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

The newly hired President and CEO of Born Free is Jeff Butler. He left Dynamax, a division of Forest River RV company to take the position with the investment group out of Des Moines, Iowa. Prior to Forest River, Jeff had a very long career in management with Monaco Coach in Oregon, before the industry basically shut down during the recession of 2008 and 2009.

I owned a 24ft BF great coach. very well made.

In a letter addressed to the Born Free Owners Group, Jeff basically gave his background as an employee of numerous RV manufacturers covering 30+ years, and that; "great things were in store for Born Free." No specifics on what that might mean was offered in the press release/letter.

There were no details given beyond these two factoids from the Born Free president and CEO.

More details are emerging on the sale of Born Free. The Humboldt. Iowa company is now foreign-owned by an Asian-based investor group. The Dodgens, i.e. John and John junior (C.T.) are out of it completely.

John Dodgen is now deceased. New management is in-place in Humboldt, Iowa.

I don't think that is true. Born Free Motorcoach is now owned by an investment group based in Des Moines, IA.

whemme wrote:
I don't think that is true. Born Free Motorcoach is now owned by an investment group based in Des Moines, IA.

Their regional office may be in Des Moines, but the ownership of Born Free is now based in Japan. The only thing owned by heirs of Dodgen are the building & associated real estate in Humboldt.

Born Free Motorcoach in Humboldt, Iowa is shuttered. Reported to have run out of money, as the reason it closed in May 2017.

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?

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.

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