Opinions on Grand Design Fifth Wheels

Ron3rd wrote:
We've been shopping recently for a used 5er maybe 2-3 years old. We like certain Montana models, Forest River Cardinal, and others.

We've seen some Grand Design models pop up and wonder how they compare to the others and if owners are generally happy.

We're looking for a full time model in the class of Montana, Big Horn, Big Country, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, etc.

Cruise over to the Grand Design Owners Forum. Lots of koolaide drinkers like any brand, but you will soon realize that GD's are just like the rest as far as reliability.
One thing I did notice from hanging out is replacing the suspension seems to be the most popular mod.

I've owned a number of different types and brands of RVs since the '70s (and a bunch of sailboats in between). We are now on our second Grand Design fifth wheel. We upgraded from a Reflection (4-1/2 years full-time) to a Solitude when we made the decision to continue to full-time. Either we've imbibed "the Kool-Aid" or we've been lucky. We've not had any major issues with our Grand Design RVs. The only problems we've had have been with vendor-supplied components such as our Norcold absorption refrigerator in the Reflection and the convection microwave in the Solitude (the microwave died in one of our non-GD RVs, too). As for the suspension systems, unless you're looking at DRV or one of the really high-end brands that come with MORryde IS, most all towable RV suspension systems come out of the same two molds - 19th century molds, at that. I can say that dealing with Grand Design's customer service department (we're often not in a situation where we can get the rig to a dealer) has been a very positive experience - easy to work with.

Rob

I have had my Reflection for nearly two years now. Have not had any issues of significance. That said, I have had two Forest River Products and no serious issues with those either. I must lead a charmed life.

If I were full timing, I would probably pick Solitude over Reflection, although in a couple years, I'll be able to test out that theory. We won't be full timing, but will be doing a 2-3 months out at a time gig, then returning home for a couple months.

Im happy with my Grand Design, and I'll buy another if Im in the market for a new one.

Mike

Ron3rd wrote:
We've been shopping recently for a used 5er maybe 2-3 years old. We like certain Montana models, Forest River Cardinal, and others.

We've seen some Grand Design models pop up and wonder how they compare to the others and if owners are generally happy.

We're looking for a full time model in the class of Montana, Big Horn, Big Country, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, etc.

Good luck shopping.
Shop wisely and make sure to check out everything thoroughly.

We are on our second GD. The creative ideas that GD has done when they were still GD was very good. We love our 2018 374TH-R Solitude with the front living room and a smaller garage under the master bedroom.
Like goduck said, come over to the GD Forum and read a bit. Also look at the GD web site. Look on google for Solitude, Reflection to see the different models. Some models that were discontinued were great and will not be on the GD web site.
I am orbiker on the GD forum too. KEN

We have had our Reflection 303rls for 3 years and couldn't be more pleased. We have had 3 other brands in the past and this is our favorite. The worst was a Keystone Outback 5th wheel that had a fire in the middle of the night with water heater wires. Don't want that again.

We like ours but it certainly hasn't been trouble free. Nothing major, just a few things that I have fixed myself and a couple of those were appliance related issues that could be present on any new RV. For some I'm sure these things would be griping points. I have had enough RV's over the years to know that early issues are pretty normal.

I'm not sure you are going to find much difference among any of the brands built in the sub 100k price points. They seem to all be built with a keen eye on price point and profit.

One big like I had was that GD has a consumer repair facility with overnight rv spots. If I needed a major service such as a broken frame or slide etc I would rather have a factory repair over a dealership.

Ultimately we will be going to a custom unit but for now our Solitude has been good.

For what it's worth, we have a 2011 Heartland Bighorn, considered full time even by the company. I've always kept my eye out on other models in case we ever have to replace ours. We take our FW to a local tech for maintenance work that is beyond us and I noticed a Grand Design there. I said to the tech that they're nice sturdy units. His reply? Not as much as you think, yours is much better and higher quality.

Run of the mill fifth wheel. Same major components as most of the rest. Same type of construction as most others use. How much better can they be??

B.O.

When we were shopping I had it narrowed down to Keystone and Grand Design. Keystone because our last two rigs were Keystone Toyhaulers and we had a good experience with those. Grand Design because they had a decent reputation. Then narrowed it down more to Montana High Country and Reflection. The floor plans were virtually the same. What sealed the deal for the MHC was it had an option for generator prep. The Reflection did not even offer it as an option, only the Solitude did. So that decided it for us, not sure if that is helpful information for you.

Thanks for info folks