2016 changes

[KimandChris]

Hello all,

Soon to be GD owner here (I hope!). Anybody have any links or info on changes to the 2016 models? We are specifically interested in the Momentum 380TH or 350M. All I have seen for sure is 'upgraded graphics'. According to the picture of the 2016 graphics, it looks like the 380TH is also going from beige to white on the outside walls.

We are also interested in which tires come on the 2016 models mentioned above. On the fence on the Goodyear tire upgrade. It looks like GD upgraded the wheels/tires last year. Hard to tell real world from internet hype on the 'China bomb' tires.

We are still waiting on our dealers to get a 2016 order form. There may be more details there.

Thanks for any info,
Chris

 

[Steve and Cill]

Welcome to the forum Kim and Chris! Sorry, I don't have any information on the 2016 models, but good luck with your search for your Momentum.

Steve

 

[Traveling Piper]

I only know of one change on the 350's. The Happy Jack dinette and bed in the garage changed slightly. The dinette seats now fold/store individually to the wall instead of flat under the bed. At least we were given both options since our 350 was an inbetweener. I will also say that we had ask to upgrade on the Westlake tires and were told by Grand Design that upgrade was not available?? But we have traveled thousands of miles already on these tires, monitoring them at all times and no issues at all so far. We picked it up and had no issues then and have had none so far. I hope this helps.

 

[huntr70]

The "luxury" models, the 380 and 385 are going to look more like the M Class, with white exteriors and upgraded graphics. Also will have the M class fiberglass cap instead of the Solitude shaped cap.

Don't know of any other changes.

Do yourself a favor and order the Goodyear tire upgrade. You will when the Westlakes wear out anyway...

 

[RamGunner]

The order is being placed for our 385TH now, and the dealer told me it will be a 2016. They have a 2015 order form and seem to be working off of that. There was no option listed for an upgrade to Goodyear tires, however.

 

[KimandChris]

Thanks for the replies. Great to hear on the white exteriors, we like that better.

I asked about Goodyear upgrade while we were getting a tour of the factory. They said it was available, no disc brakes though . We are working off the 2015 spec sheet also. I forget if it was one of the many dealers we have stopped at or it was the factory....but somebody said they were dropping the Trail Air hitch from the TH line in 2016. Wonder if that is true and what else is changing....odd to be spending this much money and not quite sure what you are getting

Still on the fence with tire upgrade. I am starting to believe it was a very real issue a few years back but is better now. Have not heard of anyone having any issues with the Westlake tires on a GD.

Hope to place the order this week.

 

[cgoodnight]

I just remember 1 person on this forum reporting a blow out on a Westlake tire. He also had a bubble on another tire. After the government forced recall of over 400,000 tires (for 4 brands made by the same company), they seem to be building their tires properly now.

After Jayco bought Open Range, they changed all of their tires to Westlake from Akumet. People had a lot of problems with the Akumets, but I do not remember any reported problems with the Westlakes. (I previously had an Open Range trailer for a year and still read their forum regularly).

 

[huntr70]

I would think they probably dropped the Goodyear upgrade when they went to the 3 axles.

If you put LT/G-614 tires on a tri-axle, you are just asking for axle and shackle problems. The sidewalls are too stiff.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Not to re-ignite the LT vs ST tire debate, but I have looked on several tire manufacture's websites and they all say that ST tires have stronger sidewalls than LT tires. This is a quick overview that summarizes what the tire manufacturers say.
http://rvingwithmarkpolk.com/2012/11/08/trailer-towing-st-tires-vs-lt-tires/
Specifically . . . "ST tires have strengthened sidewalls to prevent the tire from rolling under the rim in turns and when cornering."
The tire manufacturers recommendations are at least worth considering . . . particularly since they all seem to be of the same opinion.

Rob

 

[huntr70]

They are actually meant to flex more, since you are always scrubbing one tire on each side while making turns.

Add a third axle and you end up scrubbing 2 tires on each axle.

