magnusfide
montana
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Joined: 10/30/2009
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John S. wrote:
You are describing either of my two bornfrees. The 22 footer or the 24 footer. I had a full sized closet and a good sized fridge and the 22 foot had twin sofa beds and the 24 foot has 2 flexsteel chairs and a sofa and a cab over as well as full bath and is all wood and is all screwed together. There are no nails or glue in the coach.
This particular make has me intrigued. We have not seen the Born Frees and it does seem to have all I asked for in the "Heads Up" thread.
Now for the grassroots questions for actual owners:
- What is the frame made from?
- What kind of mpg do you get?
- Any virtues or vices of this vehicle?
I wish to thank all those who understood my quasi-t.i.c. wishlist for a motorhome and responded in like manner. We all have those wishlists tucked away and which need some airing from time to time. It's good to know there are others who also find the dinette a waste of space.
* This post was
edited 11/01/09 09:07am by magnusfide *
Jeet yet?
Magnus
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cmartin7143
ILL
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Joined: 01/01/2008
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Use to maintain a Born Free mobile clinic. based on a ford van. we beat the truck to death unitl it burned on the road a few years ago. It was one tuff unit. we topped it side swiped it backed it into multiple things. It was built well.
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suerover
Minnesota
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Joined: 02/07/2006
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We get around 11 mpg in our 24'Rear bath. The motorhome is quality throughout. Once we got inside one there was no turning back. We do not have a dinette but two fold down couches instead with a swivel table. The only drawback for us is that it is stored in Amsterdam, The Netherlands so it is a little hard to get to for weekend outings. But we wanted quality for our European outings and we haven't been disappointed. (And there is no crappy wallpaper or window coverings either.)
www.ourtravelswithrover.com
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RJCorazza
Maryland
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Joined: 12/17/2005
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I think all BF's are molded Fiberglass on a wood frame, with metal roll bars. My 21' presidential has 3 roll bars inside the framework. The interiors are well built, and at 14 years old I have had no real problems with the contruction inside or out. We have had typical maintenance & repair issues of appliances, generator, etc...
We get 9 mpg on the road without using the generator (460 EFI).
In addition to the quality contruction, to me a Born Free looks modern even at 14 years old... kinda like the old GMC motorhomes.
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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Yes, the BF has three steel rollbars. No one has died in one in the whole lifetime of the company. I have seen pictures of a rolled over unit and while the fiberglass was destroyed the people were fine and did not require medical attention.
I get about 10 mpg here in the moutains of VA. The unit is an 07 and I have 22000 miles on it and there is only one thing that has to be changed out. That and the TV too since I wanted a bigger one. The only issue I had was with the parrallex transfer switch. It was a bit undersized in operation for the genset side. Other than that it has been pretty much trouble free. that is both units. I sold my 06 9 months after buying it and they gave me a great deal on it. I wil say that BF is the only coach manufacturer that increased sales last year. they have a slide on a 32 footer but the simple nature of my 24 foot makes it pretty much bulletproof. They also leak test every unit as well. They put pressure inside and put soap water outside and look for bubbles.
The ford 450 on my 24 foot is a good riding chassis. It is not a cmfy as my foretravel but it is about the same as my pickup. I love the BF and actually use it more than the big one.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Dolly now in our hearts and thoughts 8-27-05
Doodle a Black and Tan Cavalier
Lolly a Ruby Cavalier
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labtek
Salisbury,md.,USA
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Joined: 03/24/2001
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magnusfide----Buying an RV for me is about as subjective and personal as anything I can think of.My wife and I bought a 2009 Born Free 22foot rear door on a Chevy duel wheel chassis with a 6 Liter gas engine.It was delivered to our home last May.We got all the bells and whistles and we are both stone crazy over it.Answers to your two unanswered questions:It has 3000 miles on it and just gave 12MPG on the last tank of gas,up from 11.5 MPG.Virtues and vices hen you and your wife sit in those two front chairs,you'll think you died and went to Heaven.The down side for me is my wife doesn't say,"Are we there yet?"She says,"When can I drive?" She is a city girl too and has never driven anything larger than a car.It handles like a dream.
If I can answer anymore questions for you,PM me or contact me on this forum.---------labtek
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magnusfide
montana
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Joined: 10/30/2009
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Thank you all, you're info is exactly the kind of grassroots user knowledge I like to get before "pawning the firstborn child"
We've been talking about the Born Free since I spotted it here in the forum. We like the adjustable twin beds and the efficient layout of the Built for Two. Could use a little more closet space but then at that length, there will be tradeoffs. Love the larger fridge too.
I wish I had found this forum sooner but better late than never.
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suerover
Minnesota
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If you really want your questions answered check out the Born Free Leap n Lions RV Club forum. You will get all kinds of knowledgeable answers there.
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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magnusfide wrote:Thank you all, you're info is exactly the kind of grassroots user knowledge I like to get before "pawning the firstborn child"
We've been talking about the Born Free since I spotted it here in the forum. We like the adjustable twin beds and the efficient layout of the Built for Two. Could use a little more closet space but then at that length, there will be tradeoffs. Love the larger fridge too.
I wish I had found this forum sooner but better late than never.
I have had both the 22 foot Built for Two and the 24 foot rear bath. The difference that two feet makes is huge. I have not had any issues taking the 24 foot unit anywhere I took the 22 foot unit. To give you a bit of perspective I have a crew cab dually long bed chevy pickup. It is 23 foot long and my coach is 24 foot. SO I fit where my pick up fits width and length wise. Height is a different story.
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41woodie
Oklahoma
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Joined: 06/21/2004
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In August my wife and I became the proud new owners of a 2001 RB. It took awhile to find one to my liking but I'm pleased with it so far. In the past we've had a 26' Airstream TT and a 38' Holiday Rambler. All MH's are compromises, drivability great, but not as nice as a home and vice versa. I miss the room of the 38' Class A but the ease of driving the Born Free is unbeatable. We don't just cruise the interstates we end up on a lot of winding secondary roads and well off the beaten path and it is a joy.
We tow a Jeep Wrangler on a Blue Ox tow bar and the Ford V-10 handles it nicely. We just returned from a 3000 mile trip through the Rockies and Utah without a hitch. With 24 feet of coach and the short length of a Jeep tow'd it's easy to get in to small spots and even my wife, who never drove our Class A feels confident enough to drive the Born Free.
The best compliment came yesterday, as we are on the road again. We pulled into a campsite to register for the night and while discussing TV's and converter boxes a guy looked out at our Born Free and said "Well your coach is brand new and it probably has a flat screen" The compliment is that the coach is nine years old and can still pass for new. The classic unchanged styling and durability make it hold up well. The solid wood cabinets are second to none. Enough preaching for tonight.
'01 Born Free 24' Rear Bath
2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Edition Tow'd
Blue Ox towing system
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