Forum Discussion

dclark1946's avatar
dclark1946
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014

Coachmen Apex Quality??

We are looking for a possible replacement for our 07 KZ Spree 240 RBS. KZ no longer makes a 24 foot Spree and we do not want to go to the 262 RKS because it has less kitchen counter space than our trailer. We finally found Coachmen Apex 258RKS that has all the features (front cap,floor plan, weight and frameless windows) that we are looking for but do not know anything about the build quality. We have a relative that has a 06 Coachmen that had slide seal issues that caused extensive damage but don't know if that is an isolated data point .

Thanks,

Dick
  • AirForceAngler's avatar
    AirForceAngler
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    We had a 2003 Coachmen Catalina 28BH that had a good portion of the floor rot out in less than 4 years due to unseen leaks around doors/windows. There was absolutely no indication on the walls or ceilings, just soft spots under the carpet that were a real mess when I pulled the carpet up. I don't know the difference between a Catalina and Apex, but that pretty much turned me off of Coachmen.
  • dclark1946's avatar
    dclark1946
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    AirForceAngler wrote:
    We had a 2003 Coachmen Catalina 28BH that had a good portion of the floor rot out in less than 4 years due to unseen leaks around doors/windows. There was absolutely no indication on the walls or ceilings, just soft spots under the carpet that were a real mess when I pulled the carpet up. I don't know the difference between a Catalina and Apex, but that pretty much turned me off of Coachmen.


    Thanks for your input. Our relative's trailer also had an issue with a soft spot in the floor in addition to the slide leakage.

    Dick
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    My grandson bought an Apex. What a piece of junk! The fenders are falling off because most of the screws didn't hit anything. That said, my Spree had considerable faults as well.
    When you looked at the 262RKS, was the fridge in the slide or just inside the door. The early ones were by the door and reduced counter space.
  • gpitt21963's avatar
    gpitt21963
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    We just purchase a Coachmen Apex 239RDS the parent company is Forest River. I have been following this unit for the last couple of years and the brand had made great improvement in the craftsmanship of the Apex units. I am happy with our purchases. With all campers, maintenance is the key.
  • dclark1946's avatar
    dclark1946
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    Lynnmor wrote:
    My grandson bought an Apex. What a piece of junk! The fenders are falling off because most of the screws didn't hit anything. That said, my Spree had considerable faults as well.
    When you looked at the 262RKS, was the fridge in the slide or just inside the door. The early ones were by the door and reduced counter space.


    Our dealer had a 261RKS and it had the fridge on the slide and decent counter space. The 262RKS pictures we have seen had the fridge by the door and the kitchen sink was on a diagonal with not much counter space. To add to the Spree confusion their web site shows the 262 RKS fridge on the slide. We assume the floor plan has not been updated since two different dealers that have the 262RKS show the fridge by the door.

    Dick
  • dclark1946's avatar
    dclark1946
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    gpitt21963 wrote:
    We just purchase a Coachmen Apex 239RDS the parent company is Forest River. I have been following this unit for the last couple of years and the brand had made great improvement in the craftsmanship of the Apex units. I am happy with our purchases. With all campers, maintenance is the key.


    Thanks for your positive feedback. I think we will visit the dealer that has one in stock to get a better look.

    Dick
  • WoodGlue's avatar
    WoodGlue
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    Terryallen will be in here in a few. They own a very nice Apex!

    FWIW, Coachmen Apex's are manufactured using Azdel, very good stuff. They also have laminated floors now, not cheap OSB or particle board. I'd say much better than average build quality. You're right to ask about construction! Azdel isn't inexpensive to use in a trailer, it's quite costly. But you know as always, you get what you pay for.

    About Azdel - Lance Travel Trailers

    WoodGlue
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2014
    dclark1946 wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    My grandson bought an Apex. What a piece of junk! The fenders are falling off because most of the screws didn't hit anything. That said, my Spree had considerable faults as well.
    When you looked at the 262RKS, was the fridge in the slide or just inside the door. The early ones were by the door and reduced counter space.


    Our dealer had a 261RKS and it had the fridge on the slide and decent counter space. The 262RKS pictures we have seen had the fridge by the door and the kitchen sink was on a diagonal with not much counter space. To add to the Spree confusion their web site shows the 262 RKS fridge on the slide. We assume the floor plan has not been updated since two different dealers that have the 262RKS show the fridge by the door.

    Dick


    They are putting them in the slide again. I believe that very few were built with the fridge by the door.

    Personally I would prefer to have it out of the slide. The slide limits the height so the fridge is smaller. The slide install requires side vents which in turn requires a fan to move the air. The fridge would be more convenient if one could reach items, without going completely across the trailer, when you are outdoors.

    A small flip-up shelf could be installed to add some of the lost counter space.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Mar 06, 2014
    As you can see we have an Apex. We like it a lot. The sides are not laminate wood. They are AZDEL, and have no wood in them. They will not rot. That is only one of the AZDEL benefits, More, It 50% lighter, and has a 50% higher insulation value.

    As to the slide seal. Yep our's was bad, we didn't know it. We had it back to the dealer for a AC vibration. They replaced the slide seal no questions ask. Forest River seems to stand behind their products.
  • dclark1946's avatar
    dclark1946
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2014
    Lynnmor wrote:
    dclark1946 wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    My grandson bought an Apex. What a piece of junk! The fenders are falling off because most of the screws didn't hit anything. That said, my Spree had considerable faults as well.
    When you looked at the 262RKS, was the fridge in the slide or just inside the door. The early ones were by the door and reduced counter space.


    Our dealer had a 261RKS and it had the fridge on the slide and decent counter space. The 262RKS pictures we have seen had the fridge by the door and the kitchen sink was on a diagonal with not much counter space. To add to the Spree confusion their web site shows the 262 RKS fridge on the slide. We assume the floor plan has not been updated since two different dealers that have the 262RKS show the fridge by the door.

    Dick


    So you are saying the new 262RKS has the fridge back on the slide? I will give that more consideration.
    Thanks

    Dick

    They are putting them in the slide again. I believe that very few were built with the fridge by the door.

    Personally I would prefer to have it out of the slide. The slide limits the height so the fridge is smaller. The slide install requires side vents which in turn requires a fan to move the air. The fridge would be more convenient if one could reach items, without going completely across the trailer, when you are outdoors.

    A small flip-up shelf could be installed to add some of the lost counter space.

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