I have been blown away by the fact that most manufacturers don't include a simple battery disconnect. Easily one of the best upgrades you can do for a trailer that is extremely cheap. Glad to see Coachmen is starting to do it.
I won't even watch rv review videos unless they are done by you. You make your point about the subject of interest, then move on. Keep up the great work. You have a winning format and ability.
My wife and I love your reviews and knowledgeable videos. My wife and I have been RVing over 51 years now and have seen most RV factory tours except this one. But we need to go at them again sense RV’s have and are changing so much. I was surprised to see the freedom express not to have an rear aluminum studded wall but wood framed - but it’s ok still. Also I would have liked to see the insulation process for the under belly. We have owned every type of RV made but our full time RV is a 44 foot DRV - Mobile Suites fifth wheel. Rather than tow it around site seeing because of your great reviews we purchased a 2018 Coachmen Freedom Express 19RBS. We no longer have our tow vehicle for our fifth wheel but use our 2019 Buick Enclave to tow our Coachman. The ride and handling is spot on with our coachman and Buick it’s as if they were built for each other. We did upgrade our AC to the 15,ooo BTU unit verses the 13,500 as you mentioned at times in your videos and it has really paid off. I am not bragging but after having owned so many RV’s we have learned so much about the do’s and don’ts and quite a few from watching your very knowledgeable videos. Here’s Wishing You the Best and Happiest New Year Ever, Cheers
Belly is not insulated. Common misunderstanding. Making something "extended season" often requires as little as closing the belly and running a heat duct whereas "four seasons" requires significantly more effort. Freedom models aren't made for arctic use. Spring/Summer/Fall with perhaps dips below freezing overnight now and then being fine.
We just ordered a Freedom Express Ultra Lite and it's not come in yet so this has been super cool to see! It definitely makes me even more confident in my purchase!
@@JoshtheRVNerd 238 BHS. We have a super long 5th wheel so we also wanted something small to take our family on quick weekend trips and not have to worry about finding a spot long enough for the big 5th wheel.
@@jennifereddleman6656 That's awesome! Congratulations. Hope you hang around our channel here and continue to share your insights as a veteran RVer! :)
Love my Freedom Express (204RD), and when we shopped for a new RV last year (2017), we kept coming back to this model. In the past year we have really appreciated the construction and conveniences of the rig. Thank you for the factory tour
Picking up our Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 323BHDSLE Thursday.. Giving up our 2014 Keystone Hideout 31rbds it's been a great trailer for us and I haven't been feeling all warm and fuzzy about the new one (wife jumped on the Coachmen) .. THIS has helped a lot! THANK YOU!
Thanks for that tour I just purchased a 2012 freedom Express and now I could see why it's in such good shape because all the steps that the manufacturer takes.
Great video, I recently spent 9 months traveling the country in my 2018 Freedom Express 192RBS. Fulfilled a life long dream. A great travel trailer , no problems
We have a 2013 Freedom Express Liberty Edition 305RKDS. We are the second owners and have used it for two seasons. It was purchased New at Haylett Rv. It has been absolutely trouble free. It is a great couples camper. When and if we go full time we’ll be up to see you. I like the honesty that shows through in your videos. Another dealer at a annual RV show tried to tell me my F150 would be just fine pulling a 1650lb pin weight 5th wheel all I needed were some Timberen bumpers on the suspension. He got scratched from the list of people I trust. We’ll be up to see you in a couple of years. Good job! Best wishes for the New Year!
That was amazing!! No one would be dissatisfied to see more factory tours! I actually had not thought of Coachman as a contender...this shed a positive light for sure on their brand. Love our 2019 White Hawk, but will give these guys a nod on our next purchase.
White Hawk and Freedom Express are both great brands that each have their own high points. What strikes me as weird as how the White Hawk has really defined itself as different within the Jayco lineup with some really unique and cutting edge floor plans. Initially, the White Hawk was really supposed to be just the "Jay Flight Ultralite," but if you *really* look at them closely it's actually not even a Jayco product that truly fills that role, but rather the Freedom Express from Coachmen. It's odd... but it fits!
It's good to see the factory tours like this Josh. Thank you very much for sharing :-) Tours like this let us see first hand how the RVs are constructed, not just a 3D rendering on a brochure/sales flyer. As more tours are made available online, we are seeing a side by side production build comparison which takes some of the "hype" out of the manufacturer pitches. We get to see first hand these are more similar than outward appearances and catch phrases or marketing would make you believe as well as the quality, dedication, and commitment that truly goes into them. As an industry, I think it makes others also take a look at their quality and build processes to make an overall better product (hopefully... at least the good manufacturers out there). Great job as always sir!
Fantastic video tour. I have a 2018 Freedom Express and have never been able to find a factory tour of the plant. Thank you Josh for providing it. They made an excellent product. I have two years of use under my belt and have had very few issues or complaints. Keep up the good work and keep the informative videos coming. Happy New Year
Awesome Josh! You have done another fantastic video. I have seen many of your Freedom Express videos and have enjoyed all of them. We bought a 2018 RBS last year after you educated us on Freedom Express through your videos. Azdel, aluminum cage, axle spacing, roof, window quality, and many other items make it a great RV. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! The only negative thing I can point out are the tires that came with it. We have now replaced them with Goodyear Endurance tires. We highly recommend Coachmen Freedom Express to everyone. Keep up the good work. Best wishes form El Paso, TX.
