Community Forums

rnatho · 08-09-2019, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriarPatch

We are considering purchasing a 2019 Grand Design Solitude 377 MBS.

Does any one have any thoughts or experience good or bad with this particular model , the Solitude line or Grand Design in general.

We are particularly interested on people's thoughts regarding the quality of construction, useability, longevity and any cold climate experience.

Thanks

Did you end up going with the 377MBS? What are your thoughts so far? We are considering it and the RiverStone 37REL.

tigerGUY · 08-17-2019, 04:30 PM

My wife and I are going to take a $12k hit in February when we replace this 375RES SOLITUDE we bought this March. Horrible materials used and outright lying about "solid wood". Piss poor appliances. Their after manufacturing QC process is bogus. IOW, Grand Design is crap. I'm buying a Vanleigh in March.

jetzen · 08-18-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diginomad

Which RV manufacturer that exists today would you identify as special or above average build quality?

KZ-RV period. Northwood RV or Outdoors RV cant come close Best build quality of any RV manufacturer in their prospective price point, and they have the credentials to prove it.
17 years straight DSI award best built coaches in their class. (2018 most current year available)

guten tag · 08-20-2019, 09:41 AM

The Montana and the Cougar line from Keystone may check all the right boxes for you.

Daycruiser · 08-21-2019, 04:40 PM

Good Grief, OP asked about GD Solitude. GD has all the same issues as everybody else, there is no magic formula for building the better RV and GD nor anybody else has it. They use the same materials as most others, the same appliances as most others, and the same frames from Lippert. GD customer service used to be an outlier but others are doing the same thing as them now to compete. The GD RV you buy is what you get, could be great could be not so great changes from one day to the next. GD uses laminated walls, could be a problem if you get a seal leak, brands like Cedar Creek or Riverstone do not. Buy what suits you, what fits your style, what fits your budget, what fits your Tow Vehicle and have a great time.

BriarPatch · 08-21-2019, 09:11 PM

Well we bit the bullet & took delivery of a new Grand Design 377MBS.

So far everything seems good a few minor trim touch ups but happy we made the decision.

Thanks for all the info.

mobilemike · 08-23-2019, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriarPatch

Well we bit the bullet & took delivery of a new Grand Design 377MBS.

So far everything seems good a few minor trim touch ups but happy we made the decision.

Thanks for all the info.

Congrats.

JRS950 · 08-26-2019, 07:41 AM

Congratulations �� on your new rig. I'm sure you will be very happy with it. I noticed that you had another post about which truck. What did you finally decide.
Just my $.02 worth, I wouldn't tow any of the larger fifth wheels with anything less than a 3500/350 dually. Again, just my opinion. Our Vanleigh has about 3500 lbs or so of pin weight, maybe more.
Enjoy the journey.

Batten54 · 08-26-2019, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerGUY

My wife and I are going to take a $12k hit in February when we replace this 375RES SOLITUDE we bought this March. Horrible materials used and outright lying about "solid wood". Piss poor appliances. Their after manufacturing QC process is bogus. IOW, Grand Design is crap. I'm buying a Vanleigh in March.

A new 375RES? I haven't seen one "live" yet...but I thought the floorplan was cool. And I liked the idea of the pull out storage in the tail.

Bob_C · 08-26-2019, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger

We've had our 2019 Solitude since last November. IMO, it is nice in many ways but nothing special. Build quality is average based on my experience with RV's since 1985. Most RV manufacturers are more focused on glitz than real build quality.

We've had no major issues. Several small things that I either fixed myself or had the dealer fix. Both kitchen sinks leaked at the drain from day one...fixed myself. Cold water inlet to water heater leaked from day one...fixed myself. LED lights on front of coach stopped working....dealer fixed. Lot of trim falling off inside the coach....I reattached myself.

Design gripes....switches to both patio awnings are mounted in a place where you cannot easily see the awnings as you deploy them. They do not have auto stop so they will rewind themselves is you do not stop at the right time. But you have to see them to do that. I have to open my entry door and peer out when I operate one and stretch to see out a window for the other. Grand Design should have also put switches outside or used the remote system that can be added to these awnings.

Many of the switches for interior lighting are mounted under the cabinets so you cannot see them. None are labelled. So turning on lights is a guess, trial and error game.

They have a switch inside labelled 'Driver Side Flood Light.' The light is mounted on the curb side so there is no lighting on the driver's side.

Grand Design claims the Solitude is Satellite ready. They put a hole in the roof behind a removable plate and another hole in the ceiling of the basement storage area. This is intended to allow the installation of a Sat dish on the roof or perhaps solar panels. However, they failed to install any conduit in the wall or otherwise provide an easy way to run the wires from the roof down to the basement.

If you want to use the rig in cold weather suggest you get dual pane windows.

Finally, before you buy one, ask the salesman to open the panel in the basement storage that lets you look behind the wall at the absolute mess of wiring, plumbing, water pump, coax cables, etc. It is an example of poor workmanship and lack of pride.

Not saying not to buy it but suggest you shop carefully.

You can install an RF controller.....and be outside....put one on slide also...

Bob_C · 08-26-2019, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batten54

A new 375RES? I haven't seen one "live" yet...but I thought the floorplan was cool. And I liked the idea of the pull out storage in the tail.

Saw a few of those this last year in Quartzsite......huge storage!

BriarPatch · 08-27-2019, 10:20 PM

JRS950

We have not decided on a truck yet & are waiting for the specs on all before we buy. I do prefer the dually long bed but it could be problematic when I work downtown or have to put other trailers in tight areas. On a couple of occasions with the long bed I had to unhook use another truck to make the turn & then hook back to my truck to get up the driveway. I do not want to buy 2 trucks so I have some choices to make

Grzly03 · 10-17-2019, 06:50 PM

Found this thread interesting, in that we just put a down payment on a 2020 GD Solitude 385GK at the CA RV show. Taking delivery on Dec 4. Looking forward to the standard DIY fixes for things, and many years of RVing in it. Anyone with experience with this unit?

smlranger · 10-18-2019, 05:29 AM

We have the 384GKR which is similar to the 385. Both have great storage
The 385 is unique having a closet in galley area for stacked washer and dryer vs in bedroom like most of the others.

If the dealer had a 385 in stock when we were looking, we would have bought it over the 384.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grzly03

Found this thread interesting, in that we just put a down payment on a 2020 GD Solitude 385GK at the CA RV show. Taking delivery on Dec 4. Looking forward to the standard DIY fixes for things, and many years of RVing in it. Anyone with experience with this unit?