Good evening!We've been full-timing in a 2008 Montana 3200RL for the last 4 years and are looking to buy a new 5er. We think we have settled on a new floor plan that's available from all 3 brands . . . Montana 3950BR, Big Country 3850MB, or Grand Design Solitude 377MB-R; all with a mid bunk room with loft on top of it.We like this floor plan because we work out of the unit so good desk space is required and the 'office' of the bunk room is perfect for that as well as a guest room. And it has an extra sleeping quarters on top. Our current 5er doesn't have any reasonable guest quarters!We've only seen the Big Country in person but are traveling to Houston to see the Montana and Grand Design on Wednesday. We are hoping to get some feedback on the models and the brands. I was also wondering about what I consider a major design flaw. You cannot reach the refrigerator with the slides closed. Does anyone else have an RV with this 'flaw' and if so, how negatively has it affected you? I've always said I wouldn't buy one without access to the fridge and bathroom while closed. But now we are wondering if the floor plans benefits outweigh the negatives. Thanks for any input or opinions you have to offer.

We cannot access our fridge with the slides closed. Hasn't been a big deal in the last 10k plus miles, and 19 months. We just pack a cooler, for short trips. If it's going to be an all day run, we just pull over somewhere we can pull the slide out to make lunch. No big deal. If you love the floorplan otherwise, I definitely wouldn't make that a deal breaker.

We can't get to any of the living area other than the bath and bed. In six years full-time we have never had need, a good breakfast, a thermos of coffee, a bottle of water and a energy bar we're good for a days drive 5-6 hours we're done.

We have been looking at the Grand design MB also. Our current rig we can not access fridge either but has not been a big deal. We do the same as Nutinelse2do. We look at it this way how many times do we need to get in the fridge when traveling? And how much dose the floor plan work for us 98% of the time we are in it? No brainer go with the floor plan that works. With that said we would never by a floor plan with the bathroom access cut off!!!

We did the grand design although a smaller one. we can access all the facilities and fridge with slides in except the pantry. we just make sure we have the few things at reach and of course most of the time just put the slide out. just remember to be careful in parking lots, rest areas and the like to insure the guy parked net to you isn't too close! We bought for the floor plan while using it 95% and the other 5% for running down the road. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

We can't get at much in our 5er with the slides in. One door of the refrigerator and the bathroom are pretty much it. We can't really access any closets or cupboards. We were comfortable with that though because we don't really travel to where we want to anyway. We normally keep a DC powered cooler or ice chest in the truck for food/snacks and make up our lunches prior to hitting the road. We like to camp in areas where it's fun to explore so the setup works good for when we don't want to come back to the trailer for lunch also. Next year we retire, which will be great in that there should be many more days camped in relation to towing days. Can't wait.

Montana, Big Country, or Grand Design? | Good Sam Community

Gsport
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
I've had my GD Solitude for almost three years, and doubt you could do better than any Grand Design unit..
Coach-man
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
I have a GD Solitude and love it, however I will tell you to base your selection on the floor plan that suites your needs! You stated you are full timers, so you should know what you need to make it work, even little things come into play. Your enjoyment of the rig over the next "several" years will be greatly enhanced if you do not have to compromise! Take your time, jot down the things you have thought about having while you were camping in your present rig. Then look at the 3 that you have narrowed it down to, and see which ones fit most/all your wishes! You will then be comfortable with your choice! Good luck!

OBTW, Grand Design's Customer service is second to none, just saying!
Searching_Ut
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
We can't get at much in our 5er with the slides in. One door of the refrigerator and the bathroom are pretty much it. We can't really access any closets or cupboards. We were comfortable with that though because we don't really travel to where we want to anyway. We normally keep a DC powered cooler or ice chest in the truck for food/snacks and make up our lunches prior to hitting the road. We like to camp in areas where it's fun to explore so the setup works good for when we don't want to come back to the trailer for lunch also. Next year we retire, which will be great in that there should be many more days camped in relation to towing days. Can't wait.
jffnkrn
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
We did the grand design although a smaller one. we can access all the facilities and fridge with slides in except the pantry. we just make sure we have the few things at reach and of course most of the time just put the slide out. just remember to be careful in parking lots, rest areas and the like to insure the guy parked net to you isn't too close! We bought for the floor plan while using it 95% and the other 5% for running down the road. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !
starcraft69
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
We have been looking at the Grand design MB also. Our current rig we can not access fridge either but has not been a big deal. We do the same as Nutinelse2do. We look at it this way how many times do we need to get in the fridge when traveling? And how much dose the floor plan work for us 98% of the time we are in it? No brainer go with the floor plan that works. With that said we would never by a floor plan with the bathroom access cut off!!!
stickdog
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
We can't get to any of the living area other than the bath and bed. In six years full-time we have never had need, a good breakfast, a thermos of coffee, a bottle of water and a energy bar we're good for a days drive 5-6 hours we're done.
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
We cannot access our fridge with the slides closed. Hasn't been a big deal in the last 10k plus miles, and 19 months.

We just pack a cooler, for short trips. If it's going to be an all day run, we just pull over somewhere we can pull the slide out to make lunch. No big deal.

If you love the floorplan otherwise, I definitely wouldn't make that a deal breaker.

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Montana, Big Country, or Grand Design?

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