We'd been looking to upgrade for a while and wouldn't ya know it my truck steered itself into the local RV show!
Found a good deal on a cougar 29BHSWE, dealer shows MSRP $32995, DW got them down to $22k at the show and I think I can get them down some more if I try. I'm seriously considering going back tomorrow and pulling the trigger. Our current rear lounge setup just isnt working with 3 kids that are just getting bigger. The bunk house is the easiest solution that we've found. The 29ft trailer looks to even be lighter than my 26ft now!
So my question is, how is the build quality, fit, and finish on the Keystone, namely the Cougar brand? Our current Wave by Thor is a so called "entry level" trailer and it definitely has some fit and finish issues. Everything I've looked at on the Cougars looks pretty solid, just wondering what some of your experiences are.
TKR's Dad wrote: We'd been looking to upgrade for a while and wouldn't ya know it my truck steered itself into the local RV show!
Found a good deal on a cougar 29BHSWE, dealer shows MSRP $32995, DW got them down to $22k at the show and I think I can get them down some more if I try. I'm seriously considering going back tomorrow and pulling the trigger. Our current rear lounge setup just isnt working with 3 kids that are just getting bigger. The bunk house is the easiest solution that we've found. The 29ft trailer looks to even be lighter than my 26ft now!
So my question is, how is the build quality, fit, and finish on the Keystone, namely the Cougar brand? Our current Wave by Thor is a so called "entry level" trailer and it definitely has some fit and finish issues. Everything I've looked at on the Cougars looks pretty solid, just wondering what some of your experiences are.
Thanks!
kirk
As to your question I would agree that this is a solid built unit. I'm very familiar with pricing on Keystone and it's very hard to believe that you could get this unit for 22 especially in California. For that price I would snap it up in a heartbeat.
2008 Dodge Ram 6.7 Laramie SRW SB
2012 Keystone Passport 26BHWE
2009 Lance 830 with Tent foldout
20' North River Seahawk Boat
2005 Honda VTX1300
halibutman214 wrote: As to your question I would agree that this is a solid built unit. I'm very familiar with pricing on Keystone and it's very hard to believe that you could get this unit for 22 especially in California. For that price I would snap it up in a heartbeat.
I agree completely. That's close to what I paid for my 245RKS in 2009.
Dave & Gean
2007 Tundra DC 4X4 5.7
2009 Cougar 245RKS
370 watts ET solar
Rogue 3024 MPPT controller
440 Ah battery bank
ProWatt 2000 inverter
100% LED lighting
As you can see from my signature we have a 2010 Cougar 30BHSWE that I purchased new in 2010. It has been a great trailer with only a couple of very minor issues that the dealer took care of. And I agree that $22,000 would be a very good deal.
2010 Keystone Cougar 30BHSWE,SteadyFast Stabilizer,2010 F350 Lariat FX4 CCLB,6.4,MiniMax Tuner,FloPro SS Exhaust(CAT/DPF/EGR/Coolers Deleted),S&B CAI
Myself(Bob) Retired (25 Years USAF)
Tami(Wife/Retired 25 Years USAF)
Ashley-11(Daughter)
Nick-7(Our rotty)
I own a 2007 Keystone Cougar 29RLS, and my wife and I absolutely love it, we purchased this unit new and have not had any issues whatsoever, would most definately recommend this brand. Hope this helps.
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Here is a post I made a few weeks ago Re Keystone--Horrible QC, & Customer PR
"We have had a Zeppelin for about 5 years, we had our previous trailer for 20 plus years went all over Baja with only a few problems.
We no longer travel out side of US and so far only to established campgrounds but have had more trouble with the Zeppelin in 5 years than we had with the other trailer in 20 plus years.
One major problem we had was the unsupported floor. According to the Zeppelin, customer service, and local dealer it did not need support, yet the local dealer service manager who indicated he was 265 pounds was hesitant to walk inside the trailer for fear he would break through the floor.
