New Cougar 30RLS

[Twisties]

Well, thanks to a lot of help Keystone RV Forums and Dodge Ram Forums a lot of things have come together for us in the last two weeks. The 2019 Ram 3500 followed us home a couple of weeks ago. We didn't find one we wanted with the OEM puck system installed, but thanks to Ram Forum help, we learned it could be done afterwards. There was some hustle and bustle with back ordered parts, difficulty locating an installer out here in podunk and a search for 3 and 3 /4" hole saw bit... but we managed to get the pucks installed Monday, along with a bed mounted 7-pin and our block heater cable.

About the time we got the truck home from the shop Monday the steps we had ordered before Thanksgiving made an appearance.... I got them installed and then just about 6:30 pm the hitch we had expected Saturday finally showed up... We worked until about 9 pm to install it and set it up, just blindly picking the over axle position and 18" of height.

It was all a rush because well... the house sale is supposed to close in less than a month and we need to get into the RV. We bought it last Thursday, with pick-up scheduled for yesterday, Tuesday.

In the morning yesterday I was to go to court with a friend, just for moral support. I thought we'd be out in 15 minutes, and I could hit the road to Grants Pass to pick up the 30RLS. OMG, three hours later, and late, we made our go. It seemed like every pokey driver in the world had chosen that rainy day to be out. But, all was well. We made it to Grants Pass, and they had everything ready to go. We got the tour/class, hooked up... they said our hitch height and position were fine... and we were off.

Well, except, the brakes were locking up on the trailer and we didn't know what kind of brakes they were or how to set the trailer brake controller. In the end, after a trip back to the RV dealer and another to a Ram dealer we were really off...



Chilly dark hitch install, with the wife helping.



The new rig... Now we just need to learn to drive it, and figure out how it all works, and get the power system up to snuff...

[chuckster57]

Congrats, looks great!! You’ll be fine just take your time.

[Shasta Bob]

nice ride it will look great on the road, I hope you had good service at River City RV.

[Big1]

Great looking setup, happy camping.

[flybouy]

Nice looking set up. As for "learning how to drive" take it to a large parking lot like a Home Depot, Walmart, large church during weekdays or larger office or parking lot on weekends and practice backing and parking. Of course do this in a far corner or other area out of the way.

Take your time, keep checking where the camper tires are when you turn to avoid "jumping curbs". Use the painted parking lines to practice backing in and note where the trailer tires are in relation to the lines. Don't be afraid of getting out and looking and pulling forward a couple of times as that's less embarrassing that hitting a picnic table or tree.

Enjoy your new rig and hoping you have some great experiences to add to your memories.

[sourdough]

Congrats and good looking rig! Don't know what I'd do without DW on some of my late evening "installs".

Practice, practice, practice to get used to it being behind you. Swing wide on curves to avoid jumping the curb which will ruin a tire(s) quickly. Most importantly, get out and HAVE FUN!!