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.

[DeezPanthers1]

klassic wrote:
have you considered looking at toy haulers?
You don't have to use them for hauling "toys". The back room in most cases have electric drop down beds and lofts and tables and couches. The back ramp door of Jayco's Seismic converts to a large deck. You can get some that convert to a covered enclosed patio room.
There would be a ton of storage for full timing. Your bikes can ride in the back. Maybe you might even get a golf cart someday, easy to travel with.

Hubby mentioned those as he really likes the looks of them. To me it looks as though they are a little more cramped, but some do look really nice. I love that most include a on board gas gen. I also like that the tables in the garage tend to be loads bigger then normal 5W tables as I home school my kids and need a place to do so. Guess I will need to take a closer look. I do like that they have lofts to, so right now my girls could really share a loft (6 &3), but when they get older they would still have more places to sleep. How is the insulation in the garage.

I did look at the gateway. I wasn't that impressed with the build quality (at least the one we walked through). I want this to last us until we can upgrade once our kids are much older and our needs have changed, so quality is very important.

[klassic]

have you considered looking at toy haulers?
You don't have to use them for hauling "toys". The back room in most cases have electric drop down beds and lofts and tables and couches. The back ramp door of Jayco's Seismic converts to a large deck. You can get some that convert to a covered enclosed patio room.
There would be a ton of storage for full timing. Your bikes can ride in the back. Maybe you might even get a golf cart someday, easy to travel with.

[NWKomfort350]

DeezPanthers1 wrote:

NWKomfort350 wrote:
I also like the Montana High Country. My wife and I, and 2 kids, are thinking of going full time for a few years.
But to mix it up, this floor plan is interesting.

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=56&ModelID=2150#Main

That is a very interesting floorplan, not sure I have seen one like that before. Not sure I want to dedicate that much space to bunks though. We only have 3 kids.

I agree.
Have you seen the Gateway 3650BH?
Gateway 3650BH

[DeezPanthers1]

NWKomfort350 wrote:
I also like the Montana High Country. My wife and I, and 2 kids, are thinking of going full time for a few years.
But to mix it up, this floor plan is interesting.

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=56&ModelID=2150#Main

That is a very interesting floorplan, not sure I have seen one like that before. Not sure I want to dedicate that much space to bunks though. We only have 3 kids.

[DeezPanthers1]

goducks10 wrote:
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=207&Image=5033&ModelID=1120#Main

Thanks that is a great FP, but I read FR's quality was lacking to say the least. I am sure that isn't true for all their lines, but I remember seeing the Heritage glenn in person and thinking I didn't like the quality of it, is their silverback line better?

That sucks about Montana, bc I want quality, but they only offer the mid bunk model, which doesn't offer nearly enough wardrobe space for the kids or the extra half bath. 😞

[NWKomfort350]

I also like the Montana High Country. My wife and I, and 2 kids, are thinking of going full time for a few years.
But to mix it up, this floor plan is interesting.

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=56&ModelID=2150#Main

[topjimmy]

There is a lot of differences between the Montana High Country and Standard Montana and The Montana with the Legacy Pkg and are too numerous to list here,The High Country is Montana's Mid- level 5er and Montana with The Legacy pkg is the Top Dog with all the high quality equipment and that is why they weigh 12.5-13K DRY and it competes with the GD Solitude , AND as a Side note you live in Seattle and you have Tacoma RV down the I-5 which sells ALL the Montana's and They give away a Lifetime Warranty with every RV they are a great Dealer and that is where I bought my last 2 Monty's

DeezPanthers1 wrote:
So hubby and I have been talking, and we have decided to give full timing a try this pcs move. We are both so tired of finally get settled in a home, only to move 6 months later. We are excited to downsize and live more minimally. One thing I struggle with daily is stuff that we don't need. And of course we love the idea of being able to just go and explore. We have decided the kids do need their own room, not just couches or pull out couches. 😞 Hubby and I do LOVE the bunkroom in the Montana HC 362BH, but don't care for how the TV is situated in the living area. What are the big differences in the Montana and the Montana HC? Guess I gave to start looking again, as I can't remember which BH's I liked. I also found a BR in the Avalanche 390rb, but it had 1 tiny little wardrobe for my kids, which wouldn't work, unless we added some ourselves.

