21QB Coachmen Freelander Class C Motorhome

Learn about all the great features of a Coachmen Freelander RV. We purchased a new 2020 Freelander 21QB in November of that year.

Last year was a crazy year, for sure. We were planning our camping rally when the pandemic sidelined us all. That changed our outlook on travel and camping.

Over the years, we have owned seven RVs as a couple. This is in addition to the ones our original families had growing up.

Here is our camping history:

• Tent campers in the early 90s.
• Purchased our first pop-up, an old Viking in 1996. Sold it in 1998.
• Back to tent camping here and there in the late 90s/early 2000s.
• Purchased an old Winnebago Vectra Class A for a 2010 trip to Alaska. Sold it after the trip.
• Purchased our second pop-up in 2012 and started camping a lot more. Had it 3 years.
• Purchased our third pop-up in 2015. It was a dud, so we got rid of it right away.
• Purchased our fourth pop-up camper in 2016. Sold it in July 2020.
• Rented Class C motorhomes on our trips to California and the Northeast.
• We purchased an old shuttle bus in July 2020 to build our own camper. However, we quickly realized that it was not the project for us and sold it.
• Purchased this brand new Freelander 21QB motorhome. We are very happy with it so far.

Why did we purchase a Class C?

There are several reasons for purchasing a class C motorhome. We have enjoyed the motorhome we had and the ones we rented. We want a place to cook, sleep and a bathroom. Furthermore, we thought it was the best way to travel self-contained and away from COVID-19 exposure. At this point, we do not regret this decision.

Coachmen Class C Motorhomes

Coachmen currently manufactures four different brands of Class C motorhomes: Freelander, Leprechaun, Cross Trail, and Prism. They will soon add Concord to their lineup. Coachmen is a reputable brand with over 50 years of experience in the business.

The Freelander is an entry-level motorhome made on the same chassis as the Leprechaun and some of the Cross Trail models. While it is more affordable for first-time motorhome owners, it has all the features that any RVer needs.

The Leprechaun is made with what Coachmen call the ‘better stuff.’ There are the same features as the Freelander, but with optional upgrades. This model ranges from 21 to 31 feet in length.

Coachmen Cross Trail is a more eco-friendly model. It comes with either a Ford EcoBoost or Transit engine and has 20 —to 26-foot options.

The Coachmen Prism is a luxury model made on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis. Four different layouts of this 24-foot model are available.

Freelander Models

Over the years, numerous Freelander models have ranged from 20 to 32 feet in length, typically based on a Chevy or Ford Chassis. Most of the models have features similar to those of our 21QB, which we describe in detail below.  

Freelander models include 20CB, 21BH, 21QB, 21RS, 22XG, 26DS, 26RS, 2600SO, 27QB, 28BH, 28QB, 29KB, 29KS, 30QB, 31BH, 31MB, 31SS, 32BH, 32DS, and 32FS.

Several members of the Coachmen Freelander Owners Facebook Group have contributed to this post with the following images of the various models out there. Based on these contributions, the Freelander 27QB is the most popular. See more photos at the bottom of the post.

Why we chose a Coachmen Freelander

We began researching all the manufacturers when we decided to purchase a small motorhome. We read numerous Coachmen RV reviews and discovered that the Freelander seemed to offer great features and was the most affordable option.

Upon searching for a Coachmen Freelander for sale, we came across several Coachmen RV Dealerships, but the inventory was low. We saw a late-model 21QB about an hour away, but it had sold by the time we contacted the seller. We then focused on Freelanders.

Coachmen Freelander 21QB

The 21QB in this model refers to a 21-foot length with a queen bed. We wanted to go as small as possible and have a regular queen-sized mattress. This meant not crawling above a cab or making up a dinette or Murphy bed each night. We also did not want a slide. This model seemed to fit our needs best when we were searching, mainly because it has an external storage garage.

Mechanicals

This nimble Chevy motorhome is built on a V8 6.0L 4500 Express Cutaway chassis.

It is solar-ready. We are unsure whether we will add solar panels to the roof at some point or use a suitcase panel that we set up when needed.

2020 FREELANDER 21QB CHEVY RV SPECIFICATIONS

Exterior Storage

This rig features three exterior storage compartments. One is positioned right by the door and is designed to hold a TV. We do not plan to add one, so we use it to store our adjustable aluminum step.

We use the small compartment behind the driver to store our water hoses.

