Reinstalling the Cougar Fifth Wheel Underbelly
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2018
- In this video, I give you a look at the underbelly area of our 2011 Keystone Cougar 276RLS trailer. I show you two large square sections that I have cut out of the Coroplast plastic underbelly cover.
To make working on my RV sewer and plumbing easier, I have cut out the two sections. I detail why the cuts outs and how I reinstall them once I'm done with any repairs, mods or maintenance jobs.
To hold the plastic pieces in place, I use a combination of 3/8 inch Tek screws, Gorilla tape, and 16 gauge tie wire. I find these items hold the underbelly on well but at the same time make it easy to remove down the road.
Related blog posts:
Wastemaster Sewer System - www.loveyourrv.com/ultimate-r...
Installing Electric Valves - www.loveyourrv.com/installing...
Repairing Cracked Waste Tanks - www.loveyourrv.com/repairing-...
Repairing Plugged Tank Flusher - www.loveyourrv.com/oh-crap-rv...
Products Mentioned (Disclaimer Amazon Links)
Gorilla Tape 2.88" - amzn.to/2MX8EQn
16GA Tie Wire - amzn.to/2ogy7q4
Metal Strapping - amzn.to/2PGgMmN
Pest Block Foam Spray - amzn.to/2MA9mDN
WasteMaster Sewer Hose - amzn.to/2oe9Fp7
Sewer Hose Storage Box - drainmaster.com/rv/products/fu...
-----------------------------
Visit the Love Your RV! Amazon Page to shop a selection of my favorite RVing products, parts, and accessories
www.amazon.com/shop/loveyourrv
LoveYourRV is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
-----------------------------------
Follow our RVing adventures at www.loveyourrv.com and rvhappyhour.com
Connect with Love Your RV!
Pinterest ► / loveyourrv
Google+ ► plus.google.com/+LoveYourRVon...
Facebook ► / loveyourrv
Twitter ► / loveyourrv
Instagram ► / loveyourrv
Monthly Newsletter ► www.loveyourrv.com/mailing-lis...
Don't forget to Subscribe! ► ruclips.net/user/subscription_c... Хобби
See playlist of my RV plumbing related videos here - ruclips.net/video/rbK5UNudmWc/видео.html
A better way to support the cut out section is to install 1x2 Hardwood strips from one side of the frame to the other then just cut the panel to fit and screw it to the wood and your done! You can tape the seams to seal them and you can easily access the area by removing the tape and screws. Your welcome!
Ray, just a quick thank you for your detailed videos that you post. I don't know if others express their thankfulness but wanted to let you know from at least one of your faithful viewers that we really appreciate this hard work of yours.
You're most welcome! Thanks for the kind words Darrell, appreciated. :)
Nice job of squaring things away under the rig. Reminds me when I got my new truck and asked my wife to get underneath the truck to take a look because it was a privilege to view it with her she just laughed.
Took ours partially down July 11-12. It was more solid than I expected. It was great to "see" the inner workings of what's in the belly.
Yeah, I'm anxious for that new Ram to arrive too! Ray, your RV is going to be so unique that if you ever retire it, I hope that Canada has a museum similar to our Smithsonian Institution to house that thing! :-)
Great vid Ray, wow, Angie is a tough taskmistress, no sneaking anything past her.
Great job Ray. Very helpful video, cougar very well built in couple years ago.
Wow,that is a huge bunch of knowledge needed for the maintenance of those trailers. Thanks for sharing
You bet. :) Cheers! Ray
Another great video. I have crawled under my 2014 crusader and found a couple access spots. I have had to grease up the slides . It is not easy to work under there . Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the next video.
Great video! I had commented on your previous video where you told us you had ordered your new ram and I mentioned that I too had ordered a new hd ram back in April and I’m happy to say my truck finally arrived about 2 weeks ago! You will love that Cummins!
Good news! Hopefully, they have the shipping problems worked out. Cheers! Ray
Good information that I remembered you doing. So I broke my plumbing pipes for the sink and black tank backing over a piece of 2 x 6 that flipped up and jammed. Thankfully I have a week and a half to repair before heading out from the north east to Florida. Your video will come in handy even though my rig is a coachmen. We will see how it goes. Thanks for your video.
You're welcome, good luck with the repair, hope you can get it fixed up. Cheers, Ray
Thank you for the great video Ray. Some good information about underbellys.
Thanks for sharing with us Ray!!!!!
Very helpful as I am getting ready to work on my 2016 Open Range with same type of covering. Thanks for taking the time to share.
