Getting new 5th wheel Lots of questions!

[dpgllg]

We looked at a 2017 Grand Design Reflection 27RL yesterday and fell in love with it. Did the paperwork and it should be hitched to my truck in about 10 days

Here is a link to actual RV

Grand Design 27RL

Now the questions:

This RV is 50 amp power and my old is 30amp. I have a surge protector that plugs into the pedestal and then my power cord plugs into the surge protector. I want to know what surge protector I should get to protect the RV.

ADDED QUESTION
What electrical adapters do I need?

I really want to protect this 5th wheel. What is the best wax/polish to use on it? I was using a cleaner and once I got the RV clean Zymol wax. What is best for overall protection and can I go over the decals or not?

Speaking of protection should I invest in a cover or not? If yes what brand? I know that there are two schools of thought yes it protects AND it will rub the finish off your RV.

Should I put a roof treatment on now or wait until it needs cleaned? What roof treatment is the best?

This 5th wheel has auto leveling. What routine maintenance is required of the system?

There are two vent openings for the refrigerator since it is in the slide out. Should I have fans installed to help the air circulation?

These are just the questions that came to mind overnight and I'm sure we will have more once we get our hands on it.

We just went to look is all and WOW!

Thanks in advance!

Dave

[High5er]

I own a beautiful full paint Cardinal 5th wheel. Last year I splurged on a $500 cover that would cover a 41-foot 5er. I washed it well before affixing the cover. This spring I was excited to see how well it did over the Minnesota winter. When I uncovered it Initially it looked pretty good but still got a little dusty. (No big deal right?) When I got home and washed it I discovered that everywhere there was a cinch strap there were these fine scratches going all the way up the sides of the paint. 4 hours later and tired arms from rubbing out the scratches I decided that that cover would not be going back on my 5er. So my advise is not to use a cover.

[Veebyes]

Plugged into a 30a outlet at the post the surge protector will be fine.

With a 30a source you need to be very aware of what YOU have turned on inside starting with, No, you should not run 2 air conditioners together & expect the microwave, the hair dryer, the toaster & the coffee maker all to run at the same time too. Something is going to go "POOF".

With very careful power use management we can run our 50a trailer off of a 20a source.

[southernsky]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GDRVowners/

[Lantley]

Don't be deterred by the so called weight police. But don't stick your head in the sand and ignore the weights altogether either.
Verify your weights yourself. Check the payload rating on your door jamb and check it against the loaded pin weight of your 5'er.
It will always be beneficial to know where you stand within your towing parameters.

[Greene728]

First. Ignore the weight police trolls who have nothing better to do apparently. Your truck will handle the unit with ease. Buy yourself a Progressive Industries hard wired EMS unit with remote display. You can easily install it yourself and no it won't void your warranty. You will thank those of us who recommended it later! Excellent prices on these are on Amazon and Etrailer. Meguaers marine wax is awesome and also highly recommended. I (as well as many others) believe the dealer applied protectant to be a way for the dealers to fatten their wallets. Simply wash as needed with a quality automotive type wash and wax and wax with the meguiars one or two times a year is just as good or better. Cover is debatable. I'd probably try to find a covered storage facility myself. And as far as the roof goes, just wash once or twice a year with a soft brush and mild soap. I like 50/50 dawn and water in a spray bottle. The roof membrane requires very little maintenance with some manufacturers recommended doing nothing to them. The Ground Control 3.0 is all electric and doesnt use hydraulic fluid as mentioned in another post. Just keep them clean and free of debris and lube the fronts as needed. The dealer should be able to show you how and where during your PDI. More information will be found in your manuals. And ask many questions during your PDI! The only dumb question is the ones you dont ask. Also, come join us at the Grand Design owners forum. Great group of extremely helpful folks. BTW, we love our GD 303!

[rickeoni]

dpgllg wrote:

rickeoni wrote:
Nice aquisition, really like the interior. Look into a sealant instead of wax, better protection and will last longer.

Any particular product? I'm thinking that I will purchase the wax/sealer/protectant and have the dealer put it on as part of the purchase. I have to tow it home about 120 highway miles and this way it would be protected before it left the shop

They are backed up and said they have several units in front of me but it should be ready in less than 10 days

I do it myself yearly, washed and scrubbed today and claybar and a sealing tomorrow with a product called Hydro2.

