2016 Coachman 193

[Digger]

I am looking hard at this unit to make it my home. Any thoughts, comments or any concerns I should have. I want to compliment it with a Honda Gen. for the BLM LTV.

 

[WriterMs]

Digger,
I didn't see a link to a specific model. When I looked up the number in your thread title, it looks like there are various layouts? Did you mean to include a link?

 

[ZoNiE]

Check out the Nash Trailers from Northwood. They are pretty nice. They even (finally) have genset compartments. It's about time they started putting genny compartments in TT's.

 

[Digger]

Didn't attach a link, the model is Coachman Apex 193. It is 22ft with 1 slide out. It would be just me living in it. I plan on getting summer and winter permits from BLM so I would only have about $500 a year going out in parking fees. But I also plan on running all over and even into Alaska next summer. I just really need to know any concerns I might have and if anyone owns one what they think of the quality of the unit itself.

 

[ZoNiE]

They all have the same appliances. Some are built better than others, but hard to tell. The Nash ones look like they are well built and have true 4 seasons tanks. I have a 2010 Skyline Nomad. Seems like it's built well, but the Nash has some features My Nomad Lack. I have not seen a coachmen, but they seem to be pretty popular. Ask in this forum: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/26.cfm.

 

[highdesertranger]

I don't know how much off highway driving you are planning on doing, but slide outs and off highway driving do not play well together. highdesertranger

 

[vagari]

The Apex 185BH is the same floor plan as the 193 but without the slide out, is 1.5 ft shorter and 800lbs lighter. As you are looking at units for full timing/boondocking keep in mind GVWR (max towing wt), CCC (max cargo), bed length (72 vs 74 vs 80), interior standing height with shoes, fresh water capacity, black/gray water capacity and storage room. A bunk house (BH) model is good in that the bunks make for great storage. I think the Apex 185BH is a good full time/boondicking rig with 60x80 bed, 30 gallon fresh water, bunks for great storage, no sink in bath (why? use kitchen), decent cargo ability (~800 lbs), single axle and I like the floor plan. Keep in mind the more options added reduces the cargo capability.

I went out yesterday to look at the Clipper 16FB and Clipper 17FQ. The 16FB had 820lbs max cargo ability but the 17FQ only 640lbs. Both had 33 gallon fresh water tanks. Remember water is 8lbs per gallon (33 gal = 265 lbs) taken from cargo ability. The 16FB had a 56x74 bed and the 17FQ had a 60x74 bed. The 17FQ could fit a real queen 60"x80" mattress for taller people. I am 72.5" tall and my feet hang off of a 74" bed so I want 80" bed.


Here are some other small, single axle travel trailers I have been researching:
Coachmen: Apex, Clipper, Viking
Cherokee: Wolf Pup
Palomino: Palomini
Starcraft: Launch, AR-ONE
Travel Lite: Express, i15Q

 

[vagari]

Check out the Nash Trailers from Northwood. They are pretty nice.  They even (finally) have genset compartments. It's about time they started putting genny compartments in TT's.

Northwind makes some of the best quality trailers (many four season). With this high quality comes higher price and higher GVWR. A Nash 17K will cost around $20,000 versus a comparable Apex, Clipper, Viking, Wolf Pup, etc. costing $13,000. Plus you will need bigger tow vehicle and get less mpg. But there is no doubt you get much better quality. I used to own a Northwood trailer and it was hands down best quality trailer I have owned.

 

[SoulRaven]

We currently have a Coachmen pop-up, 5 years old. It is 4th pop-up and 8th RV. I could not recommend a newer Coachmen. What we learned over the years when it comes to vehicles and trailers is that buying a used quality unit is the better way to go. Each time we look at the latest models, they are cheaper and more filmsy built than the year before. For cost of repair reasons, we would not get something with a slide again. I am frugal and thrifty minded so my way may not be the way of others but truly, there are some great older units out there, good and solid, cost less to begin with and if you have personal property tax like we do, that makes a huge difference and you have the sales tax and the cost of insurance on a new unit. Fall is the best season to shop too! Good luck with your choice and I learned that if you really, really love a unit, well, you know, love is blind and that really helps if the unit isn't exactly the winner you hoped it would be. I am currently looking and am frustrated by the choices.

 

[DannyB1954]

It would be nice if there was a listing guide as to quality of the various manufacturers. Which ones have metal frames etc.

 

[SoulRaven]

It would be nice if there was a listing guide as to quality of the various manufacturers. Which ones have metal frames etc.

I don't recommend it but there is a rating organization, an RV consumer's group.  I was at the plant when they came to "evaluate" it and looked through their info.  It amounted to only the most expensive RVs as being "full-time" which we all know a $200,000 RV will probably last longer and be more comfortable than a $20,000 RV and there were some other "elements" that made me not trust their evaluation.  One of the useful, the only useful thing I got was that you have basically 3 levels, an entry level RV will probably give you 5 "good" years, a mid-level around 8 to 10 "good" years and top-level around 12 to 15 "good" years.  But, then, it is further complicated from there because you'll be paying to replace tires, appliance, etc. around the age of the mid-level and they don't take that cost into consideration.  

The one thing to watch is OSB and most use it.  Once wet, it is a disaster because it swells and then chips apart.  I am very frustrated to find that most use it.  Also, rubber roofs require maintenance with what I thought was costly materials although you don't have to do it that often.

I am totally frustrated by what is avaialble.  Sloppy workmanship can make the best materials still not count.  The good solid manufacturers are now putting out shoddy units also.  I wish I was able to build because I would surely go with that.  I have considered converting a cargo trailer.  While I like the molded fiberglass like Casita, Scamp, etc., used prices, except on a few, are just too high when you consider you would probably need to replace tires if on the unit more than 5 to 7 years and possibly the appliances would not be working up to par.  On the new molded fiberglass, I am concerned about the outgassing since my son is sensitive to chemicals and I don't care much for them myself, lots of apoxy glue used combined with the carpet.

I prefer the aluminum siding over the sandwiched fiberglass because of the possibility of delamination and I have been seeing more and more units with that issue.

I swear, the only way to have something right is to do it yourself but that attitude has allowed me to save money but in this case, do-it-yourself probably isn't possible.  We even have a plan for a tiny trailer, Glen-L Sequioa which is very small.  

My best advice is to always look at used units, within the last 5 years, of the manufacturer you are considering since you'll see how they fared when being used.  It will become obvious which ones are a better bet.  I always watch for things pulling loose from the walls, floors not solid, water leaks, rust, on the outside, seams pulling away............basically falling apart.

 

[highdesertranger]

Snow Gypsy I agree with 98% of what you said. especially the OSB part. they also use particle board on the cheaper ones. highdesertranger