[goducks10]

http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=207&Image=5033&ModelID=1120#Main

[DeezPanthers1]

So hubby and I have been talking, and we have decided to give full timing a try this pcs move. We are both so tired of finally get settled in a home, only to move 6 months later. We are excited to downsize and live more minimally. One thing I struggle with daily is stuff that we don't need. And of course we love the idea of being able to just go and explore. We have decided the kids do need their own room, not just couches or pull out couches. 😞 Hubby and I do LOVE the bunkroom in the Montana HC 362BH, but don't care for how the TV is situated in the living area. What are the big differences in the Montana and the Montana HC? Guess I gave to start looking again, as I can't remember which BH's I liked. I also found a BR in the Avalanche 390rb, but it had 1 tiny little wardrobe for my kids, which wouldn't work, unless we added some ourselves.

[goducks10]

Not sure if it' really a buying power thing or not. Take the Northwood Arctic Fox 5th wheel line up. The AF 35-5Z is $81,000 MSRP. It has the FG rear cap, 6pt leveling and other features.
A Solitude 369RL has the same MSRP but doesn't have the rear FG cap. Still has 6pt leveling and other nice features. Both units are very similar in floor plan and size. Doesn't seem to be a buying power thing as Northwood MFG isn't a very big MFG. Grand Design sells more units per year. IMO it's just the new way things are done. Pay more get less. Just like a bag of chips.
It's just smoke and mirrors.

[Me_Again]

So GD has the Reflection as their entry level and Solitude as there higher end unit, yet fails to install a rear cap. The rear caps do not only look richer, if they are shaped correctly increase mileage slightly. Any square corner front or back hurts mileage!

Chris

[topjimmy]

yep back cap or not you need the hitch on the back,GD RV'S being a "flatback" is just one of Many things they cheap out on,those of us that have had many 5th wheels(I'm on my 3rd) you know what to look for ,Grand designs just does not have the buying power of Thor and Forest River to put higher quality Equipment on their RV's (YET) Or I would have bought one when I bought my 2015 5er because I do like them they are good looking 5th's but hey I Spent a chunk of change on mine and I wanted the best Bang for the Buck and Grand Designs is not there yet but I think they will get there In time

[blofgren]

DeezPanthers1 wrote:
Can I ask, does the rear fiberglass cap do the same as it does in the front? I would think you wouldn't have to worry as much about the back. Thanks.

never-mind, i just looked it. Looks like it is just a looks thing. I really wanted the option to add a bike rack, so not sure that will work for me. Looks nice though.

You're right, the back cap is mostly for looks. Some say it also helps increase fuel mileage but if it does I suspect that it is minimal. I think that it may also help prevent window leaks in some cases because the windows are in the "alcove" of the rear cap as is the case with our unit.

It just makes a unit much more refined and finished IMO. In regards to a bike rack, you will need one that inserts into a hitch that is mounted to the frame on the trailer either way because the cheap bumpers on the non rear cap models are not designed to take the forces exerted by a multi bike rack.

[DeezPanthers1]

Can I ask, does the rear fiberglass cap do the same as it does in the front? I would think you wouldn't have to worry as much about the back. Thanks.

never-mind, i just looked it. Looks like it is just a looks thing. I really wanted the option to add a bike rack, so not sure that will work for me. Looks nice though.

[blofgren]

SkiSmuggs wrote:
Flat screen TVs are a commodity item now. When the 32" Vizio in our Cougar failed for the second time, we chucked it and got a 32" Samsung for $189. The realization that the Jensen system was a terrible DVD player drove me to pick up a small Sony BluRay for $45. And when I am ready to upgrade the sound, a $78 Vizio sound bar should do the trick. Get the floor plan you want.

True enough. And the track record for Grand Design so far has been really good so I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for the right price. I agree that some of the features that should be in them aren't (the rear fiberglass cap is one that I just can't figure out), but overall I think they are a good unit with superb customer service. They sure do sell well from all of the local dealers here.