I don't post very much on here but...my wife and I went to the Fall Portland (Or) RV show today. This was a relatively awesome show compared to the last one in the Spring with more used units on display. Although this was the local dealer's show, this show was primarily new units with some 2011 units on display. We had a first time introduction to the brand "Open Range". A factory rep and several salesmen from the local dealer were very generous with their time and willing to engage in an open and frank discussion about their product and the RV industry in general. 

The first conversation involved the problems I've read about concerning Lippert frames and their incidents of cracking and breaking. When I first broached the issue, the factor rep replied that those with Lippert problems were really whipping the wrong horse. Lippert is only a manufacturer doing what trailer mfgs are asking them to do. In the ever constant effort to lighten up rigs, the first place mfgs look is in the frame rails thus weakening the rails and subsequently overloading those rails. I'm not sure where I'm going with this but, I was under the assumption that Lippert built the frames and the RV mfgs had to "just deal" with the product. Apearantly Open Range has found other places to limit their weights and the frame is not one of those areas.

Another intriguing item on the Open Range is the 4 corner cable pull system on the slides. This is an interesting system in that there are no hydraulics to deal with but is operated with an independent electric motor on each slide. I plan on making a trip to the dealer to see this system in action. With all the parts concealed inside the coach, this seems to me to be viable alternative as the system isn't subject to weather and other environmental debris. I'd like some feed back on this product line if someone on the forum is currently owning one of their units. It is a line we will be watching over the next few years as DW and I prepare to join the RV life on the road.

I know this post is somewhat long, but this line was very interesting with a superficial introduction. Thank you for your indulgence.

A lot of people seem to like Open Range units to me they just seem plasticy.

You may want to look at the thread on RV net (full timers forum) from the guy who full timed in an Open Range for a year if you have plans to spend significant time in one.

Mallo

Thanks for your replies. Very much appreciated. As for the situation with the cables,I addressed that question primarily concerning stretch. The rep stressed that these are "aircraft" strength steel. However, he allowed me to get up on the step chair and inspect the fasteners at the ends to take care of the slack adjustments. After posting last night, I took a trip over to the Open Range forum and found only one incident where a cable was showing some sign of fraying, which the factory handled quickly and without any argument. They appeared to work with customer problems quickly and efficiently. Two or three real complaints, but over all, the owners on the forum seemed pleased with their units. My DW and I looked at the Mobile Suites and are impressed with those units. However, we will be on somewhat limited funds post retirement and the cost was going to be too much with the price of the Suites and the necessity for a larger tow vehicle, as in a diesel. The Open range would fit into our price range and our weight limits. We're still a few years away from the actual event, so who knows what may transpire between now and then.

We purchased the 2009 337RLS. We were impressed by what the salesman told us about this new R.V. And it owner. That was our first mistake. On our first trip we had serious issues. During the build they put axles on that were much too small for our rig. Coming home from our first trip the axles bent. We had to have our 5th wheel towed. At first Open Range Denied that the axles were too small until the repair technicians confirmed that they were. I won't make this too long by relating to you all the repairs we had to have on this rig, I will tell you the next major problem. After the first rain, we woke in the morning to a literal swimming pool. Nearly every inch of the 5th wheel was deep in water. We called the manufacturer and again they denied any wrong doing. We were accused of not leveling the rig which supposedly caused the rain to come in. First of all, we always level it both ways, plus we would have had to had it SO off level we wouldn't have been able to keep our gas going. Long, long story short, and many more water issues, the local dealer found that NONE of our windows nor the door was sealed! This was a 3 year ordeal with Open Range. Never, Never again will we buy another, plus if we see another O.R. Owner we talk and find out they have had several problems. Not as severe as ours, also anyone that seems impressed by it's looks and ask us how we like it, we say "run don't walk away from this company" we won't sell it because in keeping honest we would never allow someone else take this rotten lemon.

P.S. after re-reading your message I remembered that we have continuing problems with one of our slides. It jumps, scrapes and cuts our flooring. It wears off the bottom finish of the slide. So far no fraying of the cables.

You are welcome. Makes us feel good that we can help someone avoid the stress we have ruined vacations that we have.