mountainkowboy wrote:

WOW are the Lance units EXPENSIVE!!!! For us and what we will use it for there not worth the 20K more.

mountainkowboy wrote:

...learned that we don't need a big RV since most of the time we're outdoors...camping.

SoundGuy wrote:


The same lesson we learned years ago when long distance traveling with our boys in a 10' popup. To each his / her own but I'm still amazed by those who just can't "camp" without a 30'+ TT or 5th with multiple slides, then struggle to park it on a campsite ... makes no sense to me but I guess that's the difference between "camping" and "glamping".

SoundGuy wrote:

We purchased a new 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS in July 2013 and have used it extensively since then. This generation had a short queen bed but I improved that significantly by extending the bed platform. The inexpensive stock mattress was rock hard but adding a 3" gel memory foam topper turned it into a soft pillow top. Mine doesn't have a vent over the main cabin so I instead use a window mounted fan, current models do have a vent in which you could mount a powered vent fan. In later model years (2016 ?) Coachmen changed the profile of the front wall so although the trailer is still 22' 6" coupler to bumper the bed is now an 80" full length queen bed.

The bathroom is about as small as it could be and although I'd prefer a bit more space it serves the purpose just fine. I did invent a shower curtain shaper so the shower curtain won't stick to us when showering. The toilet is angled so there's plenty of clearance between it and the bathroom door when sitting on the throne.

I love the massive front pass through storage compartment where I have plenty of space for our needs - even carry my spare tire in there rather than under the A frame.

Current models have a useless ommi directional OTA antenna, mine came with a Winegard Sensar III which I upgraded to a Sensar IV, adding a Winegard SignalPro as well so performance is about as good as it gets in an RV antenna. The current antenna I'd probably replace, but with what I'm not sure.

A trailer this size isn't going to have both a dinette and sofa but our reasoning is we'd be better served with a sofa as we often eat outdoors anyway. The trailer does come with a stand alone table but it's awfully big so we instead use a couple of lightweight TV tables anytime we may want to eat inside. Unlike many trailers this one offers a reasonable amount of kitchen counter work space which can be further improved by placing a cutting board atop the stove. Interior cabinet space is generous and we've never been able to use it all, though I did add a third door to the cabinet next to the entry door.

At 22' 6" this trailer is not only easy to tow but can be parked on pretty well any campsite, an important factor for us as we often go camping last minute, without a reservation, which during the busy summer months means we often don't have much choice in which site we get. With a trailer this size I know we'll always fit and I must admit I do enjoy watching those with 30 footers trying to squeeze on to their campsite.

CCC is far more generous than with many similar models from other manufacturers, in excess of 2000 lbs. I typically run ~ 4800 lbs loaded & ready to camp with an average gross tongue weight of ~ 625 lbs. I do use a trunnion bar Reese WD system but no sway control.

This trailer comes stock with off shore Chinese tires (Trail Express in my case) and not surprisingly one them failed earlier this summer - simply split, exposing the steel belt inside. Further inspection showed a large, oval shaped bubble where the interior ply had separated from the rest. I replaced all four with the new US made Goodyear Endurance and expect I won't have any further tire issues. I understand Jayco is now fitting Endurance tires to many of it's new models so if I were buying another Freedom Express I'd want to consider this as well.

Mine has an open underbelly, which I prefer, but I believe current models have an enclosed underbelly. That may be a drawback as it would be difficult to ascertain whether new models suffer the same issue as mine did - a sagging fresh water tank. I solved that on my own trailer but I'd bet there are plenty of these trailers running around with the owner not realizing just how poorly these tanks are installed. As far as I know Coachmen has done little to improve this situation so it's one I'd look at carefully myself should I ever want to buy another Freedom Express.

The only major failure I've had is the frame cracking on both sides, just aft of the rear tires. Turns out this is a pressed together Lippert frame and although Coachmen was forced to issue a recall for some models to install missing frame stiffeners my particular unit isn't on the list and therefore isn't covered for repair. My dealer is nonetheless going to repair this damage anyway but I'd caution anyone buying a used model to be aware of this issue. Newer models have a different frame and shouldn't have this issue.

Coachmen has really stepped up the game by improving the look of the Freedom Express series with a profiled front wall. Personally I don't care for some of the current interior colours and the exterior white trim but others of course may disagree.

Overall this trailer serves our needs really well, tows well behind our Silverado, and I have no plans to replace it. Forum member Last Train tows his own 192RBS with a Honda Pilot but I personally wouldn't want to tow any trailer this size with anything less than a 1/2 ton truck. JMO.

Anytime we camp with others they have their own camper so accommodating other couples isn't an issue for us. For those for whom this is an issue I'd instead suggest the somewhat larger Coachmen Freedom Express 231RBDS which has an especially large dinette that can be converted to a full size queen bed for night time use by a visiting couple.

Further details are illustrated in my gallery.

SoundGuy wrote:



Memory lapse - Ridgeline, not Pilot. My point though was I personally wouldn't feel comfortable towing this size of trailer with anything less than a V8 1/2 ton, which the Ridgeline isn't ... I'll correct my post though so as to not be imprecise.

babock wrote:

I agree...wheel base is WAY to short. I have towed with short wheel base vehicles like that in the past and it was not fun going down mountains in California.

The wheelbase of the ridgeline is 125". Wheel base of my Silverado is 143".