Thanks for the video. I could never find a factory tour on youtube to watch. I’m a second time owner from their 17x Nano to the FE 257bhs. It’s all about the Azdel!!!! Awesome video....
I've got to tell you although I don't personally know you but you're my favorite kind of geek. Thank you very much for all the information and time you take on promoting and informing us of the pros and cons of trailering ect.
The one you asked to guess the model, was the 246RKS with rear kitchen. I just bought one yesterday. A mint conditon 2018 model (non-COVID). I love it.
I truly enjoyed this video...the wife and I are going to purchase a 248rbs around March after about a year of looking at different brands and floor plans. After researching the Freedom Express is the one I feel comfortable investing in. And yes your videos have definitely helped. So thanks again and I still wish y'all had a dealership here in NC. Happy New Year.
This place is great. Of all the RVs I've seen they continue to "speak to me" on a level few others do. The 21 updates have made them threaten the title of "best in class" in my personal view.
OOOH, loved this tour! Please do more of these if you can! I'd love to see the different types of frame construction, wood, laminate, aluminum, siding, etc and be able to compare!
WoW Josh great video. I hope you do a series of tours. Your insight on what you are showing us is invaluable. Thank you for taking the time out of your life to make all these great videos. So have you thought of going on a speaking tour after you retire from public service?
Good vid. Like a longer version of "how its made" . I love seeing how stuff is made, and from a consumer stand point you can really see what you're buying.
This was a bit of an experimental video. As the weather warms up I may try to schedule some days out of the office to record some more in-depth versions of things like this. Perhaps in the afternoons when the shops aren't running so you can hear me more easily and I don't have to avoid capturing the faces of amish workers on camera to respect their preferences.
@@JoshtheRVNerd it was really good to me . I had no trouble hearing you on my end even when the shop noise was high. Though i worked in a factory for 17 years so I'm kinda used to it lol. But a more in depth vid is always welcome, of this or another factory . I dont blame people for not wanting to be on camera either. Several times at the last factory i worked at someone from corporate would come and film us at certain machines while we worked for a good amount of time, and we really didn't get a say about it either till several people made it clear we didn't like it. It can be very distracting which is a bad thing around machines operating at several 100 psi or rpm . From a operator point of view if you make it clear what you're wanting to see and know , and up front on what the video is for most employees will be ok with it or let you know other wise . Maybe tell you how its done off camera so you can relate the info when they're not in view . I found most people even though they are seeing what is being done they really dont quite know / understand why its that way. Even though it was the 1st factory vid it was still really good. Hope you get to do more of them.
I have to say that's impressive that they have that much adjustment and if you have to replace a slide motor you don't need to cut into the frame to get it out and to weight each trailer with options that impresses me so everyone can know that there vehicle is safe to tow it
Great video Josh! Really explains tons for me as how these are built. Gives me a greater sense of reliability for the long haul as far as our purchase goes. Thanks.
These videos are a big help - Try making a spreadsheet and across the top list all the features you like. Down the side list the models you see. As you get more features you like, add columns - more important on the left, less important on the right. Then say "yes" or "no" across for each model you look at. That will help make the price. I did this when we got a pop-up and I'm doing it now for a TT
The nerdologist kills it again. This video answered my question," Does Coachmen have a battery disconnect ?". I hope a Rockwood plant video will be in the works.
It's been the #1 request. I'll have to see if I can make some time to get down to that area to record more tours, but planning to wait until the weather warms a bit.
Great video Josh. I like this brand a lot because I am 77" tall. I wish so much they would make a basic bunk house model to put the kids to bed instead of having to convert a dinette into a bed every night.
Define "basic bunk house model" please so I can help you zero in on a layout. I think they build what you want, but you don't realize it. Have you seen a 257BHS or perhaps a 23.9SE model?
Josh, what I consider the almost perfect bunkhouse for a family of 4 is the Apex Nano 193BHS because it is one of the very few that has a FULL bathroom with a sink. But like you talk about in the video, it's a vaulted ceiling and I don't think I could stand up in it. The Freedom Express Pilot 20BHS is the perfect height bunk house because it is 3 inches taller, but they take away the bathroom sink and also put in a sideways couch with a cheap fold up table. They need to have the option of a regular dinette instead of a couch because it's fun to sit around and play games with two people on either side of the table. So the absolute perfect bunk house for us would be the Apex Nano 193BHS with the interior height of a Freedom Express. In other words, combine the best features of both trailers.
@@superzee172 I think both of the models I mentioned previously would fit the bill then. Perhaps this one with the vaulted ceiling + skylight shower combo: bit.ly/2Ttkz8m
Awesome video Josh!! I love to see the guts of things, especially RV’s. If you ever get a chance to tour a Cherokee factory that would be cool to see. 👍🏽👍🏽
Great footage! I’ve periodically been in RV factories, and found this video to be quite detailed. If I were to buy a Forest River product, it would be a Coachmen.
