New Member New Cougar 25RDS TT

BubbaShoots · 05-27-2021, 02:43 PM

Long time looker at forum and learned so much from you! Ordered Cougar 25RDS TT in October and arrived in March. Already used several times and towed 3,500 miles. Based on what I have learned from so many of you, these are the first things I did.
Replaced Trailer King tires with Goodyear Endurance (on the way home)
Adjusted Blue Ox Sway Pro at the scales.
VisionWorks rear camera (this thing is awesome & I highly recommend)
TST tire pressure monitor
Replaced mattress with Brooklyn Bedding hybrid mattress- probably the best thing I did since I use it every night.
Added MaxAir vent cover
Viair air compressor
Torque wrench & breaker bar (for the Blue Ox)

I have also moved cargo around several times trying to find that “sweet spot” of balance between TV & TT. I have used the CAT scales several times during travels to see if I have found that “sweet spot”. As you all know, a newbie keeps adding stuff and that always changes weight and distribution.

I appreciate each of you and your willingness to share your thoughtful advice and experience. I hope I can add something to this group!

**sourdough** · 05-27-2021, 03:00 PM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new trailer! Sounds like you're on the right track and yes, trying to balance all the things you put in the RV can be a hassle at times. The scales are your friend and help with that; sounds like you've been using them and that is good. Looking forward to your participation as we all learn something from other members.

As a side note; see you're in Frisco TX. Spent a lot of time there. My son lived in Prosper for several years and seems we were in Frisco every day. That place is going crazy with growth, don't know how you keep up with it. Good luck and happy camping!

spicercars · 05-28-2021, 02:22 AM

Welcome from northern MN.

Cougar25 · 06-03-2021, 01:27 PM

Welcome from a fellow 2021 Cougar 25 RDS owner. We love this thing! I'm towing with a 2021 F-150 Platinum, max trailer tow package, and it is not even a strain. Like you, we replaced the mattress with a Brooklyn hybrid. Love the mattress, but it certainly had an impact on tongue weight. My mods are pretty limited: SoftStart RV on the rear A/C; additional shelving in the glass door cabinet in the galley; additional shelving in the right hand upper cabinet in the lav; TPMS. Also, before delivery I added an auto-leveling system, slide topper, and one solar panel. I'm towing with the Equalizer.

Welcome to the forum!

**flybouy** · 06-03-2021, 01:57 PM

Two owners towing 10K GVW 30' trailers with high end optioned out F150 trucks. I'm guessing the tongue weight (actual, not the fantasy number they advertise) has the payload aboutmaxed out.

Cougar25 · 06-03-2021, 02:05 PM

You aren't far off. My payload was 1510 delivered. Max tow rating is 14,000 lbs, and max tongue weight 1,400 pounds. (Yeah, that tongue weight thing was stupid because who is driving that weights under 100 pounds?)

At any rate, I'm running about 7,450 pounds. My tongue weight is on the order of 880. All verified on CAT scales. So I can live with the payload capacity that remains, and for the first 1,800 miles of the trip from Florida to Northern NY, no problems, no effort, and 11mpg.

Cougar25 · 06-03-2021, 02:06 PM

BTW, max gross for the trailer is 8,800.

**flybouy** · 06-03-2021, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougar25

BTW, max gross for the trailer is 8,800.

I see that now. First search i think Google must have belched.

wiredgeorge · 06-03-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

I see that now. First search i think Google must have belched.

You will hereby lose a stripe and be demoted to PFC in the Dept. of Weight Police! Watch yourself!

One more error and I will release the 1/2 Ton club with their pitchforks and torches!

**flybouy** · 06-03-2021, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

You will hereby lose a stripe and be demoted to PFC in the Dept. of Weight Police! Watch yourself!

One more error and I will release the 1/2 Ton club with their pitchforks and torches!

Well dock my pay and put an ecoboost emblem in my shorts!

Gary R. · 06-03-2021, 08:05 PM

LOL, you guys are too funny!

Welcome Cougar 25 to the forum and congrats on your new Cougar!

Have fun and stay safe!

BubbaShoots · 06-03-2021, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougar25

You aren't far off. My payload was 1510 delivered. Max tow rating is 14,000 lbs, and max tongue weight 1,400 pounds. (Yeah, that tongue weight thing was stupid because who is driving that weights under 100 pounds?)

At any rate, I'm running about 7,450 pounds. My tongue weight is on the order of 880. All verified on CAT scales. So I can live with the payload capacity that remains, and for the first 1,800 miles of the trip from Florida to Northern NY, no problems, no effort, and 11mpg.

Our trailer numbers are nearly identical. My truck payload is 1,620 with the 5.0 V8 but no sunroof. I have very little load capacity remaining but weigh upon each departure to be sure. My wife says I’m obsessed about our loaded weight but I know how easily it is to add one more thing. We have towed 3,500 miles…effortlessly. 10 mpg avg. @ 65 mph. I am very pleased with both TV and TT.

saa_2021 · 09-01-2021, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbaShoots

Long time looker at forum and learned so much from you! Ordered Cougar 25RDS TT in October and arrived in March. Already used several times and towed 3,500 miles. Based on what I have learned from so many of you, these are the first things I did.
Replaced Trailer King tires with Goodyear Endurance (on the way home)
Adjusted Blue Ox Sway Pro at the scales.
VisionWorks rear camera (this thing is awesome & I highly recommend)
TST tire pressure monitor
Replaced mattress with Brooklyn Bedding hybrid mattress- probably the best thing I did since I use it every night.
Added MaxAir vent cover
Viair air compressor
Torque wrench & breaker bar (for the Blue Ox)

I have also moved cargo around several times trying to find that “sweet spot” of balance between TV & TT. I have used the CAT scales several times during travels to see if I have found that “sweet spot”. As you all know, a newbie keeps adding stuff and that always changes weight and distribution.

I appreciate each of you and your willingness to share your thoughtful advice and experience. I hope I can add something to this group!

Frisco, TX. Awesome. I'm a few miles North of you in Celina.
We've done some research and finally decided on the Cougar 25RDS and hopefully placing our order soon. I will definitely make some of the MOD you mentioned.
Happy Camping

**sourdough** · 09-01-2021, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saa_2021

Frisco, TX. Awesome. I'm a few miles North of you in Celina.
We've done some research and finally decided on the Cougar 25RDS and hopefully placing our order soon. I will definitely make some of the MOD you mentioned.
Happy Camping

Welcome to the forum! Hope you get that RV soon so you can enjoy it. Lots of knowledgeable folks here that like to help and share info.

Small world; you're in Celina and Bubba is in Frisco. I spent a lot of time just between you in Prosper (actually a lot of time in Frisco) when my son lived there. Haven't been hearing about Celina football as much anymore, did moving to 4A put a damper on them?

saa_2021 · 09-01-2021, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Welcome to the forum! Hope you get that RV soon so you can enjoy it. Lots of knowledgeable folks here that like to help and share info.

Small world; you're in Celina and Bubba is in Frisco. I spent a lot of time just between you in Prosper (actually a lot of time in Frisco) when my son lived there. Haven't been hearing about Celina football as much anymore, did moving to 4A put a damper on them?

Celina Football is still moving along well. City population has exploded as well.

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