Grand Design dealer doesn't want Grand Design trade-in

kb0zke

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Backstory: This Grand Design Reflection 315 RLTS was purchased knowing it would be an interim trailer. The goal is an Airstream. There is an Airstream that meets almost all of our criteria at Bill Thomas in Wentzville, which is about an hour away from where we are camp hosts. Bill Thomas is both an Airstream and Grand Design dealer, so we thought that this would be an easy trade. Not so.

They offered us a very low trade-in price and a very high asking price for their Airstream. That's typical, and I don't have a real problem with that. I expected that we would negotiate and come up with a deal. They seemed to be very concerned about the fact that I have more than just a little bit of solar on the trailer. If I had everything factory standard perhaps they might have been more interested, but today they called and said they were not at all interested in trading for our trailer. If I wanted to sell it privately they would be glad to talk to us about the Airstream.

If I wanted to do that I'd be looking at buying privately, too.

Is this a typical dealer attitude now? I've talked to dealers who will only have one brand on their lot, and make no bones about telling customers that have other brands for trades that they will get wholesale bids for the SOB and the highest bid is the trade-in price. I have no problem with that. I'm just surprised that a GD dealer wouldn't take a GD trailer in as a trade.
 
I am familiar with that dealer... because thats where we purchased ours. IMO, our experience with them overall (purchase, warranty and maintainance) has been very good to the point that I recommended them to several others over the past years since our purchase. However never traded with them on a newer unit.

As far as trade-ins are concerned, not sure about RV dealers, but have experienced auto dealers that arent interested in "modified" newer vehicles. Mainly due to being no longer of OEM condition. My guess is they dont want to assume the risk of any issues beyond the base factory trim. If this is the case with them, I can certainly understand their position giving that they probably want to offer some assurance to a future customer.

Plus, in the auto industry I know they do place used vehicles of various condition at auction... not sure how that works in the RV industry. So maybe there may not be a viable secondary market (or one they want to work in) for personal customized RVs.
 
Yep modified is kiss of death with a trade in I have found, but it does depend on the dealer (some may care but rarely give more money). I keep all my mods reversible or at least easily repairable. They never offer anything extra for “what mods you have done”. Better to strip most of that off and use it or sell it.

Almost all my trade ins have been going market price and they never even look at the unit until I pickup the new one. By that time the paperwork is long done signed etc.
 
Probably 2 things against you...

They know the actual cost of a new Reflection 315, and what was done to yours to make it what you wanted doesn't translate to an easy sale or what the next person wants.

We always ask the question "does your trade have the original furniture or has it had any extreme modifications"? You would be surprised by the amount of people that may take out the bunk beds in their bunk model and make it something that the next person has no interest in.

Really, no other reason why a dealer won't take a trade.
 
Probably 2 things against you...

They know the actual cost of a new Reflection 315, and what was done to yours to make it what you wanted doesn't translate to an easy sale or what the next person wants.

We always ask the question "does your trade have the original furniture or has it had any extreme modifications"? You would be surprised by the amount of people that may take out the bunk beds in their bunk model and make it something that the next person has no interest in.

Really, no other reason why a dealer won't take a trade.
Curious.... are there any aftermarket upgrades that one can do to a trailer that dealers would be willing to over-look when excepting a RV for trade (i.e. MORryde IS, RV Armour/FlexArmor, etc)?

If so, does it possibly increase a dealers trade value?
 
Curious.... are there any aftermarket upgrades that one can do to a trailer that dealers would be willing to over-look when excepting a RV for trade (i.e. MORryde IS, RV Armour/FlexArmor, etc)?

If so, does it possibly increase a dealers trade value?
Sure, mechanical upgrades like running gear, higher grade tires, etc can increase value. Personal changes don't do much for anyone but the person that did them.

Probably the worst thing you can do is the current trend of "upgrading" the decor. (painting over existing walls and cabinetry).

Half the JD Power trade value immediately...
 
They don’t want to trade because of the issues they are having with frames breaking and they won’t be able to resell them. It has nothing to do with solar or any other modifications. The dealers are told to not disclose the problems and their lack of responsibility they are taking.
 
Curious.... are there any aftermarket upgrades that one can do to a trailer that dealers would be willing to over-look when excepting a RV for trade (i.e. MORryde IS, RV Armour/FlexArmor, etc)?

If so, does it possibly increase a dealers trade value?
@huntr70 Thanks for the insight Steve. The only mods I've made are two Battleborns with PD lithium charge controller (I have the original WFCO), Goosebox (I have the original MORryde pin box) and Coleman soft starts - everything else is stock. Been on the fence on IS but am leaning that way.
 
