Grand Design Solitude vs. Mobile Suite

[CSuggs63]

Good Morning,

New to this forum and have not had time to read all of it yet. My husband and I own a 2003 Mobile Suite which we absolutely love but husband is wanting to upgrade and get a newer
5th wheel and we have been researching. (Personally, I am good with keeping MS). For various reasons we do not want to get another DRV Mobile Suite due to issues we have had (long story). We saw one of the Grand Design Solitude and wondered about their quality, etc compared to a MS. We know that MS is more of a luxury unit and have priced the New Horizons, etc and that is just way too much money to pay for 5th wheel that we just use about once a month and a two week trip to FL on the beach. If we were full timerss I could see spending that much money on a unit like that. (Guess you figured out we have a little debate going on with spending $$$ vs getting a nice newer unit and not spending as much $$$).

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated and yes, I will be taking the time to read this Forum at some point. We (I) are not in a hurry to do anything but just beginning research and consideration on upgrading.

Thanks.

 

[RamGunner]

We just ordered a Momentum Toy Hauler, the 385TH. When we were looking at the various manufacturers, we spent a lot of time looking at models, and checking out both the manufacturers sites and the many sites with owners forums. For us, the choice came down to Tesla and Grand Design. When we looked at the overall fit and finish, Grand Design was already at the top of the list. In checking the owners forums, you see issues with all of them. What you see with Grand Design is the company stepping up to the plate and making things right if something did go wrong. You don't see that from any of the other manufacturers.

Then I got the chance to speak to a number of their management at an RV show. They honestly care about their product and their customers. It's really refreshing in this industry to see that. You even have them getting on this forum and making sure that issues are taken care of, and they listen to customer feedback about improvements.

I'm writing about our project at http://www.momentumgunner.com/momentum_project.html and I included some details about meeting with Bill, Marc, and Nate. I learned a lot about their philosophy, and it sold us on the company and their product.

 

[mburtsvt]

My wife and I came to some of the same conclusions, but with different results. I know this is a GD board, and it was very helpful in out decision. We were looking at the Solitude 379FL for about a year. We loved the front room aspect of the RV. I’m not going to go into all of the reasons that we did not purchase it. We ended up buying a Bighorn 3750FL instead.

I still see a few 379FL’s at parks and such. After talking with current owners of 379FL’s I’m more convinced I made the right decision. Not that they are having any more concerns or problems than I do - it’s just the feature set is more dynamic for the longer term type of RV’ing we do, (3-5 month in RV parks and such).

Best of luck in your decision.

 

[KZ]

As an owner of a 379FL I can say that I am happy with my decision. I looked at many Front living room designs and always came back to the Solitude. You sound like the type of person to do careful research and planning. I believe that you will be happy with your choice. Enjoy Camping.

 

[LCBoyer]

We have the 379 and like it real well. We had a SOB front lounge before. Solitude is superior in many ways

 

[PolarBear]

We would and will take our GD379FL any day of the week,,7 months now and LOVE it,,,,,,it fills like we have a small home the way it is setup, we looked at some others that felt like,one big room ,,,,,,,

 

[dloase]

We love our 369RL. We looked at several others but kept coming back to the Solitude. If I was starting from scratch, it would be a 375RE instead of the 369, but it would certainly be a GD product. Their customer service has been above and beyond my expectations when I have needed it.

 

[CSuggs63]

Thank you for all of your responses. Yes, I do research and analytics for a living and I tend to do it in every aspect of my life especially when it comes to spending $$$ on a luxury item.

One of the main areas of concern is of course the quality of the product and most definately customer service which is what DRV Mobile Suite is lacking since new management as taken over the past couple of years. I still think DRV is building a quality unit but customer service is definately lacking which is one of many reasons not to purchase another Mobile Suite.

We are even discussing flying down to Tampa, FL Lazy Days and looking at the GD units in mass along with some other brands this Fall.

Keep the comments coming!!!!

Thanks.

