Born Free of Humboldt, Iowa, offers an excellent setup for those seeking a more compact and versatile way to go with its popular 24-foot rear-bath floorplan. Built on a sturdy and reliable Ford E-450 van cutaway chassis, the company touts this Class C unit as ideal for those looking to step down from a larger Class A coach, but don’t want to sacrifice interior quality and the convenience of larger layouts.
Born Free’s rear-bath coach is a tightly knit, efficient design consisting of a molded fiberglass outer shell over a wood frame, with three steel roll bars integrated into the coach’s upper framework for added strength and safety. Combined with the Ford chassis that sports a 6.8-L V-10 engine that can churn out 305 hp and 420 lb-ft torque, the entire package promises lots of go and plenty of travel potential.
“Our 24-foot, rear-bath model — sold only factory-direct — is our best-selling motorcoach,” says Ed Newman, Born Free sales representative. “It’s great for two people, it’s more aerodynamic than many of our competitors and is not as cumbersome as longer units. We also offer a forward living area with several furniture options.”
The interior decor of the 24RB is notably upscale throughout and includes medium oak cabinetry, solid-surface Pebble Gold countertops in the galley and bathroom, and durable Berber-style tan carpeting in the forward living compartment. Galley and bathroom treatments also include dark, simulated vinyl tile floor covering, which made cleanup of these high-traffic areas very manageable. The galley’s countertop affords a surprisingly generous 13-plus square feet of usable surface area for meal preparation (with stovetop and sink inserts in place).
The curbside, midcoach convertible sofa serves as the unit’s primary sleeping arrangement, with firm, cushioned support and measurements of 41 x 76 inches. Our motorhome had a 84 x 64-inch loft-type cabover bunk, which can be used as another sleeping area, for storage, or as a home-entertainment-center option.
For those looking for a Class C that offers the feel and handling of a car, and is of a size that is easy to manage in almost all types of driving and camping situations, Born Free’s 24-foot rear-bath model deserves serious consideration. The unit should also appeal to
those who want to own a smaller motorhome with go-anywhere maneuverability that still provides the comfort, upscale appliances and amenities of larger coaches.
For more details about the Born Free 24RB, pick up the May 2008 issue of MotorHome on the newsstand — then subscribe to MotorHome
so you can stay informed on the latest motorhome tests, previews,
technical information, products, travel destinations and more.
Born Free Motorcoach, (800) 247-1835, www.bornfreemotorcoach.com
