NWDave

Well, it was bound to happen. We've gotten to that stage in life where the research begins on the new 5'er. We were out looking at the very few dealers we have in this neck of the woods and fortunately have a Cougar and Sprinter dealers, separate entities, I might add. Now I know that the Cougar and Sprinter (as well as the Montana, now there is a nice rig ) are Keystone products. The floor plans are almost identical with only the trim colors being the apparent difference. By the way, the wife just loves the 295 EFS (Cougar), apparently available only out here on the west coast, and the 292 FWRLS (Sprinter)mostly because of the full headroom and full size shower. My question is: Are they truly identical in construction? To outward appearances, only the minor things seem different.

~Dave

While we're at it, looking at my truck specs below, I shouldn't have any trouble hauling this with a gross dry weight of 8670 lbs and a GVWR of 11880 lbs, right?

I know I can ask this question over on IRV2 (and probably will, later) but here is where the Dodge guys are with the vast experience base necessary for some reasonable answers.

Big dawg

Not sure about the 5er, but your truck will pull it fine...might want to think about an exhaust brake sometime down the road (I did not see that in your sig).
Big dawg

NWDave

Oh yeah, exhaust brake with controller is definitely on the list.

~Dave

GrandpasRam

The exhaust brake is a really good idea, glad it is in the plans. One other thing: since you are a 2500, I recommend up-rating your truck tires (since that is SRW) to at least load range "E". That is a pretty good load (pin weight with trailer loaded will probably run 1900 to 2000 lbs, when empty about 1600), so be sure the weak point (as OEM'd that is the tires) is beefed up.

Big Cat 295

Dave. We own a new 2003 295 EFS Cougar and could not be happier. It pulls like a dream behind our 1 ton Cummins srw. Pin weight is 2200lbs and trailer weights right at 11,000 lbs loaded. CGVW is 20,000 so we are within DC specs with our 1 ton. Wife really likes the floor plan. So far, we have had only one problem. The washer,s and nut fell off the front shock absorber on the first trip out. Just for your info, we bought our 295 here in Wyoming. Great 5th wheel.

Lynn & Betty

Racer57

Cougar! I have owned 2 5vers. My present is a 2001 or is a 2002, (CRS) 295EFS. I love it. 8500# dry. Our trucks (as you know) are similarly equipped and you'll be able to pull it like you won't believe. The only differences in our trucks, I think are that, I have a drag comp but pull on 1x1 (same as your EZ) and I also have a PDRHX14W turbo and a PacBrake w/an AutoLoc (smart controller). Brake is a must. Also, I use a Prodigy brake controller. And don't forget my big donkey mirrors. You will be good to go.

If you want more info, call me (my fone # is on the NWB 911 list) or I will most likely see you at PDR days.

Regards,

Roger

Racer57

Followup: Montana is great also, better unit, fully enclosed belly pan, however heavier, but...........$$$$ talk and as I recall, I got my Cougar for around 27,500 new. RV show special. Very few problems with Cougar and it sits up high which matches up with the height of the 4x4 just great. Also, forgot to mention, Bilstein shocks are a really good investment. BTW, you will be fine with the HY turbo. I pulled like that for quite awhile, however, the HX is a major improvement especially with the 14cm wastegated housing in terms of EGT's.

RATTLINRAM

We've got a 2002 286EFS Cougar and are also happy with it. I've got one question for you 295EFS owners,,,,,, what's the floor plan look like? I can't find it on their website.

Big Cat 295

Dennis. The 295 has the same floor plan as a 285 only longer.
Also, the floor plan is not listed on there web site. The dealers that sell the Pendleton built trailers have the information and floor plans. Our Cougar has E rated 16" tires with heavy axles and easy lube bearings. It sets up high so it will clear our 1 ton box. Real nice 5th wheel.
Lynn & Betty

chuck3

I have the 285 efs and love the floor plan, my trucks pulls it no problem at all. I allso like the extra side clearance. 8)

RATTLINRAM

[quote author=Big Cat 295 link=board=11;threadid=19067;start=0#msg180024 date=1062602490]
Dennis. The 295 has the same floor plan as a 285 only longer.[/quote]
Thanks for the info Lynn,
I thought I had read somewhere that they were also coming out with a triple-slide Cougar too. I don't remember for sure, but I thought it was going to be a floor-plan similar to the 286EFS like ours with the addition of a bedroom slide also.

I wish that would have been an option on ours. Ours has the 15" D-rated tires.

NWDave

Roger, sounds like we'll be chatting at Piers Dyno Daze. We're definitely sold on the 295EFS but curious to find out if the Sprinter is "as good" or like the question on the Artic Fox/Nash, a lower priced version of the Cougar and consequently missing some of the Cougar appointments.

Thanks to all who responded. I knew Cougar's were it because of all you members who own one and seem so pleased with them.

~dave

GrandpasRam

[quote author=NWDave link=board=11;threadid=19067;start=0#msg180398 date=1062678479]
Roger, sounds like we'll be chatting at Piers Dyno Daze. We're definitely sold on the 295EFS but curious to find out if the Sprinter is "as good" or like the question on the Artic Fox/Nash, a lower priced version of the Cougar and consequently missing some of the Cougar appointments.

Thanks to all who responded. I knew Cougar's were it because of all you members who own one and seem so pleased with them.

~dave
[/quote]

Dave, we like our Sprinter just fine (276 FWRLS), but the Cougars have a little nicer appointments in a few places. It depends on just what you want; we take ours to hunting camp mostly, so didn't want to spend the extra money on something that was going to get a bit more wear and tear. If we were just vacationing all the time, we would have gotten the Cougar. Having said all that, needs appear to be changing again, so wife and I are looking at the new Arctic Fox toy haulers. Whichever you get, enjoy and be safe.