MrGriz
Member
Hello from SE Wisconsin. My wife and I are recent empty nesters and are looking to buy our first 5th wheel. We stated tent camping, what seems like a million years ago, moved to a pop-up and most recently owned a 2013 Sunnybrook Sunset Creek Sport 271BH. We really liked that trailer, but it was totaled in a hail storm last year. Timing wasn't all bad, as we were actually talking about getting a different layout, since we no longer needed the bunks.
A bunch of research, looking at different floorplans and manufacturers has led us to The Grand Design Reflection, and more specifically the 29RL has become the front runner. We like the layout and decor, the overall length and weight are right in our wheelhouse and it seems to have a lot of very nice features as standard equipment. I've also read a lot of positive comments about Grand Design's quality. We're not looking at new and have narrowed our search pretty much to between 2016 and 2020 model years. We'll be pulling it with a 2016 Ford F-350, crew cab, short box, 6.2L gas V-8.
I'm looking forward to any suggestions regarding this model, or others that are similar and would be worth looking at. One question is regarding the model years we've narrowed it down to. I know Winnebago bought Grand Design in 2016 and I'm wondering if the build quality of the units changed at all with the buyout. Should we be looking for something built in 2015 or prior? I do want to avoid a unit built during COVID, which is why we set 2020 as our upper limit (our budget rules out anything post COVID). I also know that with a used RV, the way previous owners treated and maintained the unit has as much or more to do with what our experience will be than initial build quality, but it does help to start with a solid foundation. I've already done a ton of reading on past threads, but feel like you can never do too much homework.
Thanks!
A bunch of research, looking at different floorplans and manufacturers has led us to The Grand Design Reflection, and more specifically the 29RL has become the front runner. We like the layout and decor, the overall length and weight are right in our wheelhouse and it seems to have a lot of very nice features as standard equipment. I've also read a lot of positive comments about Grand Design's quality. We're not looking at new and have narrowed our search pretty much to between 2016 and 2020 model years. We'll be pulling it with a 2016 Ford F-350, crew cab, short box, 6.2L gas V-8.
I'm looking forward to any suggestions regarding this model, or others that are similar and would be worth looking at. One question is regarding the model years we've narrowed it down to. I know Winnebago bought Grand Design in 2016 and I'm wondering if the build quality of the units changed at all with the buyout. Should we be looking for something built in 2015 or prior? I do want to avoid a unit built during COVID, which is why we set 2020 as our upper limit (our budget rules out anything post COVID). I also know that with a used RV, the way previous owners treated and maintained the unit has as much or more to do with what our experience will be than initial build quality, but it does help to start with a solid foundation. I've already done a ton of reading on past threads, but feel like you can never do too much homework.
Thanks!