Question:
Does anyone have any experience with Coachman Catalinas? I'm looking at a
model 248tb - 24ft with a double and bunk beds. RV Consumer Group gives it
a one-star rating, but I'm wondering if anyone has first-hand experience
with Coachman, Catalinas in general, or this specific model.
Answer:
-A Family in our camping club recently (early this year?) bought that
model and I have spoken to the owner at length. On the plus side, they
really, really like the floorplan and the overall look of the trailer.
The family has two small boys, The dad is tall (6'4") and the trailer
works for them. I've been inside and thought the layout was well
designed. On the minus side, they think the overall quality level of
the materials & construction is poor (he said "crap"). They have had a
number of "small things" go wrong with the trailer, and I'd say they
think the trailer rates on the low side for quality.
Keep in mind that this is a Starcraft camping club and while this owner
(as well as myself) have chosen Some Other Brand, everyone started out
with a Starcraft and many people still own or have continued to buy
Starcraft TT's(and it's not easy in California, I'll tell ya!).
Starcraft in general is a higher than average quality trailer, so we
don't usually don't have much to talk about regarding rig quality
around the fire barrel. Both the Coachman owner and I have bought our
non-Starcraft trailers because what we wanted in a floorplan was just
not available anywhere else, Starcraft included.
I'd suggest that if you really like the floorplan & want to buy the
trailer, make sure you really like the dealer-check out the service
dept., talk to other customers if possible, get a warm fuzzie feeling
for the dealership & customer service as a whole. You will probably
have some problems and will see them again at least a couple of times
(this would be true of most trailers).
I think the fairest thing to say about the new Catalinas is that the
outside & the design is terrific while the materials & craftmanship
leaves something to be desired.
-Coachman Catalina's main buyer are the pre-retired families like yourself.
They, therefore are built light weight and ready to be towed by today's on
the go family. They are also considerably less expensive compared to the
higher line of pull trailer or 5th wheel. Of course this can be argued
depending on who's footing the bill. Because of cost, you will not find
allot of "real" wood and heavy components to add to the cost. The Coachman
Catalina can be considered an entry level travel trailer.
