Reflection, Part One

There was nothing much wrong with my old truck, a 2013 RAM 2500.  It had its quirks but pulled the Cougar just fine.  I was in a time bind when I bought it, with no viable options available in make, model or trim level.  It was basic, and - despite my well-earned reputation for frugality - I'm pretty much done with basic. 

My 2017 Chevy Silverado isn't basic.  It's loaded with goodies and creature comforts that will be much appreciated by this old creature - and my favorite female creature as well.  That said, the new truck came with a major problem: the bed is 5" higher than the old truck, and the side rails are higher also.  You have to pole vault into the bed if there's no stepladder handy.  

The real problem though is that the Chevy and Cougar aren't a match made in heaven.  Not even close.  They have irreconcilable differences: truck is too high, 5W is too low, no way in hell to make them compatible.  So, the RAM is gone (traded in), new truck sits in garage, Cougar sits a few feet away, can't move trailer with truck, now what?

Raise the 5W?  Not good.  Lower the truck?  Even less good.  Replace the Cougar?  Maybe.  But: we love the Cougar, have added lots of upgrades, got it just the way we want it - with one exception: we decided to convert the fold-out sofa/bed to a day bed.  Two days prior to getting the truck, I ripped into that old sofa/bed, totally demolished it and set the pieces out for the trash hauler.  Lovely.  Just freakin' lovely!  Can't move Cougar, have to sell it in place, and I just made it less sell-able.  Talk about shitty timing!

The above situation was resolved several days ago.  We drove up to Las Vegas, traded in the Cougar, and bought a new 5W that would work with the truck.  The new rig, made by Grand Design, is a Reflection 29 RS, pictures and details coming in next post.