Just Sharing our Excitement!

[Poppys 5th Wheel]

We took a big step yesterday in our retirement planning. We purchased a new 2011 Cougar High Country 299RKS. We are not planning to be close to full time. Probably 3 months a year on the road and this even ended being a little longer than we originally envisioned. We were searching for a unit around 30 foot but we fell in love with this new floor plan and it measures in at 33'11". I don't quite understand the whole measuring versus model designations. The 30 foot trailer we had been ogling was a 291RLS and the specs listed 30'9". This model is a 299 RKS. How did it get to 33'11" I don't understand. Oh well. We could have bought either as they were both on the lot and money wasn't a factor so it came down to what I read here so often ..... pick the floor plan you think fits your needs best so that's the choice we made. We are extremely excited.

The negotiations were a little ridiculous but were very relaxed (not adversarial). How trailers can be so different from cars is beyond me. I can negotiate a little on a car but this was downright crazy. In any case, we are extremely happy. We pick it up in 2 weeks and on our way to a camping weekend so that will be our shakedown cruise.

As a side note, if anyone here owns a Cameo by Carriage, I envy you! Wow is that a nice rig. We walked through 2 different models and real very impressed. I know there are a number of "high end" trailers out there but we have never really checked them out and these were awesome.

 

[Dar]

Major congratulations Poppy, I am sure you will enjoy it!

This model is a 299 RKS. How did it get to 33'11" I don't understand. Oh well.

I can't state for all manufacturers but I have read on some manufacturer websites that the model number is in reference to interior square footage so yours has 299 sq. ft.?

As a side note, if anyone here owns a Cameo by Carriage, I envy you! Wow is that a nice rig. We walked through 2 different models and real very impressed. I know there are a number of "high end" trailers out there but we have never really checked them out and these were awesome.

Just imagine how many people envy you with a brand new Cougar, bask in the glory of your fortune and enjoy. I've seen the Cougars, they are awesome too!

Make sure to share pics, we love pics  ;D
Dar

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

[4ducksrus]

Congratulations!  I'm sure you'll really enjoy your "shake" down cruise.  It's always fun to learn all the nuances of our particular units!  I agree with you about the Carriage 5th Wheels.  We were really close to purchasing one before we decided on a Class A.  They really seem to be made well and have a quality feel all the way around.  They also have a "high" end price tag!  LOL

 

[PatrickTFVTS]

Major congratulations Poppy, I am sure you will enjoy it!
I can't state for all manufacturers but I have read on some manufacturer websites that the model number is in reference to interior square footage so yours has 299 sq. ft.?

Actually the numbers do corelate to length, however you are also measuring adding in the hitch. The model number doesn't have anything to do with the square footage, however the manufacturers are using this more as model number than feet more and more and the RKS designates rear kitchen w/ slide. With their departure from adhering to the length in the model number I wouldn't be surprised to see more that are totally divergent from length and just a model number solely.

 

[MPI_Mallard]

All the best mate!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Poppys 5th Wheel]

Thanks for all the well wishes. It's going to be a long 2 weeks. This will be our 4th overall camper but we've never bought new or quite this nice so we feel like we really spoiled ourselves. We have had 4 camp trips on the books for this year and will probably add more but they now take on a whole new outlook. We can't wait to take our Sierra trip in September. Last summer we went with our out going unit pulled by our 1/2 ton and we were fairly miserable worrying about the truck breaking down. We took our first step by upgrading the TV in the Fall and now this!

Anyway, I will post some pictures when we get back from our trip.

 

[Dar]

The model number doesn't have anything to do with the square footage

It does on the Open Range to name one; http://www.openrangerv.com/video-tours.aspx. They specifically state it in their "more square feet" video tour. Read it elsewhere to but don't want to dig to deep on the subject just wanted to show that I don't generally make stuff up and start rumors that aren't true  ;D

 

[PatrickTFVTS]

It does on the Open Range to name one; http://www.openrangerv.com/video-tours.aspx. They specifically state it in their "more square feet" video tour. Read it elsewhere to but don't want to dig to deep on the subject just wanted to show that I don't generally make stuff up and start rumors that aren't true  ;D

Cool, I learned something about another brand, that will help understand what they are talking about. However, as far as Keystone goes and specific to this conversation they do not use square footage with respect to their numbers.

 

[boxerluv311]

CONGRATS!!!!  Enjoy your new rig!  SAFE & HAPPY travels!

 

[Poppys 5th Wheel]

Well we picked up our new 5th wheel Friday and after some delays, we immediately got on the road for our first weekend trip. We met 2 of our RV friends at the campground. We hadn't told them of our purchase and used the excuse that we were getting new tires and couldn't caravan as we usually do. At least we didn't lie  ;D , we did get new tires complete with a new 5er!

Anyways, we only had a couple problems, then worst being an incredible squeak from the front street side stabilizer. Any time you walked up into the bedroom it would squeak like crazy and was very loud inside and could easily be heard all around. A little annoying and even embarrassing. I tried spraying silicone to no avail and then my buddy tried WD-40 and it "seemed" to help. We'll see. We got out again in mid-March. Anyone have this problem and resloved it?

The other issues were a couple of very tight interior doors. I wonder if they need to be shaved?

Okay, here are a couple pictures. By the way, it poured this weekend in Southern California. Well over 2 inches between Friday and Saturday night. At least I can report zero water leaks!

Delivery:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/blown96ws6/Trailer%20Trips/IMG_3438.jpg

At the site:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/blown96ws6/Trailer%20Trips/IMG_3442.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/blown96ws6/Trailer%20Trips/IMG_3443.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/blown96ws6/Trailer%20Trips/IMG_3444.jpg

Not a pretty picture but we entertained 5 friends (7 of us total) for dinner in a storm Saturday night:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/blown96ws6/Trailer%20Trips/IMG_3451.jpg

Back at home:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/blown96ws6/Trailer%20Trips/IMG_3455.jpg

A gift one of our good RV friends pick up in the Keys and gave us this weekend:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/blown96ws6/Trailer%20Trips/IMG_3447.jpg

We absolutely love our new 5er and loved our first trip and look forward to years of fun and travels.

Edit: Make links live

 

[Vicsr]

Congratulations, Poppy, on your new 5er & your first trip with it!

We are looking forward to picking up our new 5er in about 7 weeks...something about  a little snow up here in Canada! Reading your comment about picking the floorplan that suits you made me smile because that was the advice we used in choosing our new Springdale 284FWBHSSR! We researched trailers & floorplans for some time & then we saw the floorplan we envisioned at a local RV dealer. We both said "This is it!". Then of course we had to get the approval from our two youngest grandkids (4 & 7) before finalizing the purchase. We also went from looking for trailers in the 28' range to one that is 32' 5" (or longer since that apparently does not include the bumper)!

Since we are one step behind you as you experience your new RV, we look forward to hearing about & learning from your excursions.

Vic

 

[RoyalEF]

A lot of the model numbers are based upon the length of the INTERIOR, not the length of the exterior.

Since length can be an issue and people are afraid of them being "too long", you can see why marketing people can up with the idea of talking about the interior length.  My bet is that some measure walkable floor--so closet space at the front cap isn't included.  Some model numbers can be 4-5 feet shorter than actual length.  I'm betting the excuse is "closet space" doesn't count.

But only 2-3 years ago most RV manufacturers sold "queen" and "king" beds that were never queen or king sizes.  So apparently accurate measurements haven't been a strong suit.

Enjoy!