new Cougar 29RDB .. what am i in for?

[slimchancepistolero]

just picked up a 2019 Cougar 29RDB ... it has the In Command .. what are some thing to look for ... also i want to remove the fireplace, we dry camp, any ideas on how to ?

[jsb5717]

Congrats on the new rig. The fireplace is basically a fancy electric space heater. Just a few screws and a plug and it should come right out.

[chuckster57]

just picked up a 2019 Cougar 29RDB ... it has the In Command .. what are some thing to look for ... also i want to remove the fireplace, we dry camp, any ideas on how to ?



Removing the fireplace will probably reveal an ugly space with a bunch of wiring and maybe some construction debris. I would plan on some type of finish material for the hole.

A picture would help determine how yours is installed.

[slimchancepistolero]

sorry for the delay, very busy around here .... here are two pixs of the fireplace area ... hope this helps ..

[Laredo Tugger]

Not sure what your plans are for "the hole",but Lowes or HD should have upper and lower cabinets that are a close match to your interior finish.
You might find one that is close to size and "modify" it or use the material for your finish design. Also might be cheaper than special order from your dealer.
Good luck.
RMc

[travelin texans]

Not sure what your plans are for "the hole",but Lowes or HD should have upper and lower cabinets that are a close match to your interior finish.
You might find one that is close to size and "modify" it or use the material for your finish design. Also might be cheaper than special order from your dealer.
Good luck.
RMc

I'd doubt seriously your dealer will be of any help in getting anything to fill the space left by the fireplace, it will have to be custom by you or possibly the Lowes/HD cabinet idea.

[JRTJH]

Typically RV cabinets are multi-purpose and used in a number of applications on different models. That means some applications might have cabinet doors, some might use the cabinet for a "fireplace" and some may use it as an open space for a TV, etc.

Essentially, most of the cabinets are "modular" and even if there aren't any doors on it in "your application" there will be doors available for "some other application".

You can measure the width of the cabinet opening and divide the width by 2. That would give you the approximate width of each door. Measure the height of the opening. With those two measurements you can usually locate "Keystone Cougar cabinet doors" that fit your opening.

As an example, your fireplace looks to be about 30" wide and about 20" tall.

Divide by 2 and you're looking for two cabinet doors that measure about 15x20". So, finding doors that overlap the opening 1" on all sides would mean doors that are about 16x22". So, assuming your fireplace opening is actually 20x30, Keystone produces these doors to match your Cougar interior.

They are available at Trekwood RV parts. https://www.trekwood.com/products/1207391/Cabinet-Door-FPSQ-22-x-16-Carb-2-19-G-Brown-Hard-Maple-Vintage-Maple-Hand-Wiped-Glazed and cost about $75 each. If the opening is a different size, there are a variety of door sizes available, probably that will fit the opening in your "fireplace space".

You can look over the entire cabinet door selection for your trailer line at the Trekwood site. https://www.trekwood.com/parts-search.php?model=Cougar&year=2019&category=Door&subcategory=Cabinet+%28East%29&search-keywords=Item+%23+%2F+Keyword There are about 6 pages of different size cabinet doors listed, all that match the style and finish in your trailer.

[slimchancepistolero]

thanxs for the links for cabinets ... have to get time to first remove the fireplace ... took out the outdoor refrig and that gave me a spot for the weber grill ... now working on the re-install of the Taddi Bros observation camera ... weighing everything that we are putting back in the camper, just cause, ... the B&W hitch sure worked good to bring it home

[slimchancepistolero]

removed the fireplace ... the hole is 25 1/4" wide and 20 1/2" high .... gives me lots of storage space .. now all i have to find is somebody with doors that wants a fireplace, otherwise the fireplace will sit in the barn and collect dust ... looked at the trekwood stuff and that will run around $200 till i get the 2 doors and hardware and shipping .... that is too much ... till i find a solution it will be easy access storage

[Logan X]

removed the fireplace ... the hole is 25 1/4" wide and 20 1/2" high .... gives me lots of storage space .. now all i have to find is somebody with doors that wants a fireplace, otherwise the fireplace will sit in the barn and collect dust ... looked at the trekwood stuff and that will run around $200 till i get the 2 doors and hardware and shipping .... that is too much ... till i find a solution it will be easy access storage

I’m interested in the fireplace. Do you have a picture?

Edit-I just saw the picture in post 4. I’ll send you a PM.

[LHaven]

just picked up a 2019 Cougar 29RDB ... it has the In Command .. what are some thing to look for ...

Check this out (http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36600) while you're still in warranty, and before you go anywhere very hot or very cold.

[OregonDuck]

I also have a 29RDB. Love it!!! Best floor plan IMHO when you have kids. And we are the opposite of you; ours came w/o the fireplace and we added one. FP is an option on the rig. They all come pre-wired for it, but if you don't order, they add doors for a massive storage space.

I still have my doors and hardware. Perfect condition, and yours if you would like. Just have to get them to you.

