Cougar 368mbi

[smithfrh]

Hello everyone, my wife and I are going to be taking delivery on a new Cougar 368mbi in a couple of weeks. I was wondering if anyone on here has one if so how they like it and what I should look for during the pdi. Thanks

[SC Dreamer]

http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5129

[smithfrh]

Good to know.

[Firewall]

We got ours about a month ago. We have been out twice so far and we love it! Found a couple of things on the PDI which the dealer fixed before we pulled away. Fingers crossed we haven't found any other issues. Enjoy!

[smithfrh]

Sounds good hope that you and your family continue to enjoy it.

[Weagle]

Looking at a 368mbi but a little hesitant given the length 40ft. We typically camp 4-5hrs travel time, 8-10 times a year in a 31ft TT. So we typically are in the interstates traveling at 65mph max. So my concern is given the length, would we get pushed around every time a semi (or smaller vehicle) passes us in our srw 2017 2500 Ram CC CTD? Any feedback is welcome. Thx

[JRTJH]

Looking at a 368mbi but a little hesitant given the length 40ft. We typically camp 4-5hrs travel time, 8-10 times a year in a 31ft TT. So we typically are in the interstates traveling at 65mph max. So my concern is given the length, would we get pushed around every time a semi (or smaller vehicle) passes us in our srw 2017 2500 Ram CC CTD? Any feedback is welcome. Thx

Welcome to the forum. The trailer you're looking at, the 368MBI, is 40'1" long, has an empty pin weight of 1980 pounds, a GVW of 13,980 pounds. With a 20% pin weight, that comes out to roughly 2800 pounds of trailer weight on the truck. Add passengers, other cargo, 150 pounds for the fifth wheel hitch and, even with only 2 adults in the truck, you're looking at roughly 3500-4500 pounds of payload. If your 3/4 ton diesel RAM is like all other 3/4 ton diesel trucks, you're looking at roughly 2000-2500 pounds of payload rating at the maximum. That trailer is more in the 1 ton dually category. Most would suggest that an XLite model less than 34' is typically a good match for a 3/4 ton diesel truck. You're looking at a trailer that's "a couple of truck sizes" bigger than your RAM 2500.

[Weagle]

Thanks John. I specifically crafted my post to not touch on weight and add to the 1000s of post on 3/4 ton towing capacity. There are some members of this board that tow 368mbis with 3/4 ton trucks that I would like to know their experiences with that combo. Thanks again

[JRTJH]

You're welcome, but "specifically crafting a question" to avoid an issue won't make a pound of feathers lighter than a pound of lead..... Those thousands of posts about the importance of not overloading any vehicle, 3/4 ton, 1 ton or larger are relevant to any discussion regarding a combination that's overweight. Ignoring a vital part of a multiple component combination doesn't make that part irrelevant or somehow make it not important.

Towing is not the issue, any of today's diesel engines is capable of making the 368 move in a forward direction, usually at any posted speed limit. It's more an issue of whether the truck has the capacity to safely handle the weight of a trailer when the "poo flies". That's when you put your family and those who share the roads with you in jeopardy if you've made bad decisions. Ignoring that won't make it go away...

ADDED: Check post #15 in this thread as an indication: http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31478&highlight=368MBI&page=2

[Weagle]

John, I understand your point. I have already made risk assessment as to weight considerations and the potential impacts on the vehicle dynamics. I'm not ignoring it, I have already considered it. My question was regarding, specifically, side aero loading caused by vehicles at highway speeds. Thx

[Firewall]

Thanks John. I specifically crafted my post to not touch on weight and add to the 1000s of post on 3/4 ton towing capacity. There are some members of this board that tow 368mbis with 3/4 ton trucks that I would like to know their experiences with that combo. Thanks again

I've been out three times now with mine, longest trip was @150 miles one way. The truck handles the trailer very well, absolutely no sway when a semi passes as opposed to my last TT which was 37'. I have been reading that some of these newer trailers have been designed to put less weight on the pin, I cannot confirm that but most of our "camping ready" weight goes over the wheels. So far I have only put about 300Lbs in the front compartment.

The payload on my particular truck is 2853lbs, I'm guessing I'm close going down the road but I don't think I am over the rear axle rating of 6200lbs. The curb weight of the rear axle is @2800lbs so if I am putting 3000lbs of total weight on the truck I am relatively ok.

I do not want to go to weight police jail, I plan on upgrading for all those that nothing short of a bull dozer will do lol! I do have an issue with my research into 3500 srw at this point though. Most seem to only have a payload of 300-500 pounds more unless it is a diesel then that goes down too!

Anyway for now I put a set of Timbrens on the truck and I am very comfortable driving it with the 368, ymmv. There will be a bigger truck in the future but for now it's very doable.

[smithfrh]

Hi everyone I'm the original poster of this thread. I've researched the type of new rv that me and my wife are looking to purchase for the last four months. Max tow weight and pin box weight had been a major consideration from the start. While the 368mbi is at the upper end of my towing capacity it is still within it. Towing with a 06 ram 2500 Cummings.

[CrossfitTDS]

I pull my 368MBI with a 2015 GMC Denali Duramax 2500. I added the firestone airbags to the truck. Now granted, the furthest I pull my camper is 100 miles away, I have zero issues. Not chucking, no sway, just a smooth ride. Im sure I could upgrade my truck to a dually 3500, but as far as I pull the camper it seems like a waste of money.

[whcarr]

2016 ford f250 6.2gas 4:30 axles. Towing a 2017 fuzion 371 toy hauler with toys my axle weights are all under max but gvwr is slightly above rated, i have airbags running 30lbs. This truck does a good job towing except above 7000ft in the moutains( gotta be patient) added disc brakes to the trailer. Generally drive 62 to 62 mph. Ive been over several 10000ft passes no overheating no problems. Looked at 350 rated fords only difference was suspension. So added the air bags

[smithfrh]

We picked our camper up on 8/31 only minor issues found during the pdi. So far we are very pleased with it we have already camped in it for a couple of days. The truck pulls it nicely also.