coachmen freedom express 192rbs

SoundGuy wrote:


The dealer is sold out of 2018 192RBS models and is awaiting more to be delivered so in the 2018 year I took a look at other models in the lineup. A 2018 204RD had a enclosed underbelly but did not have any external fresh water tank support ... not sure why as a 2018 257BHS beside it which also had an enclosed underbelly did have 2 external fresh water tank supports. The 2017 192RBS also had an enclosed underbelly and also did have external fresh water tank support braces, as shown is these two pics ...





However, as can be seen these tank support braces are made of really thin metal and are bowed noticeably, no doubt because the trailer has gone through PDI and has had water added to the tank. The 2018 257BHS tank support braces were the same thickness steel but were not bowed so I'd presume this unit had not yet had water in the tank. The other thing I noticed is that while the fresh water tank on my 2014 192RBS is mounted above the axles these tank supports are well forward of the axles so I'd presume the fresh water tank is now mounted further forward on this model than it used to be. This tank support is an improvement but if I were buying one of these units I'd immediately replace those tank supports with much heavier steel, ones that won't bend when the tank is full of water. As for the enclosed underbelly I personally didn't care for it as it means you can't see anything. Whether the water pump connects to the bottom of the fresh water tank as it should or still connects to the tank sidewall I can't say because it's hidden by that darned underbelly.

Do you think it may of made more sense if they would of turned those C channels in your pics 90 degrees to use their strength axis? Those pieces look to be what Lippert calls a floater, and made for hanging black and gray tanks. What does Coachmen think will eventually happen to those cheapass Tek screws after a few miles of the tank above the coroplast bouncing up and down. Can you say shear? Sure...... I knew you could LOL.


When it comes to fresh water tank supports, Forest River gets an A+. Not for how great they are installed but for consistency in installing them so chances are at some point they'll fall out.

These following 3 pictures are from a 2017 Rockwood Roo. This happened on the way home from the dealer after the PDI with the tank 3/4 full. I did not drain it as I wanted to see how it towed with water in the tank. The tank is 39 gallons, 28"X7"X53 or 325 lbs full.







Those channels that had already started to deflect are a standard Lippert part, PART # 251695.

If you look closely you'll see that the smaller braces under the tank just have a tab that fits in slots punched through the longer angles that span from frame rail to frame rail. One angle was welded in place, the other attached with Tek screws. Not only were the angles themselves too light for the application, but Lippert in their ultimate wisdom, and using their fabrication and engineering expertise, also punched slots in the vertical leg of the main angles. Why do you suppose they bend at that location seen it the pics above. What happens is once they deflect like shown, eventually the cross ties at bottom pop out, and hopefully do not end up in your tire or one of your other tanks. When they are gone the main angles can spread. When the main angles spread pop goes the weasel.....er the water tank.

Here is the fix. Rolled 1-3/4" X 1-3/4" X 3/16" angle for mains and 1" X 1" X 1/8" angles for cross ties with bolted connections everywhere.



Another thing that contributes to the condition are the cheaply constructed tanks they use. In the pic above notice how the tank from Rockwood (on right) is deflecting all over the place when empty while the one on the left (added by me) does not. Its made by Alpha Systems and is also 39 gallons. In the pic below what looks like the stronger, better constructed tank? The one in front is the tank I added, the one in the rear is the Forest River tank.



That all took place in April of 2016. They still are using this s##t to this day. If you have an enclosed underbelly it may behoove you to take a look. I will not get into posting up about the fight I took on with Forest River and Lippert over this foolishness, as I don't want to get my blood pressure up.