Grand Design Solitude vs. Montana

Heartland's Landmark and Bighorn come to mind! Also Forest River Cedar Creek and Cardinal. Chris

Just curious if you've considered any others. I think there's a few more high end mid bunks to look at if you going in with your eye's wide open. Right off hand I know Jayco makes a 377RLBH and Columbus makes a 377MB both of which are very nice units. I would bet there are a couple others also. just food for thought.

We looked at both Brands along with others and chose Grand Design. We thought construction was better than Keystone. Very Happy with construction, fit and finish. Any issues ..(Norcold, Fantastic fan) were addressed promptly.

topjimmy wrote:
There is a simple reason Montana has outsold GD Solitudes by a wide margin.... bang for the Buck and more choices of floor plans and to come out with new and innovative floor plans as well that fit a lot of tastes , GD Solitudes has started getting better as of late but they have always cheap'ed out in the past on too many things like inferior pin boxes and Suspensions,only 10in frames vs 12in, cheap TV's and sound Systems and appliances,no rear caps or Ceiling fans , no central vacs, etc.. BUT like I said they have stepped it up lately,I have 2 friends with Solitudes and they have been in for warranty work many times so they are built no better than anybody else but I would say IMO NOW it is a toss up and GD does have better Customer service So pick a good dealer and a floor plan ya like and go for either one and as far as the guy with a cracked frame yes that was not good but when ya sell 4-5K Montana's a year you will get more complaints and a few more lemons compared to other brands I have fulltimed in 3 Montana's a 2004,2012 and my 2015 and all have been very good 5er's with just minor issues and Keystone and my Dealer has been great taking care of them so just my experience having 2 friends with GD Solitudes and me with 3 Montana's

I just looked over the newest build Montana's at the dealer open house in Indiana.

If they continue to be the best selling 5th wheel, it's because the people buying them are blind.

They have continuously been getting cheaper and cheaper on the build, and relying on their "reputation".

Cable slides and non-laminated slide out walls and a rear cap that hides a wood studded wall are not any benefits...

There is a simple reason Montana has outsold GD Solitudes by a wide margin.... bang for the Buck and more choices of floor plans and to come out with new and innovative floor plans as well that fit a lot of tastes , GD Solitudes has started getting better as of late but they have always cheap'ed out in the past on too many things like inferior pin boxes and Suspensions,only 10in frames vs 12in, cheap TV's and sound Systems and appliances,no rear caps or Ceiling fans , no central vacs, etc.. BUT like I said they have stepped it up lately,I have 2 friends with Solitudes and they have been in for warranty work many times so they are built no better than anybody else but I would say IMO NOW it is a toss up and GD does have better Customer service So pick a good dealer and a floor plan ya like and go for either one and as far as the guy with a cracked frame yes that was not good but when ya sell 4-5K Montana's a year you will get more complaints and a few more lemons compared to other brands I have fulltimed in 3 Montana's a 2004,2012 and my 2015 and all have been very good 5er's with just minor issues and Keystone and my Dealer has been great taking care of them so just my experience having 2 friends with GD Solitudes and me with 3 Montana's

FishOnOne wrote:
After a member here who's Montana frame cracked and all the run around he got from that company I wouldn't touch a Montana with a 10ft pole.

X2. And sadly I don't think his ordeal is a one off.......

We just took delivery of an ordered Solitude 375RES, and we looked hard at the 377MBS. I was amazed to be contacted by phone from the Grand Design factory rep about both products, and again by their Marketing Director (Bill Martin) with a telephone call about other product questions I had.

Grand Design is all about Customer Service, we picked up our Solitude yesterday and we are thrilled with the fit and finish and overall product quality.

Typical issues with Grand Design as others, but they do have great customer service.

Just note their axle seal issue continues, even with some reports of GD changing to Dexter axles on a Lippert frame. It's confusing. Facts are scarce. Welcome to the RV industry. Be aware.

Even with that. I would by another Grand Design today over any other brand.

After a member here who's Montana frame cracked and all the run around he got from that company I wouldn't touch a Montana with a 10ft pole.

I can not compare the Solitude to the Montana, but as for the Grand Design, they are very customer involved, best around in my opinion.