Coachmen vs Heartland Wilderness…any advice?

We have a Wilderness and really like it. The Wilderness is also made of AZDEL. We have had only a couple of minor issues, all of which were taken care of with no problem. Heartland customer service is great and east to deal with. The few items I had issues with, I simple called, emailed photos and they sent new parts directly to me rather than going to the dealer. The issues I had were: door lock would not lock, entry step had metal tab that broke allowing step to drop, and one 110 outlet quit working. None of these were the result of manufacturing but part failure.

The model you are looking at has a gross weight of 6900 and a hitch weight of 544. There is a sticker that will tell you what is included in the weights, like on board fresh water, but not waste tanks, etc

Also...the Apex is around 5200 lbs dry...that seems very light compared to most other bunkhouses I've seen. Hopefully it's not light due to cheap construction?? We have not seen the Apex in person...just online....so its hard for me to compare quality.

Thanks for the help so far!!

I have never heard of the 200 mile thing that terryallan referred to. Also have never heard of the Azdel siding. Obviously a rookie here:)

We have a Coachmen Freedom Express and our daughter and son in law have a Heartland. We are both pleased with the trailers.

Looks like the Heartland will give you 3 1/2 feet extra length for under 600# additional weight. It also has a couch which is "missing" from the Coachmen. Heartland gives you 2 more gal of black/gray water. Personally, I don't like a slideout that takes up space in your "awning patio." The Coachmen island sink looks good but with 4 people moving around I would think you would prefer the openness of the Heartland.

I have owned a Heartland product and was well pleased. Currently own a composite construction (similar to Azdel) and love it! The Coachmen appears to have Azdel only in wall construction. That still leaves roof and flooring with standard TT construction.

Good luck!

Terryallan wrote:
I have an Apex 288BHs Really like it. And the AZDEL walls. No wood, no rot. and really light
Just MOP. That 200 mile thing is tough though. However. Once the warranty is off. It won't matter. Any one can repair any TT. Also If you have a Forest River dealer nearby. They will do warranty work, Even if they don't sell Apex.

X2 on the Apex!

If it has Azdel, the manufacturer has taken some trouble and expense to use the lightest weight, strongest walling board around.

WoodGlue

Do your research and buy what fits your needs best!

I found these little tibits!


1) Coachmen is owned by Forest River, the 2nd (after THOR) largest RV builder in the World. Forest River is owned by Billionare Warran Buffet. Warren bought Forest River and pumps billions into the brand. He has demanded name brand equipment, mandatory daily quality control audits done by factory employees and Forest River management.

Whats that sound I hear? It's Warrent cracking the whip at the factory to improve his RV brand and build among the best made RV's out there!

On 3rd party RVIA Surveys the independant quality control audits done on Coachmen RV's..."To date, our average audit results have improved 71 percent compared with 2006 averages. This is not just a one-time improvement."

Another audit was conducted recently by Ford Motor Company to ensure Coachmen meets the minimum requirements of the Ford Quality Program. Coachmen scored 104 out of a possible 105 points.


2) Heartland is built by a Division of Thor...just because they're a huge RV builder (some say #1 in RV building by numbers) in my opinion they don't always "do the right thing" for disappointed owners.

So Heartland builds a great, value packed and well made line of RV's, and Heartlands Management Team treats their customers Right! and VERY WELL! And so they build RV's with obvious pride! So Heartland builds a great, value packed and well made line of RV's, and Heartlands Management Team treats their customers Right! and VERY WELL! And so they build RV's with obvious pride! Brian Brady was a big wig and a RV builder owned by a huge RV Conglomerate. He got tired of the same-o-Same-o attitude of the huge RV Builders. So he broke away and started Heartland and executives and top RV designers and talent from a bunch of other RV Manufacturers left their jobs and joined with Brian.
So Heartland was born!

HOWEVER HEARTLAND was so successful that it was bought shortly there after by Thor...BUT Heartland is allowed by Thor to operate pretty much on their own. With the buying power of Thor and the quality Heartland was becoming famous for!

So Heartland builds a great, value packed and well made line of RV's, and Heartlands Management Team treats their customers Right! and VERY WELL! And so they build RV's with obvious pride!.


Me? I like Jayco...The Family that builds them has been in business more that double the years of Forest River OR Heartland. They're also the 3rd largest RV Manufacturer in the World just behind Thor and Forest River! More standard equipment and backed up by 2 year warranties!

Can't go wrong with any of the 3 above! Best of luck!

I have an Apex 288BHs Really like it. And the AZDEL walls. No wood, no rot. and really light
Just MOP. That 200 mile thing is tough though. However. Once the warranty is off. It won't matter. Any one can repair any TT. Also If you have a Forest River dealer nearby. They will do warranty work, Even if they don't sell Apex.