Slide design by Grand Design

[Cptnvideo]

We recently purchased a 2022 Grand Design Solitude 378MBS.
There are 4 slides and there are 4 named slots for slide switches. But there are only 2 slide switches. Grand Design controls 3 slides with one switch and the bedroom slide with the remaining switch. To make matters worse, the sequence for the slides to open/close is terrible. The curb side slide (which blocks entry to the entire living/kitchen area) is the last to go out.

Edit: Apparently this is a normal design for hydraulic slides. It would be nice if Grand Design would make some modification to make the curb side slide go out first, then in last.

[CA_Traveler]

Look at the positive side:
1. The RV can be modified to provide control of each slide with the switches.
2. You will better understand you next RV before the purchase.

[TXiceman]

dougrainer wrote:
I can tell you that even if the OP found this operation NOT to his liking at the PDI, the Factory would not pay to change it. If it is designed that way, then attempting to change a functional working as designed system would not be a warranty issue. Then the OP can make a decision, buy or walk away. This post shows WHY it is important to do the walk thru BEFORE you sign paperwork and take delivery. NEVER BUY AND SIGN PAPERWORK BEFORE THE PDI AND WALK THRU. NEVER NEVER NEVER. This is not a Auto or truck but a mobile house. I have been in the RV business for 50 years and 43 as a RV Technician. I would NEVER deviate from what I just posted and I tell my friends to do the same when they buy a new or used unit from a Dealer. Doug

We and our daughter have bought several RS and we let the dealer know that we are not taking possession of the RV until it has a full PDI and demonstration of all systems and the RV was 100% correct. Never accept an RV with a "We owe you" slip or the promise to fix an item when it comes back for warranty work.

The OP should have had the dealer demonstrate the operation of the slide both going in and out. While this is being demonstrated, watch for any jerky movement or strange noise.

I prefer the slides to operate on independent switches. With solenoids, a proper hydraulic manifold, and switches, this is not rocket science. The RV manufacturers will take a cheaper way out every time unless the buyers start to complain and not but the junk.

Ken

[dougrainer]

Cptnvideo wrote:
This thread is supposed to be about slides and NOT about PDIs.
Please start a new thread if you want to discuss the importance of a PDI.

Sorry if I hurt your feelings. YOU made the 2nd post about if you had found this during the PDI/Walk Thru. Doug

[Cptnvideo]

This thread is supposed to be about slides and NOT about PDIs.
Please start a new thread if you want to discuss the importance of a PDI.

[goducks10]

dougrainer wrote:
I can tell you that even if the OP found this operation NOT to his liking at the PDI, the Factory would not pay to change it. If it is designed that way, then attempting to change a functional working as designed system would not be a warranty issue. Then the OP can make a decision, buy or walk away. This post shows WHY it is important to do the walk thru BEFORE you sign paperwork and take delivery. NEVER BUY AND SIGN PAPERWORK BEFORE THE PDI AND WALK THRU. NEVER NEVER NEVER. This is not a Auto or truck but a mobile house. I have been in the RV business for 50 years and 43 as a RV Technician. I would NEVER deviate from what I just posted and I tell my friends to do the same when they buy a new or used unit from a Dealer. Doug

My dealer told me that if during PDI I wasn't satisfied I could back out. So many buyers think they're imposing on the sales person or dealer when they walk in an RV on the lot. Even during PDI they're still asking is it okay to put the awning out.

[way2roll]

After owning several types of RV's I probably wouldn't have thought to go over this on a PDI either. Sure I went over how the slides work, but it may not have occurred to the OP that there is ever a need to open just one slide or any combination. Sounds like the OP found out what he was looking for and that's great. But I know for sure that buying a house - heck designing and building my own, as well as buying cars and RV's, I've always learned quite a few things months after ownership. You just aren't going to know, or even know to ask everything on PDI day. If that were the case this form wouldn't even exist.

[CA_Traveler]

Good post Doug.

