Do Apex Ultralites have a walkable roof? Ours doesn't have a ladder on the back so I'm afraid to go up there but then how do you maintain and clean things?
Thanks Josh, I know it's an old video, we saw the Apex 251bh that we liked. We had a Coachman Freedom express liberty edition, but the slides kept leaking and the floor got soft. We sold it and are looking for a new one. I'm out in NC wush you guys were closer!!!! Thanks for all you do for us rv'ers. Have a good Easter!! God is great!
do you happen to have any pictures of the framing of the back of the trailers? I am really curious what the framing looks like at the back of their trailers. Wood studs? All Aluminum? Stud spacing?
This is an all aluminum structure. Sidewalls are laminated so the studs are further apart (which is how laminating walls works). Rear wall is not laminated, so 16" on center average spacing
Haylett RV very helpful! Thanks for the reply ❤️ do you happen to have any photos of the rear open to studs while you were at the factory? If you did then I wonder how you would get them to me 🤔 Facebook?
It's a great pound for pound model. I catch myself considering something like a 257BHS freedom express for personal use at times and that 208BHS always sneaks in the mix at some point.
Sidewalls only. Azdel is not as good in a horizontal load bearing scenario as luan. As a result it's not as strong of a choice in laminated floors/ceilings.
Yay! Looks like Apex has gone with a white front cap on the summit rather than the dark grey. I never liked the idea of a large heat absorbing color right next to my headboard.
They have, but you'll definitely want to keep that front shade drawn and perhaps add one of those heat reflective window-foil-inserts to keep the sun out as RV windows only have roughly an R0.7 value and are a huge heat/cooling loss point.
Hi Josh, really enjoyed this and the freedom express tour videos. Noticed you did not have any footage of the wall lamination process. Do they use vacuum or pinch roller lamination ? Thanks
Vacuum, though I don't think it really matters. I used to drink the punch on one vs the other, but with years and years of experience I have never seen it matter. Rather, what matters is the humidity control during the laminating process. That's what truly determines an effective bond. Not the way the materials happen to get pressed together.
It IS the new 293RLDS. We're looking at adding it into our lineup once we make some physical space out here. We are PACKED currently. Apex = Plastic. "Fancy where they could be, but simple where they should be."
It's been the number 1 request. Once the weather warms up I hope to sneak down to the Michiana Bermuda Triangle where all these things are built and capture some more tours.
It'll be a bit before I can get away from the office and do more. The response has been great, though. It's certainly something I want to try doing more of. My hope is to wait until the bitter cold weather here warms up a bit and sneak down on a nice summer day.
@@timyeo8710 Can vary *significantly* based on supplier shortages, current demand, and floor plan run cycles. Currently any brand worth their salt has about double the normal lead time. Normally "6-8" weeks is the default response. Right now you can double that pretty safely.
I don't have hard numbers and obviously it can vary as a small Nano comes together more quickly than a bigger deep slide summit edition model. It's not the same-day production you see from some places.
The Freedom Factory is hands-down more impressive. The facility is simply decades newer. Apex will be moving soon. The most amazing part of Apex is how polished of a final product they make out of that old building. Rockwood is that way. The factory isn't always pretty, but man do they make a heck of a trailer.
These factory tours are great. I am considering buying an Apex Nano 203RBK or a Freedom Express 192RBS. Similar design but one has the dinette and no Oven with a low mounted convection microwave, and the other a sofa with removable table and Oven with high mounted Microwave. Both come with Murphy beds as an option if not standard. I think the APEX would be better to tow with my 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with a tow package and capacity for towing 4500 lbs. We need the slide for space for our dogs so we are not tripping on them.
You can compare them both here: * 203RBK: bit.ly/2Qlyk6I * 192RBS: bit.ly/2xVUDfa Also, quick note: 192RBS Freedom Express does not currently offer a murphy option. Only the Nano model you mentioned. If those two models had a baby, then it would probably look like this: bit.ly/2vvKe70
It'll be a bit before I can get away from the office and do more. The response has been great, though. It's certainly something I want to try doing more of. My hope is to wait until the bitter cold weather here warms up a bit and sneak down on a nice summer day.
