Need some information

[eric_facemire]

Wondering if anyone out there owns either a Coachmen RV Freedom Express LTZ 23TQX or a Palomino Stampede Ultra-Lite S-21RGS. These are the two hybrids I am looking at. The Palomino is a tad lighter, longer by a foot, shorter by a foot and has a slightly different dinette/sofa layout. I have a family of 6. Two boys, two girls and the wife and I. So the queen bed layouts are great. Have a 2008 Ford E350 with a 5.4L (I know, the V10 is better. But this is paid for so I don't want payments on a newer V10) at a TV. I am showing 6700lbs MAX for towing capacity but like to stay around 80% of that. The Palomino fits the bill a little nicer for that aspect but the Coachmen I could keep around 5700lbs pretty easily until I am where I need to be.

Just looking for anyone who owns or who has knowledge of these two for comparisons. I know the Palomino is listing a lot less but appreciate any information.

Thanks,
Eric

[Swmpbgy1]

eric_facemire wrote:
Wondering if anyone out there owns either a Coachmen RV Freedom Express LTZ 23TQX or a Palomino Stampede Ultra-Lite S-21RGS. These are the two hybrids I am looking at. The Palomino is a tad lighter, longer by a foot, shorter by a foot and has a slightly different dinette/sofa layout. I have a family of 6. Two boys, two girls and the wife and I. So the queen bed layouts are great. Have a 2008 Ford E350 with a 5.4L (I know, the V10 is better. But this is paid for so I don't want payments on a newer V10) at a TV. I am showing 6700lbs MAX for towing capacity but like to stay around 80% of that. The Palomino fits the bill a little nicer for that aspect but the Coachmen I could keep around 5700lbs pretty easily until I am where I need to be.

Just looking for anyone who owns or who has knowledge of these two for comparisons. I know the Palomino is listing a lot less but appreciate any information.

Thanks,
Eric

Greetings Eric!

I have the Freedom Express 22DSX and tow it with a 2007 Ford Expedition EL with the 5.4l....no complaiints. Plenty of towing power. The camper is well built, but lacks storage. We downsized from a 30 foot Jayco travel trailer, but DO NOT regret the purchase.

Forest River puts out a nice camper.....As many on here can tell you, look at the Roo, Shamrock, and Coachmen....Are there other cousins to these models?

I chose the Coachmen over the Roo, I really wanted the 22SS, but my local dealer started carrying the Coachmen hybrid line and wanted to stay local.

Happy camping....and shopping!!!

Swmpbgy

[johndeerrm]

Hello,

I found this topic while researching the 23TQX versus its siblings (Roo 233s and Shamrock 233s).

I noticed that the coachmen website seems to suggest that the 23TQX has a 2665lb load carrying capacity. Can you confirm this? That would put the GVW around 6900lbs.

Does the 23TQX have leaf spring suspension?

Thank you,

[NittanyLion]

Took the TQX out last weekend and it worked perfectly.. Will be taking it out for the 4th weekend for 4 night trip... If you need any more info on the 23TQX let me know as we love it. Since there is really not a lot of information out there on it I would be more than glad to help you in your decision...

[NittanyLion]

We just picked up our Coachmen 23tqx last weekend and love it. Well built, spacious, and really not that expensive. Got it with all the optional packages for 19500. I researched since last spring for a hybrid, and found this one which just started production in January. Wife, kids, and our 3 dogs love it as we'll!

2014 Freedom Express 23TQX
2012 Toyota Tacoma DCab

[eric_facemire]

dadmomh wrote:
Definitely check out the prices at RV Wholesalers. We just bought our second unit from them and they're good to deal with. Suggest you go online and see if something looks like what you're after....most have pictures of the interior. If not, you can spec one out. Request a quote and you'll have it in your inbox lickety split. No haggling, the price is the price. Strongly suggest that if there is any way possible you pick it up in OH....sort of like a vacation where you bring home a really big souvenier. The delivery driver will deliver it....no PDI and no questions answered. If you need a hitch, RVW will install it and make sure it's right for your unit. After beginning out 8th season with our ROO 23SS, we felt pretty confident that we knew most of what we needed to know. Not even close. There were so many changes and different systems. Granted, we went from a HTT to a TT, but that PDI is important. We're in West TN and on the ROO, we saved over $4000 even considering the trip costs. We didn't even check locally on the new Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 because (a) there isn't a good dealer anywhere close and (b) we know RVW would beat whatever it was. The MSRP on our 2604 was around $32,000 + or - and we paid a few cents over $20,000. Hard to beat that. If nothing else, you'll have a dandy bargaining tool if you decide to shop locally. That 233S is a nice model. We've been very happy with our 23SS.....now all it needs is a new home and family to love it.

