BORN FREE's Kim Olson still in the RV business?

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Does anyone know if Kim Olson, Customer Service Rep. at Born Free for 30+ years, is still in the RV business?

I'm trying to find out where I can source parts for my Born Free coach, since they're out of business since May 2017.

Kim Olson knew everything about these coaches, and where to source parts for them.


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[bobndot]

I'm confused. This thread started in 2015 and we are still looking for Kim ?

[wandering_bark]

The Wandering Bark is still rolling and in great shape. Bought it in 2010, new, and it's been dependable and no motor or body problems at all. New A/C, refrigerator and tires, and pending a new awning, is about it. But after 10 years, that's great. Sooner or later may need something new, but its yearly checkup for fluids, underside inspection, et cetera hasn't turned up anything in the basic design or construction. Wish I could make it to rallies and be a Leapin' Lion, but I work still, and travel in it full time. I miss some of the friends I made at the early rallies and wish you all well. If I had to buy another coach, and if I couldn't find another Born Free, I would definitely choose Winnebago over any other coach. Of course, I'd search for another Born Free first. Stay safe, y'all, and have a wonderful year. Donnis in the Wandering Bark
PS: If you find Kim, tell him I said "Hi!"

[whemme]

Kim Olson like all other former Born Free employees have moved on and found other jobs. The original factory is not producing any motor homes but the last I knew, pontoons for pontoon boats were being made there. I live 75 miles from that factory location and travel by it occasionally in my travels around the state of Iowa. The last time I had contact with Kim, he told me that he was considering starting up a website to source and sell common Born Free replacement parts and when and if he did that, he would advertise this on the Born Free Leap’n Lions RV Club’s website. So far he has not done this and so far it looks unlikely. The club’s website’s forum offers sources of some parts in both the Coach Modifications and Technical Library sections.

[Tom_M1]

Kim is male. I met Kim a couple of times back when Born Free had annual factory rallies. He's a great guy and was the greatest support person. A great loss for Born Free owners. I purchased my '05 Born Free in 2010. It is my first and only motorhome and has been great. My only major problems have been Ford related.

[OkieGene]

Was Kim male or female?

A GOOGLE search of that name and town shows a deceased female, age 60 at death.

Have you tried any google search?

Also, many used parts can be sourced from Colaw Salvage, owned by Colaw RV in Carthage Missouri. You can get their website and phone number from any internet search, including Google.

Colaw RV Salvage is enormous! Huge inventory. Call them.

Good luck to you.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

John S. wrote:
Tried to send a pm won’t let me.

Looking for Kim Olson's contact information. Would you happen to have it?

[BruceMc]

Ours was 14ish years old when we replaced the fuel pump. There was not a single spot of rust as the entire tank/accessories were stainless (with the obvious exception of the plastic & rubber parts).

I wish I'd have taken a pic of the interior, but it was as fresh inside as the day it was manufactured:



If you paid $5,500 for an installed replacement, you got taken.

[whemme]

Your stainless steel fuel tank was a Ford product not a Born Free product. Since your tank was made out of stainless steel how in the heck did you get it to rust? Stainless steel in normally extremely rust resistant.

[John_S_]

Tried to send a pm won’t let me.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Does anyone know if Kim Olson, former CSR at Born Free Motorcoach in Humboldt, IA. is still in the RV business? Or, if there's a contact number for Kim?

My 2002 Born Free is in desperate need of some coach replacement parts, that were unique to the Born Free brand.

Born Free closed down for good in May 2017. I really need some coach accessory parts sourced!!


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[Skid_Row_Joe]

ron.dittmer wrote:

Skid Row Joe wrote:
Has anyone seen what the Born Free RV buildings in Humboldt, Iowa are being utilized as? Since the founder and his son of Born Free passed away a few years ago, the company got shuttered in May of 2017. Just wondering if RVs are being manufactured there these days. Considering a new Class C purchase, and probably will go with a Winnebago from Lichtsinn, in Forest City, Iowa.

Born Free is done. The company is gone.

I kindly advise not to give up hope on a new quality-made rig. Yes Winnebagos are decent, but there are a number of good quality brands to consider. Don't just blindly buy without doing your research. You don't want to have buyer's remorse. With the internet, you can cover a lot of ground in the comfort of your home.

List the essentials of what a rig absolutely must provide you, then go from there. Must you have the huge bed over the van? Must you have both a couch and a dinette? Must you have a walk-around queen bed? Do you have a limit on over-all length? Things like that.

My wife and I did just that in 2006/2007 and we ended up with a Phoenix Cruiser.

Unfortunately, the Born Free I bought has been plagued with any number of grave issues in my ownership of it. Endless roof, side-body, and windows leaking rainwater for years on end. The air bag system was a fiasco of $ and getting replaced. My coach's stainless steel fuel tank also rusted out to the tune of $5,500.00 for a replacement. It's truly been a moneypit, for claiming to be so well made. When Born Free was in business, , at least you could get parts and advise. That's over. I'm not keen on any of these off brands that like Born Free, may close up tomorrow. The Winnebago brand is well known and not likely to go out of business. My earlier post was trying to find out if there were any service centers of expertise with the Born Free brand.



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[ron_dittmer]

Skid Row Joe wrote:
Has anyone seen what the Born Free RV buildings in Humboldt, Iowa are being utilized as? Since the founder and his son of Born Free passed away a few years ago, the company got shuttered in May of 2017. Just wondering if RVs are being manufactured there these days. Considering a new Class C purchase, and probably will go with a Winnebago from Lichtsinn, in Forest City, Iowa.

Born Free is done. The company is gone.

I kindly advise not to give up hope on a new quality-made rig. Yes Winnebagos are decent, but there are a number of good quality brands to consider. Don't just blindly buy without doing your research. You don't want to have buyer's remorse. With the internet, you can cover a lot of ground in the comfort of your home.

List the essentials of what a rig absolutely must provide you, then go from there. Must you have the huge bed over the van? Must you have both a couch and a dinette? Must you have a walk-around queen bed? Do you have a limit on over-all length? Things like that.

My wife and I did just that in 2006/2007 and we ended up with a Phoenix Cruiser. Our rig can be seen by CLICKING HERE.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Has anyone seen what the Born Free RV buildings in Humboldt, Iowa are being utilized as? Since the founder and his son of Born Free passed away a few years ago, the company got shuttered in May of 2017. Just wondering if RVs are being manufactured there these days. Considering a new Class C purchase, and probably will go with a Winnebago from Lichtsinn, in Forest City, Iowa.




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[thestoloffs]

Many Born Free coach owners can be found on the Leap'n Lions RV Club forum.

[Photomike]

Skid Row Joe wrote:
Are there any Class C Born Free owners left these days? And where are you getting your Born Free specific parts and technical services and advise from?

Parts for most RV's are from separate manufacturers not the RV manufacturer. The only thing that would be from the manufacturer is the shell of the motor home and parts are usually wood or plastic from another supplier. Technical services can be found at any RV service center or if you are handy start doing little things yourself.

Honestly if you RV is out of warranty manufacturers usually have little if anything to do with after purchase service.