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05-21-2016, 10:49 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 13
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Coachmen Catalina build quality
Hello everyone. I am new to this forum. I am considering going from a 2016 FR RPod into a 2017 Coachmen Catalina 243rbs Legacy edition. Can anyone here speak from experience of any major build quality issues that I need to consider? I understand there will probably be small issues as with all trailers. I am mainly conserned with the construction quality. Also does anyone know if the wood frame cage constructed with screws or staples or both? Thanks in advance for your input :-)
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05-21-2016, 11:27 AM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 29
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No idea. But I would personally spend the extra buck and opt for a aluminum framed trailer such as the Coachmen Apex or the Freedom Express (like I did).
These types have a layer of Azdel In between the walls instead of (wood) luan.
Which is a big plus, eliminates any delamination on your walls incase of a water leak.
That's just my 2 cents.
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05-21-2016, 02:16 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,554
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Stick and Tin trailers are entry level trailers.
So they generally have less standard features than filon/aluminum frame trailers.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-21-2016, 03:25 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1996alnl
No idea. But I would personally spend the extra buck and opt for a aluminum framed trailer such as the Coachmen Apex or the Freedom Express (like I did).
These types have a layer of Azdel In between the walls instead of (wood) luan.
Which is a big plus, eliminates any delamination on your walls incase of a water leak.
That's just my 2 cents.
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I agree. The virtually same trailer can be had in the higher level model. Lighter and better.
__________________
David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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05-21-2016, 03:55 PM
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#5
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Im completely satisfied with the build quality of our 2015. Yes its stick and tin held together by glue, staples and screws. We've camped in all kinds of weather conditions from the upper 20s to the upper 90s with an occasional thunderstorm. No leaks and no concerns. I would not hesitate to buy another Coachmen product in the future.
__________________
Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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05-21-2016, 04:15 PM
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#6
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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And yes aluminum frame construction is superior to stick frames, but the best built camper in the world will do you no good if you cant afford to use it. Buy what you can afford and enjoy!! Good luck!
__________________
Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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05-21-2016, 04:54 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DreiHunde
Im completely satisfied with the build quality of our 2015. Yes its stick and tin held together by glue, staples and screws. We've camped in all kinds of weather conditions from the upper 20s to the upper 90s with an occasional thunderstorm. No leaks and no concerns. I would hesitate to buy another Coachmen product in the future.
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Is that a typo..would hesitate? Or did you mean wouldnt hesitate?
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05-21-2016, 04:57 PM
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#8
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FL Catalina
Is that a typo..would hesitate? Or did you mean wouldnt hesitate?
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Oh shoot! Yes thats a typo! I did edit the original post! And I would NOT hesitate to buy another Coachmen!!
Thanks!
__________________
Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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05-22-2016, 11:58 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 99
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2011 Coachman Catalena
Our 2011 gets a lot of use and it has had very few if any problems and it is stick and tin. Seams sturdier than the newer aluminum frame but it is heavier.
__________________
Tom & Laura USAF Ret Smsgt
1995 2500 5.9 Cummins 5 sp 3.54 diff
2011 Coachman Catalina 22FB
Days Camped 2016 91, 2017 110
Days camped 2018 136
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05-22-2016, 06:55 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Spring Branch, TX
Posts: 39
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Our 2015 Coachmen Catalina 263RLS is well built. Our only problem is that 3 water connections were not tightened at the factory (shower and both sides of water pump). After these discoveries, I checked every connection in the unit. All needed some tightening but none of the others leaked. I would definitely buy Coachmen again.
__________________
Pops and Nana P.
2015 Coachmen Catalina 263 RLS
50th Anniversary Edition
2004 F-150 Supercrew 5.4L, 3.73 Diff.
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05-22-2016, 07:19 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 19
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I will let you know in a few weeks when my 283RKS comes in!
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05-22-2016, 07:23 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DreiHunde
And yes aluminum frame construction is superior to stick frames, but the best built camper in the world will do you no good if you cant afford to use it. Buy what you can afford and enjoy!! Good luck!
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I'm not sure what you mean. The maintenance on my trailer is the same as any other.
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05-22-2016, 07:51 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 981
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Unless the aluminum frameing is welded, its actually worse than sticks. Most of the RV's built with aluminum frameing join the aluminum pieces with little sheet metal (steel) clips with two cad plated steel sheet metal screws holding them together.Three different metals and just the moisture in the air (humidity) is enough to make a battery that will corrode the sheet metal clip.Then the only thing holding it together are some foam blocks and the inner/outer skin,same as a rotted out stick,but much harder to fix.Aluminum framed horse trailers,and high end bus conversions use aluminum frames,but they are welded.Of course they cost 4 times as much too.
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05-22-2016, 08:06 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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My personal choice is stick and tin. I have looked at several used(some almost new) and seen too much delamination. I have read some on the subject...it appears part of the problems are associated with the sun on the panels. It gets very hot here. I know most people don't have trouble, but I ran out of luck years ago. Just my observation.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
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05-22-2016, 08:20 PM
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#15
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1996alnl
I'm not sure what you mean. The maintenance on my trailer is the same as any other.
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Aluminium frames arent suspepetal to rot like wood. And I was refering to welded frames. But as I and others mentioned its expensive. The "cant afford to use it" was in reference to spending so much to own it that it sits in the yard because youre broke.
__________________
Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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05-22-2016, 08:40 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 981
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DreiHunde
Aluminium frames arent suspepetal to rot like wood. And I was refering to welded frames. But as I and others mentioned its expensive. The "cant afford to use it" was in reference to spending so much to own it that it sits in the yard because youre broke.
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It is IMO better to buy what you can afford and then use it up!
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05-22-2016, 08:44 PM
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#17
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trbomax
It is IMO better to buy what you can afford and then use it up!
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Thsnks, thats exactly what I was trying to say!
__________________
Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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05-22-2016, 10:09 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 981
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It's been my motto for a long time! When we are done with something there is only enough left for the scrapper!
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05-23-2016, 07:54 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Lenexa,
Posts: 110
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2016 Catalina
We gave up space in the bath @ bedroom for the extra room offered by the slide out! So far the negatives are no wall switch in the bedroom, the lift rods holding the bed storage open are inadequate. The Windows are all poorly designed to open and close. The screen door latch is poor! The Windows are my priority!!!! 😳
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05-23-2016, 08:04 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Lenexa,
Posts: 110
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Quality seems tight. Hopefully they used screws. The wood adds weight which concerns
Concerns me! The Aluminum siding also adds weight. For 400 more lbs I could have my ideal floorplan😟
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