It has nothing to do with being a “GD” trailer in your own words
If I understand you correctly it is because of all the solar you have on it

I don’t blame them either. I personally wouldn’t want solar on my rig and especially wouldn’t want to pay more for it
 
They don’t want to trade because of the issues they are having with frames breaking and they won’t be able to resell them. It has nothing to do with solar or any other modifications. The dealers are told to not disclose the problems and their lack of responsibility they are taking.
Um..ya... sure.
Why didn't you tell us this Steve...you under a gag order?
:unsure: ;)
 
To the OP, along with Steve's comment, I suspect they don't want ANYTHING to do with troubleshooting the solar system if it faults shortly after someone buys it. The 'techs' are accustomed to working on the factory stuff. When troubleshooting custom installs the service manager has no idea what kind of jackpot they might be getting into.
 
Go onto Grand Design Major Issues Group. Sit down for what you will find out.
Is that a Facebook group? Lots and lots of misinformation and outright BS on some Facebook groups. My reaction with Facebook groups is to take everything with 15 lbs. of salt.
 
Is that a Facebook group? Lots and lots of misinformation and outright BS on some Facebook groups. My reaction with Facebook groups is to take everything with 15 lbs. of salt.
It’s run by GD rv people. My 2021 Imagine has a bent frame, pulled less than 2000 miles. It waiting at the dealer for Lippert to repair it. I hope they don’t use your 15#’s of salt. Maybe you should read it before blasting it. Do you work for GD?
 
It’s run by GD rv people. My 2021 Imagine has a bent frame, pulled less than 2000 miles. It waiting at the dealer for Lippert to repair it. I hope they don’t use your 15#’s of salt. Maybe you should read it before blasting it. Do you work for GD?
Nope, just my overall experiences with Facebook groups.

Who are "GD rv people"? Just people who own Grand Design RV's?
 
Nope, just my overall experiences with Facebook groups.

Who are "GD rv people"? Just people who own Grand Design RV's?
Yes. Just do a search on web for Solitude or Momentum frame issues. That is the major issues . That’s how I found it. I love my Imagine TT, when I saw my frame bending I searched if it was a known issue. It’s not only GD, but anything made with Lippert frames, which is most all RV’s. Did you know GD upped the chassis warranty from 3 to 5 years? My trailer was past the original warranty, but covered with the extension.
 
They don’t want to trade because of the issues they are having with frames breaking and they won’t be able to resell them. It has nothing to do with solar or any other modifications. The dealers are told to not disclose the problems and their lack of responsibility they are taking.
Frame issues are on the 5th wheels. The OP has a TT
 
Yes, I have a TT. I’ll post a pic here if I can. I told my salesman about the bent frame, he asked if I had found any cracks or broken welds. How would he have know to ask me that if it wasn’t any sort of a concern? GD opened up a warranty claim, had me take the rig to the dealer. The Service Manager told me so far the issues were just on the Momentum and Solitude 5th wheels. After seeing some pics of their issues, I feel fortunate. My pic is of the crossbar at the front of trailer, also I found that the A frame from the hitch back is twisted. So far Lippert has had the dealer do some measurements, then they requested more after the first sequence. I’m in Limbo as to what will happen next, I was told by dealer Lippert will send a tech, welder to Arizona to make repairs.
 

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Go onto Grand Design Major Issues Group. Sit down for what you will find out.
Oh, I know what is out there. Trailer frames have been the same for over 25 years. For sure there are big issues with some trailers...but all makes. Nothing specific to GD that doesn't apply to all the other mass produced trailers. I remember a similar type of group for the Titanium brand I had back in the early 2000's. Pin box deflection was common. Take a look at Montanas, Open Road, etc..they all have frame flex issues.
Not trying to minimize your plight. A frame problem is very annoying. Hopefully they fix it for you to your satisfaction.
However, I am minimizing your comment about dealers being told to keep their mouth shut and they are not going good for fixing genuine warranty problems. I expect that is very dealer specific and not a corporate gag order.
 
I own a travel trailer (2019 GD Imagine) that at 45k miles the A-Frame folded like a "Hot Turkey Sandwich) during Jun-2024. With roadside emergency repairs we limped 2K miles home to dicker with the insurance company. They decided to repair and issued a check to me for repairs. Part of the repair was A-Frame replacement and I have found that the A-Frame has to be manufactured to VIN specs and I am still waiting for tracking/delivery. (as of 25-Oct-2024).
TT and/or Bumper Pulls also have "frame issues" and they really are NOT rare!
 

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