With my wife's family living in Louisville and mine living just north of Charleston, WV a trip to Ohio is not hard. Thanks for all the information.

[dadmomh]

Definitely check out the prices at RV Wholesalers. We just bought our second unit from them and they're good to deal with. Suggest you go online and see if something looks like what you're after....most have pictures of the interior. If not, you can spec one out. Request a quote and you'll have it in your inbox lickety split. No haggling, the price is the price. Strongly suggest that if there is any way possible you pick it up in OH....sort of like a vacation where you bring home a really big souvenier. The delivery driver will deliver it....no PDI and no questions answered. If you need a hitch, RVW will install it and make sure it's right for your unit. After beginning out 8th season with our ROO 23SS, we felt pretty confident that we knew most of what we needed to know. Not even close. There were so many changes and different systems. Granted, we went from a HTT to a TT, but that PDI is important. We're in West TN and on the ROO, we saved over $4000 even considering the trip costs. We didn't even check locally on the new Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 because (a) there isn't a good dealer anywhere close and (b) we know RVW would beat whatever it was. The MSRP on our 2604 was around $32,000 + or - and we paid a few cents over $20,000. Hard to beat that. If nothing else, you'll have a dandy bargaining tool if you decide to shop locally. That 233S is a nice model. We've been very happy with our 23SS.....now all it needs is a new home and family to love it.

[bikendan]

well, RV Direct has pickup in Des Moines, i believe and RVW can meet you halfway, to save on delivery charges.

[eric_facemire]

bikendan wrote:

eric_facemire wrote:
Just saw the Shamrock. Like the dinette and couch setup better on it I think than on the Palomino. The Coachmen is just EXPENSIVE!

the Shamrock is the twin brand of the Roo. only difference is outside graphics and interior decor patterns/colors.
use RVW and RVDirect's prices to shop with.

Yeah I went to the Forest River website and looked at both of them. Either of these two would def. do what we need. May need to purchase outside of Texas though. For us with the new oil drilling going on down here TT prices and pickup prices have skyrocketed. The same Shamrock 233s I saw for $22,000 here is at $17,9000 near where my folks in West Virginia. That's a pretty stiff difference.

[eric_facemire]

drenjoey wrote:
We have a Palomino Stampede Ultra lite S-238 and simply love it. It is a well built HTT.
One thing we love in particular is the bathroom with a shower bigger than most of the HTT on the market.
We use a Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.7 engine to pull it.........no problem.

Dre

These are def nice looking and I like the step in tub. However with 4 kids the 3 queen beds would be much better. Easier than making up a bed on the couch and dinette regularly.

[bikendan]

eric_facemire wrote:
Just saw the Shamrock. Like the dinette and couch setup better on it I think than on the Palomino. The Coachmen is just EXPENSIVE!

the Shamrock is the twin brand of the Roo. only difference is outside graphics and interior decor patterns/colors.
use RVW and RVDirect's prices to shop with.

[drenjoey]

We have a Palomino Stampede Ultra lite S-238 and simply love it. It is a well built HTT.
One thing we love in particular is the bathroom with a shower bigger than most of the HTT on the market.
We use a Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.7 engine to pull it.........no problem.

Dre

[eric_facemire]

Just saw the Shamrock. Like the dinette and couch setup better on it I think than on the Palomino. The Coachmen is just EXPENSIVE!

[bikendan]

have you looked at the Roo or Shamrock 233S. the Coachmen is a copy of the original 233S model that has been a huge seller for a number of years.

get prices from RVW and RVDirect on the Roo 233S for price comparison with the other two. i think RVW also sells the Palomino model.