Cougar Lite - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Wyn Betty · RV-Dreams Community Member

Cougar Lite

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes thousands of people full time in 5th wheels, the founder of this forum is one case in point, read the whole Journal.....Welcome to RV Dreams

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am assuming you are in or near Indiana and will be staying there?
The good news is YES it is very do-able.
If you are staying in Indiana over the winters (we did it for almost 3 years!) you have to do a little more preperations to survive the colder temps.
Make sure the 5th wheel you buy has an enclosed underbelly with some type of heat for the the tanks. Since both of our 5th wheels are made by Keystone they are likely very similier. Ours has a hose in the underbelly from the furnace that keeps the tanks and plumbing from freezing.
Check on the model you are interested in for tags saying "4 season" or "0 degree guarentee" or something similier, this gives you an idea if it is prepared some for colder temps.

Good luck with your hunt!

Phil

ps: there is also a nice RV show down in Louisville and they have another show in Indy in combination with the Boat/Sport and travel show at the fairgrounds.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since you asked specifically about the Cougar Lite being suitable for full time use in winter, I will offer a friend's experience. He found the Cougar to be lightly insulated and hard to maintain temperature. He was near Lubbock, TX during February and could not keep up with propane alone. When he went back home in the spring, he traded it in (and it was new) and got a Montana.
I don't know where you are planning winter, but you should insist on the dealer certifying winter insulation and livability. Look hard at the specifications and construction of anything you decide on. Don't just look at price or the styling inside. Do your homework and you will be happier long term.

Wyn Betty · RV-Dreams Community Member

We live in Ky and was at the RV show in Indiapolisis. We plan on going to the one in Louisville. We have found a KOA just across the river in New Albany th

at we could park at until we go full time. I am just afraid of how cold it could get the next two years. The only time we would be in Ky after that would be from Thanksgiving to after Christmas because of children and grandchildren.

Wyn Betty · RV-Dreams Community Member

The main reason we were asking about the Cougar lite, is that we have looked at a lot of different 5th wheels, Class A and some trailers. We got a really good deal on a new Ford 150 and bought it, we now are trying to stay with something it can pull.

Is there a forum for Cougar owners? How would I find it? thanks again for any help.

Wyn Betty · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks we have been following Linda and Howard for a couple years. We found their site my accident and since they were from Ky, we were interested in what they did and how. Hope some day to meet them, we have tried the last three years to go to one of their ralleys but it seems we always have planned vacation about the same time and committed to go with family.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wyn Betty wrote:
The main reason we were asking about the Cougar lite, is that we have looked at a lot of different 5th wheels, Class A and some trailers. We got a really good deal on a new Ford 150 and bought it, we now are trying to stay with something it can pull.
Is there a forum for Cougar owners? How would I find it? thanks again for any help.

OOPS!! I am afraid you are in for some trouble, finding a fifth wheel the F150 is capable of towing is going to be difficult at best, if not impossible. Make sure you make informed decisions, not what some salesman will tell you. Research, research, research. Then go to someone that knows before purchasing.

Good luck.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Below is a link to Ford's website page that relates to the conventional and fifth wheel towing capacities. While they will refer to a "towing weight," you really want to look at GCVW which is the highest rating that the appropriately equipped truck can handle in regards to the weight of BOTH the truck and trailer.

Ford F150 Weight Ratings for Towing

One will need to know the rated GVWR for the truck alone. Then, look at the GVWR of the trailer that one is interested in and make sure that the GVWR weights of both vehicles does not exceed the GCVW.

Remember that the truck's GVWR will include fuel, cargo, and passengers and the trailer's GVWR is to include all your clothes, groceries, small appliances and all other "stuff" that you will have. This also needs to include the weight of the LPG in the LPG cylinders and the water in the different holding tanks.

There should be information in regards to the trailer's GVWR, although you may need to add the empty weight and its cargo carrying capacity to get that number.

Good luck with finding something that will handle the cold temperatures but still be light enough for the F150 to handle. I fear that you will have an uphill battle with already buying the truck.

Oh, and welcome to the forums.

Terry

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

True Four season capability and light weight do not really go together. There are some new products coming down the line that claim both qualities, but I would be cautious.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Betty,

I looked at the Cougar 30RLS and what I saw is not a fifth wheel but a travel trailer. I was going to see if I could find the GVWR for the model you are interested in, but you also said fifth wheel and not travel trailer. You might want to verify the model number and look up the weights for the one you were looking at.

Also, there is a Keystone owner's forum at the link below.

Keystone Owner's Forums

Terry