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Born Free Owners .....

AlwaysTravelin
Explorer
Explorer
I would like to know how you find the insulation of the cabin.... does it keep you warm and toasty when the temps drop ?

i am giving some serious consideration to this brand.
thanks
16 REPLIES 16

MarshaNichols
Explorer
Explorer
pnichols wrote:
A bit off-topic ... and not to bash Born Free Class C models ... but as a heads up - we considered Born Free models when we bought our current Itasca and had a problem with the Born Free design back then.

Looking at their website now I still see the same potential problem: Many (but not all) of their Class C models still have the two-height roof in order to provide good cabover vertical room while at the same time provide for a low roof profile for the rest of the coach area.

I'm 6'2" and the low-ceiling portion of their Class C models we looked at did not provide enough head room to feel comfortable ... yeah, I could walk in them, but just barely. So for you tall folks out there, keep this in mind if you are considering certain Born Free Class C models.


I have a 2013, 24', rear bath...my 6'4" friend had no problems. Perhaps with the older models...but not now.

mockturtle
Explorer II
Explorer II
sandblast wrote:
mockturtle wrote:
I have no problem keeping warm in mine. When it gets cold, I use either the furnace, a small ceramic heater or (most often, dry camping) my Olympian Wave catalytic heater. Yes, Born Frees are very well made and mine does have a lined curtain in front.


Mockturtle
What size Olympian Wave are you using?

P.S. When do you take delivery on your new rig?

Thanks E.P.


I use an Olympian Wave 6. I'm taking delivery of my Tiger in early October.
2015 Tiger Bengal TX 4X4
Chevy 3500HD, 6L V8

stevekk
Explorer
Explorer
I own a 2011 Born Free.
They have 3 steel tubular Roll Bars built in.
The one in the middle can interfere with height of a person.
It is 6'1" off floor.

pnichols
Explorer II
Explorer II
A bit off-topic ... and not to bash Born Free Class C models ... but as a heads up - we considered Born Free models when we bought our current Itasca and had a problem with the Born Free design back then.

Looking at their website now I still see the same potential problem: Many (but not all) of their Class C models still have the two-height roof in order to provide good cabover vertical room while at the same time provide for a low roof profile for the rest of the coach area.

I'm 6'2" and the low-ceiling portion of their Class C models we looked at did not provide enough head room to feel comfortable ... yeah, I could walk in them, but just barely. So for you tall folks out there, keep this in mind if you are considering certain Born Free Class C models.
2005 E450 Itasca 24V Class C

Road_Dog
Explorer
Explorer
Also be sure to close the ducted air conditioning vents on your ceiling otherwise all the warm air will end up heating your air conditioner!

Leenite
Explorer
Explorer
Hi, AlwaysTravelin

You'd want to be sure you've closed all the vents in the cab area, since cold air coming in there will cause an icy draft along the floor back into the cabin. That goes for all makes of Class C.
Retired, full-time RVing and loving it!

sandblast
Explorer
Explorer
mockturtle wrote:
I have no problem keeping warm in mine. When it gets cold, I use either the furnace, a small ceramic heater or (most often, dry camping) my Olympian Wave catalytic heater. Yes, Born Frees are very well made and mine does have a lined curtain in front.


Mockturtle
What size Olympian Wave are you using?

P.S. When do you take delivery on your new rig?

Thanks E.P.

MarshaNichols
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2013, 24' Born Free and love it! I belong to the Born Free RV Club called Leap'n Lions. I have camped in cold (snowed on 2 different occasions) and very warm (up to 105) and have never had a huge problem. I do have an outside front window cover for privacy and close the curtain over the upper bunk. I can't even fathom a person not loving a BF...they are so well constructed, safe, and supported by their factory with over-the-top service. I wouldn't even think twice about purchasing another one!

mockturtle
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have no problem keeping warm in mine. When it gets cold, I use either the furnace, a small ceramic heater or (most often, dry camping) my Olympian Wave catalytic heater. Yes, Born Frees are very well made and mine does have a lined curtain in front.
2015 Tiger Bengal TX 4X4
Chevy 3500HD, 6L V8

tpi
Explorer
Explorer
thanks for your posts.... i am not thinking about doing cold weather camping but temperatures in the desert do drop pretty low at night in the winter. it can get very cold and i was wondering about the Born Free campers because they are suppose to be so well made.


I think you'll be fine. Agree with PNichols about the white vinyl windshield cover. It goes on outside of windshield, gives privacy, keeps direct sun out, and provides some insulation. I rarely have to cordon off the cab due to heat or cold but I always use my windshield cover. I found an electric heater with digital readout and remote control from Amazon. It's great if you can stand the size. The remote is nice because you can set the heater as far as possible from where you are (quieter) and dial in the perfect temperature.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TTV2QS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Windshield cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002F68JK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've done plenty of high desert camping in the winter. Love it.

stevekk
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2011 Born Free.
13000 miles.
I have babied this MH, but has developed cracks in the gel coat of the fiberglass sides.
I would stay away from BF.
I am very disappointed.

AlwaysTravelin
Explorer
Explorer
thanks for your posts.... i am not thinking about doing cold weather camping but temperatures in the desert do drop pretty low at night in the winter. it can get very cold and i was wondering about the Born Free campers because they are suppose to be so well made.

thanks for your opinions.... i do want to stay warm in there without having to bundle up in a coat or something. i am not looking to buy anything really big... nothing that maybe a nice little ceramic box heater cant heat. not a real big space.

maybe one of the smaller models they make.
also... i might want to go up the Alcan highway later on.... it might be something i would want to do... so... would be nice to make sure i was warm in a well insulated unit.

thanks

pnichols
Explorer II
Explorer II
Not only blocking off the cab area with an interior curtain ... but also covering the windshield on the outside with the common white cover will help, too.
2005 E450 Itasca 24V Class C

midnightsadie
Explorer II
Explorer II
we owned a 24ft born free, there a great rv built a little better than most. never had a problem keeping it warm, close the front curtain. and your roof won,t leak, ,, well it shouldn,t,,