Grand Design Solitude vs Big Horn

[campinsharz]

[LEFT][/LEFT
Are looking for a new fifth wheel....like both Grand Design and Big Horn. Want to keep length around 35 feet, preferably shorter. Is the quality the same? Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks!

[JayC]

The Bighorn is rated and warranted for full time use, the Grand Design, "extended stay". That should tell you something about the build quality.

[Bamaman]

Grand Design is the fastest growing company in the RV business, as they're only about 3 years old. They're a completely customer driven operation and have just opened a huge separate inspection shiop where every new unit goes prior to being delivered.

The Solitude is a full time unit and is comparable with the Big Horn. I used to be a Big Horn fan, however I've seen Heartland's customer satisfaction take a nose dive since they sold out to MegaCorporation.

If you are really serious about buying, take time to go on a factory tour of both companies. I promise you will go with the Solitude.

[cb1000rider]

We're talking about Heartland vs GrandDesign for customer responsiveness and product? To me, that's not even a question....

Looking at BBB complaints - there is a Heartland consumer complaining that they have decontamination (due to water contamination) within the first year. We all know that we have to maintain our roofs, but here is Heartland's response:

In our owner's guide there is a section on regular maintenance of the unit. One of the items in this maintenance guide is maintaining of the exterior sealants. Heartland RV recommends that the sealants be inspected and or replaced every 90 days as needed. Based off this schedule there would have need to be three inspections or reseals needed since the date he informed Heartland of the issue. If the maintenance schedule is not followed the issue that Mr. ****** is experiencing can happen due to lack of sealant maintenance.

I read that as they're declining coverage because the owner couldn't show that he had the RV inspected and re-sealed every 90 days...

Maybe that's the right call, if the consumer didn't touch the roof within the first year..

Grand Design has complaints too - much fewer, albeit that may be because they don't have the same market share as Heartland.

GD has a 1-year full warranty, then 3-year structural. Appears to allow full time (extended stay) without limitation.
Heartland (Big-horn) 1-year full, but is rated for full time.

I can tell you that GD monitors their forum, gets involved when in dealer service issues (actively), and will allow non-dealer repairs.

Largely I'm impressed by GD - they'll be our next RV. I really don't have anything bad to say about Heartland, so you could be OK either way...

[SlowpokeSlim]

Never had a Big Horn.

Loving our new Grand Design. Ours is a Reflection, not a Solitude. We bought it this spring, and have had it out on 3 short trips so far. Not one single problem with the unit yet. Not. One.

[justafordguy]

Do the Grand design 5ers have wood floor joists and wood roof trusses? Most manufactures do but the Big Horn uses metal for both and in my opinion would hold up better long term.

[Gsport]

I've had my Solitude for over three years and close to 25,000 miles. This is my third 5th wheel and by far the best. I don't think you could go wrong with any Grand Design unit..

[Cumminsfan]

No rear fiberglass cap in that price range would be a deal breaker for me.

[jev5010]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

No rear fiberglass cap in that price range would be a deal breaker for me.

I'm curious as to why. Is it an aesthetic thing, or is there some functionality that the cap provides?

[luckeyd]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

No rear fiberglass cap in that price range would be a deal breaker for me.

This has been discussed too many times to count. Bottom line, it is up to you if you want a fiberglass rear cap or not. I have had both, can tell no difference except in the way it looks. To be honest, when I bought my current (non fiberglass rear cap) 5th wheel, I really did not pay that much attention to it having or not having this feature.

Don

[Cumminsfan]

Less chance for delam and makes the unit look nicer IMO. It's all subjective I guess.

[schrod]

Originally Posted by justafordguy

Do the Grand design 5ers have wood floor joists and wood roof trusses? Most manufactures do but the Big Horn uses metal for both and in my opinion would hold up better long term.

Sorry but I toured the Big Horn factory in August 2015 and if I recall correctly, they use wood in the roof and their ducting is just cut out of the white beadboard insulation and is not true ducting for the A/C. I was definitely not impressed.

[schrod]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

No rear fiberglass cap in that price range would be a deal breaker for me.

That rear fiberglass cap really serves no function other than to jack the price up a couple grand and look real real purdy! Makes them look like a MH wanna be!

[schrod]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Less chance for delam and makes the unit look nicer IMO. It's all subjective I guess.

Give a factual reason for less delam. I say it gives more not less cause for delam as the roof joint is clear on top instead of on the edge of the roof.