2015 Cougar XLite breaking news.....

[billb800si]

Wife & I toured a Cougar XLite 33RES yesterday and went away with a few questions. They were speedily answered by Keystone. Below are their answers:
----

Bill,
Thank you for your email and questions. Up until September of 2014 the Cougar X-Lites did have a ladder and Mor/Ryde CRE 300 suspension standard on there units. This last fall they wanted to bring the weight down on there X-Lite trailers and in order to do this they went away from the walkable roof (even though they still have the aluminum trusses 16" on center). Since they do not have a walkable roof anymore (same as all the ultra light weight trailers out in the market today) they did away with the rear ladder and it is not even backed anymore so a dealer cannot even put one on. They also did away with the Mor/Ryde CRE 300 suspension on there Cougar X-Lite trailers only. Fifth wheels will still have it. Sorry to give you all this bad news but what I would recommend is seeing if there may be a 33RES Cougar out there still that was built before the fall and it would still give you everything that you were looking for.
I hope that I was able to answer your questions for you and please let me know if i can be of any further assistance to you during your research process or help answer any other questions you may have as well. Thanks again for your interest in our Keystone Cougar X-Lite product.
Jason Clark
Keystone RV Company
Shoppers Konnection Division
Phone: (574) 535-1437
Email: [email protected]

[KanTC]

Thanks for sharing this info Bill. I'm sure (at some point) new buyers/owners will ask, and we'll have your post to refer to.
"Shoppers Konnection Division"...?? I didn't even know it existed. Once again, "good to know" info!

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot

[Sherwood]

So, let me get this straight. They did away from the "walkable" roof, so how are you suppose to get up there and re-caulk or service anything? A hoist and a sling?

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by Sherwood

So, let me get this straight. They did away from the "walkable" roof, so how are you suppose to get up there and re-caulk or service anything? A hoist and a sling?

Passports don't have a walkable roof either. Or, at least mine doesn't. Get a ladder and STRETCH!

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Sherwood

So, let me get this straight. They did away from the "walkable" roof, so how are you suppose to get up there and re-caulk or service anything? A hoist and a sling?

A ladder positioned alongside the RV and leaning over the roof is about the only way. As people demand that trailers get longer and also demand the ability to tow them with SUV's and half ton trucks, the manufacturers have to cut the weight somewhere. Removing roof ladders, making 3/8" roofs "suddenly become 1/4" roofs and replacing heavy weight suspension components with lighter weight "medium duty" parts, along with replacing 30 lb LP bottles with 20 lb bottles and going back to the "spring steel lump" mattresses and 3" foam cushions (rather than 5" foam) are all ways to "provide what sells." Nobody will confirm that it will "be comfortable, or last" just that it sells...................

It wasn't too many years ago that a 31' travel trailer was as long as you could buy, and 10,000+ pound GVW's were commonplace. Most of the RV's that length weighed in excess of 8500 pounds. Now a 31' "lightweight" weighs in at 5000 pounds or even less. That extra 3500 pounds (nearly 40% weight reduction) had to "disappear somehow".................

[Sherwood]

I totally get the idea of light weight trailers and the need to cut weight but if my roof cannot withstand my gently walking 195 pounds, that is scary flimsy. If that's the case, wouldn't they at least say something in the manuals to not walk on the roof while performing routine maintenance and caulk repairs?

[JRTJH]

I'd think they would at least mention it, but apparently they don't feel it's important enough ???

At least there are numerous posts in this forum urging caution or "flat out warning against" walking on the roofs of many models. There are also a number of recommendations and "work around" solutions that have been posted. So, who to blame? who to believe???

[Hercules1978]

My 2015 31SQB built in may 2014 has a ladder and the mor-ryde suspension.

[billb800si]

Originally Posted by Hercules1978

My 2015 31SQB built in may 2014 has a ladder and the mor-ryde suspension.

====================

Then apparently your unit was built before September of 2014 ( as the original post mentioned)...
All units coming out of the factory now will have 2016 registrations...
Happy trails,

[Sherwood]

Originally Posted by Hercules1978

My 2015 31SQB built in may 2014 has a ladder and the mor-ryde suspension.

