Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2026 Coachmen Apex Nano 183BH. This new floor plan is part of the company’s Apex Nano series, which means it’s a smaller trailer that’s also a bit narrower, appealing to some people who want something easier to tow.
You might have guessed by the name of the trailer that this is a bunkhouse model, but there is so much packaged into this little rig that it’s absolutely worth a look.
I was surprised by how usable this trailer is, especially with no slide. But the biggest surprise is a bar on the side and an outside kitchen with a flat-top griddle. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here.
Start at the road with the Coachmen Apex Nano 183BH
I saw this model at the RV Open House and got to speak with Coachmen’s rep for these models. There are a number of things they’ve thought of that show some good thinking.
First of all, the stabilizer jacks are at a 45° angle to the chassis of this rig. Coachmen’s research shows that this provides greater stability than having them at a 90° angle, which is common. I don’t have any data to back this up, but it makes sense to me.
I was told that Goodyear tires were an option on these, but the one I saw was a preproduction version and wore import-brand tires. I also didn’t find any reference to a tire pressure monitoring system. I think these should be required, and more so on single-axle trailers. The suspension was a simple leaf spring affair.
Usually, smaller trailers are also the ones that are more price-focused. But there were some details in this model that made it not feel price-focused, including magnetic catches for the baggage doors. I know this might seem like a minor detail, but those plastic catches that were so common for so many years are just, well, lousy.
The star is a bar in the Coachmen Apex Nano 183BH
The star of this show is a bar on the outside of the trailer that Coachmen calls the Bar-V. Boy, could that be mispronounced, but it’s actually a pretty great feature.
The Bar-V is essentially a bar-height table that drops down on the outside of the trailer. There are two barstools that come with the rig. Once you’ve dropped down the table, it reveals a bar and a TV. Nice. I could see this being an excellent tailgating rig.
Above the Bar-V is a large window that’s hinged at the top and swings up. This provides a pass-through from inside to outside, and vice versa. There is both a metallic shade for this window and also a bug screen integrated into the window frame. It’s pretty cool.
Inside, there is a table just below the windowsill. So, even if you never open the window, this is a nice place to sit and stare at the world while enjoying a coffee or whatever. There are also a couple of chairs that come with the rig for sitting here.
Before we get too distracted by the interior, know that there is also an outside kitchen toward the back of this rig that incorporates a flat-top griddle and a small refrigerator. Overall, I can see this being a really great rig for the way a lot of people enjoy camping—with the griddle outside and a place to sit and eat or prep food.
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Inside the Coachmen Apex Nano 183BH
Step inside this smaller trailer, and the big Bar-V window and the other windows in here make it feel not overly tight. The model I saw also had a huge flip-up overhead window in the ceiling with several latches to keep it sealed in transit or inclement weather. This, too, features a metallicized shade to keep the sun’s rays at bay.
Up front, there is a couch, but that couch folds down and reveals a folding mattress. I’m not sure I’d really call this a Murphy bed. But it is a mattress that tucks away toward the front of the rig, so I don’t think there’s a more appropriate term. Still, you get a couch.
At the back of this trailer is a double-over-double bunk capable of handling 300 pounds of weight each. So you could legitimately sleep a hefty adult, like me, back there.
The kitchen in this consists of a two-burner propane stovetop and a convection air frying microwave. My video noted that this was a standard microwave, but that was in the preproduction model—the company’s website says differently. There’s also a big sink and a 12-volt refrigerator. A couple of drawers and some cabinet space round out the interior.
I had originally thought there wasn’t much counter space but, duh, that Bar-V counter just across the aisle from the kitchen tells a different story.
Finally, the bathroom in here is small but very functional. I had enough space for anything I would go to accomplish in the bathroom, including changing clothes. The shower is actually a little tub in here with a curtain across the front, and that’s fine with me. Unfortunately, the toilet is plastic, but this is an easy swap to something better.
