Coachmen 246 RKS vs. Cougar24SABWE vs. Surveyor 264RKS

[Leo_Smith]

It looks like our search for a new TT is narrowing down to these three models. All 3 models have nearly identical floor plans (rear kitchen, mid bath, front bedroom). All 3 models are towable with my F-150 and have similar prices. Of course at the three dealerships, each salesman is telling me that their product is the best. While all of these models are aluminum framed, Coachmen promotes Azdel substrate as an advantage over the competition.
Any thoughts or experiences with Coachmen Freedom Express, Forest River Surveyor, or Keystone Cougar are greatly appreciated.

[goducks10]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Buy one of each.

LOL. Just take the ones back that you don't like.

[beemerphile1]

Buy one of each.

[dadmomh]

My favorite floorplan has always been the Surveyor 264. I noticed they show a Dry Weight but GVWR was N/A. When we looked at one in '06 the GVWR was over 7000#, IIRC. Don't know if that has changed. We bought our ROO at that time. When we moved to the Rockwood 2604, we looked again at the 264, but our truck is rated for 8000# and the specs I found were still too much weight. Suggest you dig further into this weight thing.

Surveyor builds differently than other TTs and there used to be details and pictures on the back of their brochure. That may account for some of the weight at that time.

Re the 3 you like.....assuming that the 264 has a jackknife sofa or one with an air mattress, that would be preferable. In the pictures it appears that the Coachman sofa is sitting on a platform and not usable as a bed. I do like the shower set-up much better in the Coachman with the surround. It appears in the Surveyor and also the Cougar that the shower is the same that we had in our HTT and it's not very usable for a taller or larger person. DH never used the shower but 1 time...he went to the shower house. If they really mean a Garden Shower with the glass enclosure, that's a whole different thing and a big plus. It looks like the Surveyor has a bit more kitchen counter space.

If the true weight is within your limits, my preference is still the Surveyor 264. We're on our second Rockwood/Forest River trailer and have been pleased with the fit and finish...assume it would be comparable with the Surveyor. Good luck...all of them are good choices, I just prefer the 264.

[myredracer]

Curious if you have looked at the Jayco 24RKS or KZ Spree 262RKS? Both have very similar layouts to the 3 you've mentioned.

In early 2014, KZ initially produced the 262RKS with the fridge next to the entry door and angled counter like the Coachmen 246RKS. KZ got a lot of negative feedback from the RV industry and they went back to the layout shown below (fridge in slide & straight counter). When we first saw the early 2014 Spree 262RKS, we hated it and eventually got the revised version. The straight counter IMO provides a lot more useable counter space and with the fridge in the slide, the counter is longer.

Other features of the KZ are large shower stall, large wardrobe closet and linen closet in the bedroom (although not very big). We used to have a Coachmen TT and while the quality was okay/typical, the dealer was terrible. Once consideration might be how good a dealer is in handling warranty or repair work. One thing to watch is how well, or even if, you can view the TV while sitting on one of the dinette seats.

The Jayco Whitehawk line has a BAL/Norco frame (not Lippert) which to me is a benefit. KZ Spree and Jayco Whitehawk both have factory 2 year warranties. FWIW, Keystone and KZ are both owned by Thor Industries. We have friends with a Keystone TT (2nd one) and they love it and we know someone with a Freedom Express and they hate it (nothing but problems), but you'll probably get varying opinions.

[cougarfan]

I have a 2014 Coachmen FE 246RKS and am very happy with it. I second the comment about the Azdel. I too have some tongue weight issues but just load more things in the bedroom and then put them away when I'm parked. I have a 50th anniversary edition so it has all LED lighting inside along with some other extras.

In my 2014, the fresh water tank is in the rear so I carry just enough water for a few stops on the way to my destination. I usually always camp with hookups so don't need a full tank of water. It also doesn't have a built-in black tank flush but I just use the Flush King and that works fine.

I also looked at the Surveyor but felt the Coachmen with the Azdel was a better option for me. I felt the Cougar's fit and finish wasn't as good as the Freedom Express. Just my opinion of course...

You could also look at the Coachmen Catalina 253RKS. It has better counter space in the kitchen and a bigger tv in a better location. It also has two entry doors. One in the back and one into the bathroom which gives you more space and access to the bathroom when the slide is in. It has aluminum skin instead of fiberglass if that makes a difference to you.

Good luck!

Laura

[Reedga]

Have you compared fresh water and holding tank capacities?
Storage between the models, options roof latters, axle capacity, brake drum and brake shoe sizes?
Roof material (rubber roofs are the latest).
A/C capacities, are your electrical cords push in or removal and storable?

[lanerd]

We had tongue weight problems with our Coachmen RKS. Always had to fill or partially fill the fresh water tank under the bed to provide sufficient amount of weight on the tongue. If we loaded too much weight in the kitchen area, sometimes even a full fresh water tank would still not allow enough tongue weight and sway issues would be present. We finally decided that it was just inherently a bad set up and bought a used Hensley Arrow to take care of the sway problem. Other than that, the trailer was our mainstay for camping as the size was just perfect for state and forest compgrounds.

Ron

[BillB800si]

Floorplan is always a biggy. If you're not happy with that then forget it.
Forest River & Keystone are the two biggest RV manufacturers in America. Forest River has an optional 2nd year warranty for $150. It has foam insulation & six sided aluminum structure.
The Cougar has five sided aluminum structure with 5 inch steel roof trusses. Comes standard with the mor/ryde cre3000 suspension.
They both are very good solid trailers.

Good luck,

[ScottG]

The Azdel is a benefit but I would not let that be the determining factor over function.