countrykids
Minnesota
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Joined: 08/04/2004
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What gemsworld said.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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years back when I was looking at born frees I got a little turned off by their wood wall construction. yes, it had metal "roll bars" but?
bumpy
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Travelin2
SW Florida
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Well, I didn't get up to see the diesel Born Free today. Everyone that responded had the same thoughts I did about noise, maintenance and if they were so great why isn't there more of them around. I marked that one off the list.
I received some sage advice from a member here on RV Net and have marked the Phoenix Cruiser off the list also. I really like the Phoenix Cruisers but this model was discontinued and probably for good reason.
That leaves the 2007 Born Free 24RB with a V10. It is about an hour drive to get there and something came up here at home so I didn't get there today. You know how life is. Good ol' "Bumpy" has some misgivings about them and I have to admit they seem just a bit different. Having a bed that requires making up and taking down is a big minus for us really.
Three things carry a lot of weight in our decision. First we would like to stay 25 ft or less. Have a dedicated bed and a booth dinette.
The search continues.
John & Gloria
South West, Florida
2009 Leisure Travel Serenity
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midnightsadie
ohio
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leisure travel vans they have some nice 25ft or less.
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Travelin2
SW Florida
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We owned a Pleasure Way Van for 2 years and put 8,000 miles on it. Very well made but we just couldn't quite get used to it. We both must have bumped our heads a hundred times and the shower was unpleasant. We are thinking a B+ is the way to go for us.
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ron.dittmer
North-East Illinois
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I agree with the people who frowned upon the diesel. A close friend of mine has been a Ford mechanic for many years. He says that 6.0 diesel is the worst idea Ford came up with in any of their vehicles, let-alone the E-series chassis. So I say to take that one off your list.
Having a gas V10 engine with gas generator and 55 gallons of gas is much better anyways. Save your propane for the fridge, furnace, hot water heater, and stove.
2007 Phoenix Cruiser model 2350, with 2006 Jeep Liberty in-tow
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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The Diesel added a lot to the original cost. It may actually deduct from the resale, since 6.0 was problematic. But, in addition to whatever the mechanics might be, and maybe the noise, two factors we haven't discussed, remain:
1. It was de-tuned in the E-Series, so you don't get the high performance the pickup is known for
2. It takes the Front Axle right to rated capacity, limiting weight carrying and weight distribution opportunities.
Now for what I really wanted to say in this reply, and I'll SHOUT:
YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED THE FEATURES YOU WANT, LIKE THAT BED. DON'T COMPROMISE AND GET SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T MEET YOUR NEED JUST BECAUSE IT'S CLOSE BY OR AVAILABLE NOW.
* This post was
edited 01/17/17 09:53am by j-d *
If God's Your Co-Pilot Move Over, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100 218" WB
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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as I remember there were several born free models that were short and had twin couch/beds.
bumpy
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pnichols
The Other California
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Joined: 04/26/2005
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John (the OP),
You might also want to consider the 24V 2005 version of the Itasca we have on the optional E450 V10 chassis - it's been a great Class C for us since we bought it new. Note such things as tank sizes, interior wall construction, interior/exterior storage, and roof construction. The last year that Winnebago offered this same model with the same set of features was 2007. Don't look at this model earlier than 2005 or you'll not get Ford's great 5-speed (6 ratios internally) computer controlled transmission in it:
https://winnebagoind.com/resources/brochure/2005/05-Spirit-bro.pdf
2005 E450 Itasca 24V Class C
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Snowman9000
IL
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I wouldn't drop the Phoenix Cruiser just because they no longer have that floorplan. If you like it, that's what counts.
Currently RV-less but not done yet.
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