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Coachmen Apex Manual

The Coachmen Apex is a travel trailer built by Coachmen. Federal safety records on it cover model years 2009 to 2025. This page shows how its systems work, every recall on file for it, and where to find the official owner's manual.

Built byCoachmen
KindTravel trailer
Model years on record2009 to 2025
Recalls on file10

The official owner's manual

We could not find owner's manuals from Coachmen online today. Most of what is inside an RV is made by a few component makers, and their manuals are free. Find the brand and model on the part itself, then look it up here.

Component manuals

How its systems work

Our free manuals for every system on a travel trailer. The ones its recalls touched come first.

3 recalls touch thisShore power and batteries30 amp and 50 amp shore power, the 12 volt battery side and the inverter. What runs on what, and how not to trip a breaker.1 recall touches thisPropane, furnace and fridgeOpening the tanks, lighting the stove, running the furnace and fridge, and what to do if you smell gas.Free manualFresh water and the water heaterCity water, the fresh tank, the pump and the water heater. How to fill it, turn it on and keep it clean.Free manualThe water heaterGas, electric or both. How to fill it, light it, drain it and care for the anode rod, plus what to do when there is no hot water.Free manualBlack and gray tanksThe order, the hose, the valves and what to put down the toilet. Dumping your tanks the right way, step by step.Free manualThe toiletHow to flush, what paper to use and how to keep the black tank from clogging or smelling.Free manualSolar and lithium batteriesHow solar charges your batteries, what lithium changes, and how to tell how much power you really have left.Free manualPropane, smoke and CO alarmsWhere each alarm is, what each one means, how to test them and why the propane alarm sometimes beeps on a low battery.Free manualThe refrigeratorGas and electric absorption fridges, 12 volt compressor fridges, how long they take to cool and how to keep food cold on the road.Free manualThe furnaceA propane furnace with a 12 volt fan. How it starts, why it drains the battery and what to check when it blows cold air.Free manualThe roof air conditionerHow much power it needs, why it freezes up, how to clean the filters and what to try before you call for help.Free manualRoof and sealsWater is the biggest enemy of an RV. How to check the roof and seams, which sealant to use and the signs of a leak.Free manualSlide outsWhen to open them, when not to, and what to check first. Slide outs are the most common repair on a rental, and most of it is avoidable.Free manualAwningsPower and manual awnings, how to set them, and why wind is the thing that breaks them.Free manualLeveling and jacksBlocks, tongue jacks, stabilizers and auto leveling. How to get level, why it matters and why stabilizers are not for lifting.Free manualWinterizing and spring start upDrain it, bypass the water heater and fill the lines with RV antifreeze. Then how to undo it all in spring.Free manualHitching a trailerCoupler, safety chains, breakaway cable and lights. A simple routine to hitch up the same way every time.Free manualTrailer brakes and breakawayElectric brakes, the brake controller in your truck, how to set the gain and how to test the breakaway switch.Free manualTires, wheels and bearingsTire age, pressure and load, lug nut torque and when to service trailer wheel bearings. The parts that cause the most trouble on the road.Free manualWeight and payloadWhat GVWR, cargo capacity and tongue weight mean, how to weigh your rig, and why sway almost always starts with weight.

Recalls on file

NHTSA has 10 recalls on file for the Coachmen Apex. The most common areas are electrical system (2), solar panel (1) and wiring (1). Each one is listed below as filed. A recall is fixed free at a dealer, even on a used rig, and even years later.

Solar panel · model year 2025 · 25V212000, filed April 4, 2025

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025 Coachmen Apex and Remote travel trailers. The solar panel wiring may be incorrectly wired to the battery, causing it to melt.

What can happen. Melted wiring may cause an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will inspect and rewire the solar panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 224-1912.

Campaign 25V212000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our generators manual.

Electrical system · model year 2024 · 23V773000, filed November 17, 2023

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Freedom Express, Remote, Spirit, and Forest River Work and Play travel trailers. The electrical plug blade openings (narrow hot blade and wider neutral blade) may be reversed on one of the two receptacle outlet faces, which can cause outlet failure.

What can happen. Electrical outlet failure can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will replace the incorrect receptacles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 27, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-825-4995. Coachmen Apex and Apex Remote owners may contact 1-574-825-8205, and Freedom Express, Adrenaline and Work and Play owners may contact 1-574-825-6302. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1703.

Campaign 23V773000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our shore power and batteries manual.

General RV equipment · model year 2023 · 23V262000, filed April 13, 2023

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Forester 2401BSD, FR3 F3A32DSF, Georgetown GTA36K7, 2022-2023 East to West Entrada, 2023 East to West Alta, Coachmen Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral and Chaparral Lite, Forest River Crusader, Sanibel, Shasta Phoenix, Coachmen Spirit, and East to West Tandara vehicles. The solar panel mounting hardware may become loose and pull through the slot in the panel.

What can happen. Loose hardware can cause the solar panels to detach from the vehicle during transit, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Dealers will install additional hardware to the existing panel and install a secondary holding bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2023. Owners may contact East to West Alta, Entrada and Tandara customer service at 1-574-264-6664; Coachmen Apex and Spirit customer service at 1-574-825-8205; Coachmen Brookstone, Chaparral, Chaparral Lite, and Shasta Phoenix customer service at 1-574-825-7101; Crusader and Sanibel customer service at 1-574-862-1025; and Georgetown Forester and FR3 customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1607.

