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 neededOutdoor 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 spaceKitchen- big enough to store what we needLiving 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!!!

If you like the Keystone Loredo (rear living room), take a minute and consider the Outback 298RE. The biggest difference you will find is the rear living room has windows on all sides. It provides an almost 360 degree view of the outside, opposed to having the entertainment center blocking one entire wall in the slide out. All those windows is fantastic, especially if staying in the camper for longer durations. It REALLY eliminates the claustrophobic feeling from having walls with no windows. It's a great "couples trailer" and layout similar to your Loredo. It has a small outside drop down 2 burner stove and sink on the outside, but not the full blown kitchen outside. Still, take a look at one, if you haven't already.FYI, you'll have no problems towing any travel trailer with that truck.

DutchmenSport wrote:If you like the Keystone Loredo (rear living room), take a minute and consider the Outback 298RE. The biggest difference you will find is the rear living room has windows on all sides. It provides an almost 360 degree view of the outside, opposed to having the entertainment center blocking one entire wall in the slide out. All those windows is fantastic, especially if staying in the camper for longer durations. It REALLY eliminates the claustrophobic feeling from having walls with no windows. It's a great "couples trailer" and layout similar to your Loredo. It has a small outside drop down 2 burner stove and sink on the outside, but not the full blown kitchen outside. Still, take a look at one, if you haven't already.FYI, you'll have no problems towing any travel trailer with that truck. Yep, like so many other RE units it provides a great TV view angle, NOT!

Me_Again .. actually it does if you get it with all free standing furniture instead of the built in dinette. We removed the original 2 rocker chairs and the free standing table and replaced with a sofa, put wheels on it. When parked, flip it around and there it is. Fantastic view out the back window and good view of the television when you want it. I'll take the windows over a wall any day!The few times we've had company, we leave the couch in the slide and pull out our outside camping chairs and put them in the middle. We've had as many as 11 people inside the living room. Stand alone furniture is the way to go!

Add this thought to your, "must haves,"Make sure you can access the bathroom, firg, and other major areas with the slides in.Good luck with your search...

Thanks for the replies. We ruled out the Outback because of the LR set-up, and the bedroom doesn't have enough storage for our needs. I like the fact that it has all the windows and makes for a much more open inside. Thanks for the idea.The fridge is the biggest issue for access. With the outdoor kitchen, we would eliminate the need to get to the inside fridge during trips. Definitely, a great addition, and certainly a must. Bathrooms don't seem to be a major issue and unless it's front living the bedrooms seem accessible as well.

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

jalichty
Explorer
Feb 20, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 20, 2018
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
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 19, 2018
Thanks, all... I appreciate all the info and suggestions!
sbergherr
Explorer
Feb 19, 2018
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
Explorer III
Feb 19, 2018
You also mentioned TT, so I would look at the GD Imagine line.
wilber1
Explorer
Feb 19, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 19, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 19, 2018
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
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2018
"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.