WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Chassis

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stevek
Posts: 1184
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:33 pm

WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Chassis

Post by stevek »

I just got a email regarding Born Free at the RV show in Hershey.
Then I saw it.... Knocked me over... :shock: ... Is this Good or Bad for us E350/450 owners?

"We're also excited to announce that we're developing a Born Free on the Mercedes Sprinter!
Come see us at the Hershey RV Show and we'll tell you all about it!"

Anybody know this was coming? If so, tell us more.
Aren't they going to have to come up with all new Fiberglass Molds?

So..... the big question? :lol:
Would you Change Over to a SPRINTER?
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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DBrown

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by DBrown »

We were long time Born Free owners, having four different ones. In April of this year sold our 2008 Born Free and purchased a 2016 Itasca Navion J model. Love the Sprinter chassis, diesel engine, diesel generator, and slide out. Couldn't be happier with our Navion, but wish Born Free had made a similar decision sooner. I think people will love a Born Free on a sprinter chasis.
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stevek
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Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:33 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by stevek »

Thanks for the input. Glad you are happy with the change.
Looks like the Sprinter may be the waive of the future like the Motorhomes are in Europe?
This is a picture of a MH , I found googling. NOT A BORN FREE PIC.
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Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
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Dallas Baillio
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Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by Dallas Baillio »

Look Steve it has a step :D
Dallas Baillio
2001 26RSB
Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club Member
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Dallas Baillio
Posts: 1181
Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:52 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by Dallas Baillio »

It will be interesting to see how BF addresses the weight issue. If on the same chassis as the View, Navion, etc. I would think they will have to use lightweight materials. Will there be a sacrifice of construction quality?
Dallas Baillio
2001 26RSB
Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club Member
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Mike Astley
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Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:40 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by Mike Astley »

Just can't see how Born Free can build anything similar to their products onto a Sprinter chassis as they are too limited on weight.
1999 26RSB
Fort Collins, CO
Rich Flaugh

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by Rich Flaugh »

We looked at the Sprinter chassis competition but not enough "payload" for us. We many times haul a total of eight friends or family on short trips and need the CCC of the E-450. The BF design is heavy-duty and is probably why we experience minimal squeaks, rattles and leaks. I would like to see the Born Free on an M2 Freightliner chassis.
randallrae
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Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 7:30 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by randallrae »

The F550 Ford MSRP w/diesel is $50000 the M2 is $70000 the Sprinter is $35000 (11030 lb GVW) ,and E350 $30500 (12500 lb GVW)... plus $2250 for E450 (14500lbGVW) . It all comes down to price and capacity .
2012 25' rb
Vlamgat
Posts: 152
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:11 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by Vlamgat »

[quote="Rich Flaugh"]We looked at the Sprinter chassis competition but not enough "payload" for us. We many times haul a total of eight friends or family on short trips and need the CCC of the E-450. The BF design is heavy-duty and is probably why we experience minimal squeaks, rattles and leaks. I would like to see the Born Free on an M2 Freightliner chassis.[/quote]

+1
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Mike Astley
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Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by Mike Astley »

randallrae wrote: It all comes down to price and capacity .
Plus a couple of other considerations: Fewer Mercedes vs Ford repair locations and I wouldn't want to take a diesel requiring Ultra Low Sulfur south of the border.
1999 26RSB
Fort Collins, CO
Rob

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by Rob »

I follow the class C models thru several sources. I must say I agree with DBrown.
For some time I have looked at in person ,read about and thought a lot about the Sprinter Chassis.

It seems to me that Born Free must provide this option if they expect to really do well in the
future in the class C marketplace. They don't have to give up the E450 chassis this could be an additional
option for those wanting it.

Rob and Joan
2003 24RB
jlef123
Posts: 169
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:45 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by jlef123 »

The obvious question is how long is Ford going to continue to produce the E-450 cutaway chassis? There is a substantial market for it in the US for RVs, buses ambulances etc but is it enough to satisfy Ford? I have recently seen more use of the stripped E-450 DRW chassis to produce a small Class A RV. Perhaps that will help keep it in production.
Joel & Sandy
2002 26' RB
2015 27' Splendor
2020 Coachmen Beyond
John S.
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Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:01 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by John S. »

I saw this when I was at the factory in early August and they asked me not to say anything. I guess the secret is out. It is an option but it is an 11,800 pound chassis and the e 450 is 14K so they have to figure out how to slim the coaches down a bit.
2015 Royal Splendor on Ford 550 none slide version
Former owner 2007 24foot rear bath painted and 2006 22 foot built for two
Former owner 1994 34 foot 2000 36 foot and 2001 42 foot FORETRAVEL's.
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Roger H
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Joined: Sat May 26, 2007 7:48 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by Roger H »

Having just returned from a three-week, 4,000 mile trip in my Kodiak chassis 32RQ, I have to sing the praises of the medium-duty truck chassis coaches. I'd love to see a Born Free on the Freightliner M2 chassis. Yes, it'd be expensive, but it'd be the only coach you'd ever need to buy. There's a market for all sizes of coaches tho... the Sprinter will open a new market share for Born Free.
'06 Born Free 32 RQ Kodiak Chassis
(Former: '01 Born Free 23 RK)
Dinghy: '16 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a Blue Ox Aladdin tow bar.
Traveling with Sir Winston and Lady Rae (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
bigdipper
Posts: 353
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 3:13 pm

Re: WOW, Born Free is coming out with Mercedes Sprinter Cha

Post by bigdipper »

This is just my opinion for whatever it is worth? I suspect that the arrival of the Mercedes/Dodge class C some years back was a major competitive factor for Born Free on E-350, E-450 Chassis. Price, the diesels, and "European" design and layout just might have proven challenging. Maybe that accounted for the proliferation of larger Born Free units and just perhaps permitted movement to higher price point RVs.
JMO,
Ralph
Ralph
2011 24RB
Former 2001 23RK
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