New 353G, Ask Me Anything...

[BlewgrsTrvls]

Hello everyone. We picked up our new 353G this past weekend and have already logged 1700 miles on it. As we were researching for our new rig, we liked the 353G but realized there was very little practical info about it since it was a new layout.

So I thought I would post an Ask Me Anything thread bout the trailer and our experience so far. We have dry camped a few nights and done some full-hookups. We’ll be boondocking in WY later this week.

As background we are a family of four that had been RVing for six years so we feel like we are fairly experienced campers. We generally camp 40-50 night’s a year, this includes at least one summer multi-week trip.

 

[Rye__a]

Did you consider the 351M? If so, what drew you to the 353?

 

[BlewgrsTrvls]

Did you consider the 351M? If so, what drew you to the 353?

We did consider the 351 and until the 353 came around it was the one we had decided on. A couple of things caused us to change our mind.

First our prior TT had an outdoor kitchen, something we wanted in our TH, although the 353 doesn’t have a full outdoor kitchen it did have the outdoor fridge and griddle. Coming with the griddle the TH included an LP quick connect that allows me to use my Camp Chef equipment without lugging extra propane.

Second I wanted to avoid a curbside slide if at all possible. I like to save as much curbside space as when camping at campgrounds to give us more room.

Third, we opted for the couch instead of the dinette with the 353. This allows us, a family of four, when the weather is bad to all sit and play a board game or watch TV. With the couch instead of a dinette we got a folding table we could all sit at.

Now we did lose some things going with the G-Class vs the M-Class but the above outweighed the loss for us.

 

[Rye__a]

Now we did lose some things going with the G-Class vs the M-Class but the above outweighed the loss for us.

Thanks for the great information! What do you feel you lost that the M class offers?

 

[BlewgrsTrvls]

Thanks for the great information! What do you feel you lost that the M class offers?

There are a lot of differences between the M and G-Class. It really comes down to personal preference. None of the differences outweighed the layout for us. The M-Class has larger tanks than the G-Class. The M-Class also has the touch control which could be a plus and a minus. I also believe the M-Class has two fuel cells, one for the generator and one for the toy. M-Class has upgraded appliances like a microwave and convection oven where the G-Class has only a microwave.

Those are a few, there are more.

 

[dionysis]

Are you still liking your 353G after a week boondocking? We are waiting on delivery of ours in July. We had one ready to go but it got sold out from under us @ Cousins RV in CO Springs. They're doing an amazing job making up for it.

Did you get the 3 season doors? If so, do you like them?
What are you hauling? We're planning on just hauling dirt bikes.
Do you have the second bath? You like it? Originally we didn't want the second bath but the rig they stole off the production line to get to us has one so we aren't complaining.

The one thing that I worry about is basement storage and garage storage, it has a little less basement than our XLR 29hfs and our 29hfs had a cabinet with hanger in the garage which worked great for our gear. Did you have any problems with storage?

 

[BlewgrsTrvls]

Still loving our 353. You mentioned storage, we’re coming from a TT so the storage is definitely different. Meaning we had to find new ways to store our stuff. It’ll take us a year to figure out exactly where things should go but I think it’ll be ok. I do plan on ordering cabinets to go in the garage from Grand Design so they match the rest of the rig. We didn’t bring any toys this trip. I maximized the front generator storage space and put all of my trailer stuff (hoses etc) in there. Most everything else was in totes (Legos for leveling, chalks etc). The basement held all my Camp Chef Kitchen ( XL three burner stove, oven and grill box). I had some odds and ins in there as well.

We do have the three season doors. They were awesome. We were backed up to a creek so being able to hang out in the garage in the evening while the mosquitoes were raging was great.

We do not have the second bath. We walked in one that had it and it just felt like it took a lot of space. And it was much smaller than other half-baths in other THs.

 

[dionysis]

Great to hear you are loving it. I am sure I will have similar struggles. Glad to hear the 3 season patio worked well for you. Ours got hijacked on the production line from a dealership in Dallas, is in the last week of build. But because it was originally destined for Dallas it has 3 season doors and 3 AC units. Thankfully we just haul dirt bikes so the rear 1/2 bath it comes with isn’t going to be a huge intrusion. If we had side by sides that would be a different story.

BTW, where did you go up in WY? We are regulars up there in the summer.

 

[Flyman]

New 353G

Had 353G for about two weeks, hit the road two days after delivery.
Overall we are VERY HAPPY with 353G, my wife really likes it and we traded in 337 Reflection.These are things I have observed,like, dislikes...
My major dislike is 48 gal grey water tank...not enough capacity for 117 gal fresh water..my 337 had two 48 gal grey tanks which could equalize if needed.
We did not get half bath so, to my knowledge the rear black tank is hooked to nothing? Is it sealed? If so should be able to pump grey water in it for more capacity when needed. Do you have any info on that?
I got the SOLAR option so as to get inverter which will operate refrigerator on AC power while towing plus various other AC outlets. LIKE IT.
My big complaint is with Grand Design...they provided NO information on solar system or operation and I called GD customer service who promised to Email me information..nothing! So if you are reading this GD customer service, you need to get your act together!
We also got all recliner chairs no dinette...purchased small computer tables from Walmart serves great as all round individual table and folds up for storage when traveling.
The garage is great..my son is using it as private bedroom.
AND. I am towing with RAM 3500 Short bed with Reese Goose box and have more cab clearance than my old 337! However the hitch frame is closer to bed cover so the bed cover may need to go or modified.
Any information on issues would be greatly appreciated...

