2016 Cougar 28SGS Cable Slides

[barowe01]

I am thinking about purchasing the above fifth wheel. My concern is the slide outs. I was first told they were cable slides which I do not think I want. When I expressed my displeasure with cable slides I was then told the only one with a cable slide was the one for the linen closet in the bedroom. Can anyone with this model answer this for me? Thanks.

[JRTJH]

We own a 2014 XLite 27RKS. While shopping for our trailer I looked at a number of 28SGS models. In 2014 the two opposing slides were "twin ram electric" slides and the bedroom closet slide was cable actuated. I know that the 2015 models were the same but I can't give you any assurance that the 2016 is the same.

You can crawl under the extended slides and look. If you see two round "rams" under the slide, you can be assured it's not a cable slide. Actually, you can just look at the side of each slide, if you see cables, you'll know, if you don't see cables, it's not a "cable slide".

[barowe01]

Thank you very much.

[Hatch8339]

Hi there I have a 2015 sgs high country and yes it's just the wardrobe slide that has the cables enjoy your new trailer

[MerlinB]

I, also, have a 2016 28SGS and can confirm the bedroom closet slide is the only one that is cable actuated. It only extends out about 13" and mine has worked flawlessly.

[barowe01]

Thank each of you for helping me understand this.

[Dave W]

About the only slide system that I continue to hear significant problems with are Schwintek gear slides. We have cable slides and have not had a problem - on this 5er as well as the last. I do carry a couple spare cables but they are long of tooth from old age:)

[barowe01]

Thank you. Now I have to figure out if my truck will pull it. LOL

[JRTJH]

Thank you. Now I have to figure out if my truck will pull it. LOL

These are "generalities" but should be close: If it's a half ton, you'll be overloaded, a 3/4 ton gas, you'll probably be OK. a 3/4 ton diesel, you'll be "at or slightly above the limit and a 1 ton gas or diesel, no problems with the 28SGS. There are some "workaround solutions" but with the 3/4 ton diesel trucks, you'll be watching everything you put in the truck and in the front of the fifth wheel on every trip. Many do it, some successfully, some "with frustration" and some just go get a bigger truck.

As for a half ton: I don't think you'll be happy with the combination and I'd almost bet that if you try it, you'll be buying a new truck before the next camping season.

Don't believe all the "hype" (I can't use a more descriptive term on the forum) about Cougar XLite fifth wheels being "half ton towable".... Even in the brochure, that phrase is followed with "by properly equipped models". There's only a small handful of half ton trucks that can be properly equipped and even then, they are "on the brink" of being overloaded.

Go over your numbers very carefully, not once, not twice, but like Santa, three times before you settle on an unknown and get disappointed with the real world weights.

[ctbruce]

If it is in a brochure, that is code for, "take it with a grain of salt and use your head, not your feelings." Just a good rule of thumb. May the buyer beware.

[barowe01]

Oh man, that is not good news. I have a 2016 F150, 4wd with the eco boost engine. I knew I would probably have to get airbags but did not realize it would not pull it. Thanks.

[JRTJH]

It will pull it, but it won't "carry the pin weight" If you consider you've probably got a 1600 pound payload, the trailer pin EMPTY weight is 1410, add 150 pounds for the hitch (you'll probably be talked into a sliding hitch) and you're at 1560 pounds. Now add battery and propane to the trailer and you're going to be overweight before you put any cargo in the trailer (and there's no room for your DW or DK's... (dear wife or dear kids) in the truck...

So, as I said, run the numbers carefully, do all your calculations BEFORE you sign on the dotted line and realize that you're going to be overloaded with a half ton truck.

As for EcoBoost power to "PULL" it??? No problem, it'll "tug" it most anywhere. The problem is in staying under your payload capacity and probably under your rear axle rating. As for the "P" series tires: Even if you do decide to "risk it for one summer" you'll need to replace the "P" tires for true "LT" tires. But: That still won't keep you from trading your truck after you "try it a couple of times"...... I've "been there/done that" and you'll find a number of people on this forum who have been in the same situation.....

I tried it with a 26' fifth wheel with a 920 pound empty pinweight. I was "AT" the payload, couldn't take a generator with us and never was able to use 2x8 wood blocks (weighed too much) so I had to buy plastic jack blocks (sounds like an extreme measure, but it was that "picky" to try to stay under my max payload, and I was still measuring everything I loaded for every trip. I can't tell you the number of "puckers" both my DW and I had with every pothole, bouncy road and heavy crosswind.... It isn't fun, it isn't even "worth it to try" (my personal opinion)....

[barowe01]

I am sure you are correct. I was told I had a 3,300 payload capacity but who knows?

[JRTJH]

I am sure you are correct. I was told I had a 3,300 payload capacity but who knows?

And they serve lemonade with extra ice in hell !!! :angel: You can open the driver's door on your truck and look at the yellow payload sticker, but I'll assure you, ain't no F150 4x4 crew cab/half ton truck with a 3300 pound payload. My gas 3/4 ton SuperDuty only had 2800 pounds and the current 2017 gas 3/4 ton XLT (not the heavier Lariat or KR trim level) only have 3200 pound payloads. Most "yellow sticker payloads" on the 1 ton F350 crew cab Lariat are around 3900 with gas engine and 3300 with a diesel.

I'd almost bet your payload is listed at 1620 pounds if you've got an XLT with the 6.5' bed and around 1695 if you have the 5.5' bed. And it'll be around 1530 if you've got a Lariat trim package.

[chuckster57]

About the only slide system that I continue to hear significant problems with are Schwintek gear slides. We have cable slides and have not had a problem - on this 5er as well as the last. I do carry a couple spare cables but they are long of tooth from old age:)

Don't know where your hearing this. Not true, I see them in all manner of trailer, Class C and even Class A. Very few problems.

[ctbruce]

John JRTJH is shooting straight with you. Keep in mind that you need to make all of the numbers, not just one or some of them.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[Tbos]

I am sure you are correct. I was told I had a 3,300 payload capacity but who knows?



There is a sticker on the drivers door post that will tell you exact payload your truck has.


2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2016 F350 CC DRW

[gearhead]

We had a 28SGS for about 18 months. No problems with the slides. Only issue we had was with the 2 swivel chairs bouncing around and pulling the window trim off.
I pulled it with a GMC 2500 short bed super cab, 6.0 gas, 4x4, 3.73 rear axle. It pulled it good enough on flat land but getting into Tennessee & Carolina mountains it was screaming uphill, losing speed, and getting passed by 18 wheelers. Then down the hill, speed up and pass the same trucks. Wore me out. Bought a F350 diesel, much better.
You just gotta have 5th wheel? Maybe a travel trailer. Save mucho dollars!