GRAND DESIGN Complaints

Improper routing of 110v wiring on RV Gas/Electric Refrigerator circuit wiring leads to wire contacting the refrigerator "chimney" (boiler flue) which over time burns through the wire insulation cover and results in "live wire" to metal contact and can lead to FIRE! Grand Design RV is aware of this issue! One customer had a fire as a result of this poor installation practice and posted the info on Facebook, stating Grand Design, a Fire Inspector for the Insurance Company and an agent for Norcold Refrigerator determined the cause of the fire as improperly routed wiring. Grand Design has not alerted owners of this potential critical safety issue with a Safety Bulletin, VIN Recall or any other means to alert owners of the hazard. After reading it, we inspected our unit and found the same issue. Grand Design failed to authorize an Emergency Inspection and Repair for 3 business days (4.5days total) despite me notifying them of the fire in another unit. I also informed them that on Grand Design Owners Technical Forum, several other owners are finding the same issue. We hired (at our expense) a Mobile RV Service Technician to inspect and repair our wiring. He found the wire in question to be completely burnt through to the individual wires. It was a matter of time before we would have a fire as well. He made the necessary repairs on 15 June 2021 and we filed a Warranty Claim with Grand Design. We had no circuit breakers trip or any other indication that there was an electrical wiring issue. The refrigerator worked normally and was drawing the correct amperage and all outlets worked normally. Grand Design's poor routing and installation of the wires is creating a significant safety hazard and their failure to notify customers in any way of the potential hazard is very disturbing. Coupled with their lack of urgency in addressing the issue when I called in can possibly lead to unsuspecting owners having fires that could lead to serious injury and death.

Brake linings which are available for inspection. The brake lining defects likely caused THREE tire blowouts due to excessive heat from the disintegrating brake linings, also a degradation of stopping performance. Upon performing annual wheel bearing service and brake inspection I found all four brake assemblies with brake lining partially disintegrated and in one case completely missing from the metal backing. This is NOT normal wear and tear but the breaking off of the lining from the metal backing plate. Nobody has inspected the linings but I have notified the RV trailer manufacturer, Grand Design and the manufacturer of the brake linings, Dexter Axle Co. I had THREE tire blowouts, one in September 2020 and two more recently causing significant damage to the RV travel trailer not to mention the p

Axles are cracking. Yes available for inspection. Husband was checking under camper since we were going to get new tires and the dealer wanted to know what suspension we have. This is when he noticed the cracks in the axles. This is affecting both axles on the camper. This concerns us a lot if they broke the camper would probably roll or cause a severe accident. When we went to get the tires my husband asked the tire dealership service technician if it was a manufacture defect and they said yes. Where the axle was welded together they appear to be breaking apart. We need to know what can be done about this. Since it appears to be a defect in the axles. Our camper is a 2014 Grand Design Solitude. I will attach pictures.

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Recreational Momentum. The contact stated that the floor was started buckling and there were bubbles on the flooring of the trailer. The contact stated that one of the bubble was near the front bedroom towards the bathroom, and the other bubble was towards the hallway. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure however, the mechanic was willing to fix the esthetics by sanding the floors and replacing the linoleum. The trailer was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Grand Design Recreational Reflection. The contact stated that there were wires located underneath one of the slide out beds. While sliding out the bed, the bed rubbed against the wire and caused the wires to short circuit. The contact lost power to certain lights located in the bedroom due to the design. The contact called an independent mechanic who redirected the wires from underneath the slide out bed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

We have taken two trips with trailer and (Tow vehicle - 2021 Ram 2500). First trip in April 2021 of about 150 miles round trip no problems were encountered. Second trip in May 2021 with a round trip of 380 miles we had repeated instances of "Check Trailer Brake Wiring" and "trailer disconnected" appear on dash. These warnings would disappear after a few moments. When safe to do so after first instance (and the warning was off) I pulled off the road and checked connection and trailer brakes by engaging the emergency trailer brake switch and trying to pull away. It appeared that the trailer brakes held. This cycle continued for trip to and from RV park. This month, I made an appointment at the RV Dealer, hooked up the trailer, checked operation of turn signals and brake lights and checked that the trailer brakes would engage. They did. When pulling out of storage lot, the warnings appeared, I tried to engage the trailer brake emergency brake while the warning was still on the dash and found No trailer brakes. I proceeded to drive to the RV dealer and the warning disappeared and brakes seemed to function. While I believe the truck brakes will stop the trailer at slow speeds, I am worried about the situation at highway speeds. Trailer is at the dealer waiting in a repair queue. I had telephoned the Grand Design RV customer service line and was told they weren't aware of a problem. However, a friend with the same year and model trailer but a different tow vehicle has encountered the same brake warning issue.