[avvidclif1]

On the surge protector. Low voltage can cause problems and it will help there. On an RV wired for 50a service if the power pole loses it neutral for what ever reason or an electrician wires an outlet wrong it will put 240v on all the 120v appliances and they don't like it.

If you've been rv'ing for 40 years you probably still have a 30a hookup so it doesn't apply to you. If you have 50a you're lucky.

[dpgllg]

goducks10 wrote:
You need to go over to the GD forum and read about your 5th wheel there. Plenty of GD Reflection owners to help you sort it out.
https://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/showthread.php/8531-Poll-How-many-of-you-have-had-your-greas...

Just registered and waiting for Mod approval. Thanks for the advice

[dpgllg]

rickeoni wrote:
Nice aquisition, really like the interior. Look into a sealant instead of wax, better protection and will last longer.

Any particular product? I'm thinking that I will purchase the wax/sealer/protectant and have the dealer put it on as part of the purchase. I have to tow it home about 120 highway miles and this way it would be protected before it left the shop

They are backed up and said they have several units in front of me but it should be ready in less than 10 days

[rickeoni]

Nice aquisition, really like the interior. Look into a sealant instead of wax, better protection and will last longer.

[Lantley]

dpgllg wrote:

jmtandem wrote:

We looked at a 2017 Grand Design Reflection 27RL yesterday and fell in love with it. Did the paperwork and it should be hitched to my truck in about 10 days

I don't think you are asking all the right questions. You will likely be close to or even slightly over your truck's payload capacity with the gross weight of the fifth wheel at just under 11,000 pounds. Add in the hitch weight and 20 percent of the fifth's weight on the pin and you will be at or over 2200 pounds before you put anybody, dogs, bikes, kayaks, bbq, etc into the truck.

Went on GM website and here are the numbers from GM

Ext cab, long box (4WD)6.6L Diesel:
Payload (lb / kg): 2725 / 1236

Trailer towing maximum with fifth-wheel hitch (lb / kg:
4WD w/ 6.6L (3.73 axle): 15700 / 7122

I really do not think that I will be over my payload and definitely not over towing capacity

Dave

Look on the sticker on your driver's door jamb. It will give the payload for your specific truck. I believe you may be a bit over when all is said and done.

[goducks10]

You need to go over to the GD forum and read about your 5th wheel there. Plenty of GD Reflection owners to help you sort it out.
https://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/showthread.php/8531-Poll-How-many-of-you-have-had-your-greas...

[dpgllg]

jmtandem wrote:

We looked at a 2017 Grand Design Reflection 27RL yesterday and fell in love with it. Did the paperwork and it should be hitched to my truck in about 10 days

I don't think you are asking all the right questions. You will likely be close to or even slightly over your truck's payload capacity with the gross weight of the fifth wheel at just under 11,000 pounds. Add in the hitch weight and 20 percent of the fifth's weight on the pin and you will be at or over 2200 pounds before you put anybody, dogs, bikes, kayaks, bbq, etc into the truck.

Went on GM website and here are the numbers from GM

Ext cab, long box (4WD)6.6L Diesel:
Payload (lb / kg): 2725 / 1236

Trailer towing maximum with fifth-wheel hitch (lb / kg:
4WD w/ 6.6L (3.73 axle): 15700 / 7122

I really do not think that I will be over my payload and definitely not over towing capacity

Dave

[dpgllg]

Second Chance wrote:
Suggest you join the Grand Design Owners Forum (not run by Grand Design). Lots of helpful folks and advice over there. As for EMS protection (electrical management system - MUCH more than a surge protector)... anyone who says they've never used one and never had a problem has just been lucky. There are many people who have lost appliances (ACs, microwaves, TVs, etc.) to undervoltage (the most common issue), spikes, or nearby lightening strikes (it doesn't matter how good the park power is in that situation). We have had a hard-wired Progressive Industries model with remote display in our Reflection since day one. It has activated and saved us damage on at least three occasions.

Rob

If I put in a hardwired EMS system will that void my warranty? Is this something I can do myself or best left to a professional? Where is the best place to purchase?

Thanks

Dave