Buying a new Born Free - Looking for advice
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Buying a new Born Free - Looking for advice
We have settled around the 23 foot (or 24 foot) new Born Free models. Still working out whether the wife wants a rear kitchen or side kitchen models. We'll be going for the E450 chassis with the V10 engine (if I have the correct).
Anyone have experience with a tow vehicle for this model? Been looking for the lightest 4wd/AWD vehicles I can and they look to be between 3,000lbs curb weight up to 4,500lbs curb weight.
Would appreciate any and all advice from folks experienced with this configuration. Thanks in advance.
Anyone have experience with a tow vehicle for this model? Been looking for the lightest 4wd/AWD vehicles I can and they look to be between 3,000lbs curb weight up to 4,500lbs curb weight.
Would appreciate any and all advice from folks experienced with this configuration. Thanks in advance.
Alan and Jeannie Wolfe
2014 Born Free Freedom
2014 Born Free Freedom
Suggest Chevy HHR, small, light and easy to tow. All you need is to put it into neutral and remove 1 fuse. No shift pattern to mess with.
No matter which vehicle you select. Consider the Ready Brake Brute system which includes tow bar and brake system. All mechanical, no electronics, no box to install in tow vehicle. Very portable. Total system a little over $1k. Less expensive then most.
Very satisfied with mine. Easy to hookup as I am a solo traveler.
Good luck.
No matter which vehicle you select. Consider the Ready Brake Brute system which includes tow bar and brake system. All mechanical, no electronics, no box to install in tow vehicle. Very portable. Total system a little over $1k. Less expensive then most.
Very satisfied with mine. Easy to hookup as I am a solo traveler.
Good luck.
Looking for 2011 or newer RSB
2008 27' RB. SOLD,
2007 Chevy HHR "toad"
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar with Ready Brake
2008 27' RB. SOLD,
2007 Chevy HHR "toad"
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar with Ready Brake
Thought the BF was rated for more than 4500 - and the E450 should be - My little Explorer is rated for more than that - I got the Roadmaster blackhawk all terrain tow bar (over kill, but I may use it behind my explorer someday) and the Roadmaster even brake - box behind the seat is easy - all was used - less than a year old, looked new - about 600 for everything - most tow bar/brake systems are dirt cheap if you buy used, (and can wait for the "deal") The Ready brake looks like a good system - didnt really check them out.
Re: Buying a new Born Free - Looking for advice
If you can take the time to find a nice one, the Geo-Chevy-Suzuki Tracker is probably the lightest 4wd vehicle out there. The most fun, reliable AWD is a somewhat heavier WRX/STI.bbwolf wrote: Anyone have experience with a tow vehicle for this model? Been looking for the lightest 4wd/AWD vehicles I can and they look to be between 3,000lbs curb weight up to 4,500lbs curb weight.
Ed & Beth
2003 Born Free 26' RSB: SOLD March 2016
replace by a house near the beach
2003 Born Free 26' RSB: SOLD March 2016
replace by a house near the beach
We tow a 2000 Chevy tracker and we love it. the 4WD has gotten us out of trouble several times, and we carried a spare for our Born Free in the back for a long time until we needed a back seat for passengers once, and we never replaced the spare. Our brake system is an SMI that requires NO change when the toad is un-hooked for single use. Why a Tracker ? Because the dealer had one all set up and available.
Thank you ewagman and bill. Zeroing in on the Roadmaster All Terrain. A friend is changing to an always installed and ready brake system for his Toad, so he is going to give me his Blue Ox Apollo portable brake unit for the Toad. My plan is to practice with it once we settle on the Toad vehicle.
We went to Sequim, Washington on Tuesday and were lucky enough to have Joe and Fran Dieu allow us to look at their 2010 Rear Side Kitchen unit. (thanks to Joe and Fran for being so friendly). This sold the wife on the floor plan.
Now, I get to work with Ed and start defining all the specifics. Very exciting time.
We are really open to any and all advice people have. What would be on your wish list? Thanks again to all who have posted and we appreciate any additional comments and advice.
We went to Sequim, Washington on Tuesday and were lucky enough to have Joe and Fran Dieu allow us to look at their 2010 Rear Side Kitchen unit. (thanks to Joe and Fran for being so friendly). This sold the wife on the floor plan.
Now, I get to work with Ed and start defining all the specifics. Very exciting time.
We are really open to any and all advice people have. What would be on your wish list? Thanks again to all who have posted and we appreciate any additional comments and advice.
Alan and Jeannie Wolfe
2014 Born Free Freedom
2014 Born Free Freedom
- Mike Astley
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:40 pm
My wish list of options I would add: inverter and heated tanks.
Two I would talk to the factory of adding: a battery monitor and an in-line surge suppressor. (if the newer models don't have these)
The inverter and battery monitor add to your boondocking ability. The heated tanks add to your cold season camping ability. The surge suppressor is especially needed if you ever travel south of the border and occasionally protects your RV from problems elsewhere.
If you plan to boondock, you could have the factory add a second battery (if there is room).
Two I would talk to the factory of adding: a battery monitor and an in-line surge suppressor. (if the newer models don't have these)
The inverter and battery monitor add to your boondocking ability. The heated tanks add to your cold season camping ability. The surge suppressor is especially needed if you ever travel south of the border and occasionally protects your RV from problems elsewhere.
If you plan to boondock, you could have the factory add a second battery (if there is room).
1999 26RSB
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins, CO
- Mike Astley
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:40 pm
Solar panels are a great addition for boondocking. I don't tend to see the factory as an expert on solar panels but it would be worthwhile, if buying a new RV, to see if you could get the factory to add the wiring to make the RV solar panel "ready".stevek wrote:Regarding boon-docking...what about solar panels?
1999 26RSB
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins, CO
AM Solar is srill around.
http://www.amsolar.com/
I have heard good things about this company.
It is located in Oregon.
http://www.amsolar.com/
I have heard good things about this company.
It is located in Oregon.
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
CA/OR border
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
CA/OR border