We are considering changing 5th wheels. Have been looking online a the Grand Design 317RST. Looks it would be a great floor plan for us. Also looking at going to a Ford F350 6.2 ltr w/4.30 axle. Anyone here have any experience with this 5th wheel? Also wanted to see if anyone was willing to share what they paid for this 5th wheel? Would 70% of MSRP be a fair price to offer the dealer?Thanks.

I have a 2015 Grand Design Reflection 323BHS--37' bunk house with SuperSofa option. The 317RST is a relatively new model trailer, and there are not yet many that have been delivered. I suspect it will be a very popular design, however.The dealer may can sell you the trailer for 70% of MSRP, but the chances are they'll hold out for a little more profit. You might see if you can figure out which GD dealers are dominant in the retail market close to you and pit two or three against each other.

At 13995 GVWR, that trailer may be over the tow rating of the 6.2L Gasser or very close and you may not be happy with the performance.On edit: Ford is pretty optimistic with with their tow ratings for the 6.2L and 4.30's. I would want to hear from others towing that heavy. Chris

Me Again wrote:At 13995 GVWR, that trailer may be over the tow rating of the 6.2L Gasser or very close and you may not be happy with the performance.On edit: Ford is pretty optimistic with with their tow ratings for the 6.2L and 4.30's. I would want to hear from others towing that heavy. ChrisI did check the Ford specs for this truck and it appears to be well within the towing/cargo capacity. Thanks.

I'm not familiar with that exact model but I will say the fit and finish on my 2015 GD 385TH is far better than anything I have owned before. You will be pleasantly surprised with the quality of workmanship... at least compared to other manufacturers. I got mine for about 68% of MSRP. Good luck

momentum rv wrote:I'm not familiar with that exact model but I will say the fit and finish on my 2015 GD 385TH is far better than anything I have owned before. You will be pleasantly surprised with the quality of workmanship... at least compared to other manufacturers. I got mine for about 68% of MSRP. Good luck68% off MSRP ?? Do you mean 32% off ?? 68% off a $50,000.00 trailer would be $16,000.00 to you ... whereas 32% would be $34,000.00

Grand Design 317RST | Good Sam Community

MFL
Nomad II
Mar 14, 2015
I like having the toilet in a separate room. However ours has the sink/cleanup area, next to the shower. This works best for us.

If the floor plan works for the OP, that is a nice FW. Also, the 350 6.2, 4.30 gears would be a good match for it.

Jerry
shadows4
Explorer III
Mar 14, 2015
diftw wrote:
We are considering changing 5th wheels. Have been looking online a the Grand Design 317RST. Looks it would be a great floor plan for us. Also looking at going to a Ford F350 6.2 ltr w/4.30 axle. Anyone here have any experience with this 5th wheel? Also wanted to see if anyone was willing to share what they paid for this 5th wheel? Would 70% of MSRP be a fair price to offer the dealer?

Thanks.

Op'er, no experience with the fifth wheel you are looking at. But as to the truck you mentioned, I think that would be an awesome tow combination. You would probably have to order with the 4.30's. There are several people on here towing with the 6.2L. You might get more response on that part in the tow vehicle section or over at the FTE forum. Here. If I decide to trade trucks that will be my next TV.
Lantley
Nomad
Mar 14, 2015
Mountain Mama wrote:
I looked at this floor plan & was excited about it as we like the split bath, but when I realized the sink was in same, small, room with toilet, I nixed it. I just don't get the people who design these things..if it works for you, happy shopping!

I imagine that bathroom layout would be a deal breaker for me in the end as well.
The overall floorplan is nice however the bathroom does complicate things
Mountain_Mama
Explorer
Mar 13, 2015
I looked at this floor plan & was excited about it as we like the split bath, but when I realized the sink was in same, small, room with toilet, I nixed it. I just don't get the people who design these things..if it works for you, happy shopping!
2008Wildcat
Explorer
Mar 13, 2015
As a Grand design dealer, I can tell you there is not as much mark up in them, as other main stream manufacturers.

You won't see any lower prices on GD products because they don't sell to wholesalers, and have a strict policy to maintain the msrp in advertising, to keep the playing field equal.
goducks10
Explorer
Mar 12, 2015
suzyqtx60 wrote:
Grand Design Manufacture Rep. at the Houston RV Show told us they don't mark up their trailers as much as other brands, so they don't discount as much either. That's a new marketing strategy we hadn't heard before.....

I find that hard to believe. They make nice trailers but aren't head and shoulders above anything else. They have their share of issues just like the rest. Sounds like a marketing strategy to make more money.
glazier
Explorer II
Mar 12, 2015
We love our 337, I would have looked at the 317 if it had been out when we bought ours. Grand Design does a good job after the sale. I will look at them when its time to buy another one.
Lantley
Nomad
Mar 12, 2015
spud1957 wrote:
diftw wrote:
Me Again wrote:
At 13995 GVWR, that trailer may be over the tow rating of the 6.2L Gasser or very close and you may not be happy with the performance.

On edit: Ford is pretty optimistic with with their tow ratings for the 6.2L and 4.30's. I would want to hear from others towing that heavy. Chris

I did check the Ford specs for this truck and it appears to be well within the towing/cargo capacity.

Thanks.

Considering the trailer has an estimated dry weight of 10.1K, I cannot see anyone loading this thing up to the GVWR of 13,995. That's almost 4000lbs of stuff!!! Who carries 2 tons of stuff!

I have a dry weight of 9500lbs and tow with 3:73s and have no problem maintaining the speed limit on any grade. I'm around 10.5K loaded.

I would not put all my faith in the dry weight listed on the brochure.
Brochure weights are notoriously inaccurate/unrealistic.
Check a few stickers on the actual trailers to determine the true dry weight.
suzyqtx60
Explorer
Mar 12, 2015
Grand Design Manufacture Rep. at the Houston RV Show told us they don't mark up their trailers as much as other brands, so they don't discount as much either. That's a new marketing strategy we hadn't heard before.....
spud1957
Explorer
Mar 12, 2015
diftw wrote:
Me Again wrote:
At 13995 GVWR, that trailer may be over the tow rating of the 6.2L Gasser or very close and you may not be happy with the performance.

On edit: Ford is pretty optimistic with with their tow ratings for the 6.2L and 4.30's. I would want to hear from others towing that heavy. Chris

I did check the Ford specs for this truck and it appears to be well within the towing/cargo capacity.

Thanks.

Considering the trailer has an estimated dry weight of 10.1K, I cannot see anyone loading this thing up to the GVWR of 13,995. That's almost 4000lbs of stuff!!! Who carries 2 tons of stuff!

I have a dry weight of 9500lbs and tow with 3:73s and have no problem maintaining the speed limit on any grade. I'm around 10.5K loaded.

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