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Should we be considering other brands/models?

Second_Chance
Explorer II
Explorer II
My wife and I are on a path that will find us full-timing by the end of 2015. We own a 2013 Sierra 2500HD Durmax/Allison and, after scaling the truck, have 16,980 GCWR left - but only 2,480 GVWR and 3,120 GAWR RR left. Consequently, we need to keep the pin weight within limits.

In a fiver, we want rear living/front bedroom. We DO NOT want rear entertainment - at least some seating must be across from the TV. We are minimalists and don't plan to load the RV down with everything we think we might want - just what we'll need and use on a daily basis.

With these limitations and desires, we have zeroed in on the Grand Design Reflection 337RLS (have spent hours in one "what-iffing," talking and thinking). Things we particularly like about this unit are 1) entertainment center across from seating, 2) a closet-size pantry (very important to my wife), 3) options for a second AC and double-pane glass, etc., 4, adequate tankage for boon-docking, and 5) the quality of the build and components (especially for this price range).

My question is this: are there other brands/series/models you know of that we should be considering. With the trend toward lighter construction, I suspect there are other units out there that would compete with the Reflection series on features, weight and build quality. What gets me to pulling my hair out is how some of the other major manufacturers (e.g. Forest River) organize their web sites... they may list a dozen brands or more on a main page with all the marketing glitter and hype, but one has to drill down into each brand and series to ferret out features and specs (such as tankage, whether or not the underbelly is enclosed and heated, etc.)

I just want to make sure we investigate every reasonable option before we make a significant investment and commit to living in a particular unit.

Thanks in advance!

Rob
U.S. Army retired
2020 Solitude 310GK-R
MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows
(Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
2012 F350 CC DRW Lariat 6.7
Full-time since 8/2015
29 REPLIES 29

skijlw
Explorer
Explorer
Take a look at the Jayco line of 5th wheels. My 40' Eagle premier has a starting weight of under 12K.

bobx2
Explorer
Explorer
I would also recommend checking out what Heartland has to offer. Not that I care what anyone buys or owns, just suggesting another manufacturer that offers some quality RV's. Better to check them all out now instead of finding something different after you buy.
Becky, Bob, Taylie and Bode
2009 Silverado Duramax/Allison
2014 Heartland Sundance XLT 245RL
2015 Polaris Sportsman 570 Touring - Mine
2015 Polaris Sportsman 570 Touring - Wifes

ours
Explorer
Explorer
I also drive a 2014 Silverado 2500 diesel/allison. We pull a Silverback 33IK and love it. A wonderful 5th wheel.

rbp111
Explorer
Explorer
You may want to look at the Bighorn 3270, made by Heartland. We just purchased one and is it loaded with stuff. Stuff like the self leveling, the fireplace, and on and on. It has the entertainment center opposite the chairs (which are operated by a push button to heat, massage, open and close etc).

Veebyes
Explorer II
Explorer II
Had a look at the Grand Design Reflection 337RLS specs & the first thing that caught my attention was the rather small freshwater tank at only 60gal. That is not going to last long if you get into things like bluegrass festivals, Alaska, 3 days at Teklaneka, using SPs or anything else requiring more than a few days independent of utilities.

The floorplan is nice but galley working area is small. Not good if many meals are going to to be prepared in house.

We are not fulltimers but we are what I call longtimers, spending more than 150 nights a year on the road using SPs, NPs, COEs & county CGs much more often than FHU CGs. Adequate water & a usable galley are important.

We were brutal in rig selection. There were must haves & nice to haves on the selection list. 8 years later there are no regrets on our choice. Nothing seen that we would like to replace it with.

Along with our Alpenlite the DRV 32TK3 was on our very short list. The 32TK3 will not be an easy find but the 36TK3 is plentyful on the used market. We are firm believers in buying slightly used quality over new 2nd tier stuff.

Let somebody else take the big hit in depreciation & work out all of those new unit gremlins only to find out that for some reason they want out of it.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter

2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel

Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995

skijlw
Explorer
Explorer
Take a look at the Jayco Premier line. I have the same truck as yours and went with a Premier.

Gsport
Explorer
Explorer
I've had my Grand Design Solitude for almost two years. I think you'd be very happy with any GD purchase..

glazier
Explorer II
Explorer II
You owe it to yourself to look at other brands. We looked at Columbus, Crusader, and Jayco. In the end we decided on the Reflection, I have no remorse. I will buy another Grand Design when it's time to shop again in about 5 years.
2017 Grand Design Momentum 328M
2015 Chevy 2500HD LTZ Duramax CC/SB/4X4
B&W Companion Slider

Second_Chance
Explorer II
Explorer II
JKrussow wrote:
I do hope you have included the weight of the double pane windows into your calculations. They do not show up in the posted material on the GD website only after the coach is built and weight prior to delivery.