Josh it would be interesting if you would be able if time were to be given to you to tour the Forest River facility the Rockwood 5th wheel plant and the traditional bumper pull and toy hauler lines to see how the fuel transfer tank for motorcycle and atv enthusiasts
Hey Josh,i know this is an older video, but I'm feelin like you were not in to the Apex tour and how they do things as much as other tours you have done. You were kind of low energy on this one (one jerks opinion, so please dont take offense). Is it because the brand does not excite you compared to say...Freedom Express? Or, maybe an off day, which you dont seem to have many. :-)
Oh no -- quite the opposite. There are a very large number of amish people in the facility. However, they do not like their faces captured on video & I tried to be as respectful of that as possible. Also, Amish worker aren't necessarily sporting only the handmade clothes and bowl cut hair styles.
Are they looking for an aluminum welder? I'd love to take over for whoever welded the material at 4:12.
Uncle Josh, does this building process include the Apex Nano, thanks....
Yep yep
This was so great Josh! Blast from the Past!
yeah this is going thru the wayback machine a bit but still mostly holds up
Can’t wait to see my 256 bhs June 29. Will take our 1st trip with it in July 4 weekend.
Let us know what you think of it
Love our 251 rbk the 293 rlds is next for us
Can't fault you for taste!
Do Apex Ultralites have a walkable roof? Ours doesn't have a ladder on the back so I'm afraid to go up there but then how do you maintain and clean things?
Yes basically the same as a rockwood/flagstaff roof. You'll need a ladder to get there.
What are the floors made of???
Laminated. Dual leaved lauan top, lauan bottom, aluminum framework with 24” on center joists, block foam packed and insulated
Thanks Josh, I know it's an old video, we saw the Apex 251bh that we liked. We had a Coachman Freedom express liberty edition, but the slides kept leaking and the floor got soft. We sold it and are looking for a new one. I'm out in NC wush you guys were closer!!!! Thanks for all you do for us rv'ers. Have a good Easter!! God is great!
My kitchenett is stuck in the closed position
do you happen to have any pictures of the framing of the back of the trailers? I am really curious what the framing looks like at the back of their trailers. Wood studs? All Aluminum? Stud spacing?
This is an all aluminum structure. Sidewalls are laminated so the studs are further apart (which is how laminating walls works). Rear wall is not laminated, so 16" on center average spacing
Haylett RV very helpful! Thanks for the reply ❤️ do you happen to have any photos of the rear open to studs while you were at the factory? If you did then I wonder how you would get them to me 🤔 Facebook?
Haylett RV oops nevermind! Coachman just sent me their dimensioned drawing of the back wall 👍🏽
I only worry about the floors and water damage I watch a video on Apex trailers.
It would be nice to see the finished inside also
Did you watch the end of the video, Jim, where we show the finished inside of an Apex 293RLDS?
Love our 2019 213rds. Hopefully upgrading to the 29 foot!!
I love my 2019 Apex Nano 208BHS with the Summit package! Thanks for the tour.
It's a great pound for pound model. I catch myself considering something like a 257BHS freedom express for personal use at times and that 208BHS always sneaks in the mix at some point.
So is the roof of the apex not Azdel
Sidewalls only. Azdel is not as good in a horizontal load bearing scenario as luan. As a result it's not as strong of a choice in laminated floors/ceilings.
Yay! Looks like Apex has gone with a white front cap on the summit rather than the dark grey. I never liked the idea of a large heat absorbing color right next to my headboard.
They have, but you'll definitely want to keep that front shade drawn and perhaps add one of those heat reflective window-foil-inserts to keep the sun out as RV windows only have roughly an R0.7 value and are a huge heat/cooling loss point.
Great factory tour. Would love to see an update once they move to their new facility.
Now time for a tour of Rockwood mini lite, GeoPro and Winnebago Micro mini factories! Haha
Yeah I'm with you Jeremy I would love to see the Geopro 👍👍
Hi Josh, really enjoyed this and the freedom express tour videos. Noticed you did not have any footage of the wall lamination process. Do they use vacuum or pinch roller lamination ? Thanks
Vacuum, though I don't think it really matters. I used to drink the punch on one vs the other, but with years and years of experience I have never seen it matter.
Rather, what matters is the humidity control during the laminating process. That's what truly determines an effective bond. Not the way the materials happen to get pressed together.
Is that the 293 RLDS? And curious Josh . Do the Apex models use plastic or porcelain toilets?
It IS the new 293RLDS. We're looking at adding it into our lineup once we make some physical space out here. We are PACKED currently.
Apex = Plastic.
"Fancy where they could be, but simple where they should be."
Would like to see you go to the Rockwood/flagstaff plant!!
It's been the number 1 request. Once the weather warms up I hope to sneak down to the Michiana Bermuda Triangle where all these things are built and capture some more tours.
