GD not allowing replacement of items that were not factory installed?

[CX500T]

Is it a Grand Design policy that you can't order a replacement part that your camper didn't leave the factory with?

Have damaged 3 season doors. They are the old style where the "closed" function is clear PVC that velcros over the screen.

I would like to replace the damaged door and the other ones with the new style that has the clear acrylic "glass" that slides up and down.

From every measurement I've made, they are a bolt in replacement. The existing header and side mounts work.

Lippert won't sell to the public. GD dealers won't sell me something that wasn't OEM install.

Any ideas?

Is there something I missed that makes them not a bolt in or minor mod that I wouldn't see until I tried to install them?



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[SolarPoweredRV]

Is it a Grand Design policy that you can't order a replacement part that your camper didn't leave the factory with?

Have damaged 3 season doors. They are the old style where the "closed" function is clear PVC that velcros over the screen.

I would like to replace the damaged door and the other ones with the new style that has the clear acrylic "glass" that slides up and down.

From every measurement I've made, they are a bolt in replacement. The existing header and side mounts work.

Lippert won't sell to the public. GD dealers won't sell me something that wasn't OEM install.

Any ideas?

Is there something I missed that makes them not a bolt in or minor mod that I wouldn't see until I tried to install them?



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Have you tried just a straight internet search?

There are a few RV dealers that have a strong Internet presence and they might be able to sell you the doors you desire.

Also, have you tried Grand Design direct? I understand they are expanding their part sales directly to owners now.

 

[CX500T]

I tried a search and came up with a couple dealers. Both wanted my vin and said that they can sell me the one it left the factory with. Have not tried GD direct yet.

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[FT4NOW]

I tried a search and came up with a couple dealers. Both wanted my vin and said that they can sell me the one it left the factory with. Have not tried GD direct yet.

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If no luck with GD, find someone you know that has the doors and provide their VIN to a dealer to order the part....may or may not work. I've heard Pharr RV our of Texas is good for ordering parts, might try them as well.

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[Brother_Bluto]

Are you trying to order it through a GD dealer parts department? Or direct with GD (I can understand if GD won't sell it direct)?

 

[scoganz]

Changing Lanes on YouTube took their Momentum to GD and had the doors replaced like you want. We would like to do the same - NOW, If GD only did it because of "Changing Lanes" huge YouTube presence I can't say.

 

[geotex1]

If you followed Changing Lanes saga, you'd know it is not necessarily a bolt-on modification. Even for coaches built consecutively on the line. Their mod had Lippert and GD involved with lots of measurements and was done out in Indiana where things could be worked through. I have no doubt dealers are not working with you because they want no headache from you should it turn out not to be bolt-on. I am also too versed in dealer parts departments getting involved with anything that requires special shipping after warranty, especially through COVID-19. VERY commonly becomes a money-losing proposition for them when poorly packaged, awkward goods are damaged in transit. Non-warranty parts ordered are their headache if damaged, and you haven't lived till you experience how unbelievably effective freight carriers are in taking zero responsibility!

I also believe GD and Lippert decided there were too many potential gotchas to make this a broadly available mod. Changing Lanes mod was a test bed, not a favor. Reach out to Tara and Chad - great folks, and maybe they can share what they know.

 

[CX500T]

I did reach out to Changing Lanes via commentary on FB.

Don't have another direct reach for them.

I may end up making my own doors, and incorporate dog door and some other things in the design. I'll have to measure when we're camping this weekend,

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[geotex1]

I did reach out to Changing Lanes via commentary on FB.

Don't have another direct reach for them.

I may end up making my own doors, and incorporate dog door and some other things in the design. I'll have to measure when we're camping this weekend,

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They have been bombarded with their channel takeoff. I cannot freely share their contact details, but would encourage you to try their web page contact form. They really do try to respond to their followers, but undoubtedly it's not easy as they're making a business out of their RV lifestyle and Chad still has his remote work.

 

[scoganz]

I thought Chad lost his job but they had some deal with HGTV for some new show or something. I did inquire about Chad's inverter replacement and ask if he'd do it again and he did give me an honest response. Be patient, Chad seems like an good honest person but probably overwhelmed due to his knowledge and experience. I do wish that if GD/Lippert did something for them that they aren't willing to do for the masses they'd just not talk about. I don't really want to hear about an improvement I can't have.

 

[CX500T]

We're currently waiting on a replacement section for our Gen 1 door, I think I may be able to fab up something that works with the Gen 1 frame and works like a Gen 2.

Is there anything people liked better about the Gen 1 vs the Gen 2, and is there anything you don't like about the Gen 2?

Probably going to TIG weld up a frame, add the sliding window tracks and cut Lexan or similar for doggo resistance. Will likely build a doggy door into one of the sections as well to let the Foul Beasts out onto the Patio.

