We traded our 6 month old Clipper 17FQS in for a Freedom Express 248RBS, using a fantastic dealer (Carl Cox RV in Belleville ON). Without discussing it, they automatically included a trade for the weight distribution hitch system, upgraded to Maxx Air Vents, went over the trailer top to bottom for their own PDI, including checking AC/Furnace/Hot Water Heater/adding more caulking to the roof, etc. I did a quick PDI, they set up the new WDH, and off I went to Algonquin Park for a short weekend getaway. I decided I didn't want to re-winterize, so we opted not to fill up with water on the way in.
Some background: wife and I are "DINKS", so it's just the 2 of us, with a 80lb black lab mix lapdog. Tow vehicle is a 2016 Ram Rebel, Hemi, 3.92 gears, 8 spd transmission, factory tow mirrors, factory brake controller, etc. We are apartment dwellers (long story that I won't get into) so we don't load up the back of the truck. I'm guessing we are a couple pounds over out 1092lbs over our cargo carrying capacity, but under the axle ratings.
1. This trailer tows beautifully. Factory dry weight is around 5500lbs according to the sticker, and according to my dealer just over 700lbs of tongue weight with propane and a single battery. This puts us around 12.7% tongue weight, which is great for stability. The spread axles work well with bumps and railroad tracks, and the trailer swayed at all even up to 65mph. Hubs and brakes were slightly warm, but not hot after 200km.
2. The detachable power cord is nice, but you do have to deal with all the cord being out instead of just pulling out what you need with the Clipper. Not a big deal, just a point I noted.
3. Due to the weather hovering around freezing, we opted not to use the outdoor kitchen. The indoor fridge was more than big enough for the food for the 2 of us for a weekend.
4. The jack on the rear "passenger" side was mounted backwards, so I couldn't lower it. The trailer was still stable without it down, but it's the only thing I've noted so far for warranty repair.
5. The amount of floor space is awesome in the main living area. It is, however, a little tight around the queen bed in the bedroom, but it is definitely still doable.
6. Fit and finish were good, and it was definitely built a lot sturdier than the old Clipper.
7.Biggest issue we had all weekend: the ducted furnace has all the ductwork running through the kitchen area and into the bathroom. The furnace has a duct on the end of the kitchen counter aimed into the bedroom doorway. Unfortunately, the thermostat is mounted right next to the doorway, so the furnace cycled a lot more often than it should have...the hot air would cause it shut down after a few minutes, and then fire up very soon afterwards. The bedroom was cooler, and it was more noticeable in the very front, which is most likely due to the passthrough storage under the bed.
8. Not a lot of storage in the kitchen itself, with one lower cabinet, one upper cabinet, and a narrow pantry. However, there is so much storage around, including above the couch, under the couch, under the wrap around dinette, huge linen closets in the bathroom, decent storage in the bedroom, and a very large passthrough, that it's not a problem.
9. The awning lights and the nose cap lights are awesome. The LED strip in the passthrough is epic. It made setting up in the dark a whole lot easier, as I could find everything.
Overall, we are extremely pleased with the trailer. With the Clipper, after our first 4 day trip we were already talking about what we wanted in the new trailer. With the 248RBS, there was no such discussion. We bought it based on the floorplan, and keeping the trailer short enough for the Ontario Provincial Parks we have been exploring all summer.