SAFETY WARNING - 2021 Solitude 380fl

[Ski Pro 3]

Something I didn't see mentioned was that the problem may have been there some time before this trip and got worse, to the point of catastrophic failure at that particular moment.
What if the 7 pin wasn't unplugged on the previous trip? The wires were then damaged and just waiting for the straw that broke the camel's back to occur and this event was it.

The OP needs to review their entire RV experience from the first time they laid hands on their new RV to the time the fire started to get the whole picture on how this might have evolved. Perhaps his story started quite some time prior.

If I understand right, there's a hot lead on a 7-pin that is not fused or has a breaker to protect shorts at the far end. Is that right? A design flaw if so. I imagine that would trigger a recall of some sort if true and is proven in court.

 

[thewad1]

A few weeks ago when getting ready to hitch up, I was pulling the cord out of the pin box (everyone coils up the cord and places it in the pinbox, right?). Apparently I wasn't careful with the plug end and somehow it touched just right on the inside of the pinbox and POP and spark! Scared the heck out of me thinking I fried something. Fortunately all was OK however it was a subtle reminder the plug is always hot when the 12V trailer battery is connected.

Seems if one simply stuffs the cord into the pinbox and the end of the plug touches just right on the metal parts inside, it could make for a bad day.

I'll order one of these unless someone has a better suggestion:
https://www.amazon.com/GR-Innovatio...461&sprefix=7-pin+connector+ca,aps,170&sr=8-7

Thanks for this, I just ordered one!

 

[Canadiansteelman]

Thanks for this, I just ordered one!

Me too! Thanks

 

[bertschb]

Read to the end, surprising finish!

I must have missed something. Is this post related to the original comment about a possible wiring issue at the pinbox????

 

[NB Canada]

I must have missed something. Is this post related to the original comment about a possible wiring issue at the pinbox????

Yeah I am also unsure what that was all about

Need a mod to fix things


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[WhittleBurner]

The 2 off topic posts in question have been moved into a thread of it's own in the Solitude general section

 

[Jamaddog]

Sorry about your situation and glad everyone is safe. Your problems started by accepting the trailer with a 30 minute walk around and orientation. Personally I always schedule my trailer deliveries early in the morning. I show up with a cashiers check in hand and tell them to expect about a 6 hour inspection on my part. I have been known to leave with my check and leave a list of things the dealer needs to fix before I return with the check. If you are not familiar with what to look for, you should of hired an inspector. Maybe this issue would have been found and the whole situation averted.

 

[bshgto]

mUSt bE spECial

Sorry about your situation and glad everyone is safe. Your problems started by accepting the trailer with a 30 minute walk around and orientation. Personally I always schedule my trailer deliveries early in the morning. I show up with a cashiers check in hand and tell them to expect about a 6 hour inspection on my part. I have been known to leave with my check and leave a list of things the dealer needs to fix before I return with the check. If you are not familiar with what to look for, you should of hired an inspector. Maybe this issue would have been found and the whole situation averted.

Not sure any one here has checked this part on a PDI or any of the 100`s electrical connections in a camper. During a PDI if it works you move to the next system. Spotting a potential electric problem would be lucky at best even for an Electrician, you would have to remove panels, boxes, switches, plugs, the electrical panel, check for tightness on all connections, etc. which you AREN`T going to do at dealer inspection, especially if it is working properly. Sorry for this guy but the insurance avenue is going to be the best way to handle this, call the expenses a lose and move on.
It just seems to me when there is a lot of money to lose people always look for how it was somebody elses fault and should pay. If this had happened at the dealer lot you might have a leg to stand on but as soon as you drive off it`s your baby. This could have happened any time in your travels and not know it. If GD feels charitable they might help with a heavily discounted new unit but I wouldn`t hold my breath as they have already spoken. Sorry, I know this kinda ruins the whole camping experience for you and your wife. Good luck.

 

[Mrhavasu]

As someone has already mentioned, be sure you have the right type of insurance. I sell it and your average policy thru progressive
for example would not cover his business use. It also has to be changed for full timers use. Not the best move to post what
he did for all to see. This should just be a simple insurance claim, nothing more.

 

[rootusrootus]

Not sure any one here has checked this part on a PDI or any of the 100`s electrical connections in a camper. During a PDI if it works you move to the next system. Spotting a potential electric problem would be lucky at best even for an Electrician, you would have to remove panels, boxes, switches, plugs, the electrical panel, check for tightness on all connections, etc. which you AREN`T going to do at dealer inspection, especially if it is working properly. Sorry for this guy but the insurance avenue is going to be the best way to handle this, call the expenses a lose and move on.
It just seems to me when there is a lot of money to lose people always look for how it was somebody elses fault and should pay. If this had happened at the dealer lot you might have a leg to stand on but as soon as you drive off it`s your baby. This could have happened any time in your travels and not know it. If GD feels charitable they might help with a heavily discounted new unit but I wouldn`t hold my breath as they have already spoken. Sorry, I know this kinda ruins the whole camping experience for you and your wife. Good luck.

Don't ya know, on the Internet, *everyone* spends a full day inspecting their new RV before handing over the check .

 

[NB Canada]

Don't ya know, on the Internet, *everyone* spends a full day inspecting their new RV before handing over the check .

I spent too long on mine at 15 minutes

Couldn’t hardly wait to get back on the road

I looked over the trailer while the tech installed my hitch


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[NB Canada]

As someone has already mentioned, be sure you have the right type of insurance. I sell it and your average policy thru progressive
for example would not cover his business use. It also has to be changed for full timers use. Not the best move to post what
he did for all to see. This should just be a simple insurance claim, nothing more.

I agree. I think the OP has long moved on anyway
Gone in the wind
Unsure what his point was that he was trying to make but mentioning the “business” side of it just destroyed any standing he had with anyone
I am thinking his insurance already told him this and that is why he came here. Nothing to lose I guess


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[JonSr.]

I just reread the original post again. I noticed that the OP said he emptied two fire extinguishers into the flames. Our 2019 372 came with one very small fire extinguisher. Is Grand Design now installing two fire extinguishers in new units?

 

[Richter]

Mine has four. But I installed three of them. The original was the small one by the door. Totally too small to be even close to practical.

I installed a large one to the base of the bed. Out of sight, but not out of mind. A second one is bolted to the rear wall of the curb-side propane compartment, so it’s never locked and easy to get to from outside the unit. The additional one is a small spray canister that we keep in the front of the pantry so that there is something handy in the case of a grease fire. We don’t cook with grease, inside, so there is little chance of that one ever being needed.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[orbiker]

Is the black wire in question not fused?

I remember a bit of a discussion about the red wire to the trailer brakes not being fused when there was talk about the hydraulic pump 50 a fuse.
KEN