Grand Design Imagine

wtmtnhiker wrote:
Hi all,
I have committed to purchase a 2018 Imagine 2600RB by private sale. I've been reading allot about spring issues on some Grand Designs but most of what I'm seeing is with the Reflection model 5th wheel. To those of you who may have knowledge of this trailer. Should the springs/axles be a concern for me? Anything else that has been a pattern failure that I should be concerned with and check out? Overall how has your experience been with your Grand Design trailer if there is anyone out there with one. Thanks.

Second Chance wrote:
Springs and axles are a general concern on any towable RV with either Lippert or Dexter undercarriages. This is because the springs are made in China with Chinese steel. In addition, manufacturers don't always take into consideration the side-to-side differences in weight (i.e. one side being 500 - 800 lbs. heavier than the other because of appliances, etc.). You're seeing more issues with the Reflection series than with the Imagine trailers because the Reflections are just heavier units. The fact is that solid axles and leaf springs are 150 year old technology... at least. Those who have had issues or have been preemptive about it have swapped out the springs for ones made in the U.S. with U.S. steel taking into consideration weight differences between the sides. They also often replace/upgrade other suspension components such as shackles and install wet bolts and the like.

Do you know where upgraded springs etc can be sourced?

Bottom line, I wouldn't let these concerns stop me from buying an Imagine if there's one that is a good floor plan for you and fits your needs. GD's customer service is excellent (from personal experience). We've been full-time in our Reflection for over four years and 40K miles and are happy with it. We did replace the old-tech suspension with the MOR/ryde independent suspension and disk brakes - not a necessity for those not full-timing or putting on a lot of miles.

Rob

Lantley wrote:
THis is not a Gran Design issue but simply an issue where all RV manufacturers are failing the consumer. They engineer and assemble to minimal standards and suffer lots of failures across all brands. I do like Gran Design but this is simply an area where GD is no better than anyone else. They are all building/assembling the same junk using the same questionable components and techniques.
You will have to step up to a Mor Ryde independent suspension if you are really looking for something more substantial than the basic run of the mill stuff.

wtmtnhiker wrote:
Do you know where upgraded springs etc can be sourced?