You're welcome. :)
Same here, I have a 2014 open range. Getting ready to change black tank valve and cable.
Very helpful 👍🙏
Always great information! Thank you!
Thanks for posting. I recently purchased a 2008 292RKS and it's good to know what's under there. Especially the manual slide out location. I was wondering what that panel cut out was for and now I know. So glad it passed the beagle inspection! :)
I agree with Darrell Shepard's comment below. Thanks for sharing your detailed knowledge on all the repairs, mods, and upgrades you do. I enjoyed hearing Angie's inspection😃
If you ever do a repair to the shower pan inside the RV, I'll be interested to see how you do that.
Glad you answered my unasked question about the new truck, I look forward to seeing it.
Happy travels!
Thanks, I recently did a repair to the waste tanks that had cracks and used a product called Plasti-Mend. It worked well. It also comes in white for stuff like shower pans. - plasti-mend.com/cart/index.php?route=product/category&path=60
@@LoveYourRV Great! Many thanks for the link, I've been already taken a look and it sounds like just what I need. Cheers!
Love the video! Just had to do my gray/black unexpectedly.waiting on how the repair holds up.but loved the reflectix on the cloroplast.thinkin i may wrap my tanks with it so my black dont freeze solid this year lol cheers!
Thanks. :)
Last year I had a leaking fitting on my fresh water tank and I had to cut into the underbelly to fold things back but I originally thought one was suppose to just remove some bolts to gain access but it seemed like an impossible task and therefore things had to get a little ugly. Unfortunately the manufacturers don't set things up so that the consumer can gain easy access later to the guts of the trailer if needed for repairs. Probably would cost them extra time and money which they almost never want to do. BTW Angie is always so cute. You've given her such a wonderful life and I can tell that she loves you for it.
Yeah, the only time she is unhappy is when she isn't right by my side. :)
I've had to have the belly of my Titanium 2005. down a couple of times,for non working sensors,and like that extra wide gorilla tape,it has more fiberglass insulation around the tanks.very similar to yours though. I like how you cut access panels and the gorilla tape works well for that.Angie is a good supervisor too.
NICE... I love seeing this stuff.
Mr. Ray....... I really enjoy your vids...... use to watch lots vids of people who boondock
My list of the one I watch alot is getting shorter because so many care more about plugging
some product than showing places they go.
I am a 100% disabled veteran so my time out boondocking is determined by my VA appointments
But on the adverage I get 6 to 8 months a year out.
I love yours and others that show me places to go. I beg you to keep your travel vids going and don't
get hung up like some and be more concern with showing products.
Thank-you so much.......tell Ms. Ann hello for me. Really enjoy all the pictures.
Thanks. If you've watched me over the years you'll know that we stay in stationery, for the most part, in one RV park all summer long as my wife loves to do boating, come the fall we head out for 6 months of constant travel down south to the desert and do mostly boondocking when there.
So my videos are spit. Summer lots of product reviews, mods & upgrades, repairs, some local highlight videos, etc then winter mostly travel and boondocking videos. For more of my travel related stuff from the last 6 snowbird trips check out the blog archive section - www.loveyourrv.com/loveyourrv-blog/ Cheers! Ray
Thanks for sharing. Joshua Tree is one of my favs!!
Us too. Amazing park to camp and hike in. Anne loves it for photography.
i dont have a couger but my under belly is the same and it gave me a few ideas and i fell a lot easr to getin to a coupl projets in my under bell
gorilla tape is amazing stuff! Very nice video!!!
Great video! Thank you.
Keep on trekkin'!
great, Angie is a cool old girl, i have a border collie lab mix, you say lets go and all hell breaks loose ! my ram is a quad cab she lays down on the back seat and sleeps till the truck gets down to about 35-40mph then comes alive again...
The speed thing sounds familiar. That and if we pass by some fast food places that are pumping out the food smell. Otherwise, the beagle is passed out. :)
Thank you. I was not looking forward to pulling the belly panels off to do some maintenance.
You're welcome. :)
Thanks Ray
very helpful info thank you !!!!!
You're welcome!
Very good video thank you
Loved Angie in the background at 6:37
Beagle said good job dad. Cheers
When you get the new truck, it would be great if you could show us how much clearance you have once hooked up between the top of your bed rails and 5er overhang and if you are nose high at all. Cheers!
You bet. I talked to my dealer and if needed I can have 2-inch shims put in the trailer suspension. So far looking at other similar setups I think I should be OK. I ordered the lowest sitting model. Went with 18" versus 20" wheels.