Great video Josh, we met you last summer looking into the Geo Pro 19fd, still our first choice and are planning a visit to order one in the coming couple of months or maybe you have just the"perfect one" on the lot. Thinking it will have to be ordered but looking forward to seeing you soon.
To update this video, you may want to check with Freedom Express again. I'm pretty sure they have, as of the 2021 models, started using the same side wall construction, with Azdel, in the rear end wall. I had noticed different verbiage in the 2021 brochure. Before it always said "laminated side walls and floor". In 2021 brochure, it says "laminated side walls, rear end wall, and floor". Since I believe manufacturers use their phrasing very carefully, the change had a definite meaning. A Freedom Express salesman here in Florida asked his factory rep about this. His factory rep confirmed the change to aluminum framing and Azdel for the rear end wall.
The video is dated in some areas. That's why I made it a point to mention when it was recorded right away. There have been changes, but quite a bit still applies. I'd love to get more factory footage right now, but covid restrictions present a problem
Looks like Forest River has made improvements in the Coachment line. The 2008 Coachmen Model 271DS I had was not so good! I recently bought locally a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106DS. I watched your review and would like to see a factory tour on Winnebago, if you have not done one recently. Thanks I enjoyed the tour.
That was the time Coachmen was basically given a Phoenix-like rebirth via Warren Buffet's deep pockets. It's almost like there is the B.C. Coachmen and the A.D. Coachmen we see now.
Your comment at the beginning about things aging overtime is great. So with that thought how well did they do during the pandemic and their build quality now? I’m looking some of their models now and also some of the winabego units too. Updates to these would be nice to - if you ever found some spare time lol thanks uncle Josh!
Excellent tour Josh! We purchased a early 2018 Freedom Express 192RBS for our first camper based on your earlier videos and couldn’t be more happy. I was wondering, did you have a chance to see the tanks being installed? I was just wondering if they were made from a fairly rigid plastic or are they more like a collapsable type of tank? Thanks again for all you do for us customers from across the country.
Josh, great video! Always a interesting aspect to see what actually goes into producing some of the finest trailers on the market. Hope my soon to be Jayco is built with such dedication! Happy New Year!
A Jayco factory tour would look eerily similar in a lot of ways through their light weight lineup. A few key points of variance, but they both hit on the important factors in similar ways.
TY. It's hard to find time to get away from the facility long enough to do these tours. I'm hoping to get a partner in the video team (which is basically just me right now lol) so I can step away and get more of this behind the scenes footage.
@@herefishyfishy6907 No need to fly me out. I'm local :) I got there once a year to tour their facilities. But seeing them and recording a tour are two different things.
TY! We're always hoping to get more content like this produced, but it's difficult to get away from the dealership for an entire day to capture these when you're a one-man-show
Great video, even if it’s a few years old.... A few thoughts though.. You were talking over the guide while filming and getting a little side-eye and glares from the other guys on the tour (8:44 and 14:16 for example).. Something for others who go on these tours to keep in mind.. be mindful and respectful of the employees, but also the guides and all others on the tour. (I mention this because of this and another video I recently watched where a family had brought their young children on the tour and basically let them run around and distract everyone from the guide..)
That's exactly why I recorded my Jayco mini-series of factory tours AFTER production had ended. There's just too many complications during factory hours. I PREFER to let you SEE how it works, but it just doesn't work out well that way.
Excellent video Josh! I learned a lot. Do all trailer manufacturing facilities allow you to video thier facilities? Have made any other factory videos for other manufacturers to watch. Like for Rockwood Mini Lites? Again, thank you so much. Mike
The hardest part isn't getting a MFG to allow me in there with a Camera. Rather, the challenge is first finding the time to get away from the office long enough to capture footage given my workload. Then, trying to capture good footage without disrespecting the employees by either getting in their way or failing to respect their wishes for privacy.
This was amazing - thanks for sharing. I'd love to know if our 2014 has that little bathtub tray under the slide. What a great idea. I'd bet that every manuf doesn't take that same precaution even though most of the slides are relatively cookie-cutter.
Good job very interesting do more help to see how RV build . What kind of material do the use on internal wall luan or azdel or something else . Thanks for the great video.
Great video! We just bought our 17BLSE and are doing some upgrades before we take it to the Yukon. We like it but it did come with a crooked bathroom wall. I don’t trust our dealer so I’ll fix it myself. Ours is a 2019 and did not come with a battery disconnect.
You have an "SE" model -- basically "Simple Edition." It's all the core features with none of the extra stuff that dings the price tags. Not all 2019's had disconnects btw. That was added in the fall of the 2018 calendar year for the 2019 models. "Mid season update"
This was a fantastic tour and I'm glad to know that Coachmen RVs are also taking care of our environment with their production being as it is. Do you think you'd ever carry their motorhomes like their class C?
I would like to, but I probably have to hold off this year. I really need to find the time to get down to places like Rockwood, Keystone, Cherokee Perhaps after I've made a full rotation I can make a pass to update things
They vary. Freedom has fantastic, newer facilities. Apex is currently built in a more classic plant (though they're doing just fine in that building). Apex is one of the next of Coachmen's brands slated for updated facilities in the near future. You can see their current facilities here: ua-cam.com/video/-V61D9isso0/v-deo.html&lc=UgyrNXikHjZ3WPY8vgV4AaABAg
Thanks for the video. I see a lot of wood and I thought that they use more aluminum for the cage. Did they downgrade? Also, what is the difference to the Flagstaff please.
