Today’s RV review is of the 2025 Coachmen Freedom Express 274RKS travel trailer. This is part of the company’s “Ultra Lite” line and put some ideas in my head—which friends will tell you isn’t always a good idea. But, don’t worry, nothing is likely to explode because of those ideas.
What you have here is a couple’s camper that I think is exceptionally well done. In fact, if you are noodling the idea of getting a fifth wheel but don’t want to lose the bed of your truck, or just don’t want to have to go up steps to go to the bathroom, this might absolutely be worth considering. In many ways this trailer has all the functionality of a fifth wheel without the cost nor the downsides of a fifth wheel.
Start at the road with Coachmen Freedom Express 274RKS
Coachmen has employed what is called a spread axle design on this trailer where the two axles are farther apart. When I was selling RVs, Keystone’s Bullet brand was doing this. (They’ve since switched to torsion axles—Yay!)
I asked transporters, the folks who tow the RVs from the manufacturer to the dealership, if this makes any difference. Actually, several of them said they liked this arrangement. They’re the ones who tow more trailers than most of us ever will, so I will take their word for it.
This also has a tire pressure monitoring system, which I think should be standard in all trailers. But they use off-brand import tires and leaf springs. Oh, well.
Plywood floor decking
Coachmen, like several other Forest River brands, has also moved back to a plywood floor decking rather than the laminated decking that some brands are still using. Plywood’s a pretty sturdy product and there had been some brands of trailers that had issues with the laminated floors getting soft.
Something else to note: There are two sewer connection points here.
The underbelly on this is also heated and fully enclosed—which is nice.
On the opposite side (vertically) of the trailer, the PVC roof membrane carries a lifetime warranty. But, and this is a big but, the sealant on all the openings is still a maintenance item. That’s an important thing to be aware of.
Inside the Coachmen Freedom Express 274RKS
In some ways this is almost like a fifth wheel in the floor plan.
In the main living space there’s a series of cabinets and drawers at the head of the main living space along with a little table, which has a plug nearby. These cabinets and drawers are pretty useful.
There’s a TV in the slide over on the road side, with a fireplace below that. The TV is mounted on a door so it swings open to reveal a bunch more storage.
There’s a traditional booth dinette here with a freestanding table. Under that dinette are loooooong drawers—again, more storage!
Kitchen with lots of storage and an unusual feature
The kitchen in this rig is along the back wall. The kitchen counter is a U-shaped affair, so there is a huge amount of counterspace in this RV. Unfortunately, they’ve used a 17” worthless oven. Other than that, it’s a pretty great kitchen.
Something unusual in here is that the back corner of the counter has an optional power-lifted lazy Susan in it. This thing rises up like a phoenix from the counter, and there are two levels in it. It’s a pretty nifty gadget.
Drawers and cabinets are also plentiful here, including the utensil drawer that wraps around the sink. That’s a bit of space usually not used in most RVs.
Bathroom
The bathroom in this rig is spacious enough but also has some great use of space. For example, ahead of the shower is a cabinet that is shared with the bedroom. In this cabinet there’s a provision for a hanging netted bag for dirty laundry. This is brilliant.
I also like that there’s a Showermi$er water-saving feature on the shower, and the toilet is porcelain.
However, the vent fan up above is one of those worthless 4” noisemakers.
Another really terrific example of use of space is in the bedroom, where the true queen bed lifts up to reveal two cabinets. There’s space between them for things like shoes, and then drawers, as well. Again, a masterful use of space in this RV.
Other touches I really liked were a plastic folding table hung from the roof of the outside pass-through storage.
There’s also an outside kitchen that employs a flat-top griddle that hangs on a rail on the side of the trailer. There is also a small bar-sized fridge and a proper plumbed sink.
Conclusions about the Coachmen Freedom Express 274RKS
I really like this trailer’s design in so many ways. There are lots of windows, a tremendous amount of storage and just a good use of space. In fact, there are even two storage compartments outside where you wouldn’t expect them: one in the very back and one in the slide, effectively behind the fireplace.
It’s easy enough to update the worthless vent fan in the bathroom, and I like that they employed a Showermi$er there. But the worthless oven is another story. I wish more RV companies would either offer a real oven as an option, or just go with the convection microwave and be done with it already.
Still, there’s so much right with this design. What’s your take?
I’d like to thank Josh from Bish’s RV for the photos and video in this story.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with Peggy.
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I like the Brinkley-like color scheme. Seems everyone has heard Tony’s disdain for “swoops and swirls”. I’m surprised there is no mirror in the lav. What’s up with that? I’m no fan of those stairs, no fan of the heavy outside kitchen, and no fan of dual sewer connections. Regarding spread axles – good for road travel but hard on tires when backing into a spot (especially on pavement) or making a tight turn. Ever watch a “spread axle” semi trailer when it’s being backed into a dock? Tire are dragged. Nice review though, Tony.
What steps am I walk up to the bathroom in my 5th. Bathroom sits on the living area, if it was on the bedroom level you’d be hard pressed to stand and take a shower.
Most fifth wheels put the bathroom on the upper deck.
My biggest complaint about “bumper-tows,” especially larger ones like this, is the sway from cross-winds and passing large vehicles on the highway. I’ve heard that some interesting things are being done with anti-lock brakes on trailers to prevent that. Until that wrinkle is worked out, I think I’ll always prefer a 5th wheel.
Bryan, a ProPride hitch solves that problem. Pricey, but worth every penny.
I never had any issues Towing a Jayco 29RKS 34’ long with crosswinds or passing large vehicles.
About 17” ovens – we have one in our 24’ trailer, and we are attempting to snowbird for 4-1/2 months this winter. By adding a good quality pizza stone, my wife has been very successful baking cookies, loaves, veggies, etc. in it. She just heats it up well before putting the food in it.
Yeah but if you had the 21″ oven you could do a prime rib, which we’ve done in ours, or a small bird (not like a parakeet but maybe a game hen 😄) or meatloaf.
No kitchen or living access with a slide in = no interest for us. Unfortunately, many towables are built that way.
What’s my take? So much wrong! All that storage for 1685# CC (2100#-415# for a full tank of water), so everyone who fills the storage space and the fresh tank will be overweight and a danger to the rest of us. Lousy tires, lousy Model T suspenson, and too long and heavy for the great majority of non-Max tow/HD payload 1/2-ton trucks, which also increases the danger. An expensive window (with a view only of the rear of the truck) over the head of the bed to freeze your bald head and neck on cold nights. That doesn’t even count the lack of access to the fridge in a grocery stop at Walmart. Apparently no option for a free-standing table and chairs in place of the dinette. No sale!
Thank you, Tony! Downside of all the storage spaces is that can lead to an overweight RV pretty easily. Happy new year and safe travels!