2021 Grand Design Solitude

Visible indicators began to appear both inside and outside of the RV within the past 12-18 months that were indicative of a structural problem. First, we noticed separation underneath the front cap where it is sealed with the bottom molding. Next, we noticed the wood paneling facia board behind the front bedroom closet, in the front nose cap, had almost completely separated from the closet shelving. Additionally, the adjacent closet, doubling as the Washer/Dryer closet, had wood paneling separating from framing. Most recently, we observed three separate nails/and or screws, protruding through the front, bedroom laminated flooring. With all of these indicators visibly present, we contacted Grand Design customer service on Friday, April 25, 2025 and reported these visible warnings indicators to Grand Design customer service and requested pre-authorization for a stress test to be conducted in at attempt to determine if our RV had frame flex. On May 7, 2025 we took our RV to General RV in Draper, Utah to have this stress test completed. This test was paid for by Grand Design. The test concluded that our RV did in fact have frame flex and required repairs. General RV filed a claim, on our behalf, with Grand Design for the frame repairs, but NOT the interior damages to the RV as noted above. Grand Design approved the frame repairs under the 5 year frame warranty. This work on the frame was concluded on Friday, May 30, 2025. To date, we have been diligently working with General RV, Draper, Utah to have Grand Design approve the claim to have the interior damages repaired that are a direct affect of the frame flex damages, however, to date Grand Design has denied to approve this portion of the claim extended under the 5 year frame warranty.

My fifth wheel has extreme frame flex which caused compartment doors to come open while traveling sometimes allowing things to fall out while traveling. Having a screw driver falling out and hitting another car was a major concern. Grand Design has the camper to address the frame flex. I believe the frame flex was the cause as sometimes the latches wouldn't engage.

Since we have purchased our RV we have had several issues with it. Since the first trip the entry door will not stay shut while in transit and continues through today We had requested the dealer check it out but the issue was not remedied. During the time we have owned the RV we have had to have the roof replaced due to poor workmanship at the factory. We had had the TSB for the rear compartment completed however the cargo doors are not aligned properly and one door on the driver side is starting to wear through the aluminum on the side. We have also had the rear cargo door pop open on more than one occasion. We have also had the TSB performed for the improper lag screws being installed at the factory. On one corner of the front of the frame which had cracked they used a 1/8th inch screw with a 1 inch washer instead of a 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch lag screw. The floor in the living room area is dropping up to 1/2 inch at the wall in the front and back of the slides. We have walls starting to separate in the coach as well as the stairs separating from the walls going into the kitchen and the bedroom. There is trim separating from the walls in the bedroom. While this is not the whole list of what is going on it is a good representation of the issues we are facing.

Issue Description: On multiple occasions during travel, cargo doors and the main entry door have opened while the vehicle is in motion. We have been fortunate to notice the doors flying open, allowing us to quickly stop before losing any cargo. Cargo Risk: These compartments carry cargo. When the door flies open, there is a significant risk of cargo flying out of the vehicle. This creates a hazard for oncoming motorists, either through airborne cargo or cargo on the roadway. Evidence of Problems: Missing sidewall screws in front storage. Loose sidewall screws. Bulging on the frame on both edges adjacent to the pin box. Poor alignment of cargo door and entry door. Kitchen slide is binding, preventing proper opening and closing Symptoms / concerns of excessive frame flex

Frame failure. We had a fixed window fall off. Grand Design sent me a replacement window but I had to pay to have it installed. Then I had a trim piece fall off of the front-side and the identical piece on the opposite side was starting to come off. We also had sawdust appearing upfront when we would arrive to our destination and the front floor was starting to make noise when we walked. I also noticed the under-covering around the rv hitch going up into the rv when I hooked it up to my truck. Several screws have sheared in the compartment door frames. GD had the dealership take measurements/do test to confirm frame issues. GD sent a tech to Great American Rv, dealership in Hammond, Louisiana, to repair my camper along with several others. Supposedly the frame has been repaired, but the GD tech noted extra damages on the off door side of the RV. They said the relief cut on that side is still flexing and that there is a broke weld in the wall. GD stated that the broke weld falls outside of the structural warranty, but will only pay 1/2 of labor. Great American RV said there is another rv currently there with the same issue. It was dropped off at the dealership 12/19/2024 and is still being repaired.

We have extensive frame failure on the front cap of our RV. We are unsure of anything rear of the RV. We had broken welds, missing bolts, and flex while towing. It was inspected by the manufacturer and was outside of their frame flex limits and was deemed unsafe to drive until repaired. We have had it fixed and an ibeam installed as well as welds fixed and other beams installed on the side for support. Grand design has been involved all reports and did come for inspection at the service facility. Warning signs prior to failure: movement of interior furniture against wall, doors coming open enroute, doors not closing correctly, trim coming off enroute, screws coming loose, floor of front of camper creaking.

Bish’s RV in Boise has confirmed that our unit is experiencing frame flex again. Our RV is under warranty and we have been waiting for over a month to hear back from Grand Design. This began in January 2023, we took the unit to a service center for repairs, which took over a month. However, after towing just 45 miles, the issue reoccurred. We were then sent to McClain’s in Sanger, Texas, where SRT Chris found that lag bolts had been left out during manufacturing. He replaced the seal plates with thicker steel and made necessary adjustments. Now that this issue has happened a third time, I’m concerned that the breaking seal plates are a symptom of a larger structural problem. We've also had a cargo door open during transport, along with a broken leaf spring and suspension. At this point, I have little confidence that a proper repair is even possible.

Trailer is not manufactured in compliance of FCR Title 49 393.70 a,b,(ii), California Code of Regulations Title 13 and Cal.Vehicle Code. Coupling devices and towing methods, as it is a known fact that 5th wheel hitches are breaking frames. Hitch will flex vertically 1 to 3 inches when towing. If towing truck has USDOT and/or California BIT numbers on side of truck the trailer is bound to Federal and State Motor Carrier Laws as trailer is part of combination. Hitch weight is overweight by 106 lbs empty, see attached weight sheets and product sheet. Grand Design main sales phone number confirmed Max Hitch Weight is correct on sales brochure. We cannot legally install generator or washer dryer in front compartments as trailer will be at least 500lbs overweight on hitch. During trips, front cargo door and rear cargo doors have come unlatched. When trailer was purchased, brakes were not operating properly, called dealer, the brakes are self adjusting and will get better. I knew better and fixed myself, Dexter reimbursed me for parts. Trailer will go to Grand Design Dealer for repairs to hitch and upper deck failure in February 2025.