The only wood in the structure is the roof trusses. It's a proven system ideal for heavy loads, lots of towing stress, and long term viability. The walls/floor are all aluminum framed. Using aluminum under areas like the bed frame looks nice, but doesn't really save any significant weight and only really ends up increasing overall cost in most cases. You mentioned flagstaff -- we carry Rockwood. Flagstaff is the clone of the Rockwood brand offered in markets where a Rockwood dealer is usually already present. Rockwood uses a laminated roof and has an all-aluminum structure, though they have a non-laminated floor with heavy duty plywood floor decking
@@JoshtheRVNerd Thank you so much for all the explanations!! I really appreciate that and follow your videos. Would you say that the Rockwood/ Flagstaff are of higher quality compared to the Freedom Express and the Liberty edition?
@@Payneification In terms of warranty records they're pretty darn close. If I had to give the SLIGHTEST of nods either way, then it MIGHT be to Rockwood. But understand Freedom Express is a brand that would pretty much always be in my personal top two or three for consideration were I seeking a new RV currently
2021 Freedom Express. Blowout tire went through floor, no steel. Clothes racks screwed into ceiling, not studs, and immediately fell. Have replaced all water connections due to leaks. AC cuts off and does not come back on. More issues, must you get the idea. Good luck if you buy one!
Thanks for the factory tour Josh. It is really cool to see how these trailers are built and does indeed provide a better understanding of how you review the products you sell at Haylett RV. I really appreciate seeing their quality control system, but, as I am in the aviation maintenance industry another level of quality control I am interested in is calibrated tooling. Does Freedom Express in fact check calibration of their torque wrenches, scales, ect.?
We actually asked about tool calibration and were advised they do check specific things periodically. Understand it's not NASA and they're not building rockets. There is a wider range of tolerance of course similar to most construction
Just purchased a Freedom Express (July 2021). This video confirmed my confidence in our purchase! Thank you Haylett RV for the excellent tour!!
Glad it was helpful!
Congrats btw :)
Thanks! We got the 192RBS!!!
I have been blown away by the fact that most manufacturers don't include a simple battery disconnect. Easily one of the best upgrades you can do for a trailer that is extremely cheap. Glad to see Coachmen is starting to do it.
I won't even watch rv review videos unless they are done by you. You make your point about the subject of interest, then move on. Keep up the great work. You have a winning format and ability.
TY Patrick :)
My wife and I love your reviews and knowledgeable videos. My wife and I have been RVing over 51 years now and have seen most RV factory tours except this one. But we need to go at them again sense RV’s have and are changing so much. I was surprised to see the freedom express not to have an rear aluminum studded wall but wood framed - but it’s ok still. Also I would have liked to see the insulation process for the under belly. We have owned every type of RV made but our full time RV is a 44 foot DRV - Mobile Suites fifth wheel. Rather than tow it around site seeing because of your great reviews we purchased a 2018 Coachmen Freedom Express 19RBS. We no longer have our tow vehicle for our fifth wheel but use our 2019 Buick Enclave to tow our Coachman. The ride and handling is spot on with our coachman and Buick it’s as if they were built for each other. We did upgrade our AC to the 15,ooo BTU unit verses the 13,500 as you mentioned at times in your videos and it has really paid off. I am not bragging but after having owned so many RV’s we have learned so much about the do’s and don’ts and quite a few from watching your very knowledgeable videos. Here’s Wishing You the Best and Happiest New Year Ever, Cheers
Belly is not insulated. Common misunderstanding. Making something "extended season" often requires as little as closing the belly and running a heat duct whereas "four seasons" requires significantly more effort. Freedom models aren't made for arctic use. Spring/Summer/Fall with perhaps dips below freezing overnight now and then being fine.
We just ordered a Freedom Express Ultra Lite and it's not come in yet so this has been super cool to see! It definitely makes me even more confident in my purchase!
Which model?!
@@JoshtheRVNerd 238 BHS. We have a super long 5th wheel so we also wanted something small to take our family on quick weekend trips and not have to worry about finding a spot long enough for the big 5th wheel.
@@jennifereddleman6656 That's awesome! Congratulations. Hope you hang around our channel here and continue to share your insights as a veteran RVer! :)
Love my Freedom Express (204RD), and when we shopped for a new RV last year (2017), we kept coming back to this model. In the past year we have really appreciated the construction and conveniences of the rig. Thank you for the factory tour
Picking up our Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 323BHDSLE Thursday.. Giving up our 2014 Keystone Hideout 31rbds it's been a great trailer for us and I haven't been feeling all warm and fuzzy about the new one (wife jumped on the Coachmen) .. THIS has helped a lot! THANK YOU!
Thanks for that tour I just purchased a 2012 freedom Express and now I could see why it's in such good shape because all the steps that the manufacturer takes.
Glad I could help!
