Today’s RV review is of the Coachmen 2025 Apex Ultra-Lite 242BARV. This is likely not the RV you were thinking of when you considered needing a new travel trailer, and it’s possibly the most unusual thing I saw at the RV Open House in September. But it may also be the absolute perfect fit for some travelers. What am I going on about?
This is almost a cross between a travel trailer and a food truck with an emphasis on tailgating. In fact, if you are someone for whom RVing is going to events and tailgating, you may have found your next RV.
Why do I write that? Well, there are three refrigerators in here to start with, along with an ice machine and a pass-through window with an outdoor bar. Seriously.
Let’s start at the bar
Like so many college events, let’s start at the bar, shall we? But that means both indoors and outdoors here.
On the side of this trailer is a flip-up window that reminds me of the old roach coach that would come to my dad’s work and sell donuts and coffee and odd plastic-wrapped sandwiches. There’s also a lower panel that drops down, and that’s where your table, or bar surface, is.
Behind this drop-down panel you’ll find a 12-volt smart TV and two shelves with a household and USB power outlet, as well.
The screen in the opening that is revealed by flipping up the upper window can roll up and, inside, you also have a breakfast bar. But you could use this space to pass things back and forth, of course.
Inside by that breakfast bar is a small wine fridge, the first of two, as well as an ice maker. The only thing missing from this is your choice of Margaritaville Frozen Concoction makers. Though now there’s a new battery-powered unit. Don’t think I’m not figuring out how to justify getting one of those.
Outdoor kitchen
Back outside there is an outdoor kitchen behind this bar area that features a flat-top griddle on a drawer slide and the second wine fridge. There’s also a proper plumbed sink and some storage.
I had been to a lot of Jimmy Buffett concerts and this would have been a real hit at those. You could be grilling cheeseburgers on the griddle and having Landshark Lager in the fridge while the ice maker creates all the ice for the margaritas.
What’s inside the Coachmen Apex Ultra-Lite 242BARV
We had already looked at the dining bar with the adjacent fridge and ice maker, but I didn’t mention that this comes with three bar-height chairs with backs. That’s a good thing, because I don’t know if this much celebratory prep would do well with backless chairs, quite honestly.
There’s also a theater seat in here on the road side, and that’s your main living space.
As for the kitchen, it’s decent enough and runs along the bulkhead wall. That wall features a three-burner propane stove with 17” oven and a sink. There’s also a convection microwave. Honestly, if you’re making snacks to be served up at the bar, you’re in good shape in this kitchen.
In fact, I just saw a video where someone wrapped a short length of andouille sausage with a shrimp and then seasoned that shrimp with something like Tony’s Cajun seasoning. There’s something about that stuff that I really like—maybe it’s the name—but those would cook nicely in that small oven. You could also be making something in that convection microwave at the same time. Perhaps potato skins.
Bathroom in the Coachmen Apex Ultra-Lite 242BARV
Let’s face it, all those margaritas and beer are going to generate a response—so how’s the bathroom in here? Actually, good. The flushatorium spans the width of the back of this camper and includes a radius shower. The toilet has plenty of space around it. There’s a sink in case some of your partiers want to actually wash their hands—as if they’re civilized or something.
Unfortunately, with all those greasy hors d’oeuvres, there’s only the tiny 4” vent fan that will do little to overcome what even a bunch of air freshener spray can’t conquer. So you might want to upgrade that in short order.
Bedroom in the Coachmen Apex Ultra-Lite 242BARV
At some point, the party’s gotta stop and the bedroom in this trailer features a true queen-sized bed with a nifty party trick of its own. Lift the bed and there are two sets of opposing drawers underneath. This is a pretty good use of this space.
There are also wardrobes on either side, as you would expect. The overhead storage is hinged on the sides, so you don’t have to fumble with the doors to get those game-day undies you’ve had since college.
Conclusions about the Coachmen Apex Ultra-Lite 242BARV
Usually, I look at the wheels, tires and suspension on trailers first. But I don’t think that’s what’s going to sway a customer for this trailer.
In the prototype that was at Open House, the slide blocked the bathroom only because the bathroom door opened out into the main living space. However, it seems that has been changed in the production models.
I wonder how well this rig will sell. I can absolutely see it appealing to people and being a big hit at tailgating events. But how many of those would someone go to to justify such a rig? Well, actually, I understand that, in the Midwest, people even intentionally go to high school football games. So I’m about the most wrong person there is to judge this kind of thing.
So that means I’m especially keen on your comments. Would this be something you could see at whatever sports you attend?
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the photos and video in this article.
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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For some reason, bathroom doors that are not “framed in” (i.e. have that huge space at the top and the bottom) give me the “icks”.
Why does the RV manufacturers have such an obsession with “dark” wood/laminate cabinetry? The bathroom is two dimensions with it’s dark gloomy old looking cabinets and updated semi-circular shower door. Just saying!
Agree 100%. We really wanted an “Outdoor RV” TT, but just hated the dark, dreary interior.
I have an upcoming article about fish house RVs and, for the most part, they have such a refreshingly natural interior with knotty pine planks for the walls. I love it.
I’m with you. I don’t get the dark cabinets in a small space.
Thank you, Tony! Yes, it certainly seems to have tailgating down in an unrivaled way. That it also works if not tailgating is very good. So, it is not exclusively a niche RV, just biased strongly in the direction of tailgating. I have run into several people tailgating at football games, who would be smitten by the attributes of this RV. The water tank volumes are good, too! I guess we’ll see, but I think it will sell, even for standard use if one has youngish children or grandchildren. Happy new year and safe travels!
Wow! A bit of careful “resignation” on the 17″ oven, Tony! Must’ve caused a bit of gnashing of teeth, ha ha! Very informative and entertaining (as always) review.
Those things have such hot spots and they’re so shallow. We Rockwood owners have an oven that’s actually usable but it’s really disappointing how poor the performance of those smaller ovens is.
Good seeing you here, my friend.
No mention in your review, Josh’s video, or on the Coachmen website of the suspension, so I assume it has Model T-vintage leaf springs. Also no info on an inverter and Li batteries to power the wine coolers, ice maker, etc., during travel. A cold draft-inducing windshield above the head of the bed, a small oven, a useless bathroom fan that must be replaced, dark painted cabinets, solid steps, and two dump valves at opposite ends of the trailer . . . everything I would not want in a travel trailer! No wine fridges, ice maker, outdoor kitchen/bar, or outdoor TV will make up for a basically cheap RV with a bunch of added gimmicks!
I can see this being popular at tailgating events but then you’d also have the hum of a generator in the background – although the ones I’ve been to this isn’t unusual at all.
And, you’re right, buggy suspension. This is a price-focused rig with some interesting and unique features.