Help deciding on 22ft Born Free - from Chinook Concourse
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 7:38 pm
Newbie here investigating a Born Free RV. I love the quality and opportunity for longevity over the Luan plywood / Filon / block foam insulation sandwich of lessor RVs. We own a 2005 Chinook Concourse, 21 foot, E350 Chassis, V10, 34k miles. For those familiar with these models, a Chinook Concourse is also a true fiberglass RV like Born Free. Built like a boat, gelcoat, NO seams, real wood interior, quality construction, loaded to the gills with options, etc.
Our purpose in this rig is both for day trips and camping. For a couple, it's an ideal rig and we are very happy. For day trips trips with the family it is also great. My wife has medical issues that require traveling more than 45 minutes or so in a fully self-contained vehicle, access to a couch, etc. This rig also is small enough to park in a handicapped parking spot.
Camping though is the greater challenge. We have two kids, one a teen and the other soon to be. In nice weather, we can bring along a small tent for camping options and to spread out. Where we live though, weather is often an issue so this means sharing a large bed (jack knife sofa, dinette) with no aisle and we like also camping during the shoulder season. We also like to bring along our 2003 Chevy Tracker (tow) for nearby activities when we camp, allowing us to keep the RV set up.
Due to the need to have access to handicapped parking on occasion at those times that my wife requires it, if we are hoping to have an all-inclusive solution that is less than 22 feet in length. The Jewel or one like it seems like a strong possibility because of the cabover bunk and an option to have couches opposite each other for the second sleeping area. (not pictured on the website but the factory shares that it is indeed an option)
What I'm hoping to find out is:
1) Are there any other models such as the '22 foot' one from a few years back that are truly 22 feet or are they really 23 feet or longer? Do they have a 2 couch option as well as the overhead bunk? I've not purchased a new RV before, knowing that it typically is a better proposition for us to buy used. (The reality of helping kids go to college is coming… )
2) Do any of you own a 21 foot 10" Jewel? If so, what have you liked/disliked? I don't see options for any sort of dining table on this model if it is the 2-sofa version.
3) What is the net cargo carrying capacity of these rigs? Our Chinook for example is close to the max on the rear duals but has additional capacity on the front axle. Anyone done the separate axle weights? We have to watch that carefully; wish that it was a E450 on some days.
One other option that we can consider is to keep our Chinook and just get a small trailer (teardrop, etc.) to tow when we go camping. We can sell it after the kids have graduated. (6 years total). That eliminates the option for a towed vehicle though while @ camp. Towing a small pickup (Toyota, Ranger, etc.) with a canopy is also one option we've considered, although the jump seats in such rigs are pretty small for growing teens. Some folks have a 2nd RV for camping but the added cost for storage, maintaining a 2nd rig, etc. is of lessor appeal to us and we feel a bit ostentatious if we own two as we would not be maximizing the use.
Thanks for your time and any thoughts based on your experience that you'd like to share.
Our purpose in this rig is both for day trips and camping. For a couple, it's an ideal rig and we are very happy. For day trips trips with the family it is also great. My wife has medical issues that require traveling more than 45 minutes or so in a fully self-contained vehicle, access to a couch, etc. This rig also is small enough to park in a handicapped parking spot.
Camping though is the greater challenge. We have two kids, one a teen and the other soon to be. In nice weather, we can bring along a small tent for camping options and to spread out. Where we live though, weather is often an issue so this means sharing a large bed (jack knife sofa, dinette) with no aisle and we like also camping during the shoulder season. We also like to bring along our 2003 Chevy Tracker (tow) for nearby activities when we camp, allowing us to keep the RV set up.
Due to the need to have access to handicapped parking on occasion at those times that my wife requires it, if we are hoping to have an all-inclusive solution that is less than 22 feet in length. The Jewel or one like it seems like a strong possibility because of the cabover bunk and an option to have couches opposite each other for the second sleeping area. (not pictured on the website but the factory shares that it is indeed an option)
What I'm hoping to find out is:
1) Are there any other models such as the '22 foot' one from a few years back that are truly 22 feet or are they really 23 feet or longer? Do they have a 2 couch option as well as the overhead bunk? I've not purchased a new RV before, knowing that it typically is a better proposition for us to buy used. (The reality of helping kids go to college is coming… )
2) Do any of you own a 21 foot 10" Jewel? If so, what have you liked/disliked? I don't see options for any sort of dining table on this model if it is the 2-sofa version.
3) What is the net cargo carrying capacity of these rigs? Our Chinook for example is close to the max on the rear duals but has additional capacity on the front axle. Anyone done the separate axle weights? We have to watch that carefully; wish that it was a E450 on some days.
One other option that we can consider is to keep our Chinook and just get a small trailer (teardrop, etc.) to tow when we go camping. We can sell it after the kids have graduated. (6 years total). That eliminates the option for a towed vehicle though while @ camp. Towing a small pickup (Toyota, Ranger, etc.) with a canopy is also one option we've considered, although the jump seats in such rigs are pretty small for growing teens. Some folks have a 2nd RV for camping but the added cost for storage, maintaining a 2nd rig, etc. is of lessor appeal to us and we feel a bit ostentatious if we own two as we would not be maximizing the use.
Thanks for your time and any thoughts based on your experience that you'd like to share.