Potential new Apex owner/Apex 288BH info

KDHfan · 09-15-2014, 02:33 PM

Hello all. We're currently owners of a 2014 Rockwood 2306... Had it 2 seasons and love it (had an Rpod before that and loved it). Kids are getting big quick... So we started kicking around the idea of going a little bigger. Went to the RV show in Hershey this past weekend and walked through just about every bunkhouse model there. We walked into the Apex 288BH and my wife fell in love. As luck would have it, the representing dealer was the same one we purchased are current one from (Clems RV out of Ellwood City, PA). They gave a good price on the new unit and did better than we expected on our trade. So... We put a deposit down but haven't signed the paperwork yet.

So... Just looking for some Apex owners (of the 288 or other models) that can give me some insight to the build quality, reliability, things to watch out for and ease of towing? My tow vehicle is a 2014 5.7 Tundra w/tow package (9800 tow). At 4900lbs dry, I think I'll be fine on that front.

We have been very pleased overall with Forest River, so we're happy to be able to stay in the FROG group!

2014 Rockwood 2306 w/Murphy Bed
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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Littlehouse · 09-17-2014, 12:00 AM

Well, ours is only 18ft, but we love it. Build quality seems good. Our floor isn't springy. The I-beams are beefy esp for the size of the trailer. 99%of the time it's just us and the dog so enough room. Our camping is mainly in provincial parks, so the size doesn't limit us.

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dive2deep · 09-17-2014, 11:36 AM

We just bought a 259BHSS (from Clem's in VA), and love it. We moved up from a pop-up, of which I had to rebuild a roof due to unseen leaks. Once that repair was complete, I knew I wanted a trailer that minimized the use of Luan plywood, and Azdel was a great substitute. Compare the Apex to other brands that had similar layouts, and will say the build quality is a little better than others, when looking at the little things like how the caulk is done, and other finishing techniques.

The trailer had only minor issues in terms of at delivery, nothing earth shattering (some non-functioning leds in the strip).

It seems like we're going to get a lot of good use out of this thing. Sign the paperwork, it's a good trailer.

Cableman · 09-17-2014, 11:48 AM

Hello all, my 1st post here! I just put a deposit on an 15' anniversary package apex 288bhs also! Rv value mart had one on the lot but I really want the frameless windows so I had to order one. Coming from a 2010 crossroads zinger zt-26bhs, which we loved and were a little scared to sell! I guess I'm taking my chances as we have only looked at this coachmen on line but just fell in love with the lay out/looks and how light they are! Glad to see you guys liked the look and quality too! I'll be checking in here and post pix when mine arrives.

KDHfan · 09-17-2014, 03:14 PM

Thanks for the replies.

So many little things we loved about the 288bhs. The shoe storage just inside the door, for example. Counter space... And also the shelf, outlet and light for each bunk. I could go on.
The first thing we noticed when the wife and I walked through was that the floor felt much more solid than our current Rockwood.

Hope everyone has good times ahead with their Apex. Very excited to get out there. We're a big family and usually right around 40 nights a year... So the extra space will be welcoming.

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burch42 · 09-17-2014, 04:00 PM

we are in our second season on a 2014 288 BHS 50th anniversary we have 2 girls 3 and 5 and they love the space in the bunks. Knock on wood we have yet to have any problems with our unit.

I don't think you will be sad in your choice of trailer at all. sign away and start camping

PSUFan1 · 09-17-2014, 05:15 PM

Funny KDHFan, we were at the Hershey Show looking at the same floor plan. Unfortunately we somehow missed the Apex models. We did look at the Bullet 272bhs, rockwood ultra lite 2702ss, and the flagstaff super lite 27bess. I think the Bullet was our favorite as it included 4 windows in the bunks plus a shelf and an outlet for the kids. The Bullet also has a 7 cuft fridge.

We're obviously getting ahead of ourselves as we have to upgrade our TV first.

Anything stand out with the Apex in your mind?

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kj68135 · 09-17-2014, 06:07 PM

I have a 2014 Apex 288bhs and it's been great so far. Out camping in it right now.

No complaints here.

Towing with a 2013 Toyota Tundra 5.7 and equal-I-zer 1000/10000 wd hitch.

Plenty of power and seems to do alright.

