Journey towards the dark side completed - Check!

[twstdpear]

There's been a few other threads about dark side conversions recently, so I figured I'd add to them. We sold our HTT and picked up a new 2013 Keystone Cougar Xlite 28RBS at the beginning of November.

We love our new TT and while I do miss some aspects of the canvas (listening to nature at night; rain falling on the bunk ends; slightly better gas mileage), there are a lot of others I don't (windy, cold weather blowing straight through the canvas; setting up in the rain; closing up in the rain; opening back up after a rainy trip to dry out; longer setup time). We do a fair amount of cold weather camping, rain seems to follow us, and we can't always get out of town early on Friday due to jobs and school, so a lot of those are more important than it would seem on first glance. Fortunately, we can store our TT at our house, so that made the decision even easier.

We started off with a small 9.5' pup, switched to a 12' high wall, then a HTT before we got our current one.

I don't have any pics of the inside at present, but here's a couple of exterior shots and the floorplan. Hopefully, I can get some of those yummy dark side cookies.

I recently came across something called the "Froli sleep system" which could potentially have solved the mattress comfort issue as well as condensation under the mattress we experienced on our hybrid, but we'd still have the other issues mentioned above. No regrets, just throwing that out there for anyone it may help.

 

[Bigpineguy]

That's nice....Enjoy!

BPG~

 

[Snow]

Welcome to the jungle ... oh wait that's a different song...lol Welcome to the darkside... I was look at one of those same trailers yesterday at the RV show, very nice, has a very useable layout..

Congrats..

 

[bburgcamper]

I do like the layout. We looked at several full size trailers before switching to a High Wall pup. My DW felt claustrophobic in all the TT we looked at due to the lack of 360 degree windows. Enjoy and remember us poor souls setting back up after packing up in the rain .

 

[br9]

Nice bet you get lots of use out of it. Bet you can't wait to get out in it.

 

[hahahamilton]

That is one sweet TT! That is the exact layout we want for our next one.

 

[JungleJim]

You were already at the dark side before

Your new dark-side is actually a mobile home disguised as a TT

 

[BigBaron]

Not much of a disguise...

 

[twstdpear]

Thanks all!

We've actually already been out twice. Once to Caledonia State Park in PA, and another to Newport News Park in Newport News, VA. Other than having the water freeze up on us at the spigot at Newport News because the temperature dropped a couple more degrees than predicted, both trips were great. We were also talking about going somewhere for the week after Christmas, but it's good we didn't because I was sick as a dog for a couple of those days, plus we needed to use the time to get some stuff done around the house.

We thought long and hard over the layout, taking into account sleeping arrangements, who might be joining us on future trips, what we could tow with the Tundra and something that we could still park at the house. I was originally looking at some 26' campers with two small bunks for the boys, but DW didn't think they'd be comfortable in them as they got bigger. I had created a spreadsheet of all of the various manufacturers and models out there that fit our criteria, and ultimately, it became this model due to the vaulted ceiling, sliding door instead of a curtain or accordion door for the front bedroom, extra door into the bathroom, cabinet configuration, construction, reputation and some other nice to have features.

JungleJim: Our last was a HTT, so we were more "grey" side than dark side. So, I like to think we had a foot in both camps.

 

[jjkach]

Congrats! Very nice TT! Nice floor plan! Happy camping!

 

[Snow]

Whats the numbers on thing ?

 

[twstdpear]

Whats the numbers on thing?

Specs for 28RBS

Shipping Weight	6338
Carrying Capacity	1862
Hitch	955
Length	32' 2"
Height	11' 4"
Fresh Water	43
Waste Water	28
Gray Water	56
LPG	60
Tire Size	ST225/75R15D

According to: http://cougar-xlite.keystonerv.com/models/28rbs/?alttemplate=modelpage

With our Tundra, we're right on the line for tongue weight (around 1000lbs), but have plenty of towing capacity (10300lbs) available assuming the trailer was actually up at the max GVWR of 8200lbs. Not light by any means, but not the heaviest thing out there, either. I've seen some toy hauler behemoths had a GVWR of 18000lbs.

 

[bccamper]

VERY nice!! Looking forward to some pics of the interior!

 

[twstdpear]

As soon as I get a chance, I'll post some of ours. There's only room to run the slide out about half way in its parking spot, so I'll have to either move it or take some during a trip.

If anyone is interested enough to look at the stock photos, go here: http://cougar-xlite.keystonerv.com/models/28rbs/?alttemplate=modelpage

Click on the "Photos" button in the middle of the page.

 

[jjkach]

Very nice floor plans! Colors are very nice too!

 

[flakeyspam]

Great choice I worked at a keystone dealer for many years and cannot say enough about the customer service with your warranty and that was my job warranty claims. I also went with keystone although it was used the old couple that owned it only used it twice the couch still had plastic on it and water had never even been hooked up.

 

[bigdad]

That a nice looking camper and welcome to the Dark side Luke. maybe one day there well be a Dark side Rally

 

[GregCruess]

Very nice!!! We went to the 'Dark Side' for the same reasons and have enjoyed move.

 

[mtn_bikers]

Very nice, best of luck with the new toy Jeff. Hope to see you, Marci and the kids camping this season.

 

[benfrench]

Very nice rig! Welcome to the Dark Side!