2011 Coachmen Freedom Express 292BHDS Review
If you crave the freedom of the open road and a lifestyle that allows you to pick up and travel easily, you should try the 2011 Coachmen Freedom Express Travel Trailer on for size. Offering ultra-light luxury in an affordable, value-added package, the Freedom Express follows you wherever you go, as it’s designed to be towed by midsize SUVs and half-ton vehicles.
Available in nine different floorplans, ranging from 28’ to 35’, the Freedom Express comes in a range of designs to suit your lifestyle. We’ll be taking a closer look at the 292BHDS, one of the larger deep-slide model plans. It has a hitch weight of 740 lbs., a base weight of 5,590 lbs. and a cargo carrying capacity of 2,010 lbs. It measures in with an exterior length of 33′ 5″, an exterior height of 10′ 7″ and a width of 96”, and it has a fresh water capacity of 49 gallons, a gray water capacity of 34 gallons and a black water capacity of 32 gallons.
It seems like going green is top-of-mind with a lot of RVers out there, and Coachmen is doing its part to help out the environment. The Freedom Express has received a Gold level rating as a certified green RV. Coachmen uses innovative production techniques, healthy materials, and resource, energy and water efficiency to build this travel trailer.
Built with an aluminium structure and vacuum-bonded laminated floors and sidewalls, the 292BHDS offers a good balance between strength and light weight. Designed with an aerodynamic front profile and an enclosed underbelly, the Freedom Express cuts through wind and reduces drag that’s created by turbulence under the trailer, so it’s easier to tow and gives you better fuel economy. Also helping with improved towability are the holding tanks that are located below its floor, which also give you more interior storage while lowering the center of gravity. For better tracking and a smoother tow, it comes equipped with a wide stance Stable-Ryd spread axle design that places the tires farther apart and adds an additional 9” between the axles. Also helping make the ride a pleasant one are Super-Lube hubs and nitrogen-filled radial tires, which are designed to give you a better ride while offering more consistent tread-wear.
Making sure you stand out on the road and at the campground, the Freedom Express features 3M breathable graphics that reduce fading, bubbles and peeling so your trailer looks great for years to come. Adding to its slick look are painted fenders that boast an automotive base coat and a clear coat process that is designed to resist fading. And to protect it from road debris, it comes equipped with a large 24” diamond plate rock guard.
The Freedom Express comes with plenty of exterior features that make life on the road more comfortable. Bring along more stuff with nearly 45 cu. ft. of expanded pass-through storage, and when you get to your destination, set up quickly with push-button ease. Dual 20 lb. LP gas tanks make the load a little lighter, and are easier to refill or swap out, and the Coleman grill station features a high pressure burner system designed for outdoor use and is completely portable. You can use it on its self-storing tray or take it off for a picnic or tailgate party. Other features include satellite/cable ready RG6 hookup, outside showers close to termination valves and marine-grade outdoor speakers.
You’ll want to come inside the 292BHDS at some point and relax. The Freedom Express gives you a choice of four designer decors that are complemented by Brazilian Cherry-colored cabinetry with chocolate accents and arched overheads. These cabinets feature residential-grade cabinetry with hardwood doors (mortise and tenon construction) and drawer fronts, and its lumber core stiles are pocket drilled and screwed together, not stapled and glued. On the floor, you’ll find Beauflor resilient flooring that looks like tile, is non-slip, non-mold/mildew, won’t shrink, has a two-year cold crack guarantee, and has a seven-year wear warranty.
There’s plenty of room to hang out in the 292BHDS. In the lounge area, put your feet up and take a seat on the jack-knife sofa where you can watch your favorite shows on the rotating TV (perfect for when you want to watch TV in bed) that sits on an entertainment tower. For sit down meals, take advantage of the 43″ deep convertible booth dinette.
In the kitchen, you can keep the family well-fed thanks to a large double-door refrigerator with temperature control, a microwave with carousel, and an oven with three-burner cooktop. You can prep for meals on the single-piece seamless countertops with waterfall edge. These counters look like composite, but are lightweight, and there’s no plastic T-molding to pop out or trap crumbs and water. The kitchen also features a high-rise kitchen faucet, a range hood with 12V exhaust and light, a silverware drawer with removable tray and a 60/40 Stonecast composite sink.
There are lots of places to sleep in the Freedom Express. At one end of the trailer is a sleeping area with two double bunk beds and a wardrobe. At the other end of the trailer is the master bedroom that comes with a queen-sized bed and an Evergreen sleep system mattress that is hypo-allergenic and light. In the closet, there are punched hanging rods that keep hangers from sliding and falling off during travel, and night stands with outlets on both sides of bed.
Finally, there’s a fully featured bathroom that comes with everything you need to stay clean and fresh. The foot-flush toilet is convenient and sanitary, and the tub/shower combo features a tile-look tub surround with built-in shelves. Other bathroom features include an exhaust vent with a fan, a wood medicine cabinet with a mirror and a skylight over the tub.
The 2011 Coachmen Freedom Express 292BHDS starts in price from $34,300. For more information, visit http://coachmenrv.com/.
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