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KDHfan · 09-17-2014, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDad01

Funny KDHFan, we were at the Hershey Show looking at the same floor plan. Unfortunately we somehow missed the Apex models. We did look at the Bullet 272bhs, rockwood ultra lite 2702ss, and the flagstaff super lite 27bess. I think the Bullet was our favorite as it included 4 windows in the bunks plus a shelf and an outlet for the kids. The Bullet also has a 7 cuft fridge.

We're obviously getting ahead of ourselves as we have to upgrade our TV first.

Anything stand out with the Apex in your mind?

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We like most things about it. Overall, it seems to be a step up from our current unit. Sturdier and a little better finish work. One thing for us is that most slideout units have carpet... Absolutely no carpet for us, so that eliminated the Bullet and Passport. Did you see those carpets from all the traffic last weekend? Disgusting.
Seems that most things were well thought out in the Apex... The way the bunks are open give the unit a bigger feel too... All vinyl flooring... Lots of cabinet space (even a bread storage compartment)... And sufficient outdoor storage... I think we both can appreciate that.

I guess the biggest thing that stood out for us is that when we considered floor plan, quality of construction, weights, and price, it ended up being the only one we even considered moving into the negotiation stage with. We had it down to about a dozen units before we got there that we were "just looking" at. There was also a Heartland we looked at and liked... But the Apex won out in just about every category.

A couple things to note... The sofa isn't as comfy as our current one, and there is no outside TV hookup. The fridge is the same as in your 23LB (6cuft), so that might be a problem for some, but not for us.

2014 Rockwood 2306 w/Murphy Bed
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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Cableman · 09-18-2014, 05:16 AM

No carpet is sure nice, i didnt realize that! Looking on the net we really liked the keystone bullet also, had the same slide out as our zinger and the quad windows in the bunks were really nice! But after googling it there seems too be some quality issues with keystone. As we looked more at the apex layout, we realized the having the kitchen table and big window on the side of the camper we hang out on was a big plus! We found our selves in the morning eating cereal stairing at our neighbors we didnt know with the last layout lol. As for the lack of tv hookup outside i think i can handle that one lol. I actually had the run one for my zinger, came off the split thats built into the antenna booster wall plate, snaked it down and had a connection under camper by electric outlet.

PSUFan1 · 09-18-2014, 06:00 AM

Thanks guys. We will take to take a deeper dive when we get closer to that point of purchasing which is at least a year away.

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PSUFan1 · 09-18-2014, 06:01 AM

Btw kdhfan I PM you

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PSUFan1 · 09-18-2014, 06:54 AM

Can you walk around the queen bed without leaving the front room in the Apex? That was a concern of mine with the models that have the 60x74 bed. My feet already dangle of the edge of the bed.

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kj68135 · 09-18-2014, 08:38 AM

There is a small amount of room to walk around the foot of the rv queen bed but not much. I have memory foam mattress pad which hangs over into that area so it would be very tight to walk there.

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Cableman · 09-18-2014, 08:52 AM

Any know if there is a bbq hook up under the 288bhs at all? I extended the black gas pipe to the back on my zinger, through a quick connect on that and my weber. Hope i can do the same on this one.

kj68135 · 09-18-2014, 09:21 AM

Not a built in BBQ hook up, no. As I recall there's an extra port or two on the propane manifold that you could tap into.

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Cableman · 09-18-2014, 09:27 AM

Kinda figured that, the kitchen is on the opposite side so it wont be as easy to extend the black pipe. Ill figure it out!

PSUFan1 · 09-18-2014, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kj68135

Not a built in BBQ hook up, no. As I recall there's an extra port or two on the propane manifold that you could tap into.

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That is disappointing

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kj68135 · 09-18-2014, 06:12 PM

Yes it is disappointing. I have a Weber Q I was hoping to pipe directly in somehow but the best I came up with was a tee right off the propane tank at the front and then a long hose out to the Q. (More or less just didn't want to take the time to figure out what fitting would be necessary and then also would need to remove the regulator from the Q so things would work correctly)

Got tired of monkeying with all that so for now just using the disposable cylinders.

(Maybe hooking it in the right way will be one of next years mods. )

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PSUFan1 · 09-18-2014, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kj68135

Yes it is disappointing. I have a Weber Q I was hoping to pipe directly in somehow but the best I came up with was a tee right off the propane tank at the front and then a long hose out to the Q. (More or less just didn't want to take the time to figure out what fitting would be necessary and then also would need to remove the regulator from the Q so things would work correctly)

Got tired of monkeying with all that so for now just using the disposable cylinders.

(Maybe hooking it in the right way will be one of next years mods. )

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Good luck with the future mod

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