I had a guy hook his Ram 3500 of the same bed rail height of the one I'm getting to our Cougar and it looks like I'll have plenty of clearance to work with.
Well I guess Angie will sign your paycheck this week! Lol👍
Great job, Ray! Thank you for taking the time to video and explain what and why you’re doing it. Quick question...
My underbelly has started to rip from around washers and created a sagging gap about 3ft along edge. New 2019 rig with less than 900 miles towing. If I reattach plastic underbelly to I beam frame can I use original holes to attach by using same screws (don’t know the name of those factory screws onto I beam frame), use original holes with a wider screw, or use new screws (original size) on a new solid undrilled area of I beam frame? Thank you for your time...
You could do either. I think I would add more screws. Maybe the factory didn't use enough.
They usually use Tek screws which are self-drilling metal screws. Mine uses 3/8 hex head. It's a good idea to use a large round washer under them. Cheers, Ray
Seriously I'm fairly certain all of your videos have been helpful for me and I really appreciate that. New full time fifth wheel owner here something happened where my toilet was running while I was asleep... water everywhere. The underbelly to our Keystone Hideout literally was holding all the water. I went to cut a hole in the underbelly because I was fairly certain it was just a plastic piece and my wife started freaking out saying its the storage tanks. Now we're here any tips On what I should to do to make sure it's properly dried I was doing to just put a few fans down there for a bit.
Yes, good idea. You want to get it dry as quick as you can.
@@LoveYourRV you're the best man seriously thank you for creating your channel so many of your videos have been helpful to me.
Nice look at the underbelly on a Keystone. I find insulation is everything and its good to know how little there is sometimes. Is this a "4-season" model? Thanks for the under-tour!
No, not four seasons. True 4 season rigs are expensive and heavy. They said this one had the Polar Package but mostly marketing hype. ;)
Great Video Ray, I wondered how you buttoned that underbelly up. Seeing how you are a tank expert of sorts, and a gadget guru. have you checked out the Mopeka Tank check for your propane tanks? I ordered my dual kit with monitor from Tweety's RV for $84.50 USD with free ship today. If you get one of these I hope you can do a review on it. Best Wishes & Let The Good Times Roll!
No, I haven't checked them out. I've always been pretty good at telling how much is in the tank by picking it up and giving it a little shake and swirl. I can feel the weight and the liquid LP moving in the tank.
Let me know how they work for ya, Cheers, Ray
12 thumbs up out of 10.
Thanks 🙏
Most welcome 😊
Great video Ray!...Thanks. Just curious if you have had any problems with the LP gas pipes? I have a 2015 Cougar and there seems to be a lot of rust on them.....Thanks.
No, I haven't I believe that the main pipe is quite thick and some surface rust is normal.
Gabriel here again...Did you use same old screws, in same original holes? Did they tighten/hold well?
Thanks.
Yes, I've had the same ones in and out several times and they still hold well.
Underbelly materials are a source of aggravation for me. Seems like they not only use the cheapest crap possible but then they fasten it inadequately. I met a fellow in a rest stop trying to figure out what to do with his NEW 5th wheeler whereas the underbelly stated peeling back as he was going down the interstate with less than 800 miles on the rig. There is other better stuff they could use, like insulated FRP, to box in the guts instead of that flimsy Plastic Corrugated Board. Sorry - end of rant! Good job at getting it back together. The wire support you made was genius!!
Dennis Woolverton you are right i was thinking of using something else to. 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Tell us more about Insulated FRP. Where does one get it and how thick is it?
Love your videos! Thanks for sharing - I have a question - what type and gauge wire did you use for the support? - is it bare or insulated wire?
Thanks! Stuff I used is a 16GA tie wire - came in a roll like this www.amazon.com/12-401-336-Feet-Gauge-Black-Wire/dp/B008VPYR96 Cheers, Ray
@@LoveYourRV Thanks!
Ray, i have a question that maybe with your experience you can help me with. My wife and i are looking at used older quality made fifth wheels to be able to do a lot of boondocking, and national and state park camping. What length would you stay around to be able to take advantage of the biggest percentage of campsites? Also after doing some researching i found out that Excel made a line of fifth wheels called the RT model back around 2004 till somewhere around 2008 which was made with a 8" tubular frame and heavy duty suspension made for boondocking and rough road travel. Curious if you have heard anyone that had one, or heard any opinions on these.
We made the decision to stay around 30 feet as that is the max for many state and nat parks. Our Cougar model # 276RLS but tip to tail measures around 30' it has been a good size for us.
