Think we have found it....Grand design Solitude 365 DEN

[DeezPanthers1]

Hi again everyone. So after looking at just about everything, we happen to come across Solitude 365 DEN , we think it may be perfect. We do have 3 kids and had been looking at bunkhouses, but really didn't like the small living space. We also looked at the mid bunk designs, but they didn't offer a 2nd bathroom or much storage in kids room. So then we found this. It has a living area for hubby and I to have a kid free area(after kids go to bed), but when we want to spend time together, we can hang out in the den (kids room), to watch a movie or play a game.

Ok so I want some opinions from seasoned RVers. Do you think this would work long term for kids? Are there some things that I should keep in mind? What is everyone's opinion on GD? I know they are pretty new, and that kind of worries me.

[Gsport]

You can't go wrong buying any Grand Design unit. We've had ours for almost 3 years and couldn't be happier. Currently set up in Yuma, Az, till April. October we finished up a 10,113 mile, 38 state road trip with only one problem, I broke the foot pedal off the toilet.
Mine is #107 out of over 10,000 now built, Solitude 369RL

[Veebyes]

Monster! 40' LOA & just short of 13'. That is one big trailer.

My guess is that you will be doing private CGs with FHUs only because besides size for SPs & NPs & 54gal fresh water dry camping for more than a night or 2 will be out of the question.

[youngone]

We have owned a Grand Design Reflection for 1 1/2 years now. Love it! Their Customer Service is the best. Nicely built 5th wheel. The couch turned into a bed is very easy to do! I will buy another Grand Design 5th wheel someday!

[DeezPanthers1]

temccarthy1 wrote:
That floorplan would definitely give you the room your family needs to live in it for months at a time. The den is very spacious in the sofa position and would make a great play room for all the kids toys. The quality in Grand Design is not disputed! A half bath for convenience! Beautiful interior layout with island kitchen, 2 TV's and fireplaces.. NICE! If you can get a rig powerful enough to pull that beast with a 3200 tongue weight-- Go for it!

Thanks. I think I will take that question to the TV forum. That is why we waited to buy him a truck. We didn't want to get a truck and then have to pass on the perfect RV bc we didn't have a truck that would tow it. Guess his truck blowing up all worked out in the end. It has sucked sharing a car though.

[temccarthy1]

That floorplan would definitely give you the room your family needs to live in it for months at a time. The den is very spacious in the sofa position and would make a great play room for all the kids toys. The quality in Grand Design is not disputed! A half bath for convenience! Beautiful interior layout with island kitchen, 2 TV's and fireplaces.. NICE! If you can get a rig powerful enough to pull that beast with a 3200 tongue weight-- Go for it!

[DeezPanthers1]

momentum rv wrote:
Have you checked out the GD Reflection line? They have several BH models that may meet your needs better

https://www.granddesignrv.com/reflection-floorplans.php

GD is a great company. Vary happy with my GD Momentum.

Yes I have, as I stated the normal bunk models have such a small living space, I mean to watch a family movie my kids would have to sit in table chairs. The mid bunk does not offer nearly enough closet space for 3 kids. The mid bunk would be fine if we wouldn't be using this for long periods of time, but being that we will be sometimes staying in it for months at a time, I need space to put clothes for my kids. Thanks though.

Someone mentioned the washing machine earlier and that is something I want to think about, but I have been told camper washer/dryers are useless, so I hadn't thought about it much. What are all your thoughts on washers and dryers in campers? Useless or great to have for semi long term?

[momentum_rv]

Have you checked out the GD Reflection line? They have several BH models that may meet your needs better

https://www.granddesignrv.com/reflection-floorplans.php

GD is a great company. Vary happy with my GD Momentum.

[DeezPanthers1]

Dave&Jeanette wrote:
Our Solitude 379FL is going to be arriving at my dealer next week. We purchased a new truck to pull it and went with a 2015 F350 DRW crew cab long bed diesel. Wanted to make sure we had plenty of truck for the trailer and was concerned the SRW would be closer to its limits when the 379FL was loaded up.

Yeah hubby is leaning toward dually too. I am going read article above though (Thanks). I forgot to mention that we are only considering diesel in those models.

As far as long term, we will probably at least semi time. We are military so we will use it as our home during PCS(2-6 months every couple of years) moves and when visiting family, anywhere from a few days to a month at a time. Other than that we will use it for camping and traveling purposes. (Hubby really would love to be full timers, and I am on board when he retires from military and we can travel more often, but for now its only when he can take leave. At that point we will probably upgrade since it 8 years from now)

[DeezPanthers1]

Two Hands wrote:
Looks great, but making up the hide-a-beds each night and closing them each morning would become a pain very quickly. Leaving them open doesn't seem a good option because of the room and seating that would be lost.

Well my kids are only 6,3 and 5 months, so I figured for now my girls can sleep on the couches in sleeping bags and the baby will have to sleep in our room for now. When they get bigger that can be there job( which i won't care how aggravating it is :W. I guess that is something to think about though, for long term it might not be convienent. I just HATE how small living areas are in bunk models. I thought this was a perfect compromise.

Does anyone use a similar setup? How does it work for your family?

[2oldman]

DeezPanthers1 wrote:
We were planning on a 08-13 Sierra/Chevy 3500, havent decided on a DRW or SRW yet. Opinions?

I drive a big MDT, Freightliner, so I'm just a bit biased.

Others will gladly chime in on that. Until then, here's an afternoon's reading:

Advantage/disadvantage dually
dually or no 2011
More dually w/5er 2011
Dually vs single 2014 in fivers

[Dave_Jeanette]

Our Solitude 379FL is going to be arriving at my dealer next week. We purchased a new truck to pull it and went with a 2015 F350 DRW crew cab long bed diesel. Wanted to make sure we had plenty of truck for the trailer and was concerned the SRW would be closer to its limits when the 379FL was loaded up.

[rblake39]

I'm not a seasoned RV'er yet and can't comment on grand design. But we spent about 6 months looking for our fifth wheel to live in. You said long term. Not sure how long that is but these were a few things we considered when looking. The washer dryer prep in the GD is on the right side of the closet facing into the closet. I don't know if you are going to have a washer/dryer but with kids you may be doing laundry quite often. With the W/D facing that way everything in the closet, at least most of it, will have to be removed because of the way they open. The bunk house is great for the kids and makes a great den to hang out in. We ordered a mid bunk because we liked the rear living with the big windows. Usually when you back into a sight the nicest view is behind you. The road is in front of you. From the rear bunk models you can't see the view from either end of the RV. But then again, you'll probably be outside anyway. But those were 2 of the things that swayed our decision to a mid bunk. Just my 2 cents. Everyone's needs and wants are different. Good luck with the RV. And I'm sure someone will be along soon to comment on Grand Design.

[DeezPanthers1]

2oldman wrote:
There's one near me right now. Very nice.. but I'd pass because there's no rear picture window.

What are you pulling this monster with?

That is true, :)but usually not an option with bunkhouses (except midbunks).

We are actually buying hubby a truck to pull it (his old POS truck blew up in our driveway a month ago). We were planning on a 08-13 Sierra/Chevy 3500, havent decided on a DRW or SRW yet. Opinions?

[Two_Hands]

Looks great, but making up the hide-a-beds each night and closing them each morning would become a pain very quickly. Leaving them open doesn't seem a good option because of the room and seating that would be lost.

[2oldman]

There's one near me right now. Very nice.. but I'd pass because there's no rear picture window.

What are you pulling this monster with?