These factory tours are awesome. Please continue this series of factory tours.
It'll be a bit before I can get away from the office and do more. The response has been great, though. It's certainly something I want to try doing more of. My hope is to wait until the bitter cold weather here warms up a bit and sneak down on a nice summer day.
@@JoshtheRVNerd How long does a trailer usually take from order to deliver?
@@timyeo8710 Can vary *significantly* based on supplier shortages, current demand, and floor plan run cycles. Currently any brand worth their salt has about double the normal lead time.
Normally "6-8" weeks is the default response. Right now you can double that pretty safely.
@@JoshtheRVNerd Thank you very much. Love the videos
Josh, about how long on average does it take to build one of the trailers from start to finish?
I don't have hard numbers and obviously it can vary as a small Nano comes together more quickly than a bigger deep slide summit edition model. It's not the same-day production you see from some places.
Are these factories in Michigan?
Almost all towable RVs are produced in Northern Indiana. These are from Middlebury.
@@JoshtheRVNerd Let's hear it for #INDIANA!!! :) #Middlebury
Keystone tour next?🤔
So, which was more impressive? Freedom ?
The Freedom Factory is hands-down more impressive. The facility is simply decades newer.
Apex will be moving soon. The most amazing part of Apex is how polished of a final product they make out of that old building.
Rockwood is that way. The factory isn't always pretty, but man do they make a heck of a trailer.
These factory tours are great. I am considering buying an Apex Nano 203RBK or a Freedom Express 192RBS. Similar design but one has the dinette and no Oven with a low mounted convection microwave, and the other a sofa with removable table and Oven with high mounted Microwave. Both come with Murphy beds as an option if not standard. I think the APEX would be better to tow with my 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with a tow package and capacity for towing 4500 lbs. We need the slide for space for our dogs so we are not tripping on them.
You can compare them both here:
* 203RBK: bit.ly/2Qlyk6I
* 192RBS: bit.ly/2xVUDfa
Also, quick note: 192RBS Freedom Express does not currently offer a murphy option. Only the Nano model you mentioned.
If those two models had a baby, then it would probably look like this: bit.ly/2vvKe70
Enjoying the factory tours. Good to see what’s behind the bling!
Thanks for the tours Josh. Who's up next? :)
It'll be a bit before I can get away from the office and do more. The response has been great, though. It's certainly something I want to try doing more of. My hope is to wait until the bitter cold weather here warms up a bit and sneak down on a nice summer day.
Well, being in the Deep Sunny South .... I can understand that. LOL Hope y'all had a great Christmas and looking forward to a great new year.
Awesome, finally a factory tour and loved it thanks!
Josh it would be interesting if you would be able if time were to be given to you to tour the Forest River facility the Rockwood 5th wheel plant and the traditional bumper pull and toy hauler lines to see how the fuel transfer tank for motorcycle and atv enthusiasts
Hey Josh,i know this is an older video, but I'm feelin like you were not in to the Apex tour and how they do things as much as other tours you have done. You were kind of low energy on this one (one jerks opinion, so please dont take offense). Is it because the brand does not excite you compared to say...Freedom Express? Or, maybe an off day, which you dont seem to have many. :-)
No offense taken - you were 100% on. I have never done or liked voiceover work.
It’s why I do my tours AFTER hours now - so I can really get into it
I am not someone that does well from a script. I have to be very much live in the moment else I fall totally flat
My Wife and I love the way you explain things in your videos. My wife also says even in a way she understands well LOL 😆 me also. Thanks
Just a small fringe benefit of living in the heart of the RV construction industry.
Love it Josh... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!
Another awesome factory tour video Josh, keep em' coming. Thank you,
Josh is the man! 👍
#LOVE IT!!! Another #GREAT #factory #tour!!!! So #happy to #see #GREAT #construction #methods at this #ApexRV #Factory!!! #Apex #Coachmen #HaylettRV
Nice.
Great factory tour! Would love to see more!
hi-quality at an affordable price
Loved the previous video. This one was hard to get into with the voice over. It takes you out of the experience.
I tend to agree. I'm an "in the moment" kind of guy. I'm no David Attenborough lol
But I also like to try try new things
I have a Apex & I Love It
No Amish working at this facility?
Oh no -- quite the opposite. There are a very large number of amish people in the facility. However, they do not like their faces captured on video & I tried to be as respectful of that as possible.
Also, Amish worker aren't necessarily sporting only the handmade clothes and bowl cut hair styles.