After many months of waiting, we just took delivery of a 2015 Free Spirit SS, and I’m still hoping this is not its last model year! This is our first RV of any type, and we bought it at Van City RV in St. Louis. Because of our unfortunate timing with winter storm Sparta, we ended up driving it through snow, ice, rain, fog, and crosswinds back to our home in central North Carolina. Here are my impressions of the drive itself, based on this 830-mile trip over two days:
http://www.vanscapes.net/blog/2015/3/1/a-mini-review-of-driving-the-free-spirit-ss
The only comparison I’ve done was a test drive in a new Winnebago ERA 70A, which was more sluggish, noisier/creakier, and had a greater braking distance. I don’t really understand why the drive should seem noticeably better in the Free Spirit; they are both built on a Sprinter 170” wheelbase, but the ERA does have an extended body that adds about a foot more overhang past the rear axle. Also, the ERA has steel wheels plus wheel simulators, whereas our Free Spirit has all aluminum alloy wheels. Not sure if any of this would noticeably impact performance or ride.
http://www.vanscapes.net/blog/2015/3/1/a-mini-review-of-driving-the-free-spirit-ss
The only comparison I’ve done was a test drive in a new Winnebago ERA 70A, which was more sluggish, noisier/creakier, and had a greater braking distance. I don’t really understand why the drive should seem noticeably better in the Free Spirit; they are both built on a Sprinter 170” wheelbase, but the ERA does have an extended body that adds about a foot more overhang past the rear axle. Also, the ERA has steel wheels plus wheel simulators, whereas our Free Spirit has all aluminum alloy wheels. Not sure if any of this would noticeably impact performance or ride.