Forum Discussion

CampinFL's avatar
CampinFL
Explorer
Nov 23, 2017

HELP! Coachman Apex vs Freedom Express (or ??)

Been years since I've owned a camper. Wife and I started looking at used, then looking at the materials that each manufactured uses. Long tory short we liked the Coachman 248RBS layout when we saw it on line. We looked and worked a good deal and actually put a deposit on one and were all set to get it. Went to the dealer to take delivery and found a "big-to me" issue and told the dealer not accepting. Dealer was fine with this, so we started looking at other ones they had on the lot. In came the Apex 250RLS, i lose my outdoor kithcen but we gain a better sleeper sofa and much more counter space. I also liked the porcelain toilet in the 248RBS, the one in the Apex was plastic and wobbly..

I can't find anything on-line about the floor construction on these, can anyone give me some advice? I was told the 248RBS uses actual plywood, and seems the Apex uses Luan??

Anyone own either the 248RBS or Apex 250RLS, what do you like or dislike?

Anyone comment on the quality of either, both, or coachman in general?

Thank you in advance
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Nov 23, 2017
    I have an Apex. A 2013 but a 288BHS. To date. It has given no problems. One hub did lose a seal and had to be replaced. But that is a axle thing, and they all use pretty much the same ones.

    As for Coachmen. They have been around forever. Both the Apex, and coachmen are made by Coachmen, or more precise. Forest river. Not real sure about the floors. But should tell you on their website. Both do have AZDEL walls. That is GREAT. 50% lighter, 50% stronger, and has 50% higher R values, and will never rot.
  • Oasisbob's avatar
    Oasisbob
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2017
    A certain brand has a solid reputation only to sell out to a large corporation like FR and the quality is left behind. Disagree? Just do your homework. Whatever you by do a thorough walk through seeing that everything is working prior to signing.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2017
    CampinFL wrote:
    Long tory short we liked the Coachman 248RBS layout when we saw it on line. We looked and worked a good deal and actually put a deposit on one and were all set to get it. Went to the dealer to take delivery and found a "big-to me" issue and told the dealer not accepting.


    As a Freedom Express owner myself I'm curious - what was this "big-to you" issue? :@
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Nov 23, 2017
    SoundGuy wrote:
    CampinFL wrote:
    Long tory short we liked the Coachman 248RBS layout when we saw it on line. We looked and worked a good deal and actually put a deposit on one and were all set to get it. Went to the dealer to take delivery and found a "big-to me" issue and told the dealer not accepting.


    As a Freedom Express owner myself I'm curious - what was this "big-to you" issue? :@


    Agree. I'm looking at a Freedom Express. Would like to know as well.
  • Pine_Barren's avatar
    Pine_Barren
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2017
    I have a 2016 freedom express 28SE and we love it haven't had any problems with it. It is 32 foot long with bunk beds to take grand kids. This is the 3rd coachman we have owned and have not had hardly any problems with any of them.
  • Bols2DawaLL's avatar
    Bols2DawaLL
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2017
    Terryallan wrote:
    SoundGuy wrote:
    CampinFL wrote:
    Went to the dealer to take delivery and found a "big-to me" issue and told the dealer not accepting.


    As a Freedom Express owner myself I'm curious - what was this "big-to you" issue? :@


    Agree. I'm looking at a Freedom Express. Would like to know as well.


    Me 3
  • CampinFL's avatar
    CampinFL
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2017
    Terryallan wrote:
    SoundGuy wrote:
    CampinFL wrote:
    Long tory short we liked the Coachman 248RBS layout when we saw it on line. We looked and worked a good deal and actually put a deposit on one and were all set to get it. Went to the dealer to take delivery and found a "big-to me" issue and told the dealer not accepting.


    As a Freedom Express owner myself I'm curious - what was this "big-to you" issue? :@


    Agree. I'm looking at a Freedom Express. Would like to know as well.


