RandCBowlin
New Mexico
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Joined: 06/15/2008
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Hi all, We picked up our 337RLS last month and have only spent a couple of days/nights in it, but I feel compelled to comment anyway.
First of all, those two-tone cabinets. Yep, they bugged me at first but after you're relaxing in the recliner with a nice glass of merlot in that large living area for a while, they kind of grow on you. Honestly, I'm very picky and I have gotten used to them. And that vessel sink. Yuck! Fortunately, it's not standard in all of the floor plans (not ours), so don't assume you have to have that. I do really like the simplicity of the decor - not a lot of loud or busy colors and it actually has residential type curtains and rods.
Also, a bit about the manufucturer service. We had a second A/C unit added to the bedroom before we picked up the unit. It was added by the dealer. We tried it out while in Palo Duro Canyon State Park and it had a terrible burning smell (wiring). Because we purchased our unit near Dallas and we live near Albuquerque, we were concerned about how and where to get it repaired (no OR dealers in NM). The OR folks said "take it anywhere you're comfortable with...just have them call for an authorization prior to working on it." The A/C unit was toast so we had a new one installed and are picking it up tomorrow.
Please, those of you have purchased ORs, keep sharing your experiences. I'll do the same as we spend more time in it.
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Glenn Adams
Heading down the road without end and now I'm lost
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Joined: 08/09/2003
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Sorry about not getting back but I do have a life beyond RV.net. Please do not jump down my throat for not responding earlier. If you still have questions there is nothing stopping any of you from PMing me.
My experience on the Open Range has everything to do with an up close and personal tour of their plant in Shipshewana, IN.
Here are some pics I took during the tour.
http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/fulltimingit/Open%20Range%20RV/
After viewing these pictures I doubt some of you will be buying an Open Range** and those that do...... well, what can I say.
**Edited
mighty aphrodite, I am a web site host and designer and I can make anything look beautiful on the net. And anyone that believes what they read or see in a manufacturers web site is just too naive.
Think of the worst RV manufacturer you can and than take a look at their web site. There is no manufacturer, RV or otherwise, that would have a web site that doesn't make their product look like it's the best money can buy.
wittmeba, Your "We are not ruling them out, but Open Range will have to improve their quality before we are ready to make our purchase." hits the nail right on the head. Thank you!!!
Now if you don't mind I'll get back to my life
* This post was
edited 10/09/08 11:58am by Glenn Adams *
Glenn and Lorraine, FullTimers
Member- Montana Owners Club
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Extended Cab Short Bed Duramax/Allison
PullRite 16K SuperGlide hitch
2007 Montana 3485SA 38' 5th Wheel
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womps
Olds
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Joined: 08/22/2008
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Glenn. I read through the posts and didn't notice any one down your throat for not responding. Thanks for the pictures you provided.
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Dandy Dan
Findlay, Ohio
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Joined: 03/17/2005
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Glenn, Please don't condone the Open Range until you have tried one. We have had ours since late May and the maiden voyage was over 700 miles. I thought I would keep out a piece of paper to jot down things that were wrong for the dealer to fix. We have been to Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia and our home state of Ohio and so far have not written anything down.
We also have the 337 RLS. Ours does not have 2 dumps outside the trailer. It does have a light that shines in the valve area that you say is not lit. The light is a big one in the basement compartment in the middle of the left side. Reference the propane tanks, I do not mind having 3 20's as they are not as heavy to get out to refill. I had a Forest River Sierra prior to this and the insulation factor on the Open range is substantially higher than the Forest River products plus they have a 2 year bumper to front warranty.
I was unable to tell by your post if you like what you saw or were chastising. If I am mistaken please accept my apology. Mine did not come with a ladder on the back. Other than that, I have had nothing to complain about in the quality of the unit. Actually the cable controlled slides work really well with the slides going out straight and quiet. The 337 which is around 34' is about 1900# lighter than my Sierra which makes for easier pulling and has an extra slide. It appears to be just as good. I know that is in the eyes of the beholder but my wife and I are really pleased with the unit.
Obviously you maybe had a typo since you state if you buy an Open Road.........etc then talk about Open Range.
Thank you for allowing my 2 cents worth. I would be happy to respond to anyones questions about the unit. Just e-mail me.
Dandy Dan
dan218b@tds.net
Dan and Lori Branson, Anna 1 (the rescue)
and Beau (waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)
2005 Dodge QuadCab 2500 4x4 Hemi
2009 Open Range 337RLS
RV.Net Ohio Rally Member
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SlickWillie
East Texas
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Joined: 12/01/2006
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Glenn Adams wrote:After viewing these pictures I doubt some of you will be buying an Open Road and those that do...... well, what can I say.
Surely that doesn't mean he liked what he saw. It's pretty clear to me.
Will
2004 GMC EXT/C D/A 2500HD 4X4
2006 Montana Mountaineer 303RLD
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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Glenn,
I have several comments.
First of all, it doesnt appear this rig is 'Complete' and ready to ship. Give them a chance - perhaps some of these issues will be corrected before delivery.
Unlit operators panel. Apparently that isnt true from the above post.
2 dump tubes. Did you ask why this was? Perhaps it gives you a choice to use which ever is closest to the site dump hole. Maybe it was unique to a specific floor plan for some other design reason. Just a thought.
