Grand Design

[RVER]

ANYone own a Grand Design Solitude Fiver and if you do what problems did you encounter when you went camping first, second and third time? Quality of design, quality of build? Stucture etc.
THANKS, Asking for a friend.

[FishOnOne]

Ralph Cramden wrote:

justme wrote:
Wow it is interesting how people get so fixed on their beliefs based on marketing data. I doubt there is any practical advantage to the different end cap designs other than aesthetics. Lets see some real life fuel saving data for RV trailers-- wind tunnel data on semi trailers doesn't cut it for me. However, I suppose the RV manufacturers parrot this stuff in their marketing, just like they do for "built for full timing", "slam hatches", "easy lube", "wind tunnel tested rear caps" and etc.
Lets not confuse physics and practical life with markting--

And don't forget the biggest word in the RV marketing department......QUALITY...LOL.

Running A close 2nd?............Amish Craftsmanship.

LOL... A polished turd....eerrrrr Quality Campers

I think it's fair to say that the RV industry doesn't invest on real engineering for aerodynamics nor have I ever read any marketing hoopla that their rear caps is designed to reduce air drag therefore improving fuel economy claims.

[Ralph_Cramden]

justme wrote:
Wow it is interesting how people get so fixed on their beliefs based on marketing data. I doubt there is any practical advantage to the different end cap designs other than aesthetics. Lets see some real life fuel saving data for RV trailers-- wind tunnel data on semi trailers doesn't cut it for me. However, I suppose the RV manufacturers parrot this stuff in their marketing, just like they do for "built for full timing", "slam hatches", "easy lube", "wind tunnel tested rear caps" and etc.
Lets not confuse physics and practical life with markting--

And don't forget the biggest word in the RV marketing department......QUALITY...LOL.

Running A close 2nd?............Amish Craftsmanship.

[justme]

Wow it is interesting how people get so fixed on their beliefs based on marketing data. I doubt there is any practical advantage to the different end cap designs other than aesthetics. Lets see some real life fuel saving data for RV trailers-- wind tunnel data on semi trailers doesn't cut it for me. However, I suppose the RV manufacturers parrot this stuff in their marketing, just like they do for "built for full timing", "slam hatches", "easy lube", "wind tunnel tested rear caps" and etc.
Lets not confuse physics and practical life with markting--

[Me_Again]

"Physically tapering the trailer or load would be the best solution but is not feasible due to trailer capacity and loading operations"

http://www.airtab.com/how-do-they-work.htm

Both of my trailers with rear caps began the tapering and have/had very soft corners compared to the hard corners on flat back trailers.

[FishOnOne]

^^^^ Perhaps reading comprehension is not your cup of tea. This is what the man wrote:

It would be so difficult owning one and always having walk around the front of the trailer vs the rear sometimes because you can not stand the look of the flat rear.

[neal10a]

FishOnOne wrote:


Nor does yours.... Having said that your position was to bash a camper without a cap based on your opinion of the looks.

No need to get snarky towards people who want you to validate your claim. Maybe you should be more considerate towards people who want verifiable information. BTY how did you come to that conclusion that someone is "bashing a camper based on opinion of looks"-- Maybe you need a course on reading and comprehension. Just saying 😉

[FishOnOne]

justme wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Hard corners front and/or back effect mileage. I went from a 8500-9000 lb 26 ft 5th wheel with square corners front back to a 12K+ 29' 5th wheel with front and rear caps and mileage improved.

Ever notice the long haul trailer with the aero rear panels that fold out.

https://cumminsengines.com/uploads/docs/cummins_secrets_of_better_fuel_economy.pdf

So what is the aero dynamic drag for various end caps for 5th wheel. Your link does not validate your assertion for a 5th wheel trailer-

Nor does yours.... Having said that your position was to bash a camper without a cap based on your opinion of the looks.

[justme]

Me Again wrote:
Hard corners front and/or back effect mileage. I went from a 8500-9000 lb 26 ft 5th wheel with square corners front back to a 12K+ 29' 5th wheel with front and rear caps and mileage improved.

Ever notice the long haul trailer with the aero rear panels that fold out.

https://cumminsengines.com/uploads/docs/cummins_secrets_of_better_fuel_economy.pdf

So what is the aero dynamic drag for various end caps for 5th wheel. Your link does not validate your assertion for a 5th wheel trailer-

[FishOnOne]

Me Again wrote:
Hard corners front and/or back effect mileage. I went from a 8500-9000 lb 26 ft 5th wheel with square corners front back to a 12K+ 29' 5th wheel with front and rear caps and mileage improved.

Ever notice the long haul trailer with the aero rear panels that fold out.

https://cumminsengines.com/uploads/docs/cummins_secrets_of_better_fuel_economy.pdf

I think your reaching a bit to sell a rear cap or downplaying the campers that don't have one.... Don't you think!

Here's a quote from Page 11. It say's nothing about rounded rear corners.
A straight-side van trailer with rounded corners at the front offers the least resistance.

Having said that I haven't seen a rear cap that mimics what rear air loovers that added to the big rig trailers to that moves the negative air pressure away from the rear of the trailer.

Bottom line: The rear air cap on our campers is only to provide the cosmetic appearance that you prefer.

[Me_Again]

Hard corners front and/or back effect mileage. I went from a 8500-9000 lb 26 ft 5th wheel with square corners front back to a 12K+ 29' 5th wheel with front and rear caps and mileage improved.

Ever notice the long haul trailer with the aero rear panels that fold out.

https://cumminsengines.com/uploads/docs/cummins_secrets_of_better_fuel_economy.pdf

[justme]

Me Again wrote:
Rear caps are 95% cosmetic and 5% better mileage if shaped correctly.

Can you supply a link to back up the better mileage claim?

[Me_Again]

Rear caps are 95% cosmetic and 5% better mileage if shaped correctly.

[FishOnOne]

john&bet wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I prefer the fiberglass rear cap simply for the elimination of another area that may delam.
Mine doesn't have it and it's always of a little concern. I have a large rear window, 3 clearances lights, 2 taillights to make sure are always caulked. Yes I would need to check a FG cap as well but having a slight leak won't be causing delam.
And IMO FG caps just look more upscale.

The rear cap on my '05 Montana started to surface crack at about the 8 year point. It only got worse over the next 4 years till we traded it for a GD. Why should the rear delam any sooner than the sides?

Don't sweat it... It won't

[goducks10]

john&bet wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I prefer the fiberglass rear cap simply for the elimination of another area that may delam.
Mine doesn't have it and it's always of a little concern. I have a large rear window, 3 clearances lights, 2 taillights to make sure are always caulked. Yes I would need to check a FG cap as well but having a slight leak won't be causing delam.
And IMO FG caps just look more upscale.

The rear cap on my '05 Montana started to surface crack at about the 8 year point. It only got worse over the next 4 years till we traded it for a GD. Why should the rear delam any sooner than the sides?

Never said it would. My point was that delam is potential problem with fiberglass RV's. If you can take way one potential problem then why not?

[john_bet]

goducks10 wrote:
I prefer the fiberglass rear cap simply for the elimination of another area that may delam.
Mine doesn't have it and it's always of a little concern. I have a large rear window, 3 clearances lights, 2 taillights to make sure are always caulked. Yes I would need to check a FG cap as well but having a slight leak won't be causing delam.
And IMO FG caps just look more upscale.

The rear cap on my '05 Montana started to surface crack at about the 8 year point. It only got worse over the next 4 years till we traded it for a GD. Why should the rear delam any sooner than the sides?