Campaign 23V262000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model year 2022 · 22V556000, filed July 29, 2022

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Coachmen Catalina, Cross Trail, Pursuit, Sportscoach, East to West Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Forester, FR3, Sunseeker, Wildwood, 2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral, Chapparral Lite, Clipper, Freedom Express, Independence Trail, Mirada, Spirit, Viking, Work and Play, East to West Ahara, Tandara, Forest River Aurora, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Flagstaff, Georgetown, Ibex, Impression, Ozark, Puma, R-Pod, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Sierra, Solera, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Surveyor, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildcat, XLR Toyhauler, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Tracer, Shasta Oasis, and Phoenix fifth wheel and travel trailers. The electric retractable awning has a welded seam on the fabric that may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.

What can happen. An awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Dealers will replace the fabric roll or complete awning, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact the customer service numbers listed in the recall report for their designated model. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1532. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 22V-486.

Campaign 22V556000. See it on NHTSA

Wiring · model year 2022 · 22V489000, filed July 8, 2022

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022 Coachmen Apex travel trailers. The tail lights may have been incorrectly wired to an "ON/OFF" switch, which can cause the brake or tail lights to not illuminate when the switch is in the "off" position.

What can happen. Brake or tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Dealers will rewire the tail lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-358-0401. Forest River's number for this recall is 220-1535.

Campaign 22V489000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our shore power and batteries manual.

Lines and fittings · model years 2021 to 2022 · 22V243000, filed April 13, 2022

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.

What can happen. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.

Campaign 22V243000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our propane, furnace and fridge manual.

Electrical system · model year 2022 · 22V135000, filed March 8, 2022

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022 Coachmen Catalina, Aurora, Apex, Freedom Express, Spirit, Work N Play, Forest River XLR Toy Hauler, Vengeance, Sabre, Cherokee, and Cardinal travel trailers and fifth wheels. The wire cord that connects to the back of the 50AMP shore power inlet may be loose.

What can happen. Loose wires may contact each other and cause an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will replace the shore cord inlet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact the following customer service numbers: Forest River 1-574-825-4995; Catalina & Aurora 1-574-825-8657; APEX 1-574-825-8205; Freedom Express & Work n Play 1-574-825-6302; Cardinal 1-574-296-7700; Cherokee and Vengeance 1-260-499-2100; Sabre 1-574-642-2100; and XLR 1-574-642-0432. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1485.

Campaign 22V135000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our shore power and batteries manual.

Axle hubs · model year 2019 · 18V879000, filed December 11, 2018

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Apex, Spirit, Primetime Impression, and Tracer recreational trailers. The inner hub bearings may not have been sufficiently greased, which can cause the bearings to overheat and fail.

What can happen. If the bearings overheat, the hub may fail, affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the hubs and bearings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Primetime customer service at (574) 862-1025, Coachmen Apex (574) 358-0401, Coachmen Spirit (574) 825-8205, or Dexter Axle (574) 295-7888. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0923.

Campaign 18V879000. See it on NHTSA

Non-powered axle assembly · model year 2019 · 18V624000, filed September 13, 2018

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Catalina and Apex travel trailers and Forest River Shasta, Wildwood, Salem, Vibe, Sierra, Sandpiper, XLR and Prime Time travel trailers. The axles may be missing inner bearing races on the hubs, which can cause the bearing to burnout or cause the hub to overheat.

What can happen. The missing bearing race may cause premature hub bearing failure, possibly resulting in a separation of the hub from the axle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective hubs with new hubs or replace the axles, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2018. For customer service, Catalina owners may contact Coachmen at 1-574-825-8657, Apex owners should call 1-574-358-0401, Shasta owners: 1-574-825-8717, Wildwood and Salem owners: 1-574-534-3167, Vibe owners: 1-574-296-2084, Sierra and Sandpiper owners: 1-574-534-4574, XLR owners: 1-574-642-0432, Prime Time owners: 1-574-862-1025. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0851.

Campaign 18V624000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model years 2009 to 2017 · 17V756000, filed November 22, 2017

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

What can happen. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.

Campaign 17V756000. See it on NHTSA

Check your own rig. Put your VIN into the NHTSA recall lookup. It shows any open recall on that exact rig, including the chassis.

Questions owners ask

Where can I find the Coachmen Apex owner's manual?

Coachmen does not have manuals online that we could find. The makers of the fridge, water heater, furnace and slides do, and they cover most of the rig. Our free manuals on this page explain how each system works.

Does the Coachmen Apex have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recalls for it. The most common area is electrical system. Check your own VIN on the NHTSA site to see if yours was fixed.

Is a recall repair free on a used RV?

Yes. A safety recall is fixed free by the maker's dealers no matter who owns the rig now or how old it is. Call the maker or any dealer for that brand with your VIN.

Where is the VIN on an RV?

Look for a sticker by the entry door, inside a cabinet near the door, or on the tongue or front frame of a trailer. The title and registration show it too.

Renting one from us? Call or text 909-259-RVDR before you try a fix. We would rather talk you through it than have you guess, and it is free.

Other Coachmen manuals

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Every Coachmen line we cover

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