2019 Grand Design Momentum

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 2018 (NA) GRAND DESIGN MOMENTUM TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FLOOR HEATER. THE HEAT CAUSED THE FLOOR TO TURN BROWN, WHICH PRESENTED THE RISK OF A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE ROOM SLIDEOUT FAILED TO SLIDE BACK IN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

WE WERE IN ROUTE TO ASSATEAGUE FOR THE WEEKEND WHEN OUR AWNING SOMEHOW OPENED & DETACHED FROM OUR CAMPER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON RT 50 IN MARYLAND. I BELIEVE IT FAILED DUE TO BEING BLOWN OPEN BY THE WIND, BUT I AM UNSURE. WHEN IT DETACHED, IT VIOLENTLY FLAILED AROUND DAMAGING THE EXTERIOR OF THE TRAILER. WE WERE ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE WHEN THE EVENT OCCURRED WITH THE AWNING FLAILING AROUND BY CARS & THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE. AS SOON AS I HEARD THE SOUND, I IMMEDIATELY DROPPED OUR SPEED TO A CRAWL & STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND SAW THE AWNING FLAILING AROUND VIOLENTLY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAMPER. WHEN IT BECAME DETACHED IT STRUNG OVER THE TOP OF THE CAMPER TO THE OTHER SIDE, NOW HANGING OVER ON BOTH SIDES. OTHER DRIVERS WHO WITNESSED WHAT HAPPENED GAVE US SPACE AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE BRIDGE & OFF THE ROAD SAFELY WITHOUT HITTING ANY VEHICLES. WE ARE UNCLEAR WHY IT CAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CAMPER. AS ALWAYS, WE PREFORMED OUR PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS, AND EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED AND SECURE. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, WE HAD ALREADY BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR OVER 2 HOURS AND EVERYTHING WAS AS NORMAL. WE BELIEVE THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE DESIGN OR HARDWARE WHICH ALLOWED THE WIND TO OPEN THE AWNING CREATING A PARACHUTE LIKE EVENT AND THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED & THAT I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE TRUCK & TRAILER ON THE BRIDGE. AFTER WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION, WE SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR ISSUES SUCH AS THIS & LOW & BEHOLD THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. HTTPS://WWW.RV.NET/FORUM/INDEX.CFM/FUSEACTION/THREAD/TID/27277249/PRINT/TRUE.CFM. WE TOOK THE COACH THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY TO BECKLEY'S RV & WERE ADVISED BY THE SHOP FOREMAN THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN OVER 100 TIMES. WHAT!!! I FEEL THAT MY FAMILY, OR OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT & OR KILLED WITH THIS EVENT. *DT*JB