GRAND DESIGN Complaints

INTERMITTENT BRAKES (LOST BRAKES) ON FIFTH WHEEL DUE TO THE USE OF UNDERSIZE WIRE AND OVERUSE OF SCOTCHLOK GUILLOTINE CONNECTORS. EACH BRAKE HAS A MAXIMUM CURRENT DRAW OF 4AMPS. 4X4 = 16 AMP POSSIBLE DRAW ON 14 AWG WIRE AT APPROXIMATELY 60+ FOOT LOOP ROUND TRIP FROM PIN BOX TO BRAKES BACK TO PIN BOX. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE BRAKE WIRING IS SUBSTANDARD IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY. SHOULD BE AT LEAST CONNECTED 10AWG USING CRIMPED BUTT SPLICES AND CIRCLE CONNECTORS. IT WOULD ALSO HELP TO HAVE A GROUND BOND AT THE AXLE TO REDUCE THE LOOP BY 50%. SOMEDAY SOMEONE WILL DIE (PROBABLY HAVE ALREADY) BECAUSE OF CHEAP UNDERSIZED WIRE WITH CHEAP GUILLOTINE CONNECTORS EVERYWHERE. FOR LIGHTS OK FOR BRAKES? NEVER!*DT*JB

OUR PASSENGER SIDE REAR TRAILER TIRE BLEW OUT ON OUR 2020 IMAGINE 2800BH. THIS WAS A LIONSHEAD WESTLAKE THAT CAME ON THE TRAILER AND HAD ABOUT 4K MILES ON IT. PRESSURE WAS 80 PSI WHEN WE LEFT OUR SITE AND 88 PSI WHEN IT BLEW ACCORDING TO THE TPMS SYSTEM. OUR SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS 60MPH. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL BUT IT WENT OUT WITH A BANG AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE TPMS NEVER INDICATED LOSS OF AIR OR OTHER ISSUE. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HEARD THE BANG BUT THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY DONE. I WENT OUT AND REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH GOODYEAR ENDURANCE TIRES. IN DOING SO THE TECH AT THE SHOP FOUND ANOTHER TIRE THAT HAD BEGUN TO HAVE TREAD SEPARATION AS WELL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER EQUIPPED WITH WESTLAKE SUPER ST TIRES, SIZE: ST225/75/R15, DOT NUMBER: JULT1CM4016. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE UPON INSPECTION AT A REST STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WHEEL WITH THE SPARE TIRE ON THE TRAILER AND DROVE TO A TIRE SHOP. HE WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE BLOWOUT WAS CAUSED BY INTERNAL TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE TRAILER AND PURCHASED NEW SET OF TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO SUBMIT A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.*DT*JB

2021 GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION 29RS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH VEHICLES MANUAL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE OWNER'S MANUAL NEEDS TO BE REVISED IN REFERENCE TO CHANGING THE VEHICLE'S TIRES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE INFORMATION DID NOT REFLECT WHAT ACTIONS IT ACTUALLY WOULD TAKE TO CHANGE A TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. *JS

I WAS DRIVING IN ARKANSAS IN OCTOBER 11TH 2019 WHEN I NOTICED THE RV DID NOT APPEAR TO BE TRACKING STRAIGHT BEHIND THE TRUCK. I PACKED UP AND LEFT THE CAMPGROUND ABOUT 2 HOURS EARLIER. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE AXLES AT THAT TIME. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL ROAD HAZARDS OR SHOCKS TO THE FRAME DURING THAT PERIOD PRIOR TO WHEN I NOTICED THE ISSUE. I STOPPED AT A REST AREA IN HELENA ARKANSAS AND FOUND THE RIGHT REAR AXLE SPRING HANGER HAD BROKEN FROM THE FRAME. THE SPRING AND REAR AXLE WAS SHIFTED TO THE LEFT AND LODGED PRECARIOUSLY UP INSIDE THE FRAME. IT WAS LATE ON A FRIDAY EVENING. I WAS ABLE TO FIND A TRUCK/TRAILER SHOP OPEN IN BATESVILLE, MISSISSIPPI. I DROVE THERE FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS. THEY JUDGED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO POOR WELDS. I'VE DONE SOME WELDING AND IT WAS EASY TO RECOGNIZE POOR PENETRATION. THE TRUCK SHOP WELDED THE HANGERS AND PULLED THE REAR AXLE AS CLOSE TO PROPER ALIGNMENT AS POSSIBLE. HOWEVER THE AXLE HAD SHIFTED SLIGHTLY IN THE U-BOLTS. THE U-BOLTS NEEDED TO BE CUT OFF, THE AXLE PROPERLY ALIGNED AND NEW U-BOLTS INSTALLED. THEY DID NOT STOCK THE BOLTS BUT THE TRAILER WAS SAFE TO TOW HOME. UPON RETURNING FROM THAT TRIP, I PUT THE TRAILER IN MY WAREHOUSE AND INSPECTED THE FRAME AND AXLES. I NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THE FRAME AT THE RIGHT REAR CORNER DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FAILED REAR AXLE SPRING HANGER HAD SEPARATED. THE EXTERIOR SHEET METAL IS WARPED AND THERE IS A VISIBLE GAP. THE FACTORY HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE AXLE REALIGNMENT OR RIGHT REAR FRAME SEPARATION UNDER THEIR 3-YEAR STRUCTURAL WARRANTY. MY RV HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER JUNE 5, 2020 UNTIL TODAY OCT 1 REGARDING THESE ISSUES AND AN UPPER DECK FRAME ISSUE THAT THEY FAILED TO REPAIR CORRECTLY 2 YEARS AGO.

