Grand Design now using Dexter axles on Imagine. And...

[TrueBlueKC]

And a new slide design. I learned this on the GD facebook group. This is a big consideration if you're looking at an Imagine as we are.

[ependydad]

2008Wildcat wrote:
The Lippert OneControl is only used on the Momentum toyhauler line.

everything else has regular switches.

Well just my luck- it was the Momentums I was looking at. Thanks for clarifying.

[goducks10]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Grand Design changed ownership recently. I expect a large number of changes, none of which will be good.

Grand Design was having blow seals on most all their trailers. Getting away from that problem seems good to me.

[2008Wildcat]

The Lippert OneControl is only used on the Momentum toyhauler line.

everything else has regular switches.

[ependydad]

Any time you get away from Lippert products, you're better off.

Now if Grand Design would ditch that STUPID Lippert control panel thing for essentials like LIGHTS and go back to hard-switches, life would be even better.

[Flapper]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Grand Design changed ownership recently. I expect a large number of changes, none of which will be good.

"Recently" was being purchased by Winnebago over a year and a half ago. There's been a lot of chatter about how good/bad this is, but to-date, they have been operated independently. Not any evidence that there has been any detrimental impacts since the ownership change.
Grand Design has always been "over the top" in covering warranty repairs. And if they are seeing high claim costs for a component, it is commendable that they change it out.

[bailer6334]

Speaking from experience in my 35 years of RVing, I've NEVER had as many problems with a slide as I've had with my Imagine 2150. During the first year I've had the slide, dealer adjusted 3 times, right side motor replaced and just had the "whole" slide mechanism (racks/gears & motors) replaced. Because the slide assembly has 2 motors it must be extended fully/retracted fully without stopping and never extended/retracted part way or it goes out of adjustment. Dealers salespeople NEVER tell or don't know this and don't tell a potential buyer this, and further don't emphasize it during PDI.

[Ralph_Cramden]

Huntindog wrote:
I believe that Lippert bought Dexter a while ago.

Lippert did not buy Dexter Axle. Lippert bought Dexters frame division @ 2011/12.

Grand Design had repeated problems with Lipperts axles, and is the reason they switched to Dexter. A friend's 2017 Grand Design 5er was taken back to the factory twice. The first time Grand Design changed everything but the tubes/spindles on the Lippert axles, and they were blowing grease again when they delivered it back to his home in Ohio, a less than 300 mile trip. Grand Design hauled it right back to Indiana, and when they delivered it back it had Dexter axles. The RV forums, especially the Grand Design boards and other manufacturer specific boards, are full of posts about the Lippert axle issues, and have been for awhile now.

Lippert chose to take the deny, deny, deny, route a year or so ago officially, which is the #1 play in their playbook from what I have experienced dealing with them.

Lippert says "what problem"? We have no stinking problems.

When you use Lippert's Schwintek garbage for slides such as in the pictures below, you're doing nothing but asking for trouble. How much do you think a slide such as this weighs?

[SoundGuy]

GordonThree wrote:
Dexter is American made, that's good right? American made always means quality.

SoundGuy wrote:
That's pretty funny ... how then do you explain all the gripping here on the forums about "American made" RVs? :W

GordonThree wrote:
Forgot to click on the sarcasm button 🙂

Good one! 😛

[TrueBlueKC]

I figured it was relevant to people who, by reading this forum, have been steered away from that TT because of the axle or slide issues. I'm not trying to start a debate about which brand of what is better overall. It's useful information for those searching. The snide remarks are entertaining as usual though.

[Huntindog]

I believe that Lippert bought Dexter a while ago.

No matter. I have owned both brands of axles. The only real difference is that Lippert powder coats theirs and Dexter just uses paint.

Everything else looks identical to me. I bet the bearings, races brakes etc. are interchangable... Maybe even the same exact stuff.

I now own Lippert and prefer it by a small margin. Just because of the powder coat.

Some of the Dexter options are better, like their HD shackle kit. And some of the lippert options are better like their never fail bushings.

I think the rubber shock absorbing equalizers are a wash. I buy the one that has the best price or the one that fits the best. I believe that the Lippert ones have more sizes and weight ratings available.

[rbpru]

It back to "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin." and other mundane issues. Frames are frames, some are made well some are not. Some are well made but a poor choice for the application.

Fortunately, most serve their intended purpose for the life of the TT.

[GordonThree]

SoundGuy wrote:

GordonThree wrote:
Dexter is American made, that's good right? American made always means quality.

That's pretty funny ... how then do you explain all the gripping here on the forums about "American made" RVs? :W

Forgot to click on the sarcasm button 🙂

[SoundGuy]

amxpress wrote:
I know of other trailer manufacturers switching from Lippert to Dexter. I would really like to believe that they’re making the switch because of a superior product or lower failures. Unfortunately it’s probably only because Dexter gave them a lower price than Lippert. That’a all it all boils down too, profits.

No different than which fridge or A/C or furnace or anything else that may be used in building an RV ... the best price from suppliers always wins. That's why one year any given trailer lineup may have a Dometic fridge, the next it could just as easily have a Norcold. It's all about the bottom line and has nothing to do with perceived quality.

[SoundGuy]

GordonThree wrote:
Dexter is American made, that's good right? American made always means quality.

That's pretty funny ... how then do you explain all the gripping here on the forums about "American made" RVs? :W