The bathroom itself has a small 4” vent fan, which isn’t my favorite. But there’s a high-performance vent fan on the other side of the door, so I’m fine with things the way they are.
Boondocking and travel access in the Coachmen Apex Nano 183BH
Since this has no slide, it’s 100% usable all the time—one of the many reasons I personally prefer no-slide RVs.
Coachmen includes 400 watts of solar in these, which is a good amount for many campers. If you truly want to go off-grid camping, you can add portable panels. But this might be more than sufficient for most RVers who just want to fire up the fridge or keep the batteries topped off.
Holding tanks on this unit are pretty good, with 52 gallons of fresh water and 27 gallons each of black and gray. Not bad for a camper of this size.
Things I would change in the Coachmen Apex Nano 183BH
As you might expect, there are a few things I would change in this, and the first of those is that goofy all-glass exterior door. I don’t know who ever thought it was a good idea to put an all-glass panel on the outside of a moving vehicle. But these are becoming increasingly common, and they’re just dumb. Why?
You don’t get more visibility—they’re the same size window as you’d get on any other trailer. The black glass can get blazing hot in the sun and, hello, it’s a huge glass panel that serves no practical purpose!
I’m also not a fan of this Everchill refrigerator, but only because the latch on this is the same latch we had on an earlier fridge from GE, which kept letting the door fly open in transit. It’s really a dumb design, although this seems a bit sturdier. But I have my doubts.
Final thoughts on the Coachmen Apex Nano 183BH
Quite honestly, I really like this little trailer. It’s light and relatively easy to tote around, but the interior really doesn’t feel crowded despite this rig’s being 90” wide and there being no slide. I’m sure some might think of that Bar-V as being a gimmick, but I actually thought it was very useful.
Something else I liked: This comes with a portable Bluetooth speaker rather than speakers wired into the trailer. To me, this is a better solution. These portable speakers sound good, and you can use them at home or take them with you on your adventures.
I’d call this a two-thumbs-up RV, and I think Coachmen has done a great job with the combination of floor plan design and included features. Nice.
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MORE COACHMEN RV REVIEWS:
- Meet the Coachmen RVEX, the first all-electric Class B motorhome
- RV review: The Coachmen Prism 24FS Class C is mostly nice
- RV review: Let’s party in the 2025 Coachmen Apex Ultra-Lite 242BARV
- RV review: 2025 Coachmen Freedom Express 252RBS—tall people welcome here
- RV review: 2025 Coachmen Freedom Express 274RKS – Better than a fifth wheel?
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. 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 lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars.
You can also check out Tony and Peggy’s RV podcast.
RVT1232
Two comments-
For these single axle trailers, I really like having the kitchen on the utility side rather than entry side. In almost every case there is more counter space – with these units that means some vs none.
Gulf Stream’s version (which we have) is consistently 600-800 pounds lighter than competitors’. It means I can tow with our Subaru Ascent without maxing out its tow rating. Most of these units require a full-size SUV or better to tow.
Our Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S had only 100# more GVW than this Apex Nano and was a foot shorter. It had tandem, torsion axles, a 12″ bathroom fan, a porcelain toilet, and a sofa slide, therefore no need for a folding or Murphy bed. Despite the slide, we had complete road access to the fridge, bathroom, and bed. We spent many nights in Flying J RV parking spaces, Walmart parking lots, and rest stops without deploying the slide, but with the capability of fixing dinner, taking a shower, and sleeping, all with the slide in. Of course, it was a couple’s trailer, with a jackknife sofa and no provision for sleeping four adults. If I wanted a bunkhouse, I would prefer the Ember’s flexibility!
At last- a trailer with enough windows to make it feel inside like you were outside I vastly prefer more windows than are commonly seen.
It has some really nice features. But I would never buy a single axle trailer. I have had flats on dual axles that caused some damage. I can’t imagine the damage it would do with a single axle. I also am not a fan of the 12 volt refrigerators but they seem to be too common now a days. If I had it, I would tear out the bunks and make closet space there.