Great video, I recently spent 9 months traveling the country in my 2018 Freedom Express 192RBS. Fulfilled a life long dream. A great travel trailer , no problems
We have a 2013 Freedom Express Liberty Edition 305RKDS. We are the second owners and have used it for two seasons. It was purchased New at Haylett Rv. It has been absolutely trouble free. It is a great couples camper. When and if we go full time we’ll be up to see you. I like the honesty that shows through in your videos. Another dealer at a annual RV show tried to tell me my F150 would be just fine pulling a 1650lb pin weight 5th wheel all I needed were some Timberen bumpers on the suspension. He got scratched from the list of people I trust. We’ll be up to see you in a couple of years. Good job! Best wishes for the New Year!
I just purchased a preowned freedom express Travel trailer. It makes me excited to see that they are well constructed units that will have a long life
That was amazing!! No one would be dissatisfied to see more factory tours!
I actually had not thought of Coachman as a contender...this shed a positive light for sure on their brand.
Love our 2019 White Hawk, but will give these guys a nod on our next purchase.
White Hawk and Freedom Express are both great brands that each have their own high points. What strikes me as weird as how the White Hawk has really defined itself as different within the Jayco lineup with some really unique and cutting edge floor plans.
Initially, the White Hawk was really supposed to be just the "Jay Flight Ultralite," but if you *really* look at them closely it's actually not even a Jayco product that truly fills that role, but rather the Freedom Express from Coachmen. It's odd... but it fits!
It's good to see the factory tours like this Josh. Thank you very much for sharing :-) Tours like this let us see first hand how the RVs are constructed, not just a 3D rendering on a brochure/sales flyer. As more tours are made available online, we are seeing a side by side production build comparison which takes some of the "hype" out of the manufacturer pitches. We get to see first hand these are more similar than outward appearances and catch phrases or marketing would make you believe as well as the quality, dedication, and commitment that truly goes into them. As an industry, I think it makes others also take a look at their quality and build processes to make an overall better product (hopefully... at least the good manufacturers out there). Great job as always sir!
I have a 2019 Catalina SBX 241 RLS that we use alot. I have not even had to tighten a screw in the thing. Quality workmanship.
Fantastic video tour. I have a 2018 Freedom Express and have never been able to find a factory tour of the plant. Thank you Josh for providing it. They made an excellent product. I have two years of use under my belt and have had very few issues or complaints. Keep up the good work and keep the informative videos coming. Happy New Year
Actual owner feedback is always the best kind! Thanks so much for sharing
Awesome Josh! You have done another fantastic video. I have seen many of your Freedom Express videos and have enjoyed all of them. We bought a 2018 RBS last year after you educated us on Freedom Express through your videos. Azdel, aluminum cage, axle spacing, roof, window quality, and many other items make it a great RV. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! The only negative thing I can point out are the tires that came with it. We have now replaced them with Goodyear Endurance tires. We highly recommend Coachmen Freedom Express to everyone. Keep up the good work. Best wishes form El Paso, TX.
Thanks for the video. I could never find a factory tour on youtube to watch. I’m a second time owner from their 17x Nano to the FE 257bhs. It’s all about the Azdel!!!! Awesome video....
Researching an RV purchase and this vid was very informative as are your regular vids. Thanks
Good to see how our RV was made we have the 2018 Freedom Express 248 we love it. Great job Josh.
I've got to tell you although I don't personally know you but you're my favorite kind of geek. Thank you very much for all the information and time you take on promoting and informing us of the pros and cons of trailering ect.
Well thank you :)
The roll of the chases is pretty cool! Awesome tour. Thank you!
The one you asked to guess the model, was the 246RKS with rear kitchen. I just bought one yesterday. A mint conditon 2018 model (non-COVID). I love it.
Congratulations!!
Just bought a Freedom Express 259FKDS, picking it up in March. Great to know how they are built & really looking forward to the coming camping season.
Still a brand I love and respect
Great video. Very informative, interesting and useful. Everyone in the plant looked engaged.
Crazy to think this is 4 years old... they LOOK so much differently now, but thankfully the general processes you see here still hold true
I truly enjoyed this video...the wife and I are going to purchase a 248rbs around March after about a year of looking at different brands and floor plans. After researching the Freedom Express is the one I feel comfortable investing in. And yes your videos have definitely helped. So thanks again and I still wish y'all had a dealership here in NC. Happy New Year.
We purchased our new 248rbs this past summer and I love it!
Just got a private tour on Tuesday. Very impressed.
This place is great. Of all the RVs I've seen they continue to "speak to me" on a level few others do. The 21 updates have made them threaten the title of "best in class" in my personal view.
OOOH, loved this tour! Please do more of these if you can! I'd love to see the different types of frame construction, wood, laminate, aluminum, siding, etc and be able to compare!
Well done! I think the video was spot on. More factories please :)
Ditto!
Super job!! I want a Freedom Express 246RKS!! No doubt now. Now I know they do a good job!! Trade in the old 2010 Kodiak 24RBS.
Would you believe I know roughly a dozen guys ready, willing, and able to assist you with that??
Awesome video!!!! This is something you don’t see everyday on UA-cam!
