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Old 07-30-2015, 12:12 PM   #241
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I have a 2012 Freedom Express 29BHDS w outdoor kitchen. Thought I would share a quick fix if your door brackets fall out since they are held in with small screws in covered particle board. From Home Depot I got some carriage bolts and nylock nuts and a strip if 1 1/2" aluminum. Cut out 4 pieces with a hack saw, smoothed out edges on grinder and drilled holes to match bracket. Painted white and installed. I've had problems with these for awhile and this fix is working great. Pics attached.

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Old 07-30-2015, 12:32 PM   #242
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Looks good, no issue to date with ours. I however I do check periodically that they're tight.


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Old 07-30-2015, 12:36 PM   #243
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Looks good, no issue to date with ours. I however I do check periodically that they're tight.


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The one thing that took mine out was not pulling it down from the center of the door. Lesson learned.

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Old 07-30-2015, 08:53 PM   #244
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Ehull I like your mod I have done almost the same without the metal. I will watch my repair closely and If I see any pulling or sigh of weakness I do like your mod.


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Old 08-31-2015, 10:08 AM   #245
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Essential First look at a used 292BHDS

Hi All,

I've read a ton on this post, lots of great advice. I'm going to be driving 3 hours to look at a used 2012 FE 292BHDS Liberty Edition. Current owner has not used it in a couple months, been sitting in NC. I'd like to get a list of things together that all the current owners think I should absolutely DO when I look at the trailer, and then the things I should look for, but don't necessarily need to exercise. I'm coming from a PUP, so I'm new to owning a trailer of this magnitude. Thanks in advance for your advice! We live in FL, so we're hoping this really extends our camping season!
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Old 08-31-2015, 12:57 PM   #246
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Check the leaf springs to see if they look like they have been flattened out. Also check the outdoor kitchen door lift Pistons. Lots of issues with the screws pulling out, however an easy fix. I have heard some complaints about water leaks so look for signs of that. Of course check all appliances.
Great trailer!


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Old 08-31-2015, 02:03 PM   #247
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Hi All,

I've read a ton on this post, lots of great advice. I'm going to be driving 3 hours to look at a used 2012 FE 292BHDS Liberty Edition. Current owner has not used it in a couple months, been sitting in NC. I'd like to get a list of things together that all the current owners think I should absolutely DO when I look at the trailer, and then the things I should look for, but don't necessarily need to exercise. I'm coming from a PUP, so I'm new to owning a trailer of this magnitude. Thanks in advance for your advice! We live in FL, so we're hoping this really extends our camping season!
Check tire condition. If they are original set, you might want to get new even if tread still looks good. I have same year/model and 2 tires had the tread separate last month on the same trip.
Always make sure pantry door is closed prior to opening slide out. Mine opened during a very rough trip (bad roads) and the slide out caught the door and ripped it off at hinges, but not before tweaking the bracket on one of the slide out bars. Dealer had to cut off and weld on a new bracket because slide out was binding.
I had a brake assembly fall apart in one of the wheels and destroy the brake drum.
As with my other post...if you have the outside kitchen, always close it from center of door or you risk ripping out the screws that hold the lift piston in place.

Enjoy your RV.

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Old 09-01-2015, 07:45 AM   #248
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Thanks Ehull and Scubanut, I have both of those things on the list, and the direction to pull from the middle is noted! I will definitely heed the warning on the tires, can either of you tell me what size is on the 2012 292bhds? I've not been able to find it, or what tires have worked best?
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Old 09-01-2015, 09:04 AM   #249
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Our leaf springs went flat in under six months, you can look up in the fender wells and check if the tires have been hitting the floor or bottoming out. Lippert sent us 2,000lbs leafs under warranty and I replaced all 4 in under two hours. Also, they only cost $27.95 per leaf so it's not a deal breaker. All in all we luv the trailer, just normal problems. I also just replaced my rear axle do to the spindle being bent. Again LCI/Lippert covered even though I was year out of warranty. This is why I also put 4 new Maxis tires on the trailer.
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Old 09-01-2015, 10:08 AM   #250
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Coachmen freedom express 292bhds

I have these on my trlClick image for larger version

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Factory Trail Express

2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0
2012 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)
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Old 09-01-2015, 10:11 AM   #251
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Thanks, are those Maxxis as well?
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Old 09-01-2015, 06:40 PM   #252
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Power Touring Trail Express is the name on them. Factory junk, but I don't travel to far on them and I watch the inflation.


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Old 09-04-2015, 09:41 PM   #253
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Not sure if you pulled the trigger on this but another thing to watch for when bringing in the slide. I left my bathroom door open and the dinette table caught the door and it ripped the table right out of the floor.


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Old 09-04-2015, 10:36 PM   #254
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Not sure if you pulled the trigger on this but another thing to watch for when bringing in the slide. I left my bathroom door open and the dinette table caught the door and it ripped the table right out of the floor.


2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0
2012 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)
Haven't had that happen....yet. Do you pull with the F150? I pulled with a 2007 Chevy 1/2 ton and when I went to Colorado, it didn't handle the mountains too well. Traded in for a 3/4 ton Suburban with 8.1 liter. Pulls great and get excellent yardage (6 - 8 mpg). Considering switching to diesel.

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Old 09-05-2015, 08:27 AM   #255
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Yes, I pull with the F 150. 5ltr. I'm pretty much pulling it on the flats. I use a wd hitch with dual sway bars. Not the greatest tow vehicle but I have added a leaf to the springs to firm it up. It actually only drops an inch or two when I connect.


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Old 09-05-2015, 06:46 PM   #256
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Went ahead and pulled the trigger. Thanks for all the help!
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Old 09-05-2015, 07:38 PM   #257
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Congrats on the trailer! I'm sure you will love it.


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Old 09-24-2015, 08:51 AM   #258
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I now officially hate ours!! Leaks, stuff falling apart, junk! I guess, we wanted to get a fifth wheel anyway, just didn't think it'd be this soon! Hopefully yours works out better than ours did! 3 years and done (if you even count the first year that it was in the shop more then we used it)! Ugh!! Done!! Good Luck!! Oh and I will never buy another Forest River product again!
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Old 10-07-2015, 10:45 AM   #259
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Went ahead and pulled the trigger. Thanks for all the help!
It might just be the photo angle, but it looks like the trailer is a good bit nose up. It will tow much better level or very slightly nose down.

It also looks like there is a lot of space between the front tires and fenders. When you hook up your WDH you should be able to get the front wheel fenders to be the same distance from the ground as when not towing.
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Old 10-09-2015, 11:49 AM   #260
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Thanks, I think it is a bit nose up as well. I'm guessing I will need to drop the hitch ball 1 hole and try it out. My truck rides a little higher than the previous owner's.

As far as the weight distribution, I'm pretty new at this. The previous owner used 3 links, I went to 4. Do I need to move up 1 more? When I lower the height of the ball, will that make a difference how many links I have to use? I'm using an Eaz I Lift that came with the trailer.
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