Cougar 321 RES

[Jimmie2]

Hey Stan,
Welcome to the 321RES club!!! Where in Florida did you pick that trailer up? I have the exact same set-up. I too originally bought the regular shank length for our drive home from Ohio. the first day on the way home, I got stuck in gas station and had to back out and pull a U-turn and scratched the front decal and bent one of those black knobs. First thing I did was order the 18" shank and that has worked out well. Not really sure if it changed anything, although I had some towing issues when I put new tires on the truck...(another story). I did have to re-adjust the hitch a little and I'm pretty happy with the way that it tows now. The nice thing about the longer shank is that you'll be able to open the tailgate now and have better turning radius. When I get a chance, I will send you my set-up...where the L backets are, placement of the hitch head and washers for tilt - which I know is 6 right now.

Don't have the receiver on the back so can't comment on that.

Enjoy your Cougar!!!

Jimmie

[Clayhammer]

Originally Posted by billb800si

===========================
Why would you want to go to truck tire and not Special Trailer (ST) tires???
Truck tires are not made for twisting like trailer tires twist!!

Actually, that is incorrect. LT tires are rated for trailer service. Many RVr's go with LT for several reasons. They are not limited to 65 mph, they are typically built better and must pass more stringent safety/performance standards than ST tires. There are many, many pages of threads on this issue on all of the RV forums that include info from experts (manufacturer engineers). RV manufacturers are typically driven by cost and choose to put the least expensive tires that barely meet the weight requirements of the trailer or 5'r. Some manufacturers are now including LT tires from the factory. Unfortunately, Keystone is not one of them...

[Jimmie2]

"DW: 1969 Tucsonan in Like-New Condition"

That's funny!!!

[sjw2094]

Jimmie


Thanks for your input. We saw the cougar on e-bay and watched it and saw that it did not sale so we contacted the the owner and worked out a deal. We had to go to West Palm Beach Fl. The owner had taken it to a camp grounds for us and had it all set up for us when we got there. We spent about 4 days in it before coming home to Tn. Really do enjoy the camper, it is one fine outfit.


Stan and Kathy Celina Tn.

[Jimmie2]

I actually saw that one on E-Bay...a friend of mine had sent me the link with the pics from the camp ground. Glad you like it! We love ours!!! And so do our friends who have the identical Cougar that we bought the same day in Ohio a couple of years ago.

Jimmie

[billb800si]

Originally Posted by Clayhammer

Actually, that is incorrect. LT tires are rated for trailer service. Many RVr's go with LT for several reasons. They are not limited to 65 mph, they are typically built better and must pass more stringent safety/performance standards than ST tires. There are many, many pages of threads on this issue on all of the RV forums that include info from experts (manufacturer engineers). RV manufacturers are typically driven by cost and choose to put the least expensive tires that barely meet the weight requirements of the trailer or 5'r. Some manufacturers are now including LT tires from the factory. Unfortunately, Keystone is not one of them...

==================================

Look, I’m not going to get in an argument over the issue. You want expert testimony? Here’s some. You make your own decisions.
Tim Fry, senior development engineer with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company stated, “The major difference is reflected in the polyester cords used in ST tires. These cords are bigger than they would be for a comparable P or LT tire. Typically, the steel wire also has a larger diameter or greater tensile strength to meet the additional load requirements. Because of the heavier construction for an equal volume of air space, an ST tire is designated to carry more load than a P or LT tire.”
The complete article can be read here:
http://rvingwithmarkpolk.com/2012/11/08/trailer-towing-st-tires-vs-lt-tires/

[longshot]

Hello all new to this forum and I just completed all 67 pages very informative and will probably read entire post again and take notes for when I need to reference in the future my question to all of you is have any of you looked at simular models like the Denali 287RE or the Heartland SD TT 322RES I believe Taken switched to a 5er in a Heartland and said the fit and finish was far above that of the Cougar we do not currently have a TT but are planning and the Cougar 321RES is our choice but after 67 pages I'm second guessing my self I live in western Washington and we have a rv show next weekend so I'll do some comparing there thanks

John

[Clayhammer]

