GD 260RD Slide Wall issue and warranty help

VinceG

New Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2023
Messages
3
**** Update. Just received a call from Grand Design customer service. Jerry saw one of my posts and has approved the fix to our slide wall even though it is out of warranty. We are very happy right now. Thanks to those in the forum who responded with advice. I will post an update once the issue is resolved.

Looking for some advice.
We have a 2022 GD 260RD purchased used from a GD dealer last December. We've used the RV 3 times. I don't think the prior owner used the RV at all. We recently discovered the wall of the RV where the slide attaches to is failing. It is bending outwards with the weight of the slide.
I've reached out to GD and they have said that the structural warranty is not transferrable so they will not cover the problem. I am looking to escalate this issue with GD for resolution based on:
1) There are numerous 260RD owners in the facebook forum with this issue. Under warranty, GD is either replacing the whole wall or working out a deal on a new 2023 model.
2) GD has moved away from the schwintek slide mechanism to a rack and pinion system in the 260RD for 2023 and later models. The rack and pinion has much less weight on the slide wall.
3) Although the slide is still working (albeit under strain), the RV is unusable when the slide fails. There is no access to the bedroom or bathroom.
4) This is a GD issue since it deals with the structural integrity of the RV wall. I can't go to Lippert (Schwintek manufacturer) for resolution.
Below is the last correspondence with GD. I'm looking for suggestions on how to escalate w/in GD and help them do the right thing.
thanks...Vince

===============
Good afternoon,
Unfortunately the warranty does not transfer to a second owner. I have conferred with my superior and Grand Design will not be able to assist on this issue. I recommend you go back to your selling dealer.

Brittney Porter
Retail Service Manager | Grand Design RV
11356 CR 2, Middlebury, IN 46540
Phone: (574) 825-9679 Ext. 1365
Fax: (574) 825-9249
 
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Like they said I would go back to the dealer you bought it from
What are they saying btw?
 
Knowing of like testimonials (some personally) of others during the COVID build years of RVs, I bet the OP is just the tip of the iceberg of second owners running into these structural warranty denials. Hmmmmmm.... interesting.

Might need a special topic forum for the upcomming wave....
 
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Knowing of like testimonials (some personally) of others during the COVID build years of RVs, I bet the OP is just the tip of the iceberg of second owners running into these structural warranty denials. Hmmmmmm.... interesting.

Might need a special topic forum for the upcomming wave....

They are buying them used knowing there isn’t any warranty or at least should know

Sometimes saving some money is not the way to go
 
I am quite positive many don’t realize this but ignorance isn’t an excuse
They should know

Yeah.... im not sure about a manufacturers business approach to that kind of practice - stated, understood or otherwise. At some point they all want to sale trailers, and customer perception is key... especially on 1yr old secondary purchases.
 
Yeah.... im not sure about a manufacturers business approach to that kind of practice - stated, understood or otherwise. At some point they all want to sale trailers, and customer perception is key... especially on 1yr old secondary purchases.

The issue is with a second hand trailer no one knows what lack of maintenance was done. This is my understanding why the warranty is voided

As we know we are responsible every 90 days to get on the roof and reseal for example.
 
Interesting dialog on the structural warranty. Roof, wheel bearing, applicance....maintenance is all pretty standard for an RV and needed. But there really is no maintenance on an RV wall. So I think the voiding of the structural warranty is just a dodge on the part of GD. That said, I get it's buyer beware when purchasing a used RV. But I certainly would not purchase a used RV from GD ever again and would advise others the same.
Let me know if you have any advice on escalating this with GD. I plan to keep pursuing this.
Also I've attached a solution another GD owner came up with.
View attachment Wall bow fix.pdf
 
My guess is that this is one of those 2022's that got traded in on a 2023 per GD's authorization. Nothing wrong with buying used as long as a reputable inspector inspects it. That's water under the bridge though.

This is what happens when you build trailers with 1.5" walls. They're fine for smaller trailers but it makes it hard to get structural support when you only have 1" of foam sandwiched between 1/8" luan.

GD may do a turnaround and cover if you can show proof that the trailer was in fact a return for new 2023. Other than that it's time to tear it apart and put some extra bracing in it. I'm guessing it the wall portion above the slide out?
 
Interesting dialog on the structural warranty. Roof, wheel bearing, applicance....maintenance is all pretty standard for an RV and needed. But there really is no maintenance on an RV wall. So I think the voiding of the structural warranty is just a dodge on the part of GD. That said, I get it's buyer beware when purchasing a used RV. But I certainly would not purchase a used RV from GD ever again and would advise others the same.
Let me know if you have any advice on escalating this with GD. I plan to keep pursuing this.
Also I've attached a solution another GD owner came up with.

Too late. We bought a used Grand Design RV, and are very happy with it. :)
 
Interesting dialog on the structural warranty. Roof, wheel bearing, applicance....maintenance is all pretty standard for an RV and needed. But there really is no maintenance on an RV wall. So I think the voiding of the structural warranty is just a dodge on the part of GD. That said, I get it's buyer beware when purchasing a used RV. But I certainly would not purchase a used RV from GD ever again and would advise others the same.
Let me know if you have any advice on escalating this with GD. I plan to keep pursuing this.
Also I've attached a solution another GD owner came up with.
View attachment 47656

It isn’t just GD. My last trailer, a Jayco, has the same terms. Warranty is only for the original purchaser
I would guarantee this is an industry standard
 
**** Update. Just received a call from Grand Design customer service. Jerry saw one of my posts and has approved the fix to our slide wall even though it is out of warranty. We are very happy right now. Thanks to those in the forum who responded with advice. I will post an update once the issue is resolved.

Hopefully, it wont take a post by a dismayed customer on a forum to convince them next time....
 
**** Update. Just received a call from Grand Design customer service. Jerry saw one of my posts and has approved the fix to our slide wall even though it is out of warranty. We are very happy right now. Thanks to those in the forum who responded with advice. I will post an update once the issue is resolved.

That's great news. I've had pretty good luck working with GD customer service. Some patience and perseverance may be required, the support staff answering calls and emails have a set process to go through. In a more specialized situation such as your slide, it may help to get a higher-up involved.
 
Talking to the GD SRT Techs this was a problem limited to specific units that used a different Schwintek rail and was for a specific period of production. GD should be able to tell you if a unit falls in this range. If you do a google search for Schwintech it shows pictures of the rails that cause the problem
 
We do have the inverted gear rack issue (TSB 146-001-2022) and plan to have that fixed while dealing with the slide wall bulging issue. I don't believe the two issues are related but could be wrong.
 
We had purchased the extended warranty with our 2022 GD 260RD and are experiencing Slide out issues as well. It only slides in a couple of inches before one sides motor quits. Stuck in the open position. Have a repair person on the way since we have the extended warranty so will have to see what they say they can do.
 

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