WoW Josh great video. I hope you do a series of tours. Your insight on what you are showing us is invaluable. Thank you for taking the time out of your life to make all these great videos. So have you thought of going on a speaking tour after you retire from public service?
While I would love to win the lotto and hit early retirement I estimate I have a long road of many years ahead of me to consider it.
I approve of this video. Struck out last Christmas, maybe next.
Obviously an older video, but definitely instilled come comfort in our recent purchase of a used 2019 Freedom Express 257BHS trailer!
TY! Other than some cosmetic updates they're still built the same way btw
Awesome video Josh, please keep these types of videos coming.
Josh, this was the best factory tour I’ve seen on UA-cam! Great job!
Not bad for just sort of being an "on the fly" kind of thing. I'm hoping to do more of this, but man I just cant get away from the office.."
Good vid. Like a longer version of "how its made" . I love seeing how stuff is made, and from a consumer stand point you can really see what you're buying.
This was a bit of an experimental video. As the weather warms up I may try to schedule some days out of the office to record some more in-depth versions of things like this. Perhaps in the afternoons when the shops aren't running so you can hear me more easily and I don't have to avoid capturing the faces of amish workers on camera to respect their preferences.
@@JoshtheRVNerd it was really good to me . I had no trouble hearing you on my end even when the shop noise was high. Though i worked in a factory for 17 years so I'm kinda used to it lol. But a more in depth vid is always welcome, of this or another factory . I dont blame people for not wanting to be on camera either. Several times at the last factory i worked at someone from corporate would come and film us at certain machines while we worked for a good amount of time, and we really didn't get a say about it either till several people made it clear we didn't like it. It can be very distracting which is a bad thing around machines operating at several 100 psi or rpm . From a operator point of view if you make it clear what you're wanting to see and know , and up front on what the video is for most employees will be ok with it or let you know other wise . Maybe tell you how its done off camera so you can relate the info when they're not in view . I found most people even though they are seeing what is being done they really dont quite know / understand why its that way. Even though it was the 1st factory vid it was still really good. Hope you get to do more of them.
Awesome video. I have seen a lot of these types of videos but you really did an extra comprehensive job on it. Great job.
I have to say that's impressive that they have that much adjustment and if you have to replace a slide motor you don't need to cut into the frame to get it out and to weight each trailer with options that impresses me so everyone can know that there vehicle is safe to tow it
Great video Josh! Really explains tons for me as how these are built. Gives me a greater sense of reliability for the long haul as far as our purchase goes. Thanks.
That was interesting and a lot of fun Josh.
All the best for the new year.
Thanks Josh, That was cool
Great Video. We'll be in the market very soon, so doing my homework now.
These videos are a big help - Try making a spreadsheet and across the top list all the features you like. Down the side list the models you see. As you get more features you like, add columns - more important on the left, less important on the right. Then say "yes" or "no" across for each model you look at. That will help make the price. I did this when we got a pop-up and I'm doing it now for a TT
Great video! Informative,and interesting to see the building process. Thank you. Would love to see more.
The nerdologist kills it again. This video answered my question," Does Coachmen have a battery disconnect ?". I hope a Rockwood plant video will be in the works.
It's been the #1 request. I'll have to see if I can make some time to get down to that area to record more tours, but planning to wait until the weather warms a bit.
Great video Josh. I like this brand a lot because I am 77" tall. I wish so much they would make a basic bunk house model to put the kids to bed instead of having to convert a dinette into a bed every night.
Define "basic bunk house model" please so I can help you zero in on a layout. I think they build what you want, but you don't realize it. Have you seen a 257BHS or perhaps a 23.9SE model?
Josh, what I consider the almost perfect bunkhouse for a family of 4 is the Apex Nano 193BHS because it is one of the very few that has a FULL bathroom with a sink. But like you talk about in the video, it's a vaulted ceiling and I don't think I could stand up in it. The Freedom Express Pilot 20BHS is the perfect height bunk house because it is 3 inches taller, but they take away the bathroom sink and also put in a sideways couch with a cheap fold up table. They need to have the option of a regular dinette instead of a couch because it's fun to sit around and play games with two people on either side of the table. So the absolute perfect bunk house for us would be the Apex Nano 193BHS with the interior height of a Freedom Express. In other words, combine the best features of both trailers.
@@superzee172 I think both of the models I mentioned previously would fit the bill then. Perhaps this one with the vaulted ceiling + skylight shower combo: bit.ly/2Ttkz8m
great video,very well done.we really like Freedom Express. can't til we can come up and get/order one from you guys.thanks again for this video.
Great video as always and so informative. Thank you.
My pleasure! This is a bit dated now but still mostly holds up
They have stopped laminating floors though. They're now a plywood floor decking
I purchased a Freedom Express 192rbs 2017 this summer partly based off one of your older videos. 🙂@@JoshtheRVNerd
I am guessing that is a 192RKS if I have my numbers correct. I am less than halfway thru video and loving it, thanks!
woops, I see the correct number in other comments. Just like in school, I suck at tests.
LOL you did just fine it’s those fancy letters and numbers that get me most of the time. Thanks
Awesome tour, I definitely learned about the brand and I am starting to dig it.
