Jayco Eagle 33.5RETS vs. Cougar High Country327RES

[grhtx]

After a lot of research, we've boiled it down to these two choices for a new FW, the Eagle 33.5 RETS vs. the Cougar High Country 327RES Our TV is a 2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab diesel with a 3.73 rear axle.

We generally like both floor plans. The Eagle takes the edge with their night stand next to the bed (my DW uses a C-PAP machine) and the linen closet in the BR. Also we like the longer awning in the Eagle and the 2 yr. warranty.

The Cougar takes the edge with their adjustable, expandable table and lower mounted microwave and fridge. Also, the Cougar has a lower hitch weight, despite the almost identical GVWR's. We also find the exterior of the Cougar HC more appealing.

I would love to hear from owners of these two units as to your experiences with them, both good and bad.

Thanks in advance for your input. We're close to pulling the trigger.

[brewurown]

I currently own a Keystone product and before that I owned a Jayco. I would prefer the Jayco over a Cougar. I feel that the Jayco is a better unit with a longer warranty.

[jimcumminsw]

Originally Posted by grhtx

After a lot of research, we've boiled it down to these two choices for a new FW, the Eagle 33.5 RETS vs. the Cougar High Country 327RES Our TV is a 2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab diesel with a 3.73 rear axle.

We generally like both floor plans. The Eagle takes the edge with their night stand next to the bed (my DW uses a C-PAP machine) and the linen closet in the BR. Also we like the longer awning in the Eagle and the 2 yr. warranty.

The Cougar takes the edge with their adjustable, expandable table and lower mounted microwave and fridge. Also, the Cougar has a lower hitch weight, despite the almost identical GVWR's. We also find the exterior of the Cougar HC more appealing.

I would love to hear from owners of these two units as to your experiences with them, both good and bad.

Thanks in advance for your input. We're close to pulling the trigger.

I would not believe catalog posted weights as these are sometimes under reported. What I would do is combined the shipping weight and cargo weigh for a gross combined weight and then take 15% to 20% of this number for a pin weight for this trailer. I would error on the high side for safety in my humble opinion.

In this case for the Cougar 327RES according to their catalog would have a shipping weight of 10,185 lbs and cargo weight of 1,950 lbs for a gross weight of 12,135 lbs. The pin weight that your truck will have to support would be at 15% 1,820 lbs or at 20% this would be 2,427 lbs. Both of these pin numbers are higher than the advertized pin weight that Keystone list at 1,735 lbs.
Now I do own a Cougar 318SAB; and have had no issues with the trailer other than the Chinese tire bombs that where on the trailer when I purchased the trailer new. I have resolved this issue with aftermarket tires from Michelins; XPS Ribs which support my trailer. I bought the trailer new in Feb 2010 and have towed the trailer for over 24,000 miles. So the trailer has served up will.

Jim W.

[namusmc65]

I own a 2014 Jayco Eagle 33.5RETS and just love it. One major problem is their is NO, absolutely NO access to the gas furnace. Had to cut a hole in the basement storage area to get it out! A five minute control board replacement took 4 hours to complete.