TT quality question

I really appreciate your comments. It helps because I am new to the rv world....

The Cougar X-Lite has 4400# axles and ST225/75R15-D tires, a much more substantial under-carriage than the Aerolite (3500# axles, ST205/75R15-C).

The Aerolite has a 19K furnace and no floor ducts so I don't know if the under-belly is effectively heated or not. The Cougar's furnace is 30K with a heated underbelly, including the dump valves (mostly).

I think the Aerolite bed is only a short king (74" long) and the Cougar queen is 80" (?)

The Aerolite roof is Al framed with hard foam insulation, dunno the R value. The Cougar's uses stamped steel trusses and fibreglass roof insulation with an R of 14.

I think the Cougar's back wall is "hung" not laminated. Dunno about the Aerolite. The Cougar has a full front cap, the Aerolite a partial cap.

Overall I prefer the Cougar 'cause of the beefier undercarriage and better heating. But I haven't seen either one.

Both of these have vaulted ceilings and large kitchen spaces. A similar floorplan in a longer trailer is the Laredo 240MK. There's also the Keystone Passport 23RB.

Once you narrow down your choices, I would go look closely at one, preferably without a salesman present, before making up your mind. I've always found something, good or bad, that no amount of internet shopping revealed.

Steve 911 wrote:
Help please. I am looking at two Keystone products. One is a Cougar X-lite 21rbs, and a Aerolite 225 rbsl. If you have any information on either of these units I would greatly appreciate that. I am interested in frame, axle, structure differences if any, or any cautions i should be aware of. Because they are made by the same manufacturer I presume they will be similar. I am looking for a reason to choose one over the other. The Aerolite shows a king bed but I can't find specific specs on that to verify. The brochure I received from Keystone only gives basic info.
Thanks for any input.
Steve

Hi Steve.
Cougar is a Keystone product, but Aerolite is is made by Dutchman RV. Both companys are owned by the parent company Thor industies.(They own many brands including Airstream) But they are seperate companys. you will not find a link to Aerolite on Keystones website and visa versa at Dutchman.
As far as a king bed goes, both trailers are 8ft. wide,so if the aerolite has a true king bed you will have to crawl over it to get in it as there will not be enough room on the side to walk up to it. It is probaly 80" long as opposed to the standard 74" bed that comes in many rv's. I believe the cougar also has a 80" bed.
For specifics on either rv I suggest you contact the companies Keystone and Dutchman (phone numbers are available on their websites) and ask your questions.
As far as quality goes I currently own a Outback by Keystone (Comparable to a Cougar) and have had no problems with it. In the past I have owned a Forest river product and had no problems with that either. You usually only hear from folks with problems and not from satisfied customers. Cougar is also one of the best selling brands of trailers. I have not seen Aerolite in person as we have no dealers with in 250 miles from here.
You may want to check out the forum at www.Keystonerv.org for specific questions on Cougars. Many Cougar owners on there.
Your best bet though would be to go to a dealers lot and see both units in person.
Good luck in your search.

?? Maybe I'll just buy a motorhome instead...lol

I was in the market for a lightweight trailer. I looked at a couple of Keystone trailers on the dealer's lot, then went home to research Keystone on the internet. There were a LOT of negative comments about the quality and construction of the Keystone products. I ended up buying a Lance trailer. It's a lightweight, well-built trailer that doesn't require a semi tractor to move it.

Thanks Skip,
I haven't had an opportunity to see either of these units. Not many places to see rvs where I live.
Do you know where they are built?
Thanks again,
Steve

IF the two RVs you're questioning are made by the same manufacturer and are of the same "family" then they should be VERY similar in all but cosmetic ways. Floor plans may be different and specifications as to weight, length and tankage may be different but structurally they should be the same. If, however, they come from dwo different product lines then there may be a LOT of differences but QUALITY issues should still be similar.
Good luck / Skip