Looking at Used Cougar

[Fishsizzle]

With the Alpine our full-time for awhile, we are looking for a small 5th to camp in. Smaller thinking we can go more places (fit in)

We are looking in a couple of Cougars. Rear kitchen is one and mid kitchen others

Is there anything beyond the standard things that I should look at that maybe is unique to the Cougar line up? 2015-2016 seems to be in our price range

[JRTJH]

Are you looking at Cougar, Cougar Half Ton or Cougar XLite brands????

The Cougar is a "mid height" with an "east/west bed" while the Half ton and XLite are "low profile, ultra-light/extra-light trailers" that are built differently. The most noticeable difference is the Cougar will have a "walk around bed" and full headroom in the upper bedroom. The Half Ton and XLite brands will have reduced headroom in the bedroom except at the foot of the bed. The bed is on a raised platform, further reducing the headroom. In other words, you'll be "crawling into bed" rather than walking to the side of the mattress.

Additionally, the XLite (Indiana edition) will have significantly smaller holding tanks than the Half Ton (West Coast edition). The Cougar brand will have even larger holding tanks than the Half Ton models.

As for amenities, the "three Cougars" are about the same with similar brand appliances, mattresses, furniture, etc. In some years, both the Half Ton and the XLite brands have a "foam sandwich floor" while, as far as I can tell, all of the Cougar models in all years have the solid "sturdi-deck" floor system.

[chuckster57]

As long as everything works, the roof is intact I say find the floor plan you like and roll.

[Fishsizzle]

The two we like the “most” floor plan wise

2016 Keystone Cougar 279RKSWE

And

2017 28RKS

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

The one we like the “most” floor plan wise

2016 Keystone Cougar 279RKSWE

The 279RKSWE is the "same" (similar) floorplan as our 27RKS (eastern edition). Ours has two recliners, the 279 has one recliner and a cupboard forward of the refrigerator. That trailer has the styrofoam laminated floor system, so check it very closely for any water intrusion... Crawl under the trailer and run your fingers on the top of the wheelwells. It's DARCO covering 1/8" luan. Rocks will pierce the DARCO and water will destroy the luan. If you feel the luan layers separating and buckling, the bottom layer of the sandwich floor is "damaged from water intrusion".....

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

The 279RKSWE is the "same" (similar) floorplan as our 27RKS (eastern edition). Ours has two recliners, the 279 has one recliner and a cupboard forward of the refrigerator. That trailer has the styrofoam laminated floor system, so check it very closely for any water intrusion... Crawl under the trailer and run your fingers on the top of the wheelwells. It's DARCO covering 1/8" luan. Rocks will pierce the DARCO and water will destroy the luan. If you feel the luan layers separating and buckling, the bottom layer of the sandwich floor is "damaged from water intrusion".....

Excellent, thanks very much

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

The two we like the “most” floor plan wise

2016 Keystone Cougar 279RKSWE

And

2017 28RKS

The 28RKS would appeal more to me. Bigger shower, and you don't have to be an owl to watch the TV comfortably.

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by LHaven

The 28RKS would appeal more to me. Bigger shower, and you don't have to be an owl to watch the TV comfortably.

Agree, we like the straight across TV. The outdoor kitchen seems cool, but just never thought about one.

[BookPaul74]

I would stay away from any rear kitchen, the bounce.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

Agree, we like the straight across TV. The outdoor kitchen seems cool, but just never thought about one.

Ours came with an outdoor grill and fridge. Once I discovered the fridge was AC only, it came out and went into the house, and the (very handy) space re-used for storage (loaded it up with Moxie on our last trip to NH). Since we're "travelers" and not "campers," we've never used the outdoor grill. Bottom line is, we haven't really lost much by it being there.

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by BookPaul74

I would stay away from any rear kitchen, the bounce.

????? Please elaborate

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by BookPaul74

I would stay away from any rear kitchen, the bounce.

My ‘97 Jayco had a rear kitchen, hauled it all over for 13 1/2 yrs without any issues. Actually wanted another but the boss wanted the rear living.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

????? Please elaborate

The theory being that vertical street bump motion is felt most strongly in the free-moving rear (same as aircraft) rather than on the hitch end, so your dishes, pantry, fridge contents take more abuse. But you said you were looking for a rear kitchen, so I just took that for granted.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Fishsizzle

The two we like the “most” floor plan wise

2016 Keystone Cougar 279RKSWE

And

2017 28RKS

These are 10k GVWR & 33' long with a pin weight of 2k+ so I hope your "temporary truck" is more than a 1/2 ton.

[BookPaul74]

Remember riding the school bus to school? It depends on how well you pack stuff. I just got done replacing the wooden hangers in the rear bedroom closet with heavy duty wooden hangers. The heavy winter coats, from bouncing bent the hooks straight enough to not stay on the rod.

It’s just something I was told when looking at campers.

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

These are 10k GVWR & 33' long with a pin weight of 2k+ so I hope your "temporary truck" is more than a 1/2 ton.

Wondered how long it would take before the “weight” got brought up.

Bro, been on hear long enough to have read, or been drug into most threads that deal with payload, GVW, GCVW, etc.

The “temporary” truck is more than adequate for either trailer.

Thanks for your concern

[Northofu1]

Good morning Justin,
I like my Cougar X-Lite so far. The model I chose has opposing slides and is really roomy.
It's just the Mrs' and I so more than enough space. Don't carry kayaks or large items, so can't help there.
So far the unit handles nicely on the road, new tires since May. Everything works well.
Some good insight already from the other members.
I think as long as you find a floorplan that works for you and it's mechanically sound, you will enjoy it.
Good Luck

[chunker]

A lot of RV manufacturers, probably most in that $$$ range, used bonded leather for furniture. It was cheap, looked good for a few years but wears terribly. Cracks, peels and is junk. NOT repairable. Look at seating surfaces, headrest areas, and any area that might have more sun exposure.

Also brown front caps was the rage and the gelcoat was poor. Fading especially near the top on trailers that had regular sun exposure. CAN'T be polished out.

[Fishsizzle]

Originally Posted by chunker

A lot of RV manufacturers, probably most in that $$$ range, used bonded leather for furniture. It was cheap, looked good for a few years but wears terribly. Cracks, peels and is junk. NOT repairable. Look at seating surfaces, headrest areas, and any area that might have more sun exposure.

Also brown front caps was the rage and the gelcoat was poor. Fading especially near the top on trailers that had regular sun exposure. CAN'T be polished out.

Yeah had the Fade on a Wildcat trailer. Crazy Forest River, instead of paying to paint it, they took to back and replace the whole front cap. Head scratcher

[chapmast]

We have been full time in a Cougar High Country 299rks for 2 years and have loved it. We have found we need to be religious about making sure everything in the rear kitchen is stowed properly but otherwise no problems.