Still Shopping- have new "must haves" and need advice

[thegabrielles]

Hi again! I posted a few months ago on the toy hauler section as we were leaning in that direction at the time, but as I looked more into weights and our needs we realized that the garage really wasn't needed. So now we are looking at TT and 5th Wheels. We have come up with a few "must haves" that we really want in an RV and we will be spending 1-2 months in it at times and maybe longer depending on where the road takes us. It will be just me and the wife so it just needs to have sleep for the two of us, although maybe someday have room for new family to tag along.

I have not bought the truck yet as I want to ensure it will go with the trailer but I am looking at a 2015 F350 SRW Diesel so towing shouldnt be an issue.
So here you go:
weight- under 11,500
Length- preferably shorter than 35' but willing to go slightly higher if needed
Outdoor Kitchen- Refrigerator, stove top, and a sink... but we have seen some with a microwave and a TV also.
Large shower- preference... 🙂
Bedroom storage- we want a slide out for the bed so we have the large closet at the very front of the camper, but layout isn't as important as the storage space
Kitchen- big enough to store what we need
Living space- TV across from the recliners.

A good example of what we are looking for is the Keystone Loredo 325RL. We aren't as worried about pricing as we are about getting what we want. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated. Also, I have been in the Loredo and it is quite nice looking. We are leaning that way but am open to all options at this point. We are patient and don't have to buy yet but are ready when we have the right camper/ truck combo lined up.

Thanks!!!

[jalichty]

At the risk of getting laughed at by some of the folks on here, you might take a look at the Jayco Eagle 293RKDS. It's a rear kitchen with the entertainment center on one side angled to the recliners. Has a sit-in shower with slide-out for the bed and a large walk-in closet and an area for a washer and dryer if you wanted extra storage. Looks like it has an outside kitchen as there is a outside fridge on the curb side area. It's a little longer than you are looking at, but still might be doable.

[ToddD]

thegabrielles wrote:
Thanks, Lantley. I looked up the GD and based pricing differences on the prices I saw as "Our selling price" not MSRP. We will do some cold weather trips but that's not the main plan. Hopefully, most views of the outdoors will be had from outdoors and part of the reason we want the outdoor kitchen. We want to be able to spend as much time outside as possible. We saw the GD at a show in ATL and it is a beautiful camper inside and out. The weight and price are an issue though. I will keep it on my short list though, thanks!

If I had to guess, based on the stated purchase prices on this and other forums, and the actual specs of the Solitude and Reflection lines, Grand Design has a pretty strict Minimum Advertised Pricing policy. To get the “street” price, I think you have to actually start negotiating with a dealer one on one, you won’t find it advertised. The stated purchase prices are much lower than what is found online.

However, since the true markup is hidden due to the high published price, it may be harder to drive the street price down vs other brands. You may have to do that using other dealer quoted prices (in writing) or by holding up other comparable brands as alternatives.

It’s a double edged sword for a brand to have the Minimum Advertised Price rule, as it can drive buyers to other brands. When I first looked at the Solitude mid bunk model, I was immediately turned off by the pricing I was finding online, way higher than budget, and I ruled them out. Wasn’t until later that I found you could actually buy them much cheaper than advertised... by that time the decision had already been made on a competing brand (which I don’t regret anyway).

Good luck.

[Veebyes]

Goes to show, one needs to do the research & understand the differences between one line & the next from the same builder. Some are totally different, even the name is different. Others may only be a level of trim & furnishings sitting on the same frame & tanks & having the same floorplans.

There is stuff that I had in my lost Alpenlite Voyager 34RLR Ltd that is no miss in my blue collar Alpenlite Voyager 34RLR. No fireplace is no loss. The space where the silly 'flame' goes is better used for storage. I still have the electric heater built in, though it does not have remote control like the 34RLR Ltd did. The blue collar does not have a ceiling fan. No loss. Didn't use the fan in the Ltd anyway. Didn't use those variable intensity rope lights above the slides much either.

The important stuff to us is common to the Ltd. & blue collar 34RLR. The floorplan & the 100gal freshwater tank, something that is highly unusual in any 5er these days.

When comparing, look at the specs very very carefully.

[thegabrielles]

Thanks, all... I appreciate all the info and suggestions!

[sbergherr]

Our outside kitchen refrigerator does not work unless hooked to shore power. The on board power inverter only operates the inside residential fridge. So you might ask about that issue.

[garyp4951]

You also mentioned TT, so I would look at the GD Imagine line.

[wilber1]

Size was the reason we chose the Reflection 303. Ours was the baby model at the time and it is a tight fit in some of the places we like to go. All the Solitudes are way too big but if they built one the same size and floor plan as our Reflection, we would have bought it. Trouble is, good luck trying to find a high end fifth wheel that is under 35" long and only 96" wide.

Must haves that ticked the box for us were, entertainment centre opposite the recliners, large open living area, the amount of counter space and a good size pantry, bedside tables and shelves with outlets for phone and pad chargers, fridge and bathroom accessible with slides in.