Now this will not change you GVWR but it will decrease your cargo carrying capacity.


Yes - had a conversation with a manager at Grand Design. The double-pane windows on the 337 add 340 lbs - mostly behind the axles. The 12 cu. ft. frig option only adds a few pounds (pantry/spice drawers come out) - and that's over the axles. I've been RVing, sailing and flying since the early '70s, so I've "grown up" being a stickler about weights and safety.

Thanks,

Rob
U.S. Army retired
2020 Solitude 310GK-R
MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows
(Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
2012 F350 CC DRW Lariat 6.7
Full-time since 8/2015

JKrussow
Explorer
Explorer
I do hope you have included the weight of the double pane windows into your calculations. They do not show up in the posted material on the GD website only after the coach is built and weight prior to delivery.

Now this will not change you GVWR but it will decrease your cargo carrying capacity.
John & Rana along with Kato & Punkin
2004 GMC Sierra 3500 D/A DRW CC, Banks IQ w/Econominder, Speedbrake & CAI, Curt Q5 20K
2011 Heartland Big Country 3650RL

azjeffh
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
mayo30 wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
mayo30 wrote:
I don't see any mention of checking about full timing in regards to warranty,some manufactures restrict the use.Be fully prepared.


They offer a 1-2-3 warranty and are approved for Extended Stay/Full Timing.

http://www.granddesignrv.com/full-time-living.php

Well pardon me but I don't see where that big Extended stay decal means full time.Full time is full time year round,extended is for how long.One place it is mentioned as ready to full time then why is the warranty not listed as full time for what ever the time span,1 year,2 years etc.Some manufactures come right out and say approved for full time living.Extended from what,what do they consider normal?Am I paranoid,not really just show me.


Me thinks they have some really small CYA fine print.

oops
Jeff
Wonderful wife Robin
2016 F350 PSD Dually
2016 DRV 38RSSA

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
mayo30 wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
mayo30 wrote:
I don't see any mention of checking about full timing in regards to warranty,some manufactures restrict the use.Be fully prepared.


They offer a 1-2-3 warranty and are approved for Extended Stay/Full Timing.

http://www.granddesignrv.com/full-time-living.php

Well pardon me but I don't see where that big Extended stay decal means full time.Full time is full time year round,extended is for how long.One place it is mentioned as ready to full time then why is the warranty not listed as full time for what ever the time span,1 year,2 years etc.Some manufactures come right out and say approved for full time living.Extended from what,what do they consider normal?Am I paranoid,not really just show me.


Me thinks they have some really small CYA fine print.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

mayo30
Explorer
Explorer
goducks10 wrote:
mayo30 wrote:
I don't see any mention of checking about full timing in regards to warranty,some manufactures restrict the use.Be fully prepared.


They offer a 1-2-3 warranty and are approved for Extended Stay/Full Timing.

http://www.granddesignrv.com/full-time-living.php

Well pardon me but I don't see where that big Extended stay decal means full time.Full time is full time year round,extended is for how long.One place it is mentioned as ready to full time then why is the warranty not listed as full time for what ever the time span,1 year,2 years etc.Some manufactures come right out and say approved for full time living.Extended from what,what do they consider normal?Am I paranoid,not really just show me.

goukcats
Explorer
Explorer
Most of us like the brand & model we currently own. We looked at the GD 337 Reflection before ordering early this year. It is a nice RV. If you are looking new, I agree with a previous post; look at the RV shows & compare the construction & features of the floor plans you like. Dismiss everything the sales staff says negative about the competition & pay attention to the positives they state about their brand. It may or may not be a positive for you. Regardless of brand,you will occasionally find a dud. You will be limited (as I) with your TV. After we made our decision, we found no one had our Floor plan with the exact features we wanted. Ordering was a wait but well worth getting exactly what we wanted. You may also want to check various sources for used. There are a couple late models for sale on our FB group. They are selling because of life changes, not because of issues. Good luck.
Wayne & Sheryl
Plus Ollie & Sophie
(they don't know they're dogs)
2011 Ram Laramie 2500 CC 4X4 6.7 Cummins
2015 Columbus 320

"Where ever you go, there you are" Buckaroo Banzai