I haven't heard of the Excel, but I can tell you getting something that old could be a problem unless you enjoy doing repairs or renovations. Most of the RVs use the same appliances and hardware and they would be getting long in the tooth, also all the seals would be getting very old and dried out. IE windows, roof, corner beads, etc. Cheers, Ray
Thanks for the video. I was wondering if you know the distance between the tanks in the underbelly and the flooring on the RV. I want to use my cargo space to install a Morryde cargo tray which screws into or bolts into the flooring in my cargo area. But I can't see where the tanks are and how close the tanks are to the RV flooring. I don't want to puncture a hole in the top of the tank. I also own a 2022 cougar 23mls and it has that protective wrapping as well. Personally, I find that wrapping more of a hassle than not. Just to fix anything under the RV you have to take that off. What a pain. Maybe in the future take that wrapping off and add 1/4" plywood cut to fit throughout the underbelly with the wrapping over it preventing the wood from rotting. It might be easier. Just a thought. Thanks much appreciated.
My front two tanks black and shower gray are mounted right to the underside of the basement storage flooring board. They are held in place by metal rails that are screwed to the main I-beams of the trailer at each end. Here is a look at the part of the video that shows the OBS wood flooring above the tanks. ruclips.net/video/rbK5UNudmWc/видео.html My Cougar is 2011 vintage so not sure how they do the 2022 models, could be totally different. Cheer, Ray
Good morning Ray,
Grey water tank overflowed this morning. The excess leaked down under the tub and through the underbelly wrapping. Any suggestions on what to do to ensure proper drying? No water is in the rig just under the drain area of the tub. Thanks!
I'd open the areas as much as you can and set up a small portable heater and try to dry out things as much as possible. The main concern is any wood, you don't want to leave that wet. Also, it will depend on the outside temp and humidity. Things dry much easier in some climates versus others. Cheers, Ray
Question??? Have you ever replaced your leaf springs? On the video it looked like one of them was pretty flat.
They have always been a bit flattish since new. In this shot, the front springs are flatter than the back since the RV site is on quite an angle front to back so the trailer front jacks are really lowered down to get level moving the weight forward.
As a comparison, here is a shot of the springs when the trailer was a little over a year old - www.loveyourrv.com/wp-content/gallery/276rlswe-undercarriage/undercarriage-1024x768.jpg We aren't overloaded, I've had the trailer on scales many times. I'm heading in for a bearing repack and brakes this fall so will get the dealer to check the springs to just to be safe. They are a Keystone only dealer so know the rigs well. Cheers! Ray
I also had to service things in the underbelly and did the same thing you did. I chose to add fiberglass insulation batts to help with temp and noise but don't feel it made much of a difference. What is your take on the reflectix? ...maybe I should add that too, next time I'm under there.
Reflectix or foam board is likely a better bet. The pink insulation may interfere with the forced air heat if you have it, blocking the warm air circulation. My furnace has a duct that blows into the underbelly. Personally, I haven't worried too much about adding insulation. Seems to work down to about 20F or so if I blast the furnace all night so that's all I need. I don't camp much lower than that when traveling. If I do spend the winter somewhere I have skirting and put a heater under the RV. If I was an ardent cold weather camper I'd likely sell and get a four season better built rig with tank heaters. Cheers, Ray
@@LoveYourRV Thanks for the input. I have an "arctic package" but you and I both know that means absolutely nothing. I've installed tank heaters (on all tanks). I also have a heated underbelly but I try not to run the furnace because it is so inefficient with propane and electricity. I plumbed into my existing on board LPG a gas line a quick connect for my Mr. Buddy. It keeps things inside nice and toasty while using no electricity. Is your skirt the vinyl kind? Cheers, -Stephen
I have a Big Buddy for off grid camping but if it gets cold enough, like a hard freeze warning, I run the RV furnace overnight so the underbelly gets warmed, better than having cracked plumbing to deal with. :) I have vinyl EZ Snap skirting www.loveyourrv.com/ez-snap-rv-winter-skirting-installation/
Do you have your Fall departure time figured out for snowbird travels?
We usually leave around the first or second week of November
@@LoveYourRV 59 days until I get to retire and join all you guys out there!
Cool, congrats!
Was worried how the smoke from the fires was doing up there, some friends of ours in WA state said it was getting pretty thick up there.
It has been coming and going the last few weeks. Just had several nice clear days but now its rolled in again. All depends on how it gets blown around by the weather.
