oh darn

**GreyGhost** · 05-04-2020, 06:23 PM

I was ready to pull the plug on the Solitude 310GK but then ran across a deal on at 2020 Keystone Avalanche 320RS for around $50,000. Now I'm stuck again on what to do. We like them both and the floorpans are basically the same. Both have king beds, auto leveling and everything else we have been looking for. Darn, now what?????

**WhittleBurner** · 05-04-2020, 06:27 PM

Read reviews about factory suppot after the sale, 99 percent sure GD beats the heck out of Keystone in that respect. After the sale support from the company is a high priority for us.

**livinthelife** · 05-04-2020, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by GreyGhost

I was ready to pull the plug on the Solitude 310GK but then ran across a deal on at 2020 Keystone Avalanche 320RS for around $50,000. Now I'm stuck again on what to do. We like them both and the floorpans are basically the same. Both have king beds, auto leveling and everything else we have been looking for. Darn, now what?????

Go sit in each of them for 15-30 minutes. See which "feels like home".

**Skiddy** · 05-04-2020, 06:46 PM

There are lots out there, and as @livinthelife says, go sit in them and see which feels like home. Watch for the lip stick on a pig glitter blinds the buyer syndrome. For example, the Arctic Fox 32-5M is a very nice well built rig, well appointed, dual pane windows for cool or hot weather use and comfort and like GDRV, excellent after sales service and support.

**traveldawg** · 05-04-2020, 08:14 PM

A friend and winter time resident just bought a Montana from Keystone. I thought I liked it then noticed...
> not a wide body
> the inverter was something you could get a Harbor Fright with some kind of separate "transfer switch" that kicked the inverter circuits on. It has only a 15amp switch and runs both the refrigerator and the 120v outlets in the RV. that's a real step down from even the WFCO thing GD uses.
> look at the material used under the slides. I think it is not as good as what GD uses.
> they did get day/hight shades; electric cord reel, fiberglass rear cap and a few other things.

Not going to say one is better than the other. Just sayin' - some things look nice at first and then ya start to find differences. It's up to you what you think of the differences.

**livinthelife** · 05-04-2020, 08:48 PM

Another thought - we were considering a Cougar before we got our Reflection. Until my husband opened and closed the storage compartment doors in the Cougar. There was a definite lack of solidity in the manufacturing process there. Things just felt flimsy there. And that's what made the decision for us - Grand Design it is.

**SolarPoweredRV** · 05-05-2020, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by GreyGhost

I was ready to pull the plug on the Solitude 310GK but then ran across a deal on at 2020 Keystone Avalanche 320RS for around $50,000. Now I'm stuck again on what to do. We like them both and the floorpans are basically the same. Both have king beds, auto leveling and everything else we have been looking for. Darn, now what?????

If $50,000 is your number, then make that offer to the Grand Design dealer, (be sure to make that the bottom line plus taxes, otherwise they will stick all kinds of dealer fees on to that number), and see if the dealer will take it. Also, be willing to travel to get your deal (we traveled 200 miles for our 310GK). I think if the dealer has a unit on the lot, I think they might just jump at that $50,000 offer, if not, they might get darn close.

**Keebler** · 05-05-2020, 07:26 AM

I will start by saying, i did not look at Keystone, and know nothing about them. If the Keystone Avalanche is a comparable unit, then I really like SolarPowered's advice above; offer GD the same price. See how close they come.

Don't get me wrong, I am pleased with my Solitude, but there is nothing magical about Grand Design. Their product is typical for the price point. As I said, i like my GD fifth wheel, but wouldn't pay a premium for it.

**WhittleBurner** · 05-05-2020, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by livinthelife

Another thought - we were considering a Cougar before we got our Reflection. Until my husband opened and closed the storage compartment doors in the Cougar. There was a definite lack of solidity in the manufacturing process there. Things just felt flimsy there. And that's what made the decision for us - Grand Design it is.

We had the same type of experience of the flimsy feeling with the VanLeigh's but it was with their cabinet doors. When you opened them they had a bad wobble because of how thin and light they are.

**Wicked ace** · 05-05-2020, 10:21 AM

Go take a look at the suspension on each. Take note of the axle weight ratings as compared to the GVWR and what they use for suspension. Also check the tire and wheel load ratings. I had an epiphany while shopping and all these items I mention on a Keystone Cougar. I felt they relied to much on hitch weight and underrated their axles and tire loading. They weren't the only ones but it changed my priorities. I think just recently they began using the Lippert Equa-flex equalizer.