Thanks I really enjoyed the tour.
Awesome video Josh!! I love to see the guts of things, especially RV’s. If you ever get a chance to tour a Cherokee factory that would be cool to see. 👍🏽👍🏽
Thanks so much for this tour ! I just bought a 2020 freedom express
Hope you enjoy it!
Very informative. And reassuring. Thanks for your very well done tour. Kudos!!
Happy to educate in return for the fair opportunity to earn your business when you're ready!
Awesome video! You always deliver!
Fascinating. Thank you for sharing!
Great tour. Would love to see the cougar half ton factory.
Great footage! I’ve periodically been in RV factories, and found this video to be quite detailed. If I were to buy a Forest River product, it would be a Coachmen.
Great video. Love to see a keystone tour
absolutely best video I've seen, will call you, interested in buying one now.
TY Bill!
Great video Josh, we met you last summer looking into the Geo Pro 19fd, still our first choice and are planning a visit to order one in the coming couple of months or maybe you have just the"perfect one" on the lot. Thinking it will have to be ordered but looking forward to seeing you soon.
Wow! Great Video of this facility. I will be purchasing my first camper ever next week. A Coachmen Toy Hauler!
I certainly hope you plan to offer our team an opportunity to earn your business in return for our efforts here. Happy Camping!
Great job! Thanks for the coverage;)
Our pleasure! I need to update this one
that trailer you want a guess on,i do believe it's a 246RKS. one of the 3 Freedom Express trlrs we love.
You got it!
Great job, very interesting and informative.
Appreciated the factory tour
To update this video, you may want to check with Freedom Express again. I'm pretty sure they have, as of the 2021 models, started using the same side wall construction, with Azdel, in the rear end wall. I had noticed different verbiage in the 2021 brochure. Before it always said "laminated side walls and floor". In 2021 brochure, it says "laminated side walls, rear end wall, and floor". Since I believe manufacturers use their phrasing very carefully, the change had a definite meaning. A Freedom Express salesman here in Florida asked his factory rep about this. His factory rep confirmed the change to aluminum framing and Azdel for the rear end wall.
The video is dated in some areas. That's why I made it a point to mention when it was recorded right away. There have been changes, but quite a bit still applies.
I'd love to get more factory footage right now, but covid restrictions present a problem
another great video thanks we were looking at those campers for our next one
Looking for Single/Couples models or something with bunks? Perhaps I can get you started with a few videos on the current models
Very cool video.
Looks like Forest River has made improvements in the Coachment line. The 2008 Coachmen Model 271DS I had was not so good! I recently bought locally a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106DS. I watched your review and would like to see a factory tour on Winnebago, if you have not done one recently. Thanks I enjoyed the tour.
That was the time Coachmen was basically given a Phoenix-like rebirth via Warren Buffet's deep pockets. It's almost like there is the B.C. Coachmen and the A.D. Coachmen we see now.
Your comment at the beginning about things aging overtime is great. So with that thought how well did they do during the pandemic and their build quality now? I’m looking some of their models now and also some of the winabego units too. Updates to these would be nice to - if you ever found some spare time lol thanks uncle Josh!
I didn’t see them coming back to the shop so..
Take us to the cugar rv trailer factory 👍🏻👍🏻😃😃
Excellent tour Josh! We purchased a early 2018 Freedom Express 192RBS for our first camper based on your earlier videos and couldn’t be more happy. I was wondering, did you have a chance to see the tanks being installed? I was just wondering if they were made from a fairly rigid plastic or are they more like a collapsable type of tank? Thanks again for all you do for us customers from across the country.
1pc molded and quite robust.
Awesome video!
Man you're all over our channel again. Where'd you go bud?
Impressive ! Well done video.....
Great video. Thanks
Josh, great video! Always a interesting aspect to see what actually goes into producing some of the finest trailers on the market. Hope my soon to be Jayco is built with such dedication! Happy New Year!
A Jayco factory tour would look eerily similar in a lot of ways through their light weight lineup. A few key points of variance, but they both hit on the important factors in similar ways.
ur GOATED greatest of all time
Man, this was super informative.
TY. It's hard to find time to get away from the facility long enough to do these tours. I'm hoping to get a partner in the video team (which is basically just me right now lol) so I can step away and get more of this behind the scenes footage.
@@JoshtheRVNerd I'd LOVE to see a current Rockwood tour. They should fly you out on their dime for all the great videos you do of the Rockwood line.
@@herefishyfishy6907 No need to fly me out. I'm local :)
I got there once a year to tour their facilities. But seeing them and recording a tour are two different things.
Josh is the man 👍
That was excellent!!
TY! We're always hoping to get more content like this produced, but it's difficult to get away from the dealership for an entire day to capture these when you're a one-man-show
Awesome job! Thanks
Great video, do a Rockwood Roo factory tour too please:)
Great video, even if it’s a few years old.... A few thoughts though.. You were talking over the guide while filming and getting a little side-eye and glares from the other guys on the tour (8:44 and 14:16 for example).. Something for others who go on these tours to keep in mind.. be mindful and respectful of the employees, but also the guides and all others on the tour. (I mention this because of this and another video I recently watched where a family had brought their young children on the tour and basically let them run around and distract everyone from the guide..)
