GRAND DESIGN Complaints

The front area where the pin box connects to the truck has multiple welds are breaking on the structural frame causing these trailers over flex while driving down road. There has been multiple cases of the front deflection being out of spec on multiple trailer. With these welds broken it can cause the trailer to separate where the truck would hook up to the trailer and if the concern is not addressed.

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Reflection equipped with Westlake Tires, Tire Line: Super, Tire Size: ST235/80R/16 124/120L, DOT Number: JUMR2CT4718. The contact stated that all four tires failed to retain air. The contact stated that tires pressure was 55 PFI while the normal tire pressure was 85 PFI. The contact stated that the tires were the original tires. The dealer was not contacted. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,150.

While parked in an RV park I discovered that the right rear spring hanger on my fifth wheel RV had fractured and separated immediately adjacent to a weld line. I am unaware of any incident that can explain this damage, although I did hear a clunk while auto leveling the vehicle at our campsite. (Auto leveling is computer controlled and is a routine operation.) Inspection of the intact left rear spring hanger reveals what appears to be a small crack that may be the beginning of a similar problem on that side. An undetected failed spring hanger when traveling at highway speeds can obviously be a cause of severe property damage and death. Research of this problem in user groups and forums revealed that it is well known to vehicle owners. Anecdotes of broken hangers abound, as do user-invented fixes. Interestingly, Lippert (aka LCI, who is the manufacturer of the vehicle frame) reportedly has a repair for the problem that it has retrofitted to some vehicles and is apparently using in some newly manufactured vehicle frames. The fix is to add a 'V-brace' that is welded to the spring hangers and increases their strength. Example: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operation/suspension-amp-brakes/52915-spring-hanger-advice There are no recalls for my trailer suspension that I can find, so despite apparent knowledge of the issue the manufacturers of both the frame and the vehicle have failed to warn me or others of it. I am now working with both Grand Design and Lippert to solve this problem on my vehicle. I will press for confirmation that the 'V-brace' is a viable repair that won't violate my warranty and will press to have it implemented on my fifth wheel RV.

The contact owns a 2018 Grand Design Reflection. The contact stated that during maintenance of the vehicle, he noticed that the driver’s side rear upper shackle pin on the Dexter trailer axle was not drilled to allow lubricant grease to enter, causing the pin and spring to dry out. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000. Consumer contacted the RV manufacturer, Grand Design, who suggested he follow up with axle manufacturer, Dexter.

2021 GRAND DESIGN SOLITUDE RV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VARIOUS ISSUES WITH RV. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REGULATOR MALFUNTIONED CAUSING A SMELL OF PROPANE. THERE WAS LEAKAGE THAT PREVENTED THE USE OF APPLIANCES THAT REQUIRED PROPANE. WATER SEEPED FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE KITCHEN SLIDE OUT. THE BLINDS HAD WATER MARKS. REFRIGERATOR DISPLAYED CODE DR DUE TO A FAULTY DOOR SWITCH. BEDROOM CLOSET DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE. WALL PANELING SEPARATED. PANTRY DRAWER WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY DUE TO BEARING FALLEN OUT. THE RECLINING CHAIRS WERE NOT SECURED AND MOVED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING TRANSPORTED. THE SCREEN DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. WHILE BEING TRANSPORTED, SCREWS FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND STORAGE COMPARTMENTS.

The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Solitude RV. The contact stated that while driving, the rear axle suspension separated from vehicle. The contacted noticed that the rear axle shifted three inches towards the driver’s side. The vehicle was taken to a rest stop where an independent mechanic replaced the left and right leaf springs. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Grand Design Imagine. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V393000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Northgate RV Center (442 Candy Ln, Ringgold, GA 30736, (706) 935-8883) was contacted and informed the contact that no parts were available for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts were not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2018 Grand design Imagine. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V393000 (Equipment) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Noticed the left side of the 5th wheel seemed lower, the smell of burning rubber was highly present. Upon further investigation noticed the front axle leaf spring had broken. Noticed the new tire was hot and rubbed up on and caused damage to the metal of the chassis and ruined the new tire.

Wanted to inform NHTSA that our 5th Wheel Camper interior wall separated from it's self which can cause slide issues in the camper. This in my opinion is a safety hazard as this is the structure of the camper and can separate at anytime which could cause slide issues while traveling on the road if there was too much weight for the frame. These camper's have two large slides on one side. The concern is too much weight causing structure issues which could break traveling down the road if it were to break loose.