No outside kitchen in ours though.

We also liked living area heat registers located in the central island rather than in the floor and the use of drawers instead of cabinets in the under counter areas, including a good size pot drawer under the stove.

[Hammerboy]

Veebyes wrote:
"Solitude is the higher end heavier Grand Design. The Reflection is in the range he is looking for."

The difference between the white collar & blue collar versions.

My first Alpenlite 34RLR, lost in a blowover, was the Ltd. edition. It had a convection microwave, a nicer cooktop & oven, the mood lighting over the slides inside, the fan, the infinite variable ceiling fans, the 13 cu ft fridge, a sleep number mattress, better sound system, 6 6V batterys, a 2000w inverter charger, Trailaire pinbox, super comfy leather swivel recliner rockers, plus other upgrades.

My current Alpenlite 34RLR is the blue collar version. Same basics in floorplan & tankage but none of the the nice stuff as listed above. There lies the difference. You gets what you pays for. Each year I upgrade it some more.

The difference between the Solitude and Reflection is a lot more than that. The Solitude is a different line with different floor plans, built differently such as larger tanks, drop frame construction, etc. It's more than just upgrades to the same basic unit, it's a whole different animal.

Dan

[Edd505]

Look at the KZ https://www.kz-rv.com/products/durango-1500-sport-fifth-wheels/D256RKT.html

I have the rear kitchen G353RKT similar to the D256RKT. I would add to your have to haves a second A/C if you plan any trips to areas with higher temps.

[Veebyes]

"Solitude is the higher end heavier Grand Design. The Reflection is in the range he is looking for."

The difference between the white collar & blue collar versions.

My first Alpenlite 34RLR, lost in a blowover, was the Ltd. edition. It had a convection microwave, a nicer cooktop & oven, the mood lighting over the slides inside, the fan, the infinite variable ceiling fans, the 13 cu ft fridge, a sleep number mattress, better sound system, 6 6V batterys, a 2000w inverter charger, Trailaire pinbox, super comfy leather swivel recliner rockers, plus other upgrades.

My current Alpenlite 34RLR is the blue collar version. Same basics in floorplan & tankage but none of the the nice stuff as listed above. There lies the difference. You gets what you pays for. Each year I upgrade it some more.

[wilber1]

Lantley wrote:

thegabrielles wrote:
We absolutely loved the GD Solitude... but between the weight and the price, it was more then we wanted to go. I know I said the price was not the priority but its hard to justify $30k more on an RV.... or is it? Is the GD that much of a higher end camper to justify the difference?

I do believe the Grand Design is a higher end unit. Bigger tanks, more storage, bigger axles bigger frame. Is it worth $30K more?
Only you can answer but I'm assuming that $30K figure is based on list pricing. The real world difference will be less.
Personally I would prefer the Gran Design.
AS to more windows. They due allow for a more open bright interior however they are a liability when it come to hot and cold weather.
If you stay in moderate climates not an issue. If you camp in the hot or cold extremes fewer windows maybe a better option.

Solitude is the higher end heavier Grand Design. The Reflection is in the range he is looking for.

[thegabrielles]

Thanks, Lantley. I looked up the GD and based pricing differences on the prices I saw as "Our selling price" not MSRP. We will do some cold weather trips but that's not the main plan. Hopefully, most views of the outdoors will be had from outdoors and part of the reason we want the outdoor kitchen. We want to be able to spend as much time outside as possible. We saw the GD at a show in ATL and it is a beautiful camper inside and out. The weight and price are an issue though. I will keep it on my short list though, thanks!

[Lantley]

thegabrielles wrote:
We absolutely loved the GD Solitude... but between the weight and the price, it was more then we wanted to go. I know I said the price was not the priority but its hard to justify $30k more on an RV.... or is it? Is the GD that much of a higher end camper to justify the difference?

I do believe the Grand Design is a higher end unit. Bigger tanks, more storage, bigger axles bigger frame. Is it worth $30K more?
Only you can answer but I'm assuming that $30K figure is based on list pricing. The real world difference will be less.
Personally I would prefer the Gran Design.
AS to more windows. They due allow for a more open bright interior however they are a liability when it come to hot and cold weather.
If you stay in moderate climates not an issue. If you camp in the hot or cold extremes fewer windows maybe a better option.

[Addy15]

We have recently been looking at a new line of Winnebago 5th wheels. The line is called Minnie Plus and there are 3 floor plans. The one we like the best is the 27RLTS. No outdoor kitchen on that one though. The 27REOK does have on outdoor kitchen (hence the "OK" part of its model name I guess!) We haven't actually been inside either one of these because they are new and not at our local Winnebago dealer yet. We did look at a shorter one, the 25RKS. It just seems a little crowded. The 27 models appear much more spacious and both have linen/wardrobe slides. Lots of storage. Both are listed at just over 8,000 dry weight. You can find videos online that go into great detail about these trailers.