2017 Grand Design Momentum

In early 2024 we noticed a binding on the bedroom slide, we took it in for service at Happy Daze in Ripon and the repair shop fixed the slide issue. After our next camping trip a month or so after the repair, we noticed a crack on the outside driver side of the front of the trailer above and below the bedroom slide. We had noticed a gap in the front bedroom cabinets in which we had attributed to normal wear and tear and had reinforced with screws and wood trim previously. In contacting Happy Daze again we brought it in for the new issue and realized that we were experiencing frame flex/failure. Happy Daze connected with Grand Design who sent a team out and did a goodwill repair of the issue, telling us it had been corrected. The SRT team from grand design welded and added additional lag bolts but did not address the outside cracks on the trailer. Because the trailer was well out of warranty and we were assured that the repairs made were adequate we accepted the fact that we would deal with the superficial flaws on the outside of the trailer. We covered the areas as best we could to prevent any water damage from occurring at those areas. A few months ago we noticed that the cabinets had cracked in a few areas and have continued to separate from the wall also rubbing a hole on the side wall. We returned to Happy Daze who pulled off the front cover and found broken welds and loose bolts on the frame work that was repaired in 2024. Grand design was contacted and has refused to make any additional repairs to make this vehicle road safe currently. We were informed to make a claim with NHTSA regarding this issue.

Based on internet craze of and symptoms of Frame Flex | Frame Failure on Grand Design Momentum 5th wheels I had my unit measured for Fram Flex by Grand Design at the GD East Coast Rally. According to their measurements at that time I was 1/16 inch away from needing to be concerned regarding frame flex. After the fact in reading Lippert Components Incorporated (LCI) measuring instructions Grand Design did NOT measure my unit per LCI's instructions. After much thought and continued symptoms of frame flex we decided to incur personal expenses and took our unit to Affinity RV group of Goshen Indiana to have an independent frame inspection completed. Affinity RV measured our unit following Lippert measuring instructions and confirmed Frame Flex. They are adding gussets and other assorted items to correct this Grand Design manufacturing defect.

The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Momentum RV. The contact stated that the exterior storage doors failed to close properly. The contact stated that the generator doors almost detached, and the front rubber trim hold was detaching. The RV was towed to the dealer, where several repairs were performed; however, the frame continued to fracture. The dealer advised the contact to park the RV. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

This is a 43 foot fifth wheel RV. The frame near the front of the RV is showing signs of "frame-flex," or frame cracking. The attached pictures illustrate where the walls are shifting and creating wear marks; this is consistent with other RV owners experiences the same problem. This issue could contribute in further frame cracking that may result in significant property damage or even death. I plan to report this issue today to the manufacturer, Grand Design.

The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Momentum RV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V038000 (Equipment). The local dealer was contacted but declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no additional assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO DEALER IN THE STATE ABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL AS A SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED.

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.

THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY LIPPERT COMPONENTS INC ON THIS RV AND MANY OTHER RV'S HAVE AN ISSUE KNOWN BY THE MAUFACTURER RELATED TO AXLE GREASE LEAKING PAST THE INNER LIP SEAL. THE EXCESS LEAKING GREASE CONTAMINATES THE BRAKE PAD AND DRUM CONTACT SURFACES RESULTING IN SEVERLY DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATIONS.

I PURCHASED A NEW GRAND DESIGN MOMENTUM 350M AT HOLIDAY WORLD KATY, TEXAS. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE CAMPING TRAILER & CHECKING HOOK-UP TO TRUCK, LIGHTS & BRAKES IN THE PARKING LOT, I TOWED THE 350M ABOUT 50 MILES ACROSS HOUSTON. I WAS QUITE CONCERNED WITH THE POOR BRAKING QUALITY OF THE CAMPING TRAILER, EVEN AFTER INCREASING THE TRUCK BRAKE CONTROLLER GAIN TO 9.5 (OF POSSIBLE 10). I THOUGHT MAYBE THE BRAKES NEEDED MORE 'BREAK-IN TIME' SO A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I SLOWLY TOWED THE CAMPING TRAILER 400 MILES TO MY HOME IN S. TEXAS. I BECAME VERY CONCERNED WITH THE BRAKING QUALITY OF THE 350M AND CONSIDERED IT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ONCE HOME, I WOULD NOT TOW THE UNIT ANY FURTHER WITHOUT MAKING SERIOUS IMPROVEMENT TO THE TRAILERS BRAKING CAPABILITY. AFTER JOINING GRAND DESIGN OWNER FORUMS WE REALIZED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ALSO HAD BRAKING ISSUES. I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PULL WHEELS & HUBS. LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS, ALL 4 ELECTRIC/MAGNETIC BRAKES (DRUMS, MAGNETS, SHOES & ALL INSIDE THE DRUMS) WERE COATED WITH A HEAVY FILM OF GREASE. UNDERSTANDABLE WHY THE 350M & LIPPERT'S SELF ADJUSTING, ELECTRIC, MAGNETIC BRAKE SYSTEM WAS EXHIBITING VERY POOR QUALITY, UNSAFE BRAKING CAPABILITY. LIPPERT (LCI) SEMI-ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE IN JANUARY 2017 BUT WOULD NOT ADMIT ANY FAULT ON THEIR BEHALF. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THEIR BRAKE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS ATTENTION FROM THE NHTSA BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ATTACHED IS A PICTURE SHOWING SOME OF THE GREASE CONTAMINATION UPON REMOVING THE WHEEL HUB FROM THE AXLE. THESE BRAKES DEPEND ON THE MAGNETIC FORCE AGAINST THE ROTATING HUB TO 'APPLY BRAKE SHOE PRESSURE TO THE DRUM'. UNDERSTANDABLE WHY THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH A GREASE FILM ON THE MAGNET, ALL INSIDE THE DRUM AREA & ALSO ON BRAKE SHOES. SHAMEFUL WHY A LARGE COMPANY LIKE LIPPERT WILL NOT "OWN UP" TO & CORRECT THE PROBLEM ! CAN THE NHTSA HELP ?