Coachmen Apex 215RBK

[KS56]

Just ordered a Coachmen Apex 215RBK with the elite package, electric awning and frameless windows.
Great floor plan with an outdoor kitchen and walk around queen bed.
Traded in my Surveyor SV233T hybrid since its 8 person sleeping capacity is no longer needed.
Hope I won't regret it.
Needed something easier to work with. The fold out beds in the Surveyor were getting too difficult for me to handle.
Don't know much about the Apex line but was very impressed with some similar units I saw at the dealership. The construction looked at least equal to or better than my Surveyor.
Any advice on what to look out for when the new unit arrives at the dealership in about ten weeks will be highly appreciated, along with any other owner experiences with the Apex line of travel trailers.
Thanks in advance, and happy holidays!

[KS56]

jamjam41 wrote:
Thanks, we are still looking for one that would fit with good ratings

We had our Koldfront unit for 3 seasons with no problems.

[jamjam41]

Thanks, we are still looking for one that would fit with good ratings

[OrangeWing]

Sorry for not replying... we didnt put the icemaker in ours but may based on input from others here... would be a nice addition....

[KS56]

Congratulations, you should have lots of fun with that Apex 215RBK.
The ice maker we put in our outdoor kitchen is the "Koldfront" that we purchased through Amazon for about $100. It works great, and fits perfectly.

Koldfront Ultra Compact Portable Ice Maker - White

/Users/karlscharf/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Previews/2013/03/29/20130329-144226/th.jpeg

We also replaced the grill that came with the unit with a grill that has a side burner:
Coleman Camping Coleman PerfectFlow InstaStart Grill Stove.

[jamjam41]

We just bought our Apex 215RBK. Only had a week to use it before winterizing. We live in the mountains of North Georgia. We love the unit.

What type of ice maker did you add to the outdoor kitchen? We would like to do the same. I looked at some of the portables but they were all to big to fit on the counter. I carry a two burner coleman stove that we plan on using when we need two burners in place of the stove that came with the unit.

Jerry & Melody
jamjam41@aol.com

[jamjam41]

We just bought a 2015 215RBK. You mentioned a ice maker in the outdoor kitchen. Which make and model did you buy, and where do you put it. We would like to add one.


Thanks

Jerry & Melody Meinhardt

[KS56]

OrangeWing wrote:
Thanks for the super fast reply. Just what i hoped you would say. We had a 23' unit with almost identical floor plan minus the outdoor kitchen and vowed our next unit would have one so thats where our search led us to the 215rbk. There is several other mfg that make this fp but i like what u said about build quality etc. What are the anderson levelers? Do u have pics of ur additions to the outdoor kitchen? I didnt realize that the grille didnt use propane from unit but i have a conversion hose from a std bottle (20 lb) to the grills that take 1 lb bottles. I woukd just use that....
I do have a question re ac... Last unit we owned had ducted ac and this one does not. We live in HOT texas... Is that a minus in your opinion or does the ac non ducted do a good job of cooling from the middle? Just curious...
Thanks for any ideas or comments. Pics of changes and or mods would be great. I can provide email if cant post pics here...
Stafford

I have trouble uploading pictures to this site due to the image size restrictions.
If you could provide your e-mail it would help. My e-mail is kscharf56@verizon.net.
Last Summer here in upper NY State has been rather cool and we seldom used the AC. There is an optional higher output AC unit that you can order.

[OrangeWing]

Thanks for the super fast reply. Just what i hoped you would say. We had a 23' unit with almost identical floor plan minus the outdoor kitchen and vowed our next unit would have one so thats where our search led us to the 215rbk. There is several other mfg that make this fp but i like what u said about build quality etc. What are the anderson levelers? Do u have pics of ur additions to the outdoor kitchen? I didnt realize that the grille didnt use propane from unit but i have a conversion hose from a std bottle (20 lb) to the grills that take 1 lb bottles. I woukd just use that....
I do have a question re ac... Last unit we owned had ducted ac and this one does not. We live in HOT texas... Is that a minus in your opinion or does the ac non ducted do a good job of cooling from the middle? Just curious...
Thanks for any ideas or comments. Pics of changes and or mods would be great. I can provide email if cant post pics here...
Stafford

[KS56]

After having camped for 34 nights this past summer in the Apex 215RBK, I have nothing but praise for this AWESOME unit.

