Bounder Critique

[JackInAZ]

As our 13th RV in 22+ years, we have been rather pleased with few complaints with our 2015 Bounder 33C. At 34 feet, roomy enough for just the two of us and yet not as large a footprint as we have experienced in the past. And with all the frills such as fireplace (really heats!), electric heat pump, Samsung residential fridge with 2000-watt inverter, outside entertainment center, and brand-name features throughout (such as Sony big screen TV and surround sound, etc. and etc., and a price tag under 100K, we find it offers considerably more for the dollar than the many Winnebago/Itasca products we've tried in the past.

Thus far I have only one complaint about its design: The Fleetwood engineers decided it would be fun to place the battery switches high above the step, over the entrance way. That means for storage I have to disable the battery from those switches and then parachute out the entrance because of course the step is inoperable with batteries disabled. When I'm ready to again head out, I have to get a box to reach the entrance way and climb in to activate the battery switches and the door step. Winnebago (and I suspect many others) have the right idea: place the battery switches within easy reach just inside the door so they can be manage from outside the coach. Of course, that raises another problem, inadvertently turning off the switch when checking the battery.

With all the problems we've had in our RVing history, this seems like such a minor one........

[w4phj]

OldFogie wrote:
Have you tried shutting off the switch with the steps extended?

This is what I do. Works well for me.

[discovery4us]

I typically leave the steps extended during storage but for a few years I parked in a spot that required them to be retracted. I found a plastic two step folding ladder at walmart and put it in the front storage compartment. Allowed easy access with steps retracted and also comes in handy for many other things, cleaning windshields, etc.
Also my kill switches are on the control panel that is located next to the door into the bedroom. Fleetwood has wired them this way for a lot of years.

[nickelman]

As I plan to purchase a MH in a few years and full/half time Rv this is the exact floor plan I am looking for.
Can you get all the way back with the slides in? That curved couch looks like it would go almost against the refrig.

[Ava]

I have a 20 year old Bounder ( diesel ) and the switches are in that upper reach area at the door. So it is nothing new. As others said, when getting out I open the door to extend the steps, turn off the chassis battery the steps stay out close the door and carry on. Just my two cents worth, Doug

[JackInAZ]

happy-2 wrote:
Thats 1 rv every year and a half. with that many rvs i would have thought you would never have that problem.

With that many RVs, we have long ago recognized that there will always be problems, no matter the brand and model. I've even heard horror stories from new Prevost owners.

[happy-2]

Thats 1 rv every year and a half. with that many rvs i would have thought you would never have that problem.

[happy-2]

Thats 1 rv every year and a half. with that many rvs i would have thought you would never have that problem.

[Effy]

This is odd. Typically with the switch in the off position the steps will still function when you open and close the door. Open the door, steps deploy, close and they retract. Are you saying yours doesn't work that way? That's actually a problem not a design.

[MrWizard]

Why not leave the step out
What is the problem,
Extend the step then turn off the switches
No trouble getting in or out
Is the RV stored someplace where you will trip over the step going around the house or RV

[wilanddij]

Install a switch like this Battery Switch on the chassis battery. Leave the main battery switch inside the RV "ON". The steps will retract when you close the door, and then you can totally disconnect the chassis battery from all the parasitic draws by opening this switch.

[JackInAZ]

wannavolunteerFT wrote:
Love the floor plan, would work for me.... how does it drive?

Much better than previous coaches thanx to the big chassis and 22.5" tires (which will cost plenty 5-7 years down the road.)

[moisheh]

afrescop:

Bounder does not use a rubber roof. It is a much better material. You will see very few problems reported on Bounder or any FW roof. At least the roof does not fly off like many Winnebago's.

Moisheh

[DSDP_Don]

Do you have the manual disconnects in the battery compartment?

[xctraveler]

In storage situations I have used I want the steps retracted to eliminate the possibility of my neighbor destroying them with his coach while going in or out. Hard to see those steps while trying to back into a tight storage spot.