Side wall structure failure 2016 Reflection 303RLS

[Dorwinion]

I searched the Grand Design Owner’s Forum and did not find anyone reporting this issue.

During our last trip which was only 245 miles. I noticed a budge in the side wall between the closet slide-out and the fifth-wheel overhang. After a $200 evaluation at a RV collision shop, it was determined the side wall internal structure weld failed and the side wall was collapsing. The repair cost came close to $7,000, for the teardown, welding and reassembly and painting of the exterior wall that was required. The shop was already repairing a 2021 Grand Design trailer for the same repair. Being that our trailer is 8 years old, Grand Design will do nothing to help us with the repair. Apparently we have entered the “End-of-Life” on our trailer.

We have had numerous issues including but not inclusive to broken suspension springs, flattened suspension springs, a broken spring hanger, factory grease migrated into the brakes, leaking roof, slide out motor failure, deformed refrigerator door preventing an adequate seal, collapsed shelving, furnace PCB failed due to inadequate assembly, hot water heater failure and several electrical components failed. All these issues happened within the first three years of ownership. Grand Design paid to fix these issues, but Grand Design does not have any of these repairs documented for our trailer.

We thought the “Bugs” were finally worked out and fixed, but now the side wall internal structure weld failed. If another major issue occurs, then the decision to get rid of our Reflection trailer will be made.

 

[WhittleBurner]

This is a first we have heard of a failure of this type here that I can recall. That's heartbreaking and a very tough pill to swallow. Many issue are component issues but the electric wiring is all on GD. Hard to imagine they have not documented warranty repairs over the years. We have a '14 and it's going thru some component aging issues but nothing like that . I won't hold my breath on them helping for a trailer yours or ours age.

We debated on the age and replacement but came to the conclusion that with the cost of new trailers the money to keep it up is better spent. Will be looking into a new roof very soon.
I hope you get up and running soon.