2021 Keystone Cougar 22RBS Travel Trailer
How is the Cougar doing?
We ordered our Cougar 22RBS in January of 2021 after many hours of research and numerous RV shows. We took delivery in April 2021, which was exactly the delivery date promised when we ordered it. The options we ordered were the solar package, slide topper, frameless windows, and the 12 V refrigerator. We also wanted the dinette, and not the recliners.
Since we are on a fairly intensive five year RV’ing program, we were hoping for a tough travel trailer that can withstand the beating dished out by our nation’s highways and byways. So far we have spent 185 nights in the Cougar and have encountered only minor issues, that were somewhat expected, and have been easy repairs. We hope the Cougar can last for several more years as we complete our goal of camping in 49 states (and some Canadian provinces as well).
Lithium Battery Addition
I added a 170 Ah lithium battery from BigBattery. I installed it in the pass thru out of the weather. Recently, I added a second 170 W solar panel. My current configuration is the 170 Ah battery, two 170 W solar panels, and the Xantrex Freedom X 2000 W inverter. Our refrigerator is strictly 12V. We have never had an issue with 12V power in our travels. The most we have spent off grid is two days.
BigBattery 12 V Owl Lithium
Arrangement to support Lithium Battery in Pass Thru
SOME Other ADDITIONS
I have made a few minor additions to the Cougar just to make it better than it already was.
First, I added Latch It brand RV door lock that provides keyless entry. I ordered it from Amazon and it was $250. Well worth it not having to carry a bunch of keys. It took about 15 minutes to install and I did not have to cut or drill anything. Just swapped out the old lock with the new Latch It lock.
Second, I added another great addition, which will eliminate any surprises when connecting up your sewer hose. It is the Valterra twist on waste valve. I picked one up off of Amazon and it was about $20. It provides a real piece of mind when connecting up the sewer hose, knowing that there is a gate valve closed right behind the cap. It eliminates having to worry about any crap that may have accumulated, or leaked, into the waste drain pipe from the black and gray water gates to the end cap. Shit happens, and this prevents shit from happening.
ANDERSON WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH
I am really satisfied with my Anderson Weight Distribution hitch. After using it for over a year now, across numerous states, I couldn’t be happier. The hitch keeps the porpoise effect to a minimum and I have never experienced a sway issue. Between the RAM 3500, and the Anderson Weight Distribution hitch, towing the Cougar is pretty smooth and uneventful. With all of that said, the best thing about the system is the simplicity of using it.
Anderson No Sway Weight Distribution Hitch on the Cougar
Anderson No Sway Weight Distribution Hitch view
Cougar Had Boo Boo !!
We had a small problem “pop up” after Road Trip #9. I noticed the rear corner of the barrel roof was lifting up. After cleaning up the old caulking and roof sealant, and adding some better screws, glue, caulking, and sealant, it is now better than new (definitely stronger).
Moral of the story. Always do a thorough inspection during and after a road trip. These travel trailers take a severe beating traveling on our highways. Some roads are as smooth as glass, and other roads, are as rough as a cluster bombed runway.
Separation after Road Trip #9
Right Rear Corner Separation
Separation repair all fixed
SEWER HOSE STORAGE SOLUTION
I grew weary of wrestling with sewer hoses and wanted a better solution than just a storage tub jammed underneath. I came up with a simple DIY answer that is very inexpensive. I bought a Hitch Extender with Step from Harbor Freight for $35, a Blue Hawk 23 Gallon Trash Can from Lowes for $24, and a Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener from Amazon for $11, and I whittled a Lid from scraps.
It has been a great solution and easily holds all my sewer hose crap; such as two hoses, two elbows, and my portable dump tank hose and connections as well. I particularly like the location that provides easy access and is right around the corner from my sewer outlet. It has made the process of visiting a dump station much smoother. I actually received an inquiry about it while camping in Springfield MO.
Sewer Hose Storage
Sewer Hose Storage DIY solution
Holds two and a half hoses and all couplers
COUGAR HAD A BLOWOUT ON I-80 in NEBRASKA
The Cougar had a blowout in Kearney NE on I-80 during our return from Yellowstone. That is not fun. Trailer tires have a lot to be desired. The Cougar came with Trailer King tires and so far we have had to replace two of them. One from the Nebraska blowout, and I mean blowout, not much left of the tire, and I replaced a second tire proactively because the tread had “worn away” very weirdly, and was a blowout waiting to happen.
I carry a heavy duty bottle jack, and was able to get to an off ramp and get the tire changed with the spare with no problem. I was very paranoid about now pulling the Cougar with no spare. Our stop for the night was in Topeka KS. I woke early and was able to go find a new spare tire and get it mounted at Commercial Tire Center in Topeka. They were great and extremely helpful on a Saturday morning. They weren’t even open and they were kind enough to sell me a tire and mount it.
The blowout tore up the plastic wheel skirt on the Cougar. I found one on Amazon and it was a perfect fit. It is easy to see why Amazon is my first “go to” place for just about everything. The blowout affected my psyche and I will now be traveling with two spares for the Cougar. I am phasing out the Trailer Kings, and in search of a good trailer tire for the Cougar.
Tape Job on Wheel Skirt and Spare Mounted
Wheel Skirt Replaced and new Tire (Freedom Hauler – see how it performs)
Our Traveling Mailbox
So what do you do with all of your junk mail when you are out traveling with your RV? A tiny little mailbox can’t handle all of the sorry junk mail, and it is not a good idea to leave it overflowing onto the street. The solution is simple. You build a better mousetrap.
DIY Mailbox for traveling Front
DIY Mailbox for traveling Side
DIY Mailbox for traveling with Floor
DIY Mailbox for traveling without Floor
DIY Mailbox for traveling Rear
DIY Mailbox for traveling Access Door
What are you old folks up to this morning.? Me and Colton looking at your website
We are watching the ripples on Strom Thurmond Lake roll in at Petersburg Campground.