THE RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING HANGER FOR THE REAR AXLE BROKE OFF FROM THE TRAILER FRAME, THIS HAPPENED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. NOTICED REAR AXLE OUT OF PLACE WHEN WE WERE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THAT IS WHEN WE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR HANGER BROKEN COMPLETELY OUT OF FRAME AND THE LEFT REAR HANGER CRACKED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GRAND DESIGN MOMENTUM RV EQUIPPED WITH FTS TIRES, TIRE LINE: WESTLAKE, TIRE SIZE: ST235/80/R16 N/A, DOT NUMBER: JUMR2CT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS 3,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE FOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,200.

I HAVE AN UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WIRING PROBLEM ON MY RV. THE HEATER AND THE REFRIGERATOR ARE WIRED ON THE SAME CIRCUIT BREAKER (SPLICED TOGETHER). WHEN THE HEATER TURNS ON, THE FRIDGE POWER FLASHES ON AND OFF FOR A MOMENT UNTIL THE HEATER IS RUNNING NORMALLY. THIS KIND OF SURGE ON THE CIRCUIT IS UNSAFE AND CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND/OR FIRE. THE CONTROL BOARD FOR THE FRIDGE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AS PER BISH'S RV. I HAVE NOTIFIED GRAND DESIGN ABOUT THIS IN A SURVEY (04/2019). SHORTLY AFTER THAT, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM [XXX] ASKING ABOUT MY CONCERNS (04/10/2019) I DESCRIBED IN THE SURVEY. I ALSO RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM GRAND DESIGN, I BELIEVE ON 04/11/2019. I SPOKE WITH THIS REPRESENTATIVE AND EXPLAINED THE WIRING ISSUE AND TOLD HIM THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS WIRED ON THE SAME CIRCUIT BREAKER. HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY DO NOT WIRE THEIR RV'S IN SUCH A WAY AND STATED THAT, I MUST HAVE BEEN HIT BY LIGHTNING THAT CAUSED THE ISSUE. BISH'S RV TRIED TO GET GRAND DESIGN TO APPROVE THE ELECTRICAL WORK AS WARRANTY. GRAND DESIGN REFUSED TWICE (ON THE SAME DATE OF 05/02/2019). GRAND DESIGN STATED THAT THE HEATER AND FRIDGE DO NOT DRAW MORE THAN 15 AMPS WHILE RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FORGETTING THE PEAK AMPERAGE AT START UP THAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SEVERE INJURY AND EVEN DEATH, UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY RESOLVED. IT HAS ALREADY CAUSED A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRIDGE CONTROL BOARD. AS PER THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ARTICLE 551 STATES THAT AN RV MUST COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS IF IT HAS A POWER SOURCE THAT IS 120V, 120/208V, OR 120/240V [551.4]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION TRAILER EQUIPPED WITH SELF ADJUSTING BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE VERY HOT AND SMOKING. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BRETZ RV & MARINE (2999 OLD HARDIN RD BILLING, MT 59101) THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. *BF CONSUMER STATED AXLE COMPANY PAID TO FIX TRAILER.*JB

OUR 2019 GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION 290BH HAS A TURNING POINT HITCH. THE TURNING POINT HITCH IS DESIGNED SO THAT YOU CAN TOW THE 5TH WHEEL BEHIND A SHORT BED TRUCK WITHOUT A SLIDER HITCH. WHILE TOWING OUR TRAILER AT ABOUT 50 MPH AND APPROACHING A CURVE THE UNIVERSAL WEDGE CAME LOOSE IN OUR HITCH WHICH MADE THE HITCH TURN AT BOTH POINTS. THIS CAUSED OUR TRAILER TO HIT OUR HIT OUR TRUCK. LUCKILY WE TOW THIS 1/2 TON RATED TRAILER WITH A 1 TON TRUCK AND WE WERE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE HIT. WE WERE NOT THROWN OFF THE ROAD AND WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF SAFELY. AFTER DOING OUR RESEARCH THE DEALER HAD INSTALLED OUR HITCH CORRECTLY ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL RELEASED 05/18/2017 WHICH WAS INCLUDED WITH OUR TRAILER. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS. LIPPERT HAS UPDATED THE MANUAL AS OF 8/16/19 AND IT NOW LISTS SPECIFIC WEDGES FOR SPECIFIC HITCHES. WHEN THE DEALER CONTACTED LIPPERT THEY DENIED EVER REVISING THEIR MANUAL. BOTH LIPPERT AND GRAND DESIGN ARE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY.*DT *JB