Our favorite part of this rig is the HUGE storage garage located in the back underneath the queen-sized bed. This massive compartment has a flat area that we use to store bigger items and four small storage wells that hold heavier or smaller items.

This massive storage area features two doors: a large one located along the side and a smaller one situated in the back. Since we often carry a hitch bike rack, we just use the side door as the back one is blocked.

Other External Features

This 2020 model included a roof rack, a Wi-Fi booster, and a large electric awning. We will likely tow a small vehicle with the class 3 hitch in the future.

Roomy Interior

A small RV is very roomy inside. This was well-designed for optimization.

In addition to the beds above, a roomy U-shaped dinette can be made into a bed. We have not done this yet. As you pass through the kitchen area to reach the bed and bathroom, there is plenty of room to get around this dinette.

The kitchen is small but functional. There is a small sink, a gas stove and oven, a built-in microwave above the stove, and a 2-way refrigerator/freezer unit.

There is a swing-up counter extension over the entry steps. We also increase the prep space by placing wood blocks on the sink and stove when they are not in use.

Full Bathroom

The model features a compact bathroom equipped with a toilet, sink, and shower. It is compact but suits our needs.

The bathroom door opens against the diagonal part of our bed, making it a narrow entry. This motorhome would not be a good choice if you need more room.

This model features a step at the edge of the dinette, which makes it a poor choice for anyone with mobility issues.

Interior Storage

This unit offers a considerable amount of storage space. There is a double-door closet between the dinette and bathroom. We do not need to hang clothes, so we have outfitted this area with storage drawers and a hanging organizer. There are two storage drawers below the closet.

In the kitchen, there is a cabinet above and below the sink. Additionally, there is a drawer located under the stove.

Overhead cabinets line the main bed area and are above the dinette. The doors are top-hinged, which is not the most convenient. We may add pistons to help hold them open.

We have plenty of storage, both inside and outside, with the garage included. On a recent 2-week trip, we stored canned goods and coats underneath the dinette.

Driving a Coachmen Freelander

This motorhome is easy to drive. It feels like a large minivan unless it is windy on the interstate, in which case you really have to hold the wheel.

With a width of just over 8 feet and a length of under 25 feet, it can be parked in a standard parking space. When we travel, we look for end spots or spaces that will allow for the large rear overhang.

It is quite agile and can easily be turned around. The turn radius seems better than our 4Runner.

Gas mileage is around 10 mpg. It’s not great, but that’s what you get with driving a motorhome or pulling a camper.

RV Weight

Many RVers overload their rigs. We are fairly certain that we have done this in the past. We did not want to overload this new motorhome, so we got it weighed.

We visited a truck stop and weighed ourselves on a Cat Scale when fully loaded. We were just under 11,000 pounds, and this vehicle’s max is 14,200. We do not think we will ever overload it.

Weighing it was a straightforward process. We researched how to weigh an RV and did it quickly.

Other Features of the Motorhome

The overhead bunk has a 32” flat-screen TV on a swing-out arm. There is a built-in DVD player.

The Jensen stereo that came with the unit is junk. We thought there was something wrong with our unit, but many other Freelander owners have commented on the same. We upgraded it with a new Pioneer stereo.

We added vent covers to the three built-in vents.

What we wish was different

We would love it if the passenger seat swiveled toward the living space. We are not sure if this is possible with this Chevy chassis.

We plan to replace the vent above the main bed with a MaxxAir Fan. There is built-in wiring for this.

Overall thoughts on the Coachmen Freelander 21QB

We are pleased with our purchase. It is the perfect size for our family of 3. We actually have three children, but the two oldest have moved out and are now on their own. The youngest is a teen, and her time with us is limited. We have enjoyed the time we spent camping together in it.

The color scheme in this unit is pleasant, so we do not plan to paint or update it. Several custom camping quilt hangings brighten and personalize the inside.

We removed the blinds in the main bed area and added blackout curtains. We cut Reflectix to fit inside the cab windows and vent openings. This has helped keep it cooler in the summer and provides darkness, allowing us to sleep better.

Please let us know if you have any questions about this Coachman Freelander model Coachman Freelander. The 2021 model does not come with a standard stove or ladder. We are glad we have them. You can see the tour of our Freelander 21QB on YouTube.

If you want to buy a used motorhome, check out our tips on purchasing a used RV.

More Coachmen Freelander Motorhomes