2015 Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel reviews

I'll write this simply as a story of my experiences. Wife and I originally had a 32ft Forest River Salem 5th wheel RV which was 'OK' but quite heavy and chunky, the old square-slab-fronted aluminum-finish type. At 10yrs old it had a few things needing attention, while also being a bit big for just 2 of us when we preferred Boondocking off the grid roughing it out in the wilds. So I traded the Salem in for this smaller 5th wheel, the smallest I think I could find, while also being a more-common type. When collected from Santa Rosa CA, I had to join heavy fast-moving freeway traffic quickly and my truck towing this trailer moved SO easily, as if it was not there, feeling lighter and aerodynamically better than our previous RV. The all-in-one fiberglass sides are a great benefit. When you downsize in length, it's invariably the kitchen area that gets hit with the most reduction, so the wife wasn't so happy, but there's only so much you can fit into a 27ft RV while still retaining an acceptable amount of wriggle room. She adapted very well and was still able to cook a full (15lb) turkey dinner at one point! The inbuilt (propane/12v) furnace isn't very economical and quite noisy, so we preferred to use a Big Buddy Mr Heater propane heater, which quietly and quickly warmed the RV in a few minutes. The aircon takes awhile to cool a warm RV but this is really the case for all RV's. Admittedly the insulation in the nose was almost non-existent so I removed the inside front trim to insert a lot of insulation, and fill some draughty gaps. I like the layout design of this RV in that, even with the slide-out retracted, it's still possible (just, if you're slim) to squeeze past between the kitchen counter and the slide-out bench seat, meaning you can still 'live in it' (including having access to the fridge!) with the slide-out in if camping at a restricted location. I'd rate the build quality as 'typical'. I believe - and this has been borne out by guys I've talked to in repair shops - that it doesn't matter whether you go for a cheaper or higher-end manufacturer, you can still get a lemon, or a good RV, just by pot-luck! So sometimes cabinet shelves can fall down while driving along rough roads, or bodywork can come away, or you find staples sticking out of the carpet, simply because they throw these things together 'on the clock'. You need to expect this if you're a Newbie to RV's! I incorporated so many personal mods on my RV, such as 6 solar panels in the roof, meaning voiding warranties, but I didn't have any major issues I couldn't handle by myself requiring me to consider any claims. This RV, just as most others, had a lot of 'dead space' hidden behind blank panels that I removed and made better use of. In 6 years our Cougar traveled 29,000miles on 9 trips, covering 11 western USA states, staying at 127 camping locations - nearly all for FREE thanks to its Boondocking capabilities! That was thanks to my modifications with adding solar and lithium batteries but also we learned to economize and the water/dump tanks could last us several weeks between servicing them. Overall I find the Cougar an average but quite acceptable model, and would recommend it. Show less

This is the best floor plan I have ever owned. Shopped a long time before we bought it. Towing is a dream, kitchen and storage are excellent. island in kitchen is great. sleeping arrangements are great for two couples or kids and parents. Bathroom is roomy, fireplace is wonderful in cold camping environments, very quite, great ventilation, 2 ACs make the coach very comfortable when it is 95 outside. Has a great turn radius without using the slide on the hitch, one of keystones better efforts. Show less

I have had problems with this trailer senses the day I bought it. It has been at the dealer longer than i have had it on the road. lots of problems. Two of the latest problems are $1200.00 in roof repairs because the roof pulled away from the front cap(not installed right). The second is the refrigerator has never worked right. The first year it would freeze things in it and now it will not cool. the temperatures inside the frig are at about 50 degree not cold enough to keep anything cool. I can't get anyone that can fix it either. I would not recommend this trailer to anyone. Show less

EVERYTIME we go out there is something that goes wrong. 1st time slid motor shaft broke, stove line crimped could not use stove. 2nd time side compartment lock would not unlock. 3rd time side fender skirt came loose. 4th time screw in floor at slide area trying to poke thru vinyl ( haven't fixed that yet) went camping this past week and water lines froze under kitchen area. Scared to go anywhere with it don't know what will break next. Definitely do not recommend buying a cougar product. Show less

Great entry level 5th wheel trailer. Have done many up grades that even the higher end trailers don't have. Full New Moor Ride suspension with road shocks, new top of the line Moor Ride king Pin hitch, the best Goodyear 10 Ply radial I could find. This unit has always been stored inside and looks like a new unit. Roof treatment and wash this year along with wheel bearings packed and services. Pulls like a dream. The only reason we are selling this unit is to move up into a Allegro Bus Motorhome. Must See Show less