Maybe this is my excuse to finally buy a lightweight inverter TIG welder. Being that my behemoth TIG 300/300 is a bit hard to power in an RV park (takes 125A, weighs 800 pounds). I already weld up a ton of square tube aluminum for Christmas light displays.

 

[sande005]

Is it a Grand Design policy that you can't order a replacement part that your camper didn't leave the factory with?

Have damaged 3 season doors. They are the old style where the "closed" function is clear PVC that velcros over the screen.

I would like to replace the damaged door and the other ones with the new style that has the clear acrylic "glass" that slides up and down.

From every measurement I've made, they are a bolt in replacement. The existing header and side mounts work.

Lippert won't sell to the public. GD dealers won't sell me something that wasn't OEM install.

Any ideas?

Is there something I missed that makes them not a bolt in or minor mod that I wouldn't see until I tried to install them?



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Umm - have you actually talked to someone in Grand Designs parts department? They may sell to you direct, at your own risk, or they may give you all the original part numbers so you can have a non-GD supplier get them for you from Lippert, etc.

 

[CX500T]

Umm - have you actually talked to someone in Grand Designs parts department? They may sell to you direct, at your own risk, or they may give you all the original part numbers so you can have a non-GD supplier get them for you from Lippert, etc.

Yes. Parts will only tell me part number for my trailer, as delivered. They will not sell the doors, old or new direct to you. They told me to call Lippert. Lippert tells me to call GD.

I told them I know it CAN be done, I've seen video showing as such.

"Sir, if you want them, you can order a new 2022"

Seriously?

 

[offtohavasu]

We're currently waiting on a replacement section for our Gen 1 door, I think I may be able to fab up something that works with the Gen 1 frame and works like a Gen 2.

Is there anything people liked better about the Gen 1 vs the Gen 2, and is there anything you don't like about the Gen 2?

Probably going to TIG weld up a frame, add the sliding window tracks and cut Lexan or similar for doggo resistance. Will likely build a doggy door into one of the sections as well to let the Foul Beasts out onto the Patio.

Maybe this is my excuse to finally buy a lightweight inverter TIG welder. Being that my behemoth TIG 300/300 is a bit hard to power in an RV park (takes 125A, weighs 800 pounds). I already weld up a ton of square tube aluminum for Christmas light displays.

View attachment 36680

View attachment 36681

I'm not 100% sure what's new to gen 2 other than the glass, but here's what I like over all:

* The doors sliding to open
* The pull cable that allows the doors to swing out
* Solid pane glass vs. plastic
* The ability to remove the doors if extra garage length is needed.

 

[geotex1]

I thought Chad lost his job but they had some deal with HGTV for some new show or something. I did inquire about Chad's inverter replacement and ask if he'd do it again and he did give me an honest response. Be patient, Chad seems like an good honest person but probably overwhelmed due to his knowledge and experience. I do wish that if GD/Lippert did something for them that they aren't willing to do for the masses they'd just not talk about. I don't really want to hear about an improvement I can't have.

He fired himself? Lol. He's an independent contractor so maybe lost a contract but not really losing a job unless he fired himself.

Betas don't always lead to mainstream even when everyone knows about them and regardless of product or market.

 

[JKellerJr]

From what I understand, to order parts from GD you do need a vin. It doesn't necessarily need to be your vin. A friend of mine ordered a bunch of parts to do mods on his trailer, doors, countertops, a window, etc. He toured the dealer lot and found the parts he needed, noted the vin and ordered everything.

I don't know why they do it that way but he got all the parts he needed.

 

[Rivercityjeff]

Call Bontrager’s RV Surplus. They are the largest RV surplus in Michigan/Indiana. If you ever go to Elkhart/Middlebury, you NEED to stop in to Bontragers. Super helpful and the prices are right! Toll-Free: (866) 483-7017

Or
Factory RV (269) 464-2245
Or
Surplus Online (88 303-8586

 

[Butcher]

What would you rather deal with a client that needs a warranty part that came on his original trailer or deal with someone that want's to pay for an upgrade? Then ask yourself, what would the lemon law or judge say. Sadly, you can stomp up and down all you want, but I would take care of the clients I have under warranty or new trailers that are on the production line.

Sadly, we live in the world of covid and that is where the companies are at. If you have not noticed, it's an issue with EVERYTHING not just the RV business.

 

[CX500T]

I dunno. Ford had zero problem selling me F350 axle spacers to put on a F250.

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[Butcher]

Probably because they can't sell any cars/trucks because of the computer chips and therefore they have other parts that they would love to get rid of.

It's all common sense. You take care of the assembly line first, the warranty clients second, and everyone else is last. Sorry, that is the way it is and will always be. Anyone that has ever run a successful business knows that.