I don't have the ladder on mine. I read the manuals today and nowhere does it say not to walk on roof. It just says to clean roof and re-caulk if need be. I just looked into the vent after taking out the trim ring and seen I have 7/16" to 3'8" OSB on my roof. I suppose the next time I get up there I'll have a padded piece of plywood to put my weight on just in case.

[michael_h]

I weigh 276 pounds and I get on my 2013 Premier roof all the time to do repair/inspections . . . I just lay an extra piece of plywood under me and have a second handy if I need to move to a different location

[Marcusjolaine]

Bummer to hear no ladder and no walk on roof. My Outback didn't come with awnings over the slide outs and many times I have to climb up on the roof to sweep the slide outs off so the debris doesn't make it inside.

[Irving Ray]

I'm in the process of buying a 28 SGS with no ladder, humm , wrote Jason

The 2013 will be backed for a ladder. These changes did not go into affect until September of 2014 on our 2015 product.

Jason Clark
Keystone RV Company
Shoppers Konnection Division
Phone: (574) 535-1437
Email: [email protected]


Best guess is roof is safe to walk ? Also looking for a ladder , at least to hang my bike on . Thanks Bart"Irving Ray"

[Grbill]

Just installed a couple vent covers on our new 26rbi this morning, the roof feels surprisingly solid for a "non walkable". I was able to tell where the trusses are and kept my knees on them but unless this thread came along I wouldn't have thought not to go anywhere on it. My only disappointment is that it doesn't tell me anywhere in the owners manual wether it's walkable or not.

[KanTC]

Grbill,
The Owners Manual isn't specific to your RV... info is rather generic & covers all Keystone lines/models.

Please excuse the interuption everyone... ok, back to the roof discussion.
Terri, the Chevy co-pilot

[sourdough]

I bought a 2014 Cougar High Country before they made the changes; has walkable roof, ladder, upgraded suspension etc. We liked it due to all the higher end features. We found right after we bought it that they discontinued them - some of the parts were already "discontinued". I was dismayed and visited with the GM of the dealership about it. His comments were: the high end travel trailers don't move very quick. When the price gets to 50-60k or so folks look at 5th wheels and other options, not a travel trailer. You got a super price on your trailer, right? (Yes I did). That's because we had to discount it a LOT because it wouldn't move.

These comments are to highlight the previous posts about moving away from the heavier, costly components in the old Cougar line to the xlite trailers . Now.......back to the roof discussion - sorry for the off tangent remarks.

[Ozarkscamper]

We're about to order the 26rbi and just received a brochure dated Nov 2015 in the mail today direct from Keystone. Pg 9 of the brochure says "walkable roof" in a big circle and points to the roof. Haven't owned a Keystone for several years....sounds like we need to confirm the roof. If we can't walk on it, we'll stick with our Open Range.

[Festus2]

Have you tried contacting Keystone's Customer Service Dept? They have a toll free number (1-866-425-4369) or you can contact them via their website (www.keystonerv.com)

Your dealer may or may not be able to confirm this. If he says, "I think so."... I wouldn't accept this as confirmation.

Hopefully, some members who have that identical model will chime in and confirm whether or not the roof is walkable. If there is a ladder attached to the back, that is sometimes a clue about the walkability of the roof.

[bill-e]

Yes, the latest brochure says 3/8" walkable roof but honestly it doesnt matter much. My 26rbi does not have a walkable roof and I'm up there all the time. 230 lbs and I use 2 foot squares of 2" blue foam board insulation to move around. I've also just stood on the trusses in a pinch. I have a Amazon $99 Aluminum Telescopic Extension Ladder that I use to get up there and I use a 2 foot square piece of 1/2" plywood with the edges covered in duct tape as a landing spot but from there I move around with the foam board.

If I had a choice walkable is better but I would in no way let the lack of it deter me from my desired floorplan. I also use a cover and have had no issues installing or removing it.

[Pmedic4]

Even though I have a ladder on my 2012 model, I'm cautious about walking on the roof, but more concerned about just twisting my foot and tearing the roofing. I'm sure there are guys who would tell me the EPDM/TPO material is very tough, but seriously, they don't know the type of klutz I am, and yeah, I could do it.

So far, I've put off my roof cleaning and maintenance for this year, but will do it sometime here in the next month. Whatever, everyone just stay safe up there!