I have a neighbor who is an architect, a cousin who is a structural engineer and another friend who is a engineer, all examined the unsupported floor individually and collectively and agreed that it was extremely poor engineering and it it's present condition very dangerous.
The solution was to fabricate a cross brace. The frame is too thin for effective welding so a bracket was fabricated that bolted on to the side rails, in which we inserted a weather treated 2X6 on end and bolted it to the brackets.
We used it in that configuration for a trip to a San Diego camp ground for a month in December/January, and decided another brace was in order, which will be installed when our weather is better- Now it is only 70 during the day.
I would STRONLY suggest that you crawl underneath the trailer and examine the floor..and note the totally unsupported expanse the entire length of the trailer and if deemed appropriate with what I have disclosed have the dealer fabricate four brackets and at least two supports
There are a number of other problems that has occurred..the heater was not secured and almost fell out on an earlier very short trip - windows leaked etc etc The trailer is like a money pit do it your self tinker toy
You will receive absolutely no assistance from Zeppelin- Once the trailer is sold and out of warranty you are a liability rather than a valued owner and possible future customer to them
We attend the USC ND game in South Bend Indiana every two years. Some years ago we visited the factory in Goshen, it was big and impressive, but not enough for us to ever purchase a Keystone product again---Just too many problems!
Never the less we send you a big Kalifornia Congrats and hope you enjoy your new trailer
sdm"
I would be very hesitant of a Keystone product--There are many others to chose from...sdm
I had a 2003 Montana (Keystone) 5th wheel and was overall very disappointed with the quality. Everytime I took the thing out of the driveway something broke. Sometimes things broke just sitting in the driveway (landing gear stripped trying to lift and get it on the truck).
I know RVs aren't the quality or durability of stick built houses but this thing seemed to be built out of toothpicks. I've had two other RVs that were both Jayco brand and was ovreall very impressed.
If you get a chance, call a couple independent RV repair shops and ask them about brands. These are the guys that tear them apart and put them back together. They get to really see how they're made and how well they hold up.
I talked to a guy recently and he said anything by Northwood (Nash, Arctic Fox) would be at the top of this list. Also, Thor (Komfort and some others) are also pretty good. When I mentioned Keystone he laughed and said they keep him very busy
You'll find some bad reviews of Keystone, but in my opinion that has to do with the number of units that they crank out each year across their numerous product lines. I would have no problem purchasing a Keystone product, and right now I'm strongly considering a Keystone Outback for our next trailer in a year or two. If I've learned anything over the past 3+ years of ownership it's that all new trailers will likely need some warranty work during the first year or so. Our Jayco had a lot of nagging issues early on, and had it not been for this website, I probably would have flipped out early on. We had a couple of windows that weren't sealed properly which caused some leaking, the plumbing fixures weren't tightened down, which caused a leak and shorted the outside stereo, and the pass through storage door wasn't properly installed causing a leak that ended in Jayco autorizing a full floor replacement.
Those items are enough to freak some people out, but believe it or not, our overall ownership experience has been good and these issues have taught me a lot moving forward. I'll do much more thorough inspection at our next after purchase PDI with the dealer, and I'm now fairly well versed in inspecting and maintaining critical systems in the camper. I know where to look for leaks, how to maintain the water heater and plumbing, how to handle propane issues, change flat tires, have the hubs/brakes inspected, deal with the batteries, etc, etc, etc. The point I'm getting at is that I feel confident that I can navigate the first year of ownership of virtually any manufacturer. A good dealer and a solid warranty from your manufacturer should be enough to carry you through.
bobbyg123 wrote: You'll find some bad reviews of Keystone,....
If I've learned anything over the past 3+ years of ownership it's that all new trailers will likely need some warranty work during the first year or so. ... .
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SO;
Expect a new trailer to break down
Expect to spend time waiting for it to be repaired
Expect to have all problems solved prior to Warranty Expiraion
I must assume that a new trailer is a work in progress, raher than a finished product?
There is something wrong with the industry and the customes who find this acceptable
'
sdm
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