Grand Design

Thank you for all the information, We really do like the 303 RLS, it pretty much had everything we wanted. It just kind of scared me to find out about this. My wife wants to learn to pull the 5th to help me drive on a long trip, that's part of this wanting to be safe .

We are getting ready to purchase a Momentum from Grand Design and have been impressed with the units we've seen in all their trim levels. Good trailers for the money.

Make sure the dealer pulls all the hubs and checks for leaking seals before you take delivery, this is a Lippert production problem as I understand the frames come from Lippert with axles installed. Once the bearings are repacked properly, they don't seem to be an issue. In twelve years I never had an axle problem with my old 5th and its Dexter axles. It seems Lippert is struggling to make a 100 year old technology work and has been in no rush to figure it out.

I find it astonishing that they continue to deliver axles with seals they know are likely already leaking.

On edit:

battleshipbud

I wouldn't worry about an axle or bearing failure, just grease covered brakes. One of the issues is far too much grease in the hubs and the thickness of the grease used, not dry bearings. We are half way through our third trip from Canada to So Cal and back plus all the other RV'ing we do and although we did have grease covered brakes, the bearings were fine. Just make sure you get any problem rectified before you accept the unit.

My wife and I are also looking at the 303 RLS, supposed to go sign at the dealership next weekend. We currently have a Keystone Hornet 30 BH, kids are grown and gone so going for a 5th wheel. We have been real excited about it since we went to the local rv show and saw it. But with what we have just found on the forums about problems with the grease seals and axels it has made us a little leery. Never had 1 problem in 10 years with our hornet.
I hope that the customer service is what everyone says it is! Because we are planning a long trip from Ohio out to Nevada and Oregon. I would really hate to be in the middle of nowhere and have big problems. I know we need to check out everything but it would be hard to check when it is winter with snow. Has any one tried the Route 66 dealers and service? What are the thoughts?

Coach-man wrote:
Quality wise, GD is right up there with any builder in its price range! What sets GD apart from other manufacturers is their Customer Service! The grease seal issue is a good example, I have read where GD and Lippert have sent out the seals and new brake assemblies to people who were out of warrenty, and then paid for a technician to replace them! I own a GD solitude and I am very Happy with the rig, as well as their Customer Service!

Mine was four months out of warranty. Lippert sent me parts but didn't pay for labour. Why there hasn't been a recall on this is beyond me. Grease covered brakes is a very serious matter. How do RV manufacturers get away with this stuff and manufacturers of other vehicles don't?

Other than that, aside from a couple of problems with the Atwood fridge and furnace, both fixed on warranty, our 303 has been very good. GD's customer service has also been very good.

Just brought my 2017 GD 303 home 3 weeks ago this past Saturday. Haven't taken our maiden voyage yet (crappy weather big time) but it seems very good overall. I have a full barn with power and water and it stayed plugged in and water on for the first week. No problems yet. I did find a few very minor issues that I've dealt with myself.
The coroplast wasn't sealed well at all. Matter of fact, one rear stabilizer on the ground control 3.0 was sealed around the frame, opposite side was not. Also quite a few places that needed sealing around it that I just did with a tube of black DAP caulking.
Lousy low point drains. Added quarter turn ball valves them instead of the cheesy plugs.
There is no aluminum or sheet metal in the wheel wells to help protect the underside from a blow out. Even my old cheap Crossroads Cruiser before this one had that. I'm looking to hopefully add something to that. Luckily I'm extremely OCD regarding tires and pressure. But blow outs still occur.
Then I have a pretty good wrinkle on the roof in the rubber roofing right at the front cap. I have already contacted GD and was advised that it would be taken care of no questions asked.
Overall we are very happy and looked for well over 2 years. And we always came back to GD and the customer service was a big reason why.

We have had our 303RLS for 2 1/2 years. Perfect 5th wheel for the 2 of us. GD Customer Service is top notch! If you have a issue they will be there for you! There is also a Facebook page.Grand Design RV Owners. Not run by the company even though they are on there trying to solve any issues. A rep from Lippert has been on lately taking care of any owners with leaky seals.

Yes just closed the deal this afternoon. Thanks for all the answers.

Busdriver wrote:
I am looking at a grand design 303 rls. What are your thoughts good or bad. The thing that worrys me is the lippit frame.

Is this a new Grand Design? If so, no worries Lippert will stand behind any issues and get them repaired.

Quality wise, GD is right up there with any builder in its price range! What sets GD apart from other manufacturers is their Customer Service! The grease seal issue is a good example, I have read where GD and Lippert have sent out the seals and new brake assemblies to people who were out of warrenty, and then paid for a technician to replace them! I own a GD solitude and I am very Happy with the rig, as well as their Customer Service!