 

[dionysis]

Had 353G for about two weeks, hit the road two days after delivery.
Overall we are VERY HAPPY with 353G, my wife really likes it and we traded in 337 Reflection.These are things I have observed,like, dislikes...
My major dislike is 48 gal grey water tank...not enough capacity for 117 gal fresh water..my 337 had two 48 gal grey tanks which could equalize if needed.
We did not get half bath so, to my knowledge the rear black tank is hooked to nothing? Is it sealed? If so should be able to pump grey water in it for more capacity when needed. Do you have any info on that?
I got the SOLAR option so as to get inverter which will operate refrigerator on AC power while towing plus various other AC outlets. LIKE IT.
My big complaint is with Grand Design...they provided NO information on solar system or operation and I called GD customer service who promised to Email me information..nothing! So if you are reading this GD customer service, you need to get your act together!
We also got all recliner chairs no dinette...purchased small computer tables from Walmart serves great as all round individual table and folds up for storage when traveling.
The garage is great..my son is using it as private bedroom.
AND. I am towing with RAM 3500 Short bed with Reese Goose box and have more cab clearance than my old 337! However the hitch frame is closer to bed cover so the bed cover may need to go or modified.
Any information on issues would be greatly appreciated...

I thought the 353G has two grey tanks, one for the bathroom and one for the kitchen totaling 104 gallons. Don't know if they can equalize. Overall, how well is the solar working for you? We ordered it on ours as well. I just didn't want to deal with installing it all myself.

Also, what year is your RAM 3500? Buddy of mine has a 2007 with a shorbox and he is wondering if he will have enough clearance with a goosebox.

 

[Flyman]

Gray Tank..
GD advertising say 78 gal gray capacity. I talked to my dealer and we think two tanks installed. One tank for main bath and kitchen and another tank for aft bath(not installed and washer prep) but there is only one gray dump valve. If anyone knows the answer please let me know.
Solar Option..
My main reason for solar was to get inverter so as to have AC Power to some outlets which includes refrigerator. So I can run refrigerator on AC while towing not propane. That may just be a side benefit but important to me ..as for using the solar I really haven’t used it yet since been on full hookup. BUT the solar Remote monitor is installed inside the the cabinet above kitchen sink!!!! That is about as remote as you can get!
And Grand Design provided NO information on the solar setup upon delivery. I have called GD customer service and get no service! I have gone to Jaboni website and downloaded some info but I need more help. Just sent Jaboni an email..maybe they can help.
So I like the solar package and it seems to work( with my limited experience and knowledge) but I’m having trouble monitoring it from kitchen cabinet!
I have a 2018 Ram. My experience with Goose box and short bed truck is I can’t turn as short as with slider, but I have not had problem yet. The cab clearance depends on trailer design. I have more cab clearance on Momentum than on the Reflection. I cannot make get to 90 degree turn because of bed - hitch clearance but that is same for all trucks ,shortbed,longbed etc.
We like the Momentum but NOT GRAND DESIGN CUSTOMER SERVICE. I’m not talking about the folks who answer the phone..they do their best to help. I’m talking to the person in the main office with Custom Service painted on the door and printed on the stationary. Get out of the office an find out what the customer needs!!!!

 

[bspracķlin]

Does 353g have one 78g grey tank & what is the reason it has less basement storage then most momentum

 

[Flyman]

The cargo door is 20 1/2” wide and inside measurementS are 23 1/2 “ wide by 40” on one side and 43” on other side. Height is 23” .It is not pass through. Hope that helps.
We purchased some containers from Walmart 20” wide to put sewer, electric, Chocks etc. Also got some containers to strap in garage. Worked OK.It will take awhile to get it right.
I stated in last post the 78 gal gray water may by two tanks but since there is only one dump valve and one button to check how full it makes me think only one tank.
My Reflection had two buttons Gray 1&2. Makes me think only one gray tank...I will find out from GD later this week. Anybody with better info please respond!

 

[bspracķlin]

It does have rear wash room with it's own Black Tank & Dump Valve appreciate any information of Grey Tank Capacity
Tks

 

[DarylB]

Does 353g have one 78g grey tank & what is the reason

If it's anything like my 381... Grand Design shows 78 gal grey and 78 gal black, but the 3 waste tanks are all 52 gal (52x3/2=78)

The main bath has a 52 gal black and a 52 gal grey (kitchen sink goes into the main grey tank)
The rear half bath and WD prep share one 52 gal waste tank (black and grey into same tank).
The way they come up with 78 gal is by dividing the rear 52 gal (half black/half grey tank, 26 gal each), then add the 26 to each of the front 52 gal tanks

 

[Flyman]

I do not have half bath so aft black tank is not being used. Thinking of ways to use aft black for extra gray tank when needed?

 

[DarylB]

I do not have half bath so aft black tank is not being used. Thinking of ways to use aft black for extra gray tank when needed?

We have yet to use the 1/2 bath and don't have a WD, so our rear waste tank is also unused. I kinda wish there was some way to plumb the kitchen sink drain into the rear waste tank

 

[dionysis]

I'm picking mine up on Tuesday but the paperwork says I have 104 Gal of Grey. Hoping that is split between the front bathroom and the kitchen and not the front and the rear. I did see that a lot of people are equalizing their grey tanks with one of these to make it so they end up with more grey.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BGHYJS/?coliid=I16TBTYQTPJ4V4&colid=1QJ8ZANVWZN84&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[bspracķlin]

Can any of the 353G momentum owners in the US call Grand Design & see if they can get the Correct answer I don't have a US phone package

 

[huntindog]

I do not have half bath so aft black tank is not being used. Thinking of ways to use aft black for extra gray tank when needed?

Are you sure you have one?