hard choice .... cut and run or invest and wait. Good luck, Hank