Cougar 1/2 Ton 5th Wheel

[Larry201]

I was looking at the 2018' 25RES 5'er. Seems to be in great condition.
Would love to hear what actual owners think and not the sales guy at the dealership.
I'm also curious to know if anyone pulls with the F-150 or other 1500 series PU.
thanks

[450Donn]

Numbers? Its all about the numbers. Typically a fifth wheel regardless of brand is going to place approx 20% of its LOADED weight directly over the teucks rear axle. F150 u less you get a Max tow capacity simply do not have the capacity for the majority of fivers. Especially once you add passangers, hitch and gear.

[Larry201]

I'm getting rid of my class C and am looking at a Gently used 2018' 1/2 ton Cougar 5th Wheel.
Would love to hear from actual owners to hear both the Good & Bad, do's & don'ts.
thanks

[behrmr]

I have a RAM 2500 gasser. I pull a 2020 Cougar 302 5er. Prior to this I pulled a 30’ TT. I wouldn’t even think of pulling this 5er with a 1500 as it’s a load already for my 2500 and even with the heavier suspension I had to add air bags to even up the load.

[Skip426]

As Don mentioned , it's all about the numbers .
Truck payload , axle weight ratings , tires, trailer GVWR , pin weight, etc.

JMHO: " 1/2 ton tow able" is a promotion used by the RV manufacturer to boost sales.
ONLY about 10 % of modern 1/2 ton trucks are properly equipped to handle 5ers advertised as 1/2 ton tow able .

[Skip426]

Cougar fifth wheels. Just a few comments based on my having friends who used to own them .

These would be older , 2009 to 2014 units ; and maybe , just maybe, there have been improvements in design and build quality.
I don't remember the model numbers , but the older unit with dinning table slide , wouldn't sit 4 people at the table; and just about every trip , the owner was having to repair something that had come loose or completely fallen off.
The newer larger unit rear living with opposing slides , the lone furnace duct for the living area, was at the end of the kitchen counter 12' from the back of the trailer , the thermostat was in the hall to the bedroom 1/2 way up the stairs , to get the living area comfortable , the bedroom area was 90 degrees. Manual roof vent above the entry door 10+' up a three step stool was required to access ( no factory option (pre-wire) for a power/remote vent) . Steps to the bedroom 9" tall steps . Both RVs were purchased new and both had axle ( alignment ) issues and required tires in first year .
Look at any Cougar product with a very critical eye .
JMHO: I consider them ; entry level ; low cost built, priced to get them sold and not for long term ownership.

[campnfool]

Well Larry since you asked that someone that actually pulls a so called 1/2 ton with a so called 1/2 ton reply...well I'm replying. Although we tow an Xlite Cougar it's the 1/2 ton's kissin cousin. Let me say it can be done regardless of what some of the know it alls say. There's always some out there that wouldn't believe if it hit em in the head. But ....but you'd better not try and tow it with just any ole 1/2 ton off the lot. Most as in probably 99.92% of all 1/2 tons off the lot only have payload capacities between bout 1400 to maybe 1900 lbs if your lucky. You'd better do your homework and make sure the truck has enough payload capacity of at least 2100-2300 lbs.) to tow a loaded pin weight of 1300 to 1600 lbs cuz you'll have several hundred lbs already in the truck eating up payload (DW, a doggie maybe, odds & ends, maybe fire wood, a generator). We specially ordered our '13 F-150 HD and it 's payload capacity is just shy of 2200 lbs and the loaded pin weight of our 5'er is only 1450 lbs.

We've put well over 12,000 miles on it in the 7 since we bought it back in 2014. And most of those miles are towing it in the hills of the southern Rockies in Southwest Colorado. So it can be done!

BUT DO YOU'RE HOMEWORK! Make sure of all the travel ready numbers mesh, not the empty dry numbers.


Milo

[asherdav]

I have a 2017 f150 with max towing 3.5 ecoboost and have no problems with the 25res cougar 5er. I love my truck but keep this in mind if you decide to go for a Larger 5er in the future you will be constrained by weight. If there is a remote possibility that you might want a larger/heavier model move up to the next larger size truck. While the f150 has plenty of hp/torque from the factory a 3/4 ton would be a good choice for larger units.

[Larry201]

thanks for the reply.
Other than the times I plan to tow the 5'er, which would be on the east coast I have absolutely no use for a larger truck. I saw a Grand Design 260RL that claims to be 150 series capable. Any addition advice would be much appreciated.

thanks,
Larry

[cavie]

Originally Posted by Larry201

thanks for the reply.
Other than the times I plan to tow the 5'er, which would be on the east coast I have absolutely no use for a larger truck. I saw a Grand Design 260RL that claims to be 150 series capable. Any addition advice would be much appreciated.

thanks,
Larry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RbqPaqtpuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwFLOBrADBs

[asherdav]

myF150 is also my daily driver and I'm very happy with it. That's a nice rig. let me add this, if you have the 5.5 bed you are going to need a slider Hitch. there's several out there that will work. mine is automatically engaged when I turn past 14 degrees. but it was expensive 3000 installed.