Puma Unleashed 351THSS

[Oaklevel]

THe 356 has more room in front since the bathroom is there as well. Plenty of room to stand up. The bedroom on the 351 bedroom is much smaller to me it looks like it would be harder to even change clothes but probably can stand. (Don't take my word on the 351 I have only been in one). I personally do not like that the 351 has almost no storage under the bedroom. The 356 does (356 is overall taller thats good & bad)

[harrinc]

I upgraded the tie downs. before and after pics. Alot more capacity.

[kfp673]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

THe 356 has more room in front since the bathroom is there as well. Plenty of room to stand up. The bedroom on the 351 bedroom is much smaller to me it looks like it would be harder to even change clothes but probably can stand. (Don't take my word on the 351 I have only been in one). I personally do not like that the 351 has almost no storage under the bedroom. The 356 does (356 is overall taller thats good & bad)

Thanks. I guess I need to go look at both. In the pictures it seems to me like the 351 would feel more open and spacious in the living space. I think that's because the slide out is much larger and it has a couch but the bedroom does seem smaller. I will have to find a place that has these and check them out. Thanks again

[kfp673]

Originally Posted by harrinc

I upgraded the tie downs. before and after pics. Alot more capacity.

what di you use on the underside to secure the new tie downs?

[harrinc]

Just nuts and lock washers. The plate that is on the underside is thin aluminum. There is 2.5 to 3 inches of wood in between the floor and the plate. It could use some kind of an additional plate for better strength.

I also angled the new tie downs as well, in towards the center, so there would not be pulled at a side angle.

[Oaklevel]

There is good & bad to both designs. 356 The sliding glass door gives you direct view into the garage area & with the carpet down The beds up gives plenty of extra living space. The 356 has the the over garage loft bunk the 351 does not. The loft is nice to store things if not used. The 351 bedroom is not much bigger than the bed, no overhead bunk, no pass through storage underneath. But does have a small sofa & bigger slide. The best thing is to look at both to see what works best for you. Hope you can find them without going too far. But I would not buy either without seeing the designs first. If you order one later, keep in mind just about everything is an option. My wife did not like the checkerboard awning so it was charged at the factory to a grey stripe but the dealer said it was easy to change & they would swap it if it came in wrong. Good Luck

[kfp673]

Can anyone tell me the max weight rating on the 351 or 356? I need it to be able to handle 2K lb for my utv. Thanks

[kfp673]

To clarify my last post I meant to say the weight rating of the rear ramp door. Thanks

[rabraz]

Finally got a chance to look at both units side by side. I must admit the extra storage in the 356 is great and the front bath configuration makes a huge difference as it relates to the floor space in the master. I was not real keen on the oversize dinette of 356 as I do like the dinette/sofa combo in the 351. The 2500lbs dry pin weight of the 356 is also a bit of a concern. I would feel more comfortable with the 1500lbs pin of the 351.
There are things I like and dislike about both units but I could be convinced the 356QLB would probably be a better fit for my crew. At least the dear wife thinks so.
Getting real close to pulling the trigger.

Wishing You and Yours a Merry Christmas.

[rabraz]

Originally Posted by kfp673

Can anyone tell me the max weight rating on the 351 or 356? I need it to be able to handle 2K lb for my utv. Thanks

The garage in both is rated at 2k. At least that is what I saw in the ones I looked at today.

[MillerTime]

We bought a 2013 puma 295kbh a few months ago. The 351 is the same from the garage forward as ours. With the bathroom in the middle you don't have any under storage really except under the neck.
- According to the puma brochure I have, the carry cap.is- 4000lb on the 351-THSS and 4432 on the 356-QLB
and the ramp is 7' on the 351, and 8' ramp on the 356
-btw the 351 has a dry pin weight of 1481lb, and the 356 has a dry pin weight of 2557. Of course that is w/out any camping gear.
I think that you would have to have a 1 ton to properly handle the weight of the 356.

[harrinc]

I have a 2011 Duramax (3/4 ton)and it pulls my 356 like a champ. I have had my yamaha rhino and a full load of water in it. Now granted you can tell you got some weight back there but it pulled and handled just fine.