That's exactly why I recorded my Jayco mini-series of factory tours AFTER production had ended. There's just too many complications during factory hours. I PREFER to let you SEE how it works, but it just doesn't work out well that way.
great video
Excellent video Josh! I learned a lot. Do all trailer manufacturing facilities allow you to video thier facilities? Have made any other factory videos for other manufacturers to watch. Like for Rockwood Mini Lites? Again, thank you so much. Mike
The hardest part isn't getting a MFG to allow me in there with a Camera. Rather, the challenge is first finding the time to get away from the office long enough to capture footage given my workload. Then, trying to capture good footage without disrespecting the employees by either getting in their way or failing to respect their wishes for privacy.
This was amazing - thanks for sharing. I'd love to know if our 2014 has that little bathtub tray under the slide. What a great idea. I'd bet that every manuf doesn't take that same precaution even though most of the slides are relatively cookie-cutter.
Wow, very cool to see this video. Any chance to see a tour of the Apex Nano factory?
Tomorrow actually. Video will be found here: ua-cam.com/video/-V61D9isso0/v-deo.html
Good job very interesting do more help to see how RV build . What kind of material do the use on internal wall luan or azdel or something else . Thanks for the great video.
Great video! We just bought our 17BLSE and are doing some upgrades before we take it to the Yukon. We like it but it did come with a crooked bathroom wall. I don’t trust our dealer so I’ll fix it myself. Ours is a 2019 and did not come with a battery disconnect.
You have an "SE" model -- basically "Simple Edition." It's all the core features with none of the extra stuff that dings the price tags. Not all 2019's had disconnects btw. That was added in the fall of the 2018 calendar year for the 2019 models. "Mid season update"
That was great. Thank You
Glad it was helpful! I try to record things like this when I can, but it's *really* hard for me to get away from the store -- even as a local dealer.
This was a fantastic tour and I'm glad to know that Coachmen RVs are also taking care of our environment with their production being as it is. Do you think you'd ever carry their motorhomes like their class C?
YES! New Epic Video!!
Would love to see the coachmen apex factory tour
BAM! ua-cam.com/video/-V61D9isso0/v-deo.html
(Video processing may not yet be live -- check back later if not yet viewable)
Any plans to do another tour of freedom express anytime soon to see what’s changed/improved?
I would like to, but I probably have to hold off this year. I really need to find the time to get down to places like Rockwood, Keystone, Cherokee
Perhaps after I've made a full rotation I can make a pass to update things
Very informative. Thank you. Question are all Coachmen facilities like that or just the Freedom Express.
They vary. Freedom has fantastic, newer facilities.
Apex is currently built in a more classic plant (though they're doing just fine in that building). Apex is one of the next of Coachmen's brands slated for updated facilities in the near future. You can see their current facilities here: ua-cam.com/video/-V61D9isso0/v-deo.html&lc=UgyrNXikHjZ3WPY8vgV4AaABAg
13:52 man I gotta get a job there - solo cups must mean there’s a keg in the supervisors lounge? ;)
Thanks for the video. I see a lot of wood and I thought that they use more aluminum for the cage. Did they downgrade? Also, what is the difference to the Flagstaff please.
The only wood in the structure is the roof trusses. It's a proven system ideal for heavy loads, lots of towing stress, and long term viability. The walls/floor are all aluminum framed.
Using aluminum under areas like the bed frame looks nice, but doesn't really save any significant weight and only really ends up increasing overall cost in most cases.
You mentioned flagstaff -- we carry Rockwood. Flagstaff is the clone of the Rockwood brand offered in markets where a Rockwood dealer is usually already present. Rockwood uses a laminated roof and has an all-aluminum structure, though they have a non-laminated floor with heavy duty plywood floor decking
@@JoshtheRVNerd Thank you so much for all the explanations!! I really appreciate that and follow your videos. Would you say that the Rockwood/ Flagstaff are of higher quality compared to the Freedom Express and the Liberty edition?
@@Payneification In terms of warranty records they're pretty darn close. If I had to give the SLIGHTEST of nods either way, then it MIGHT be to Rockwood.
But understand Freedom Express is a brand that would pretty much always be in my personal top two or three for consideration were I seeking a new RV currently
@@JoshtheRVNerd Thank you very much!
Good video. I want to see an aluminum frame construction unit please.
2021 Freedom Express.
Blowout tire went through floor, no steel.
Clothes racks screwed into ceiling, not studs, and immediately fell. Have replaced all water connections due to leaks. AC cuts off and does not come back on. More issues, must you get the idea.
Good luck if you buy one!
Thanks for the factory tour Josh. It is really cool to see how these trailers are built and does indeed provide a better understanding of how you review the products you sell at Haylett RV. I really appreciate seeing their quality control system, but, as I am in the aviation maintenance industry another level of quality control I am interested in is calibrated tooling. Does Freedom Express in fact check calibration of their torque wrenches, scales, ect.?
We actually asked about tool calibration and were advised they do check specific things periodically. Understand it's not NASA and they're not building rockets. There is a wider range of tolerance of course similar to most construction