All said, something we learned as we started using the RV that I thought I would share... Camping in the cold (we camp year round), the fireplace is amazing to have at night. Our first winter taking it out we used the dometic furnace at night. That thing works great. BUT..... It goes on and off and on and off so many times, and so frequently; drove us nuts, and kept us awake! Just something we learned when we first bought the rig so thought I would mention. We are HUGE fans of having the "little electric heater" on the rig. Many other options you could consider though, and you get a ton of storage on this model w/o it, for sure.

[slimchancepistolero]

only had this camper a week BUT the problem with the FP is we use our campers to go to cowboy shoots ... that means in the middle of nowhere, no water, no sewer and no electric ... you can only run gen from 6a to 8p (mostly) ... sorta like boondocking for 4 days at a time ... so, storage is more important than electrical stuff ... thanxs OreganDuck for the offer ...

[DarkElf]

My 2 cents ...

I agree with Oregonduck.
We have a 36' 2015 Grand Design Solitude 5th wheel and it has an electric fireplace in it and WOW, does it put out heat! I love it.
I can heat my whole camper with it and never turn on my propane furnace and we camp in the spring and fall up here in NH where it can get pretty chilly at night during those times of the year.
I wouldn't part with the FP if it were me. Though you may not use it right now you never know when you may want or need it in the future.
For the gain in cabinet space way down near the floor?

But, of course that's just my opinion.
Good luck with your project.

[Yorkysnminpins]

We have the same model without the fireplace. We definitely use the storage area below the TV. Fireplace might be nice on a cold evening, but I wouldn't give up the storage.

[DarkElf]

We have the same model without the fireplace. We definitely use the storage area below the TV. Fireplace might be nice on a cold evening, but I wouldn't give up the storage.

Hmmm. If you have the same model, then you have a huge amount of storage space anyway. We don't even use all the storage space we have.
Wouldn't part with my fireplace. ;-)

[mtofell]

I always save the things I take out of my RV for resale purposes. Keep in mind buyers look at brochures and online before they come look and I've found people get really fouled up when things aren't exactly as they expect. And I know... you're going to keep this RV forever, right? :) I've been there.... I didn't.... you probably won't either :)

Enjoy the new toy!

[LHaven]

Unreasonable expectation, as RV's change without notice. All the brochures I saw showed my chosen model with the fireplace, and a bumper carry platform for a scooter. What I got on delivery from the factory was no fireplace and no platform, but the swing-down solid steps we intended to have added on anyways.

[slimchancepistolero]

starting to pack for our next shoot ... it is hard to believe they put a hanging closet in the bedroom that you can NOT hang a shirt in since it is about 4" too short ... AND there is lots of storage space for 2 adults .... CW did NOT do very much for their $1000 prep fee, saw dust everywhere, screws sticking out, their stickers on windows and the wheel bearing were DRY ... lucky it was only 50 miles to home on dry bearings .. IF CW would spend as much time preping the sold campers as they spent time trying to sell me added packages all would be well

[chuckster57]

FWIW, I’m not aware of any dealerships that remove hubs and inspect bearings as a routine part of the PDI.

[slimchancepistolero]

had a local amish cabinet shop make up 2 doors for the fireplace hole, cost $50, got paint to match at Lowes, cost $8, hinges and pulls at Lowes, cost $12 ... also added 5 outlets for 12V throughout the camper for fans , so far the InCommand has worked good since i called them and they helped me update the software for MY camper and added second battery .... coming along nicely

[slimchancepistolero]

got a new question .... IF the front jacks motor fails, how do you "lift" the front to connect to the 5th whl hitch ... here is what i have ....

[chuckster57]

Those pictures don’t match what I’m used to seeing. GC 3.0 usually has a motor mounted at the top of each jack. There is a rubber plug on the top of the gear box and the bottom of the motor. You can use a portable drill with a driver but, the bottom one is 5/16”.

Looking at your picture, there should be a rod that sticks out from the gearbox, just guessing but most likely behind the propane bottle. It will be a round shaft with a flat end to engage a special crank handle.

[slimchancepistolero]

there is only one motor, i have looked for some kind of shaft or cap to remove, nothing .... did google search and only come up with the self leveling systems and that is not what i have ... will go back out and look harder ... thanxs

[chuckster57]

Look on the gearbox, on the opposite side as the motor. Looking closer at your first pic I see what looks like the propane hose at the top. That hole below it is where the shaft would be.

[slimchancepistolero]

i found it .... it is on the motor side, a shaft comes out the gear box behind the right side propane tank, well hidden, the shaft has a center roll pin to drive the extension handle that also is used for the rear stabilizers .... thanxs for helping me find this, hope i never need to use it

[slimchancepistolero]

now that i found it, is there a tool that would use a battery drill to run the shaft or do i have to make it ???

[chuckster57]

You could buy another crank handle, and then cut off the end. Or you could make one, I’m not sure how strong the cordless drill would have to be.