GRAND DESIGN Complaints

The contact owns a 2019 Grand Design Reflection RV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the RV drove over a slight ditch in the road and a loud clunking noise was heard. After stopping to inspect the RV, the contact discovered that the front frame of the RV had failed and was bent due to metal fatigue. The RV was taken to the local welder who re-welded the front frame, and the RV was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000.

The rear drop brackets on both sides of the back axle of my 5th wheel RV failed and broke off. The drop brackets attach the leaf springs to the RV frame. While pulling the RV, I noticed a sudden change in how the RV was pulling and it seemed to be unstable. I pulled over and while looking for a cause, I found the broken brackets. I was near a Camping World RV repair store, so I towed it there where the brackets and frame where repaired. Had this occurred at highway speeds, the axle could have become so unstable that it broke the remaining brackets which would lead to a complete loss of the axle on the highway and whatever disaster would occur after that. This definitely would have put other drivers and their families lives at stake. I researched this on the Grand Design owner forum board and found that this same problem has occurred to other RV owners. Looking at the broken bracket prior to repair, it appeared to be an inferior cast metal that didn't seem appropriate for such an important part under stress. I contacted Lippert, manufacturer of the frame, to notify them of the incident.

We were driving home from the Denver area on Sunday, [XXX] at [XXX]. After about 15 minutes of driving, another driver pulled alongside and told me a tire was missing. I pulled over. One of the trailer tires (driver side, furthest back) was gone. It was nowhere to be seen. The bolts holding lugs nuts were sheared off and the trailer fender was broken. The tire must have damaged the fender when it came off. -The tire assembly malfunctioned - this is only over a year old. -As for safety, the loose tire could have caused major damage. I had no way of knowing it came off since we have dual axles. -I have not taken this into the dealer yet. I called roadside assistance, but it was closed because of the day being a Sunday. I did call an emergency service to repair the wheel, axle, brakes, etc. -I am working with our insurance company and the dealer - no luck so far. They have not inspected it yet. There were no warnings - thank goodness someone told me it was missing. Thanks for consideration of our dilemma. [XXX] - INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Imagine equipped with Westlake Tires, Tire Line: Super ST, Tire Size: 225/75/R15, DOT Number: JULT1CT. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud explosion and became aware that the front driver’s side tire had experienced a blowout. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact replaced the tire with the spare tire. The dealer was contacted and recommended that all of the tires be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 2,000.

This is in addition to safety report #11540112. While further inspecting the trailer, the right rear shackle bolt was also found to be broken in half. The spring was still on, but it was probably working its way out, which would have cause the same failure as the left side, in the original report.

Trailer came from manufacturer with under rated axles which caused the axles to bend and wear the tires down to steel belts. This trailer weighs 6395 lbs. with only (2) 3000 lb. axles under it. Grand Design won't warranty anything and the axle manufacturer, Lipper Components, won't warranty anything either.

Left rear wet bolt sheared mid-bolt at the hole where the grease comes out to grease the sleeve in the spring eye. Spring was sliding side to side, causing the shackle hanger to bend and the spring to detach from the shackle. I have Summo springs on the trailer, and the one on the left rear took the weight of the trailer, and may have prevented further issue's. This occurred on the freeway at approximately 65 mph. Safety concern would be uncontrolled axle due to the spring holding the axle not being attached to the frame, and possible uncontrolled swaying.

The safety chains are welded to the trailer frame in a place that causes the chains to become bound and are eating each other apart after only about 1000 miles on the road. Grand Design refuses to acknowledge their design flaw. I have to spend money to make this safe.

Factory weld failures in the walls of the front of the 5th wheel. This is a manufacturer wide issue that has been well documented. This problem will only continue to get worse as time goes on and become a safety hazard, yet Grand Design refuses to acknowledge the issue.

All four brakes burned up and failed. The landing gear fell out of the assemblies. The brakes were metal on metal and heated up so much the turned the drums red. This fifth wheel is only 6 months old and has had numerous problems not limited to the brakes and landing gear.