2006 Coachmen Cross Country

[Jim]

Asking for input on the Coachmen brand in 2006. I'm considering buying one with only 15,000 miles, 300hp Cummins, 40 footer.

What does everyone think of the Coachmen quality?

I know it's an orphan now as Forest River bought them in '08 but doesn't help out with any of the older models but as long as I don't need anything major, shouldn't be a big problem...but I don't know.

Do you Coachmen owners with some miles on them recommend them?

Thanks!

[Berner2]

PM sent

[Jim]

I spent 4 hours yesterday touring and inspecting. And driving the rig. I've decided to let this one go. Too many big ticket items that aren't right. Most of the drivers side clear coat is crazed. The genset only has 190 hours on it. No maintenance records for the genset or the engine. Main awning has some weird things going on, including tears at one end and the edge is ruined on the other.

Drove really nice.

Just too many issues so I will say no thanks to this one.

Thanks for the input!

[moisheh]

Jim: Before you commit please look at some other units. Check out a Bounder and maybe a Journey. Look at the drawer construction, basement storage and the layouts.

Moisheh

[Jim]

I'm surprised there hasn't been many responses from other owners of the Coachmen line of coaches. There's lots of them out there.

I went and spent 3.5 hours touring and test driving the '06 Coachmen I mentioned above and yeah, the fit and finish leaves some to be desired but the road worthiness seems fine. With only 15,000 miles, and $7K below low book, I'm strongly leaning towards it as my last RV.

Sure would like to hear from more owners though...

[Jim]

I took a test drive of a '04, single slide, Coachmen today and although I wasn't impressed with this particular unit, too many issues, like the steps didn't retract, most of the dash gauges didn't work, there was a loooooong shift when speeding up on the road, I did like the fit and finish, the cabnetry (pretty much the same as my Bounder), the nice comfy ride which was also quiet, and the engine access under the bed. Oh, and the look of the single living room slide. Really sounded and looked like it could live a while.

I'll be looking at the '06 on Friday so I'm still looking for advice and stories on the Coachmen brand.

Thanks!

Moisheh, I respect your opinion a lot. Any more insight? I can still walk away from this deal. Btw, he's asking $7,000 less then low NADA. And it's the flat floor 376ds. I'm the first potential buyer that hasn't low balled him.

[RayChez]

The chassis on the diesel pusher is no different then any other Freight liner coach. Where there is a big difference is on the house part. But then again they do not cost very much in comparison to other diesel pushers. Everything in the interior is entry level. But the will do the same job as the four hundred thousand dollar coach. It will get you there and back the same way, only difference you do not have all the amenities that a higher up coach would have. But again, you are not going to pay as much.

But I would buy an entry level diesel pusher over any gasoline motor home. To me a gasoline motor home does not ride good and is a nightmare with cross winds. While the diesel pusher you will hardly feel the on coming traffic on two lane roads and the cross winds are not bad.

[bullydogs1]

When I had my gasser, there was this Sportscoach that kept coming back to the dealer in 2006...it was a CAT engine and it kept throwing all kinds of codes that they never could get right..I never knew that about the bed...now I know why they had that flat floor in the back rather than the step. He had DUNVERKIN! as a large decal on the back and I swear I saw that thing every time I visited the dealer..When I said what happened? I was told don't ask...

[moisheh]

I would not ever buy any of the Coachman DP's. The ones I looked at in 2005 were just slapped together. To gain access to the engine from inside you had to remove the bed. Strange floor plans.

Moisheh

[Jim]

Yeah, I'm aware of that...it's the cosmetic parts that would be difficult to replace, like the front cap or rear cap or plastic surrounds in the wheel wells...that sort of thing is difficult to find if the manufacturer isn't able to sell the molds before they go out of business or if the new owners don't want any of the old stock.

[Preacher_Man]

We own a 2004 Sportscoach Limited Edition. It's a 376 DS based on the Cross Country platform. We have nearly 300K on the odometer and our gen set has over 21K. As far as being an orphan, they really are not. Parts can be had for nearly any item on the motorhome. I recently replaced the sprayer on the kitchen sink...found it online. Most of these items are found on other motorhomes. The internet is your friend.

[CT_WANDERER]

I have a 36' Coachmen Aurora Gas MH, I enjoy it for the price I paid. Wish I had wiring diagrams for it. I have a few piles of wires that they could have been neater with. FR has been no help. I have made some improvements to ours. Some of the cabinet fits are fair, I have seen much better. I make a trip every year for the winter out to the RGV. There are a few Coachmen diesel rigs here in our winter park that looks pretty good. One is a Sportcoach which I have been in and its quality is much better than what I have. The owner is very pleased with his. Guess if you are getting a good price on it go for it, if you really like it. Gary

[DrewE]

I have a '98 Coachmen class C. It's undoubtedly built to a price point, but within that constraint it seems to be pretty well designed and put together. The cabinetry materials are plain and fairly lightweight (thin plywood, vinyl-wrapped particle board moldings, cheap pine scantlings, etc.) and the fit and finish is a bit loose in places, but they're structurally sound and function fine for their intended uses.

The wiring and mechanical systems appear generally well designed and neatly constructed. The wiring is neatly bundled together, wire nuts are taped so they don't come loose, and wire coloring by circuit is pretty consistently followed. The plumbing and ductwork likewise is put together pretty solidly and neatly. There are access panels to get access to most everything that might need it.

I would appreciate having more technical documentation (wiring diagrams and the like). Possibly they are available separately; I haven't checked. On the whole, though, I don't have complaints about their quality.