[kfp673]

Originally Posted by rabraz

The garage in both is rated at 2k. At least that is what I saw in the ones I looked at today.

Is this the garage rating or the ramp door? I was not clear in my first post but I am curious about the ramp door. Dont want to break it. Thanks

[kfp673]

And is this the garage rating or the garage door/ramp rating? Sorry, I was not clear but I am curious about the door/ramp rating. Dont want to break it :-). Thanks

[Oaklevel]

Do you know if there is a posted rating on the door somewhere??
The full weight would only be on the door at the top & bottom while drivng on & into the trailer the rest of the time would only be part of the 2000 lbs. (front or rear). I would think if the garage is rated for a 2000 lb or more weight so wound the door?? See if the dealer can find out the rating. I do some checking as well.

[strokendiesel002]

the weight rating on my Raptor was on the door... We got the deck kit option (2 additional cables that suspend the ramp in a level position). IIRC the ratings were different (suspended vs. on the ground), and I believe the suspended rating(lowest) was 1100 lbs. my storage capacity is somewhere around 2500 lbs.

[rabraz]

Originally Posted by kfp673

And is this the garage rating or the garage door/ramp rating? Sorry, I was not clear but I am curious about the door/ramp rating. Dont want to break it :-). Thanks

I believe it is the total capacity of the garage contents. I did not see the ratings of the ramp.

[rabraz]

Originally Posted by MillerTime

We bought a 2013 puma 295kbh a few months ago. The 351 is the same from the garage forward as ours. With the bathroom in the middle you don't have any under storage really except under the neck.
- According to the puma brochure I have, the carry cap.is- 4000lb on the 351-THSS and 4432 on the 356-QLB
and the ramp is 7' on the 351, and 8' ramp on the 356
-btw the 351 has a dry pin weight of 1481lb, and the 356 has a dry pin weight of 2557. Of course that is w/out any camping gear.
I think that you would have to have a 1 ton to properly handle the weight of the 356.

Its that pin weight that has me a bit concerned. I bought a set of Super Springs and upgraded my tires. Best estimate is an increase to about 3k in the pay load. I don't know if that will actually help but I do know with my 282TXR and truck bed loaded for a 3 day trip, the back end did sag a bit. Not anymore though. I'll probably end up with the 351 but am angonizing over the decision.
Really appreciate all the input.

[rabraz]

Pulled the trigger. The 351 was the right choice for us. I signed the papers yesterday. Purchased through RVW and based on my year of hard shopping I think the price was exceptional. So far the sales folks at RVW have been great to work with. The finance dept initially talked me into their 5 year extended warranty but I have since asked them to remove that option as I think I will purchase one through a independent dealer.
Does anyone have any experience with after market RV warranty programs?

[kfp673]

Originally Posted by rabraz

Pulled the trigger. The 351 was the right choice for us. I signed the papers yesterday. Purchased through RVW and based on my year of hard shopping I think the price was exceptional. So far the sales folks at RVW have been great to work with. The finance dept initially talked me into their 5 year extended warranty but I have since asked them to remove that option as I think I will purchase one through a independent dealer.
Does anyone have any experience with after market RV warranty programs?

Awesome! Post up some pics when you get a chance. Also, I would love to hear what you paid for it. If you don't mind PM'ing me the cost. RVW apparently has some of the best prices but they don't take trades. I would just like to know what you can get from RVW so I can use it as ammo negotiating with another dealer. Did you get a generator? As for the warranty I have an extended on my current unit. I said no but when I bought it there was a promo that if you took the warranty they lowered the finance rate and it ended up keeping my payment exactly the same so it was a no brainer. I have only used it once on a slide out motor and they covered it but overall there are tons of loopholes. They seem to find every thing they can not to cover issues. Also, the warranty I have does not cover diagnostics. So any problem I have I have to pay for the deductible plus an hour of diagnosis labor so the problem has to be an expensive one to really matter. Good luck with your new unit and lets see those pics!