Picked Up New Coachmen Today

[drsteve]

Ordered it ten weeks ago, was supposed to be here in six to seven. 2018 Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS. Only had one issue at PDI, a tail light that needed caulking (this dealer does a very thorough inspection before the customer ever sees the unit), but the trailer brakes went away a mile down the road. We returned to the dealer, the issue was fixed within a half hour--there were three techs working on it when we went back inside the building to escape the 95 degree heat. They found one loose crimp connector, replaced all of them just in case, and we were down the road.

It tows well with a new Husky Centerline TS. The dealer tech got the setup pretty close, it feels a little bouncy, but no sway, and zero pull from a couple of semis that passed me. I'm thinking the bouncy feeling may have something to do with how far aft the axles are mounted. It is tongue heavy, with a brochure tongue weight of 722 lb and a dry weight of 5171. I expect over 800 loaded for travel. Brakes definitely need adjusting--they are alleged to be self adjusting, does anyone know about those? Do I just stick a screwdriver through the slot to adjust manually?

Wife is not happy with the slide up windows--they don't slide up very far--but we both love the floorplan, it has lots of counter space, and the slide makes it feel very open. Overall it seems pretty solid, though maybe not as solid as the 2003 Jayflight it replaces. Time will tell.

Shakedown cruise is next week, a couple of nights at a Lake Michigan park. We can hardly wait!

[Msu50000]

Congrats on the Coachmen, we're loving our 3333BHTSCK. It's a '17 we picked up in February. Had a hiccup with the 30A receptacle but that has been it, put 1200 miles on it around MI so far this summer.

[drsteve]

ScottG wrote:
Congrats on a great new trailer! sounds like a perfect fit for your family.
I have a TT on order as well and it's overdue. Dealer says there's lots of manuafacturing going on right now and parts shortages are the norm.
Mine is being held up for the rear folding ladder and slide covers.

Yesterday our salesman told us the current wait for a Coachmen is approaching 90 days. Their estimate for mine was off by three weeks... Someone who orders now would see their trailer by Thanksgiving, if they're lucky. The RV industry is on a tear.

[Oasisbob]

Thanks for the post and congrats. Readers take note of the local dealer level of service. Keep us posted as I am considering a Coachmen and would have bought this year except the 17 BH no longer has an oven

[danimal53]

i had an issue when picking up my coachmen a few years ago. One of the side running lights and brake light wasn't working. Dealer caught it before I even left. Apparently someone put a few staples thru the wiring at the factory. Dealer fixed it on the spot, was very happy with the service. This was GeneralRV in Huntley, IL

[drsteve]

Hannibal wrote:
Congratulations on your new TT! I like a heavy tongue weight. Tows better. Good choice on the Husky as well.

I'm pleased with the heavy tongue also. The Husky impressed me with the materials, construction, and clean design, and people on this forum speak well of it.

The dealer is Gillette's Interstate RV in East Lansing, MI. Good service as well as the best price I could find. We bought our previous trailer there too.

[ScottG]

Congrats on a great new trailer! sounds like a perfect fit for your family.
I have a TT on order as well and it's overdue. Dealer says there's lots of manuafacturing going on right now and parts shortages are the norm.
Mine is being held up for the rear folding ladder and slide covers.

[Hannibal]

Congratulations on your new TT! I like a heavy tongue weight. Tows better. Good choice on the Husky as well.

[Mfan]

Feel like mentioning the dealer?

[Ron3rd]

Sounds like you have a good rig and good dealership. The brake issue is easy to sort out.