Did you just use a utility knife to cut the bottom? I was filling the gravity fill water tank and heard two loud pops. I’m sure overfilled with too much pressure , no leaks just want to see what I broke
Yes, it cuts pretty easily. Here is a video I did where I had to repair the mounting bracket that broke holding my water tank - ruclips.net/video/R9abzEgrs04/видео.html
Any thoughts on replacing the underbelly plastic with the galvanized sheets. coroplast?
I wouldn't see much benefit over the coroplast material. Coroplast is a corrugated plastic sheet giving a small air gap so likely has some insulation value, plus being lightweight.
I have a slideout with a puncture from one roller. Not sure exactly how to repair.
Don't have a fifth wheel but our camper flooded when the lake went up 7 ' with the rains. Gutted the inside mostly yesterday and now have been told we should get the underbelly insulation out so the subfloors can dry... not sure how to do it really.
Not sure how yours is built but ours is held on by many 3/8 inch self-tapping TeK Screws. If I was to unscrew them all the whole coroplast underbelly could be pulled off
Thank you! Headed back over there today to see exactly what is under there. I am thinking it is the tarp type of covering they use.
Ours had the membrane like a tarp material. It took me several hours to fit in the tight spaces underneath but I managed to almost finish cutting flaps and pulling out all the drenched insulation. A couple more places to finish tomorrow. Placed buckets of kitty litter and charcoal to help absorb moisture inside. @@LoveYourRV
When are you buying your new truck, when will you put up a video of that?
Well, we ordered it in late June, and they told us the usual time for a factory order is three months, so we were expecting it to arrive sometime in late September.
Our dealer is keeping me updated via text messages, and the latest is the truck has been built and past final inspection. Now it's waiting to get loaded on a train rail car. Estimated to arrive in Vancouver, BC first to mid-October and to our dealer in Campbell River mid to late October.
Seems like an awfully long time to ship it from the Ram truck plant in Saltillo, Mexico but I have heard there is a shortage of rail cars causing a backlog. Guess we'll hope for the best. Stay tuned...
When is the new truck coming in
ruclips.net/video/rbK5UNudmWc/видео.html I said its due towards the end of September. :)
Good Morning. Not mush insulation under the trailer. Jack
Yes, pretty thin little layer, that's all. If I was a cold weather camper I'd be looking at beefing it up down there, but luckily for us, we migrate north and south so keep in pretty mild climates year round. Cheers, Ray
What's up with the coffee mug? Are those for sale?
RUclips has a new merchandise integration called TeeSpring community.teespring.com/answers/youtube-integration-faqs/ so I was trying out a few things myself - teespring.com/love-your-rv-mug The mug is a little small though, I also got a t-shirt. Its soft but found it a little on the thin side. I'm not that happy with what they produce given the price so not pushing it.
They still use the same material to cover the underbelly
What color is the new truck?
Blue Streak Pearl. :)
Love Your RV, I love that color. For grins I did a search and can say slim to none in the HD’s. I have a 2017 2500 Laramie CC w/ Cummins in Pearl White. Wish it was the tri-coat.
Still have the old ford, when is the new dodge getting in?
ruclips.net/video/rbK5UNudmWc/видео.html
Angus MacIver; Dodge no longer makes trucks as of I believe 2009. He getting a Ram.
If you have the ability to switch to an F-250 and cancel the Ram, I highly recommend that. You simply can’t trust FCA.
None of them are very trustworthy IMHO but the Ram has the Cummins which is what I want.
They all have their horror stories lol
Will the new truck be blue also? LOL
Yes, Blue Streak Pearl! haha
@@LoveYourRV Ray, before you part ways with old Blue, you should remove a part of her as a reminder/memorial and place it in the new Ram for good luck.
Good idea. :)
Ah, we see that 'pretty' face of yours, ha ha :D XD. Say Ray, did you grow a goatee or something? Or are you doing that now? Or is that just one of those "you just haven't shaved in a few days" type deal?
haha, yeah, I only shave every 5-6 days. I let it go until it gets itchy. I was at about 2 or 3 days there. :)
Yeah, I have since grown a beard myself, I started growing it since that the wendesday or so before labor day Last year (last year being 2017 for those seeing this year's later).
Seems like ur stuff hangs awefully low under there.
Seems like it but fifth wheels have a ton of clearance so hasn't been an issue, we do quite a bit of off-road travel to boondocking sites and haven't come close to hitting anything. Guess it all depends where its located in relation to the wheels.
Ray I know you have already bought your new truck however check this new tailgate out: ruclips.net/video/pTRmpT3GSn8/видео.html
Looks pretty cool would be really handy for a short box, bet is not cheap. ;)