Apparently to many are buying based on their car experience and don't know how to spell PDI and prepay with all emotions on full throttle. And of course the dealer PDI is wonderful. 🙂

[dougrainer]

I can tell you that even if the OP found this operation NOT to his liking at the PDI, the Factory would not pay to change it. If it is designed that way, then attempting to change a functional working as designed system would not be a warranty issue. Then the OP can make a decision, buy or walk away. This post shows WHY it is important to do the walk thru BEFORE you sign paperwork and take delivery. NEVER BUY AND SIGN PAPERWORK BEFORE THE PDI AND WALK THRU. NEVER NEVER NEVER. This is not a Auto or truck but a mobile house. I have been in the RV business for 50 years and 43 as a RV Technician. I would NEVER deviate from what I just posted and I tell my friends to do the same when they buy a new or used unit from a Dealer. Doug

[CA_Traveler]

Only 1 pump is required along with valves, wiring, switches to control each slide. A control board or different switches are required to ensure the owner can only move one slide at a time. Additional weight is small, cost not so much.

For me it's not the time to deploy the slides but the parking situations where all slide deployment is not desired/possible. Apparently some mfgs have an answer with outside manual valves. Like a rest area or street parking at a house, etc. We don't necessarily deploy all slides for 1 night stops. Slide deployment can restrict storage access as another consideration.

My pump and valves are centrally located, 2 slides with 2 rams each means 8 hoses, definitely more expensive. Remote valves would be another option with less hose but individual mounting so not obvious that option is less cost.

valhalla360 wrote:

time2roll wrote:
The ultimate solution seems to be adding two more pumps, two more switches and new hoses as needed.
Just money, right?

Not so much a really dumb design but actually a lower cost option.
And since we primarily shop by price....

Not just lower cost but simpler with fewer things to break and likely less weight which is often a consideration.

Since most people don't fret over the extra 10-15 seconds to open all the slides, it's actually a smart design.

[valhalla360]

time2roll wrote:
The ultimate solution seems to be adding two more pumps, two more switches and new hoses as needed.
Just money, right?

Not so much a really dumb design but actually a lower cost option.
And since we primarily shop by price....

Not just lower cost but simpler with fewer things to break and likely less weight which is often a consideration.

Since most people don't fret over the extra 10-15 seconds to open all the slides, it's actually a smart design.

[Nv_Guy]

Doug explained it well, as did others. While I understand the OPs issue and how he didn't notice it, this is "fixable" with some solenoid valves, relays and switches for each room.

[Cptnvideo]

Well said, Lantley.
Michelle.S, thanks to this thread and knowledgeable people, I now understand the system and know about the valves which I have labeled for future use. I am now satisfied with the slide system now that I understand it and know there is a way to open any one particular slide.

[Lantley]

The title of this thread is really dumb design, which I agree with.
After reading more I'm finding this design is fairly common. GD is not the only manufacturer using this slide method.
What is also apparent is that many do not understand the importance of the PDI.
A PDI is your only chance to discover any flaws within your unit before you buy it.
Yes the slide issue could have been discovered and resolved sooner, during the PDI one should assume nothing works until it is tested.
That means every drawer, door, latch, switch, window, faucet, plug, slide, genset, stove,oven,water heater,furnace, A/C unit,A.C. outlet,sensor, TV,stereo,lock,remote,drain,valve all needs to be tested/checked out.
Failure to do so exposes the buyer to potential heartache down the road.
I don't fault the OP for not understanding how the slides operate, but I do question how thorough/complete his PDI was.
The PDI maybe the most important part of the process when buying an RV.
I don't think the OP understood the PDI process going into it.
The dealer does not control the PDI the buyer does. I just asked to be left alone and I went through the RV top to bottom. Let everyone involved know that is your intention before signing and accepting RV.
THe dealer will be way more motivated to correct any issues prior to you accepting rig vs. after. Afterwards its all a warranty issues that may put you in a long line. However correcting PDI issues on the front end of the sale keeps you in the front of the line.
A PDI check would not have changed the way the slides operate but it would have led to a more complete explanation of how the slides function including the use of isolation valves that the OP was unaware of.

[Michelle_S]

When you have multi hydraulic slides controlled a single switch, generally the lightest and usually smallest will move first then followed by the next lightest with the heaviest last. And they will generally follow the same retracting.
If you have shut-off valves for the individual slides you can close the ones you don't want to move. But other than that your system is operating exactly as designed and just like every other RV with multi Hydraulic slides controlled by a single switch.

[Cptnvideo]

There has been more than one comment about how I should have done things differently at the buying process. I wish commenters would limit their comments to the subject that was posted instead of berating the OP about the buying process.
I see this on other posts as well - not just mine.