The electric brakes on our brand new 2021 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS periodically go out. We get a warning through the brake controller that the trailer is disconnected or to "check trailer brake wiring." The warning will go away and the electric brakes will work again, only to have the problem return with the complete loss of trailer brakes. This problem occurred on our very first outing with the new 5th wheel trailer. We have contacted Grand Design customer service through telephone and email, but have received no response. We have scheduled a service appointment to have this issue investigated, but the service department at General RV in Huntley, IL has pushed out our appointment several weeks as they are quite busy. Having no brakes on a 5th wheel trailer that weighs close to 12,000 lbs. loaded is obviously quite concerning to us.

The kitchen side slide out hydraulic cylinder burst/ruptured while under pressure due to the incorrect length bolt being used in the slide out rotating cross shaft. The bolt wore a hole in the cylinder over a 3 year period, and the cylinder shot hydraulic fluid all over the under belly of the trailer. Hydraulic fluid sprayed several 120-volt and 12-volt electrical connections and wires, and also leaked out of the side of the chloroplast. The fluid would have leaked onto the wheels and brakes if it had been in motion when the cylinder failed. Also, the entire hydraulic system is combined, so this caused a total loss of pressure in the front landing gear/jacks and leveling system. So many possible safety issues with this. Grand Design acknowledged the issue and reimbursed me for the parts, but I feel obligated to report this. It actually happened when the new owner (I just sold it) came to pick up the trailer. Others on an internet discussion group found the exact same issue.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GRAND DESIGN SOLITUDE FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE REAR WALL OF THE TRAILER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RATCHET STRAPPED THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR WALL ONTO THE SIDEWALL OF THE RV AND DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RV NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 940. INVALID VIN.

BOUGHT THIS AT ROBERSON RV, IN SALEM, OREGON. PICKED UP ON 2/15. AT HOME, NOTICED OUTSIDE PROPANE LEAK, SHUT IT OFF. ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE DETECTOR IN TRAILER, ONLY 2 CO DETECTORS. CONTACT LOCAL FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE. THESE BOTH ARE NFPA 1193, MAJOR LIFE SAFETY VIOLATIONS, BOTH ON/OFF ROAD. CAME FROM GRAND DESIGN FACTORY THAT WAY. DEALER DID GIVE ME FACTORY WARRANTY CHECK OFF LIST, SIGNED BY THEM, THAT THERE WAS NO LEAKS AND SMOKE DETECTOR WAS IN PLACE/WORKING. THAT IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT, I BELIEVE. I DID CONTACT GRAND DESIGN ABOUT THIS, WITH NO REPLY, SO FAR. MY CONSERNIS THAT HOW MANY OTHER TRAILERS/ MOTOR HOMES, MADE BY THEM ARE THE SAME WAY??? I AM DISABLED/RETIRED FIREFIGHTER/MEDIC, AND DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO OTHER FAMILIES. I HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS OF THIS MANY TIMES, IN MY JOB . NOT PRETTY. WHY ARE THEY TRYING TO KEEP THIS QUIET. THIS AFFECTS A LOT OF PEOPLE, POTENTIALLY. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX], AS NEEDED. I DID LOSE MY PREVIOUS TT, IN THE LIONSHEAD WILD LAND FIREAT DETROIT, OREGON, LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2020. BEARLY MADE IT OUT ALIVE. JUST GOT DONE WITH THE INSURANCE AND FEMA PAPERWORK. THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHILE THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME. THANK YOU AGAIN.*DT*JB INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).