NASCAR driver now a Grand Design Momentum 385TH owner

mblackburn17 wrote:
My hubby and I are looking at the same 385. We we are told production would start 11/1/2014 by someone at Grand Design and That they only made 2 for a rv show in California. I guess if you are famous you can go to the top of the list. Our concern was also so much weight and only 2 axles. If I could find one ready to purchase today we would.

You are correct. There were only 2 prototypes produced and one for sale at the Sanoma RV show. First protoype went to Robby Gordon and the second prototype is going to the Louisville trade show. The only one for sale was sold in the first 5 minutes of the Sanoma rv show. I ordered my 385th in September at the Hershey RV show. Hopefully I will be taking delivery in a couple of weeks. It is truly an amazing toy hauler!!!!!

Not to be harsh but I bet they will build a Robby Gordon edition soon. So you can put the RG rzr, tools, and all the other merch he sells. He aint makin money in the Dakar or Baja btw.

My hubby and I are looking at the same 385. We we are told production would start 11/1/2014 by someone at Grand Design and That they only made 2 for a rv show in California. I guess if you are famous you can go to the top of the list. Our concern was also so much weight and only 2 axles. If I could find one ready to purchase today we would.

Seems odd that a guy with Gordon's money would be using a TH for race support at Dakar.
Net worth of $40 mil.

Steve76eb wrote:

Aquaholic502 wrote:
The only thing that scares me about these trailers is the dual axle. If you get a blowout (which a lot of people complain about with trailer tires) you are now riding on one tire on that side. I may be wrong to worry but I would rather be sitting on two and a half 6000lb axles than one and a half 8000lb axles. Any input on this?

How far do you plan on driving with a blow out? 100 miles? I believe most people will pull over when the tire blows out and change over to a spare. I think you are getting scared over nothing.

X2. The size of the axle doesn't mean anything.
And also the tire that is flat is still carrying a load. I've seen tires ran flat for so long the tire was just shreds hanging to the steel wires in the bead seat and much of the rim flange worn off.
Think man. If you have ever had a flat tire on a tandem axle trailer with a equalizer bar suspension the rim will cut the flat tire to shreds quick before you can get stopped. Now if the trailer doesn't have a equalizer bar then the good tire takes much more weight.

dedmiston wrote:
I'm guessing that when an H-rated tire blows, it will get your attention.

For sure!

Blew a G rated Goodyear last year and even with three axles you know and feel it- that and all the fiberglass and insulation that comes off the side of your trailer! :)

Steve76eb wrote:

Aquaholic502 wrote:
The only thing that scares me about these trailers is the dual axle. If you get a blowout (which a lot of people complain about with trailer tires) you are now riding on one tire on that side. I may be wrong to worry but I would rather be sitting on two and a half 6000lb axles than one and a half 8000lb axles. Any input on this?

How far do you plan on driving with a blow out? 100 miles? I believe most people will pull over when the tire blows out and change over to a spare. I think you are getting scared over nothing.

Actualy I would pull over right away as I try to take care of my tires. I have 2+ years on my chinabombs because I drive right and take care of them. My point was that trailer is gross 19500 with a pin of 3900. Thats 15600 on the rear. So lets say that would be devided by 2 so you have 7800 per side again im not sure if this is how the engineers calculate this so I could be wrong (you tell me). Now you have a tire thats rated for 4805lbs holding up 7800 lbs. So you tell me how long that tire will last when the one in front of it just blew up. Like I said I may be worrying too much but that seems pushing it to me. I would rather have two tires rated for total 7040 than one rated at 4805. On a triple axle with a blow out you lose 1/3 of the help with the load on that side. With a double axle you will lose 1/2 the help with the load.

I'm guessing that when an H-rated tire blows, it will get your attention.

Aquaholic502 wrote:
The only thing that scares me about these trailers is the dual axle. If you get a blowout (which a lot of people complain about with trailer tires) you are now riding on one tire on that side. I may be wrong to worry but I would rather be sitting on two and a half 6000lb axles than one and a half 8000lb axles. Any input on this?

How far do you plan on driving with a blow out? 100 miles? I believe most people will pull over when the tire blows out and change over to a spare. I think you are getting scared over nothing.

Terryallan wrote:

LI Happy Camper wrote:
NASCAR driver Robby Gordon recently purchased the first 2014 Grand Design Momentum 385TH and went to the Grand Design Headquarters to pick it up. Here is the video

http://www.rvbusiness.com/2013/10/video-1-racer-gordon-picks-up-1st-momentum/

Robby Gordon, doesn't run NASCAR any more. He is mostly an Off road racer now, and very good at it.

The wife and love to watch him in Crandon Wisconsin, racing off road and we watch the Dakar, hope he can win this next Dakar.