Questions on a Cougar 5vr

[Cougarfamily]

A couple dumb questions that I have about maintaining our new 5vr. The manual doesn't fully answer these.

1. With ultra-lube axles, I assume I can use the marine grade grease that I have already loaded in grease gun? Is it okay to mix brands, types?

2. Is it normal for when the battery is disconnected, that the docking lights and slide-outs still operate? Then, can the battery still be charged with camper plugged-in to shore power while in disconnect mode?

3. Where do you place jack to raise the coach in case of a flat, or to adjust the brakes? The axle manual states not to jack on the axles themselves. I haven't really looked underneath yet, but I don't recall seeing anything the one time while putting on the wheel protectors for storage.

[Festus2]

On our '08 Cougar, the slides will not operate if the battery is disconnected or if the battery is discharged. I do not have a battery disconnect switch so I can't offer any feedback to you about the other part of your question.
Rather than use a jack to change a flat, some people simply drive up on a raised and grooved ramp on the good tire. These ramps can be purchased commercially or you can make your own at home. Placing the good tire on the ramp raises the flat tire enough so you can change it or perform brake maintenance and servicing.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by Cougarfamily

A couple dumb questions that I have about maintaining our new 5vr. The manual doesn't fully answer these.

1. With ultra-lube axles, I assume I can use the marine grade grease that I have already loaded in grease gun? Is it okay to mix brands, types?

Don't assume. There are some high temp and viscosity requirements for the grease used in these axles. Check either Dexter's or Al-Ko's website for grease recommendations. They both have lists of approved greases.

Originally Posted by Cougarfamily

2. Is it normal for when the battery is disconnected, that the docking lights and slide-outs still operate? Then, can the battery still be charged with camper plugged-in to shore power while in disconnect mode?

I am guessing that you mean the the battery switch is turned off when you say the battery is disconnected. If the unit is shore-lined, the convertor might be able to run the slides and it will certainly still run the docking lights. If it is not shore-lined, and the battery switch is off, it's possible that things like the slides and docking lights are wired upstream of the switch leaving them hot. Guess you need to describe the condition a bit more thoroughly to give a firm answer.

Originally Posted by Cougarfamily

3. Where do you place jack to raise the coach in case of a flat, or to adjust the brakes? The axle manual states not to jack on the axles themselves. I haven't really looked underneath yet, but I don't recall seeing anything the one time while putting on the wheel protectors for storage.

If jacking by the frame, place the jack either immediately forward from the front spring shackle or immediately behind the rear spring shackle. But, as Festus already pointed out, it's a lot easier to drive the unaffected wheel up on a ramp or blocks.

[PerryB]

The trailers I've had always came with a molybdenum based all purpose grease in the wheels. Water resistant grease is its own breed of cat and doesn't mix well with others. I always place the jack under the axle whenever possible. The trick is to place the jack directly under the spring. This keeps the stresses on the frame the same as they always are. What you DON'T want to do is put the jack under the center of the axle. This will likely bend it. I am also NOT a fan of lifting the axle by jacking up the frame.At least not by only one point. If you have to "hang" an axle, jack the frame just ahead and behind the spring attach points.

[concours]

Our 2013 Cougar 331mks has a battery disconnect switch and yes the slides still work when the battery is connected and the disconnect switch is in the off possition, I use a good brand of automotive wheel bearing grease for the hubs and jack up under the axle as close to the spring as possible
Hope that helps

[Escs36]

I carry a block of wood and drive the trailer onto the block. A couple 2x6 staggered offers the right jump and height. Just remember to loosen the nuts before if you do not have an impact. I also carry an 18 volt 1/2" cordless impact. Tire changes go extremely fast!

[webslave]

Originally Posted by concours

Our 2013 Cougar 331mks has a battery disconnect switch and yes the slides still work when the battery is connected and the disconnect switch is in the off possition, I use a good brand of automotive wheel bearing grease for the hubs and jack up under the axle as close to the spring as possible
Hope that helps

X2

On the battery disconnect... If yours has the remote control, then everything that the remote control works to activate will work with the battery disconnect in the off position. The remote's control panel is wired directly to the battery, up stream of the disconnect switch. My landing gear, docking lights, slides all work with the disconnect thrown to the off position. The battery will not charge when in the off position as the convertor is off-line with the disconnect in the off position; no way for the current to get from it to the battery as it is down stream from the disconnect. The only way to truly disconnect the battery is to remove the cables or install another switch in the remote control panel's cable.

[raytronx]

Jacking, I use the Trailer Aid Plus. But even with that much lift I still had to but an additional 2x6 under it to get the tire to lift. I have the Trail-Air Equalizer on my suspension.

[Cougarfamily]

Thanks for the good advice everyone!

What I don't understand then, is of what purpose is a battery cut-off switch, if it doesn't cut everything out?

[jsmith948]

Originally Posted by Cougarfamily

Thanks for the good advice everyone!

What I don't understand then, is of what purpose is a battery cut-off switch, if it doesn't cut everything out?

We had the same question with our 5er. The battery disconnect will help to prevent your batteries from going dead due to the parasitic drain from your stereo, propane leak detector etc.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by jsmith948

We had the same question with our 5er. The battery disconnect will help to prevent your batteries from going dead due to the parasitic drain from your stereo, propane leak detector etc.

Jack, I was relieved to find that my Cougar didn't have a battery disconnect switch. I didn't have to fool around with what it would and would not do.

I bought a Blue Sea marine dual battery disconnect (M Series #6007) switch and installed it myself. I did need to pick up a few feet of black and white #4 marine wire and matching cable lugs.

Mine is wired right to the batteries so that OFF means everything is off. I can run one or the other or both batteries as needed.

[PerryB]

Originally Posted by jsmith948

We had the same question with our 5er. The battery disconnect will help to prevent your batteries from going dead due to the parasitic drain from your stereo, propane leak detector etc.

I think you'll find the hard wired detectors (propane and CO) are NOT switched. Its probably a safety code, but renders the so-called disconnect basically useless. Two of the three parasitic loads are constantly hot regardless of switch position. I did as many others have and installed a disconnect on the ground side of the battery(s). I have two 6v's in series so I have only one ground cable. Now everything is dead when the switch is off.

[jsmith948]

Steve & PerryB - thanks for the info. I didn't realize the leak detector remained on. I guess my battery switch simply shuts the stereo off. Probably moot since I leave the 5er plugged in with the switch "on". Thanks for the feedback - love this forum!