    We were doing the inspection/walk through. They (factory) left a valve open behind a cover plate under the sink and the trailer got a lot of water leaking into the floor, dealer was great about it.. Not their fault, simple mistake that made this one a no-go for me..
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2017
    CampinFL wrote:
    Long tory short we liked the Coachman 248RBS layout when we saw it on line. We looked and worked a good deal and actually put a deposit on one and were all set to get it. Went to the dealer to take delivery and found a "big-to me" issue and told the dealer not accepting.


    SoundGuy wrote:
    As a Freedom Express owner myself I'm curious - what was this "big-to you" issue? :@


    Terryallan wrote:
    Agree. I'm looking at a Freedom Express. Would like to know as well.


    CampinFL wrote:
    We were doing the inspection/walk through. They (factory) left a valve open behind a cover plate under the sink and the trailer got a lot of water leaking into the floor, dealer was great about it.. Not their fault, simple mistake that made this one a no-go for me..


    Valve? What valve could possibly leak water on to the floor? And how do you know this was a factory error, not a dealer prep error? :h

    That aside, why would the dealer not just get you another unit if this particular one wasn't acceptable to you? :h

    Heck, I've had far more serious issues with my own 2014 Freedom Express than a little water on the floor but wouldn't steer anyone away from one if that's what they really want. Methinks there has to be more to this story than you're telling us. :R
  • CampinFL's avatar
    CampinFL
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2017
    SoundGuy wrote:
    CampinFL wrote:
    Long tory short we liked the Coachman 248RBS layout when we saw it on line. We looked and worked a good deal and actually put a deposit on one and were all set to get it. Went to the dealer to take delivery and found a "big-to me" issue and told the dealer not accepting.


    SoundGuy wrote:
    As a Freedom Express owner myself I'm curious - what was this "big-to you" issue? :@


    Terryallan wrote:
    Agree. I'm looking at a Freedom Express. Would like to know as well.


    CampinFL wrote:
    We were doing the inspection/walk through. They (factory) left a valve open behind a cover plate under the sink and the trailer got a lot of water leaking into the floor, dealer was great about it.. Not their fault, simple mistake that made this one a no-go for me..


    Valve? What valve could possibly leak water on to the floor? And how do you know this was a factory error, not a dealer prep error? :h

    One left open, was for winterization connected to the water pump and it was behind a panel.Unless it's the factory's practice to leave this valve open (so you can winterize) then I guess bad on the dealer for not checking. (really doesn't matter does it.. I took them at their word, i didn't ask them for their inspection checklist)

    That aside, why would the dealer not just get you another unit if this particular one wasn't acceptable to you? :h

    I never said they didn't offer to do get me a replacement, simply stated we were looking at other models they had on the lot.

    Heck, I've had far more serious issues with my own 2014 Freedom Express than a little water on the floor but wouldn't steer anyone away from one if that's what they really want. Methinks there has to be more to this story than you're telling us. :R


    Really not interested in you theory "Methinks there has to be more to this story than you're telling us" Not making issue of what happened or trying to lay blame on anyone.

    Sorry to hear you've had ar more serious issues with your Freedom Express and appreciate you replying but really not too much help as no specifics. Maybe what I asked wasn't that clear.. I was asking about the floor construction on the 248RBS vs Apex 250RLS and if anyone owned either the 248RBS or Apex 250RLS, what they liked or disliked and the overall quality.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2017
    CampinFL wrote:
    Really not interested in you theory "Methinks there has to be more to this story than you're telling us" Not making issue of what happened or trying to lay blame on anyone.

    Sorry to hear you've had ar more serious issues with your Freedom Express and appreciate you replying but really not too much help as no specifics.


    I asked "what valve?" leaked so anyone interested in a Freedom Express can understand what to look out for with this series of trailers. As a Freedom Express owner myself I could be a lot more specific, point out advantages, disadvantages, weak points, and differences between model years, but since you're unwilling to be specific about exactly what this issue was with this trailer you were intending to purchase there's no reason for me to be either. Good luck. :)

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