 

[roadkingfl]

We bought ours from Lazydays...It is a GD Momentum 350M, and we are very happy with it...The only thing we found on our first outing is the door from the living area to the garage, the door jam doesn't line up...I mean not even close...Something I should have picked up and definitely Lazydays should have picked up, but, neither did.

I will take it back there after our trip to Tennessee for them to fix, along with anything else we might find.

Good luck with your search. We met a couple of folks from GD at the Tampa show, really engaging people.

 

[thompsons 369rl]

Thank you for all of your responses. Yes, I do research and analytics for a living and I tend to do it in every aspect of my life especially when it comes to spending $$$ on a luxury item.

One of the main areas of concern is of course the quality of the product and most definately customer service which is what DRV Mobile Suite is lacking since new management as taken over the past couple of years. I still think DRV is building a quality unit but customer service is definately lacking which is one of many reasons not to purchase another Mobile Suite.

We are even discussing flying down to Tampa, FL Lazy Days and looking at the GD units in mass along with some other brands this Fall.

Keep the comments coming!!!!

Thanks.

As an owner of a Grand Design product for over 2 years, I can say with confidence that you will not find a better company to work with. Their focus on customer service and delivery on their promises is like I've never seen.

I'm not sure where you're from, but if you are willing to fly out of town to see the product, I would suggest going directly to the factory to see where and how these beautiful rigs are built. Meet the owners and the folks responsible for the end to end product. I know they would welcome you and be happy to show you around. I think it would be a very worth while trip.

 

[KZ]

I like Andy's suggestion of a factory visit. That's what I did before I bought mine. If that interests you, the time to go would be during the Annual Rally. We attended the first one and it was a blast. You get to meet with other owners as well as the vendors that GD uses. The factory tour was informative and you really get to see inside of the trailers, during assembly. You do analytics, anyone can show you the outside, the quality is "built in" so I wanted to see the trailer "laid bare". Needless to say I was impressed.

 

[Papa Smurf]

We looked at MS, but purchased the GD for all the reasons you listed. Cost and available time to use were the deciding factors. We are on our first trip with the new unit and are completely in love at the moment. The fit and finish is very good, and the room is wonderful! We are so comfortable, even with 4 other couples for evening visits.

We were leaning towards the Redwood brand when we saw the GD Solitude 369RL. The moment we walked in the door we looked at each other and said "this is it". We walked away. Went home search the web for negatives, and went back and traded.

 

[CSuggs63]

We looked at MS, but purchased the GD for all the reasons you listed. Cost and available time to use were the deciding factors. We are on our first trip with the new unit and are completely in love at the moment. The fit and finish is very good, and the room is wonderful! We are so comfortable, even with 4 other couples for evening visits.

We were leaning towards the Redwood brand when we saw the GD Solitude 369RL. The moment we walked in the door we looked at each other and said "this is it". We walked away. Went home search the web for negatives, and went back and traded.

Good Morning,
We are from Nashville, TN. I see ya'll are from Smyrna, TN.

I guess I do need to look at the dates for the GD rally as that is also a great idea.

Papa Smurf you are so smart for walking away from the Redwood...a couple from our camping club bought a brand new one last July and he has had nothing but problems. WE just got back from a camping trip with them last week and during the camping trip, his grey tank fell out and hit the ground!!! That is just one of many problems he has had with the Redwood. He was warned prior to purchasing the Redwood but he got it anyway since they came off the price so much. His warranty is almost out and the other four couples from our camping club highly recommended he buy the extended warranty for his unit!

 

[concreteman]

I have owned several RV's over the past few years. My last unit was a Cross Roads cruiser patriot edition . I was also leaning towards a Redwood since they are owned by the same company. I dont full time but I stay in my unit 4 or 5 nights a week 48 weeks a year as I work out of town. I can tell you that the fit and finish inside the coach is way above anything I have owned. After a furnace problem at first I have not had any more problems. And the 337 was priced well below any Redwood !