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Coachmen Freedom Express Manual

The Coachmen Freedom Express is a travel trailer built by Coachmen. Federal safety records on it cover model years 2009 to 2024. 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 2024
Recalls on file13

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.1 recall touches thisLeveling and jacksBlocks, tongue jacks, stabilizers and auto leveling. How to get level, why it matters and why stabilizers are not for lifting.1 recall touches thisTrailer brakes and breakawayElectric brakes, the brake controller in your truck, how to set the gain and how to test the breakaway switch.1 recall touches thisTires, 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 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 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 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 13 recalls on file for the Coachmen Freedom Express. The most common areas are electrical system (2), lines and fittings (1) and service brakes (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.

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 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

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.

Service brakes and Electric · model year 2020 · 20V049000, filed January 29, 2020

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The emergency break-away switch may fail.

What can happen. In the event of trailer separation from the tow vehicle, a failed break-away switch will not apply the trailer's brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the break-away switch, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410 or 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1129.

Campaign 20V049000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our trailer brakes and breakaway manual.

Wiring · model year 2019 · 18V545000, filed August 17, 2018

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch was not wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery and cause the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.

What can happen. If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will correct the break-away safety switch wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2018. Owners may contact Coachmen Freedom Express customer service at 1-574-825-8657. Forest River's number for this recall is 220/320-0825.

Campaign 18V545000. See it on NHTSA

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

Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer · model year 2018 · 18V051000, filed January 12, 2018

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff, and Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers and 2017-2018 Palomino and XLR ToyHauler and Coachmen Viking recreational trailers equipped with a Smart-Jack model power tongue jack. The laminated plastic touch pad on the jack may crack or separate allowing water to enter, potentially causing the jack to operate unintentionally.

What can happen. If the tongue jack retracts or extends unexpectedly, there could be an increased risk of a crash or injury.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and a Forest River or a Lippert dealer will replace the power tongue jack, free of charge. The recall began on February 20, 2018. Rockwood and Flagstaff Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164; XLR ToyHauler owners can call 1-574-642-0432; Viking owners can call 1-269-467-4600; Freedom Express owners can call 1-574-825-8205; Palomino owners can call 1-269-432-3246. Lippert Customer service can be reached at 1-574-538-4514 or by email at recall@lci1.com. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0610.

Campaign 18V051000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our leveling and jacks manual.

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

Frame and members · model years 2013 to 2014 · 17V611000, filed October 2, 2017

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers. The frames on these vehicles may not have had reinforcement stiffeners welded onto the exterior I-Beam in the axle area, allowing the axles to be misaligned.

What can happen. Misaligned axles can affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and the frame manufacturer will inspect the trailer for frame reinforcements, installing them as necessary and secure the axle mountings, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8205, or Lippert Components customer service at 1-574-537-8900. Forest River's number for this recall is 220-0529.

Campaign 17V611000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model year 2017 · 16V550000, filed July 22, 2016

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational vehicles, models FET28SE, FET282BHDS, FET282BHDSLE, FET281RLDS, FET281RLDSLE, FET29SE, FET292BHDS and FET292BHDSLE, manufactured May 16, 2016, to July 19, 2016. These vehicles may have insufficient space between the slideroom driveshaft and the driver's side tires, causing the tires to rub.

What can happen. If the driveshaft rubs against the tires, tire failure may result, possibly causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 220-07192016-0229.

Campaign 16V550000. See it on NHTSA

Non-powered axle assembly · model year 2016 · 15V231000, filed April 20, 2015

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Amera-Lite ATTX and WATTX, Forest River Cherokee, Cherokee Grey Wolf, Cherokee Wolf Pup, Salem, Salem Laminated, Salem Limited Edition, Vengeance, Wildwood, Wildwood Laminated, and Wildwood Limited Edition, Cargo Mate Blazer, E Series, E Series Wedge, Eliminator, and Qualifier, Continental Cargo Auto Master, Elite Series, Tailwind and Value Hauler, Coachmen Catalina and Freedom Express, Palomino Puma and US Cargo Patriot X, Phantom, Trail & Sport and Trail Master trailers manufactured March 1, 2015, to March 31, 2015. In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.

What can happen. If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-453-6064. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-03312015-0025.

Campaign 15V231000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model years 2013 to 2014 · 13V203000, filed May 17, 2013

What is wrong. Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.

What can happen. If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

Campaign 13V203000. See it on NHTSA

Wheels · model year 2011 · 10V596000, filed November 24, 2010

What is wrong. COACHMEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CATALINA AND FREEDOM EXPRESS COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 23, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 AND EQUIPPED WITH 15" X 6" WHITE SPOKE OR MODULAR DESIGN STEEL WHEELS WITH A SIX HOLE BOLT PATTERN. SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE CENTER PLATE DUE TO IMPROPER PLATE ALIGNMENT.

What can happen. THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL WHEEL FAILURE AND WHEEL LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR PERSONAL INJURY.

The fix. COACHMEN WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COACHMEN RV CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-453-6064.

Campaign 10V596000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our tires, wheels and bearings manual.

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 Freedom Express 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 Freedom Express have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 13 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.
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