Coachmen Freedom Express RV Factory Tour!

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Haylett Auto & RV of Coldwater Michigan | 800-256-5196

[@niceatrya3477]

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.

[@patrickwagner4368]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

TY Patrick :)

[@richardtroy7143]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Glad I could help!

[@Jerry-dk8se]

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

[@ridleyscheer6466]

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!

[@freedomexpress8441]

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

[@maese2982]

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.

[@billbaker4970]

Good to see how our RV was made we have the 2018 Freedom Express 248 we love it. Great job Josh.

[@suzyh4479]

Just purchased a Freedom Express (July 2021). This video confirmed my confidence in our purchase! Thank you Haylett RV for the excellent tour!!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Congrats btw :)

[@suzyh4479]

Thanks! We got the 192RBS!!!

[@Traveler_GAL]

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....

[@tonypiwko3634]

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!

[@keepyourdayjob5658]

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

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@gregpylant6198]

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!

[@p-force7732]

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

[@Dr.SalvatoreVinciguerra]

The roll of the chases is pretty cool! Awesome tour. Thank you!

[@NunYaO]

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!

[@bluejeans8001]

Researching an RV purchase and this vid was very informative as are your regular vids. Thanks

[@garymeyer3911]

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

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Actual owner feedback is always the best kind! Thanks so much for sharing

[@jeroldkiekhafer7141]

Awesome video. I have seen a lot of these types of videos but you really did an extra comprehensive job on it. Great job.

[@seand7642]

Awesome video Josh, please keep these types of videos coming.

[@bosse641]

That was interesting and a lot of fun Josh. All the best for the new year.

[@Mybored001]

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.

[@mikemerlyn.1691]

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.

[@adamauthement6342]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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!

[@rbg9914]

Thanks Josh, That was cool

[@angelomartinez9039]

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. 👍🏽👍🏽

[@Mudford63]

Josh, this was the best factory tour I’ve seen on KZbin! Great job!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.."

[@haroldkostka8446]

Great video! Informative,and interesting to see the building process. Thank you. Would love to see more.

[@scrippslarry]

Awesome video! You always deliver!

[@JBHARLEYGUY]

Awesome video!!!! This is something you don’t see everyday on KZbin!

[@aaroncostello25]

Thanks I really enjoyed the tour.

[@bhharris]

Fascinating. Thank you for sharing!

[@JohnHansknecht]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Congratulations!!

[@flapper4579]

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.

[@maliagrace7486]

We purchased our new 248rbs this past summer and I love it!

[@SecurityisaMyth]

Well done! I think the video was spot on. More factories please :)

[@shaneflowers418]

Ditto!

[@briansmith2933]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Well thank you :)

[@Steve-tu8cb]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Would you believe I know roughly a dozen guys ready, willing, and able to assist you with that??

[@dannycoleman2127]

Awesome tour, I definitely learned about the brand and I am starting to dig it.

[@dickfollis1625]

Great video Josh, thanks.

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

Appreciated the factory tour

[@kb3ejw14]

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.

[@dawnloveless1165]

Great video. Very informative, interesting and useful. Everyone in the plant looked engaged.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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

[@nathanbrodeur]

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

[@michaelcunningham2899]

Very informative. And reassuring. Thanks for your very well done tour. Kudos!!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Happy to educate in return for the fair opportunity to earn your business when you're ready!

[@deepnature6117]

Great tour. Would love to see the cougar half ton factory.

[@eric4607]

Great Video. We'll be in the market very soon, so doing my homework now.

[@DanKuhn]

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

[@ztrguy]

Just got a private tour on Tuesday. Very impressed.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@rollingreveler5198]

Great job, very interesting and informative.

[@glennmiddleton5634]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Still a brand I love and respect

[@sheputthelimeinthecoconut629]

I approve of this video. Struck out last Christmas, maybe next.

[@robert5008]

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?

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@Luke-Bowl]

YES! New Epic Video!!

[@jennifereddleman6656]

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]

Which model?!

[@jennifereddleman6656]

@@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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

@@jennifereddleman6656 That's awesome! Congratulations. Hope you hang around our channel here and continue to share your insights as a veteran RVer! :)

[@billg1527]

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.

[@Bigfish11]

Great video. Love to see a keystone tour

[@outbacker292]

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.

[@Egsactly]

Great job! Thanks for the coverage;)

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Our pleasure! I need to update this one

[@J297WFD]

Very cool video.