Do you have issues with the Open Range website? I think is is pretty awesome, myself. I certainly have issues with the site (PhotoBucket) you posted your pictures. I had to reboot twice as I couldnt even shut down properly from the******on that site. You might pass that on to them. I wont view them again.
The cable and pulley slide operation might become something of the future as these rigs become so heavy and need to find significant weight reduction. Many contain 2 or more slides today and if what I was told - 200# per slide reduction - is significant.
Personally, I didnt see the quality I wanted to see, but I did see many innovative ideas that Id love to see many other mfgs incorporate into their designs as well.
I want them to be a solid competitor in this market. They are in our price range, size and favor strongly for our weight consideration. Nothing better for my pocket book than good competition.
They are still a very young company. Every company goes thru growing-pains, but I think you need to give them a chance.
I dont think anyone would discount Montana (since you own own one and your photo compared to them), but I compared literally side by side at Snyders and I thought the cabinets of the Open Range were superior to the Montana as they didnt flex and felt far more solid. There was nothing else obvious to me feel Open Range is inferior to Montana. That may be only 1 issue but I think they have a good future ahead in this industry.
They are not on the top of our list. Heartland is - but OR is a contender.
Take care.
Bruce
* This post was
edited 10/10/08 07:24am by wittmeba *
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
I was born in Great Falls, Mt. My parents moved when I was 5.
I found them when I was 10 - they were in California.
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jester1525
Medicine Hat, AB
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Joined: 09/30/2008
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glenn, thanks for replying and I do appreciate the photos. Some of the photos I could see what the problems were, but most of them I couldn't.. I'm still new, so I'm sure I missed some of the problems that people who have been doing this for a while will see. I'd love if anyone could tell me (and possibly others who might not understand exactly what they are seeing) about the problems in the photos?
As to the 3 20lb tanks instead of 2 30's, I could see how the smaller tanks coule be a a good thing. It's real easy to stop at any walmart-type store and just swap out the old ones instead of having to have them refiled and eventually having to outright replace them once they are two old. Why, other than space concerns, would the 2 30's be a better combination?
Honestly, I'm stuck between the Open Range and a Jayco. I like a lot of things about both of them, and in the end it's really a choice between my personal preference of the Open Range layout and style versus the 40 years of experience in Jayco. I'll still have to see what we go with, but thanks to Glenn, Dandy Dan and all the other posters who have given their opinions and experiences with Open Range. I'm still looking forward to learning more.
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Glenn Adams
Heading down the road without end and now I'm lost
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Joined: 08/09/2003
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You cannot judge a book by it's cover nor can you judge the Open Road by it's brochure or web site.
My opinion of the Open Road was formed while taking a comprehensive tour of the plant.
wittmeba..What you see in my photos is what was going out the door for shipment to unsuspecting customers. The quality and workmanship is not so noticeable in the finished product going out the door but very noticeable in the actual construction while on line.
Yes they are a young company having their first RV come off line November 8th 2007 and YES they will be going thru many trials and tribulations and someone must be the guinea pig.
I strongly suggest that anyone considering an Open Range in their future to find a away to Shipshewana and a plant tour. Of the 8 individuals in our tour only one came away with the least bit of a positive attitude.
I have now said my piece and I will be abandoning this thread....
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Red SuperDuty
Southcoast Mass
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Joined: 12/15/2004
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Glenn, in your second photo and comment about basement storage, where the Dirt Devil is sitting, is another storage area. What looks like it is raised is a hinged panel. It's not very deep, but it's there. As far as the frame showing, when we looked at them @ our local dealer, the 37' one had an exposed frame. The 33's (3 we looked at) were not exposed. The 37' and up may have two dump valves. They are more RV than I want so I didn't look at them that close. As far as three 20 lbs tanks, I like the sliding tray's and smaller tanks for their easier handling. I'm a year or two away from buying so maybe by then more improvement will be made. I still like them a lot and so does DW, that in itself goes a long way. I'm still interested in hearing from anybody that own's one. Thanks....
Marc KA1WBF
Lynn (DW of 25 years 05/07)
Hunter (the wingnut chocolate lab, 05/06)
2006 Ford F350 Lariat 4X4 CC 6.0L 3.73 "Silver"
2003 Ford F350 XLT 4X4 SC SB 5.4L 3.73 Red "SOLD"
2005 Cougar 245EFS
2005 Ford Escape (Red of course!)
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LEHogie
Florida to Oregon
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Joined: 05/23/2008
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I don't know anything about factory tours - we never did one. When we were buying our Open Range we were very concerned about buying a new, untested maker. We read the rating review book, and looked at lots of models and asked lots of questions. It finally came down to a Montana, an Alpenlite, or the Open Range. For the price, and the weight, and the features, we decided to go for the Open Range - but we often said we didn't know if we were buying the next Microsoft or the next Edsel.
Well, 6 months, and over 10,000 miles later we are definitely leaning towards the Microsoft conclusion. The unit has performed very well, and some of that may have been the due diligence of the dealer in prepping the unit for us. The few things that have gone wrong we just recently got repaired at a dealer on the other side of the country, and Open Range was very good at working with the dealer and paying for the needed repairs. And, it is still in business and honoring its 2 year warranty which is a really good thing these days.
I too would love to chat with other OR owners, but when I last checked the company web site was not working for that feature. Those of you who are thinking of buying an Open Range now have the benefit of some people who have had them on the road for awhile - we didn't have that when we bought.
Open Range 337RLS, GMC 2500 HD gas
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