Just a few minor issues that I intend to have fixed by the dealer under warranty next Spring when I take it there for the NYS inspection:
*cracked sewer outlet cover, and
*loose 30A main power receptacle.

As I stated before, the floor-plan is ideal for the wife and I and sometimes 2 or 3 grandchildren.

The outdoor kitchen was the most important selling point for me, and it is the feature that I would never again be without!
I added an ice-maker, 6 bottle wine/whisky rack, paper towel holder, and LED strip lights in the outdoor kitchen.
Have used the outdoor kitchen even in the rain since its door makes a perfect rain cover.
Replaced the slide out Coleman grill with the 2 burner model after my Nephew burned out the single burner grill that came with the RV. Much better grill. Slowly getting used to having to use the 1 pound propane bottles.

The mattress is quite comfortable even more so after I added a 1 1/2" of memory foam and a mattress topper. The short length of the mattress works marginally with my 275 pound, 6' 0" body.

Towing and set up is a breeze, specially with the Anderson levelers which I trimmed 1.5" so it fits better between the 2 axles.
With an AccuLevel that I mounted on the front of the trailer, I can back the trailer up on the Anderson levelers and see from inside my 4Runner tow vehicle when the trailer is PERFECTLY level. Worked like a charm each time, all season! Not even one of our 6 campsites was even close to level!

I highly recommend this eco-friendly travel trailer, the quality in materials and workmanship is truly outstanding.
Looking forward already to next season.

[OrangeWing]

Havent seen a recent post from you. What are your feelings about the unit after owning it for a while? I am cusrrently looking at that exact model....

Thanks!!

[KS56]

Brought my Apex 215RBK home last week. What a great unit, totally impressed, actually much bigger then I had ever expected.
Lots of storage space inside and outside! Tows like a dream with my 8 cylinder Toyota 4Runner.
The 38" slide out really makes a difference! And the dinette is very large, wide enough and long enough to sleep 2 tall grandchildren once awhile when they come with us. Our third grandchild can sleep on a 27" wide memory foam tri-fold mattress that we store inside the corner shower.
Their sleeping bags fit nicely in one of the dinette storage compartments, and their suitcases in the huge storage compartment in the bathroom above the outside kitchen.
The master bedroom is small however, with a short queen mattress, and that is where the 7"-6" width (vs 8'-0") becomes noticeable. Very tight! But it will do OK for sleeping, and the mattress is quite comfortable.
The total length of the camper was limited to about 25' to fit in my 28' long driveway. The 215RBK was the shortest unit I could find with an outside kitchen. And that outside kitchen is absolutely fantastic, even has room for an ice-maker! My only complaint is that the slide out grill operates on the disposable propane bottles, would love to be able to run it from the camper propane system. Still working on this problem.
So, our first outing will be this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, hopefully we will not encounter any issues, but if we do at least it will be under warranty.
Almost forgot to mention, I replaced ALL the incandescent bulbs with natural white LED bulbs purchased from M4LED.com.

[KS56]

Just saw my new Apex 215RBK at the dealership for the first time! Very nice unit, exceeds my expectations.
Now just waiting for the snow to melt so I can clean out my trade-in and finalize the sale.
The elite package, electric awning, and frameless windows really dress up this unit nicely, and are just what I wanted.
Even though I did not order the '50th anniversary package', the decals on the camper say "50th Anniversary", did not expect that. Kind of like this anyhow since my wife and I will be married for 50 years in 10 months!
Not so sure if I like the new omni-directional TV antenna (without the crank handle) time will tell.
The white exterior with black trim looks really nice and the interior is well designed with lots of storage.
Will provide additional comments after more detailed inspection and after I get the unit home.

[KS56]

Kay and Gene wrote:
We have an Apex 214rb and love it. Have had it 2 years and had a minor leak in shower drain. Otherwise great TT. Tows great, lots of room for the two of us and our 3 pups. Sometimes I wish we had gotten the outside kitchem model. Good luck with yours.

Thank you Kay and Gene. The outside kitchen is actually what sold me on the 215RBK. The short length of my driveway was another factor for getting this unit. Can't wait to see it when it gets to the dealer, it will be the first time.

[Kay_and_Gene]

We have an Apex 214rb and love it. Have had it 2 years and had a minor leak in shower drain. Otherwise great TT. Tows great, lots of room for the two of us and our 3 pups. Sometimes I wish we had gotten the outside kitchem model. Good luck with yours.