[@balsumfractus]

Impressive ! Well done video.....

[@scottelwood8348]

Great video. Thanks

[@tonysmith9804]

Wow! Great Video of this facility. I will be purchasing my first camper ever next week. A Coachmen Toy Hauler!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

I certainly hope you plan to offer our team an opportunity to earn your business in return for our efforts here. Happy Camping!

[@PapaRomeo068]

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!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@brotherheed00]

Take us to the cugar rv trailer factory 👍🏻👍🏻😃😃

[@billycordery6479]

Great video as always and so informative. Thank you.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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

[@billycordery6479]

I purchased a Freedom Express 192rbs 2017 this summer partly based off one of your older videos. 🙂@@JoshtheRVNerd

[@richardclark8520]

Awesome job! Thanks

[@jeremyturnbull6299]

Awesome video!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Man you're all over our channel again. Where'd you go bud?

[@stu7263]

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.

[@TheAarol]

absolutely best video I've seen, will call you, interested in buying one now.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

TY Bill!

[@christophercraig9611]

Obviously an older video, but definitely instilled come comfort in our recent purchase of a used 2019 Freedom Express 257BHS trailer!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

TY! Other than some cosmetic updates they're still built the same way btw

[@dougm1985]

great video

[@justin.s9783]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@justin.s9783]

@@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.

[@noelleperrotta4944]

Great video, thank you

[@kxnecters1410]

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.

[@joe.bindas1895]

another great video thanks we were looking at those campers for our next one

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Looking for Single/Couples models or something with bunks? Perhaps I can get you started with a few videos on the current models

[@loriw2661]

That was excellent!!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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

[@louie4316]

Great video, do a Rockwood Roo factory tour too please:)

[@luisreviews6412]

Josh is the man 👍

[@kb3ejw14]

that trailer you want a guess on,i do believe it's a 246RKS. one of the 3 Freedom Express trlrs we love.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

You got it!

[@hikethisplanet1017]

That was great. Thank You

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@richardschaan59]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@experimenteks3974]

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?

[@herefishyfishy6907]

Man, this was super informative.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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]

@@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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

@@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.

[@feliomar]

Awesome work ! Can you review the new Minnie drop 190bh?

[@michaelszpak2247]

Good video. I want to see an aluminum frame construction unit please.

[@michaelbracewell103]

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

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@ShrekSwag]

ur GOATED greatest of all time

[@johnturner7322]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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.

[@stickin2it]

Nice!!!!

[@blktre]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

1pc molded and quite robust.

[@kennethbrown3007]

Very cool

[@Todd_S]

Wow, very cool to see this video. Any chance to see a tour of the Apex Nano factory?

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Tomorrow actually. Video will be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4eZYndvntimpZI

[@davesrvchannel4717]

I am guessing that is a 192RKS if I have my numbers correct. I am less than halfway thru video and loving it, thanks!

[@davesrvchannel4717]

woops, I see the correct number in other comments. Just like in school, I suck at tests.

[@MYTOYMAKERZ]

LOL you did just fine it’s those fancy letters and numbers that get me most of the time. Thanks

[@joyceweems2751]

Very nice job Freedom Express! ❤ Thank you Josh! Do the make 4 season?

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

They make "extended season" RVs. Basically, if it's going to dip below freezing overnight then pretty much come back tomorrow, then you're fine. That's part of the give/take in true ultralite RVs. That being said the VAST majority of people are not camping in sub-freezing conditions in a smaller camper like most Freedom Expresses (though I am aware plenty of exceptions exist)

[@lincolnmiller6229]

Would love to see the coachmen apex factory tour

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

BAM! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4eZYndvntimpZI (Video processing may not yet be live -- check back later if not yet viewable)

[@rjahn3000]

Waiting for the Jayco Precept assembly tour.

[@errolldoss4243]

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.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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

[@gerardtrigo380]

Very informative. Thank you. Question are all Coachmen facilities like that or just the Freedom Express.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

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: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4eZYndvntimpZI&lc=UgyrNXikHjZ3WPY8vgV4AaABAg

[@jeffsecules184]

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!

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

I didn’t see them coming back to the shop so..

[@topcheese2889]

Nice

[@daneldinger]

In the market for a used 2015-2018 Coachmen so these videos are super helpful. What would be the biggest differences and/or advantages of the Apex vs. Freedom Express? Which would be considered the "more premium"?