Originally Posted by billb800si

==================================

Look, I’m not going to get in an argument over the issue. You want expert testimony? Here’s some. You make your own decisions.
Tim Fry, senior development engineer with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company stated, “The major difference is reflected in the polyester cords used in ST tires. These cords are bigger than they would be for a comparable P or LT tire. Typically, the steel wire also has a larger diameter or greater tensile strength to meet the additional load requirements. Because of the heavier construction for an equal volume of air space, an ST tire is designated to carry more load than a P or LT tire.”
The complete article can be read here:
http://rvingwithmarkpolk.com/2012/11...s-vs-lt-tires/

I've seen that along with many other articles and when comparing the same tire size, is totally correct. I prefer not to run anything right at it's limit (65 mph on ST tires). I changed out the 15" tires and rims for 16" and have the peace of mind that I have considerable headroom in speed as well as total weight rating. I've talked with many RVr's that have had numerous blowout issues that have since gone away with the switch.

I don't have any issue with folks that run ST tires. Some of my best friends have STs on their RV...

[Clayhammer]

Originally Posted by longshot

Hello all new to this forum and I just completed all 67 pages very informative and will probably read entire post again and take notes for when I need to reference in the future my question to all of you is have any of you looked at simular models like the Denali 287RE or the Heartland SD TT 322RES I believe Taken switched to a 5er in a Heartland and said the fit and finish was far above that of the Cougar we do not currently have a TT but are planning and the Cougar 321RES is our choice but after 67 pages I'm second guessing my self I live in western Washington and we have a rv show next weekend so I'll do some comparing there thanks

John

Hi John and welcome to the forum!

We've had our 321 for just over a year now and have used it extensively. It went to the dealer for some minor warranty work twice and all of the items seem to be resolved now. I wouldn't consider any of the items to be major issues. When comparing units, make sure you're looking at similar size, weight and length.

Since getting our 321, we've started a mobile vending business which would have changed our purchase decision to a 5'r toy hauler and a DRW truck. We'll likely move in that direction in the next couple of years.

[longshot]

all three models are comparable in size and weight the cougar is the shortest and lightest I just need to see how they all stack up against each other, biggest thing for me would be leaks it tends to rain a little bit here and I won't have covered storage for some time

[Clayhammer]

Originally Posted by longshot

all three models are comparable in size and weight the cougar is the shortest and lightest I just need to see how they all stack up against each other, biggest thing for me would be leaks it tends to rain a little bit here and I won't have covered storage for some time

Interesting that you mention leaks, we're sitting in the middle of a severe storm with 1" hail as I'm writing this. It's been pouring for about 2 hours now and all seems fine with no leaks. The hail impacts on the tops of the slide outs, vent covers and AC shrouds are quite loud. We've been in some rain storms before but, this is the worst so far.

[longshot]

probably wont see 1" hail but the rain drops seem that big sometimes

[billb800si]

Originally Posted by longshot

Hello all new to this forum and I just completed all 67 pages very informative and will probably read entire post again and take notes for when I need to reference in the future my question to all of you is have any of you looked at simular models like the Denali 287RE or the Heartland SD TT 322RES I believe Taken switched to a 5er in a Heartland and said the fit and finish was far above that of the Cougar we do not currently have a TT but are planning and the Cougar 321RES is our choice but after 67 pages I'm second guessing my self I live in western Washington and we have a rv show next weekend so I'll do some comparing there thanks John

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Did a lot of research myself John. We are very close to ordering a Cougar 321RES. A biggy for us was the front fiberglass cap. The exterior styling (2014 now have frameless windows). The Cougar is lighter than other trailers of comparable size. Cougar has the extra window in the hallway to the bedroom. And a nice touch inside is the vaulted (arched ) ceiling. Another nice touch is the shoe shelf in the front wardrobe and the access hatch to the pass through exterior storage compartment.
Good luck at the show & have fun
Happy trails,

[longshot]

went to the show and all of the models I was hoping to look at were left at their lots, ended up looking at a lot of 5th wheels and I think that's the way I'm headed, they have so much more to offer with storage and room the model I liked best was the 369RL solitude by grand design going back tomorrow to take a closer look www.granddesign.com thanks John