2024 Imagine 2500RL just falling apart

[Thraka]

To close the loop on this I was able to take it to a local repair place which did a pressure test and found that the front cap wasn't sealed correctly, hence the water seeping out of the walls in a couple spots. That's nice, considering that it sat for at least one winter season on the lot after being manufactured. So many problems it, it was time to jump ship with my first and last Grand Design experience.

I traded it in for an Outdoors RV. So far I couldn't be happier with build quality. Hopefully I'll have a better experience. Good luck everyone and thanks for the tips and chats.

 

[Riverbug]

To close the loop on this I was able to take it to a local repair place which did a pressure test and found that the front cap wasn't sealed correctly, hence the water seeping out of the walls in a couple spots. That's nice, considering that it sat for at least one winter season on the lot after being manufactured. So many problems it, it was time to jump ship with my first and last Grand Design experience.

I traded it in for an Outdoors RV. So far I couldn't be happier with build quality. Hopefully I have a better experience. Good luck everyone and thanks for the tips and chats.

Very disappointing experience for you. Good luck with the new RV and best wishes for future travels!

 

[shantydreams]

Sorry to hear of your trouble, yes, some dealers can be difficult to work with. I've had good luck reaching out to GD customer service using my VIN. Sometimes they will pay for a mobile tech to do warranty work, or they will ship you a part if you're willing to install it yourself. The more you're able to fix things yourself, the less time your rig will spend at the dealer's, and the more time you'll be able to enjoy camping. You may find that the quality of your work is better than the dealer's.

we had the same problem with the dealer in ringgold ga blue compass ! we will never go back to them for anything again. we reached out to Grand Design customer service and they were great. now we fix our stuff ourselves. it is sad so many dealers out there are just plain crap!

 

[classicrockguy]

Probably no point in piling on, but this thread is really just the “tip of the iceberg” in the RV world. My experiences are virtually the same. I’ve had just 2 new RVs in the last 7 years, and my worklist of “minor repairs” never ends. The few “major repairs”, which I generally define as “can’t do myself”, have been difficult, but eventually resolved.

Same negative experience as others with dealers. The comment about keeping the trailer for months, then attempting to do everything the last day is my experience, as well. GD has been a mixed bag, but mostly helpful.

Experienced RVrs know this to be part of the deal. For anyone contemplating getting in to RVng for the first time, buyer beware! Best do your homework and know what you are getting in to.

 

[FjClay]

I’ve had 2 Imagines in last 5 years and neither one has been back to the dealer for repairs. Anything minor I fix myself. YouTube is your friend….

 

[Rabbit]

I have a 2022 Image and agree with the general conclusions in this thread. I avoid going back to the dealer if I can fix it myself. I agree GD customer service is your friend. But one observation regarding one thing I see in the original post, and a caution: the overhead storage is likely overloaded, considering the long span of of the bottom. Couple this with the terrible condition of some roads we all drive our rigs over, the dynamic vertical forces involved can be too much for the light weight construction of our trailers. Especially watch how canned goods are placed. NOT saying this is the problem here! Just a caution for all of us.

 

[goducks14]

I have a 2022 Image and agree with the general conclusions in this thread. I avoid going back to the dealer if I can fix it myself. I agree GD customer service is your friend. But one observation regarding one thing I see in the original post, and a caution: the overhead storage is likely overloaded, considering the long span of of the bottom. Couple this with the terrible condition of some roads we all drive our rigs over, the dynamic vertical forces involved can be too much for the light weight construction of our trailers. Especially watch how canned goods are placed. NOT saying this is the problem here! Just a caution for all of us.

Yeah it may or may not be overloaded. Guessing the cabinet face frames are a soft whitewood or at worst MDF. Neither of which will hold a pocket screw very well in that type of scenario. One more divider would've helped.

 

[NB Canada]

Just to inform readers, GD uses solid wood for cabinet frames and doors, not MDF.

Ummm. Imagines don’t use solid wood

 

[Riverbug]

Ummm. Imagines don’t use solid wood

x2.

 

[Rabbit]

Ummm. Imagines don’t use solid wood

The Image line brochure on the GD website still lists “solid wood stiles” as a feature. When did they stop doing so?

 

[J_Man]

The cabinet "frames" on my 2025 Imagine XLS 22-MLE are wood - not MDF. The "skins" are typical thin (lightweight) multi-layer plywood. I would guess the wood grain on those "skins" may be a printed laminate of some sort, but I'm not sure about that.


J_Man

 

[NB Canada]

The Image line brochure on the GD website still lists “solid wood stiles” as a feature. When did they stop doing so?

After 2019 I believe. Just crappy pressboard in the Imagine line

Edit: just to be clear I am talking about the doors themselves, they are pressboard

The frame could be “solid wood” but that isn’t important

It is the doors that warp. Mine warped first year

 

[classicrockguy]

I have had to modify/reinforce several cabinet areas in my 2022 Reflection 315rlts. I literally had the “floors” of several storage cabinets collapse while going down the road with only modest weight items stored.

I continue to find miscellaneous trouble spots in the cabinetry after 3 summers of use. It is all built like total crap. The wood (or whatever it is) is bad enough. The assembly with little staples everywhere (not always even in the “wood”) makes it worse. Hardware is also problematic (hinges, pulls, rails, etc).

I carry tools, parts, screws, etc to keep up with it along the way. I know where the Ace Hardware and other DIY stores are along our favorite routes. Not saying it’s ok, just that it’s a fact of RV life in our experience.