 

[gordofuchs]

The Goodyears will cost about 2000 bucks extra. I had to keep after my dealer to make sure they could be part of the package on our 305RE, which is about one year old now. My thought process at the time and still the same now, is I have had too much experience with Chinese products being defective. Given the price tag of the trailers, a few thousand dollars more to ensure a quality product in something as important as the tires is worth it. Plus, in researching the Goodyears, it appears that if there is a problem, the dealers may try to rectify the defects more so, then those with the Chinese tires.

Just something else to think about.

Gord and Janet Fuchs
Presently in Portland, Or.

 

[Dave and Monica]

Aren't the Goodyear G614's still available as an option on the 2 axle (7000#) Momentums and Solitudes?

Dave

 

[offtohavasu]

As the wise Tom Petty once said, "Waiting is the hardest part." Thanks for the information! Bummer the Trail-air won't be offered on the M-class anymore, though.

 

[KimandChris]

So we pulled the trigger and ordered out 2016 380TH yesterday. During the process, we got to talk to a factory rep to get some answers, here is what we learned:

2016 TH models(380 and 385) will indeed be white with BNG(bold new graphics).
New front cap and LED lighting. pdf link below.
The TH models will continue to come with the Trail-air hitch(the M-class will not).
Happijacks will match your selected interior color.
No other interior changes from 2015.
Factory is currently only 5 weeks out for delivery. He expects our unit to be complete in the first part of June.
Goodyear tire upgrade WILL be available on all models as an option on the spec sheet for 2016. For the TH models, MSRP is over $3000 for the three axles. GD has not heard of any issues with the stock Westlake tires. This upgrade is being offered solely on buyers request. The rep stated he would drive his family around on the supplied tires for what that is worth.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. Will be able to answer them in just over a month Now the hard part...waiting for it to get here.

http://www.wherearekimandchris.com/Pix_public/New%20Mo%20Graphics.pdf

 

[KimandChris]

Bummer the Trail-air won't be offered on the M-class anymore, though.

I believe it will still be an option.

 

[RamGunner]

It looks like they have the photos up on the Grand Design site. In fact, they made some interesting changes to the 385TH bedroom - or they are showing the wrong one on their 360-degree view (showing the same for 385TH and 380TH).

 

[Brianne1973]

We have just ordered our 385th and are told we should receive it in BC (Canada) at the beginning of July. As far as we know, the only change is the outside going to white which we like!

 

[JCR GD]

So we pulled the trigger and ordered out 2016 380TH yesterday. During the process, we got to talk to a factory rep to get some answers, here is what we learned:

2016 TH models(380 and 385) will indeed be white with BNG(bold new graphics).
New front cap and LED lighting. pdf link below.
The TH models will continue to come with the Trail-air hitch(the M-class will not).
Happijacks will match your selected interior color.
No other interior changes from 2015.
Factory is currently only 5 weeks out for delivery. He expects our unit to be complete in the first part of June.
Goodyear tire upgrade WILL be available on all models as an option on the spec sheet for 2016. For the TH models, MSRP is over $3000 for the three axles. GD has not heard of any issues with the stock Westlake tires. This upgrade is being offered solely on buyers request. The rep stated he would drive his family around on the supplied tires for what that is worth.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. Will be able to answer them in just over a month Now the hard part...waiting for it to get here.

http://www.wherearekimandchris.com/Pix_public/New%20Mo%20Graphics.pdf

What is the hatch under the living room windows pictured in the PDF??

 

[JCR GD]

It looks like they have the photos up on the Grand Design site. In fact, they made some interesting changes to the 385TH bedroom - or they are showing the wrong one on their 360-degree view (showing the same for 385TH and 380TH).

I believe from the stairs up they are pretty much identical... at least when we were looking at them both

 

[JCR GD]

On the 380 & 385 it looks like they moved the bedroom window to above the dresser but one of the pictures looks like mine with window next to the dresser.

EDIT: Or did they?.... conflicting pictures and Floor plans