Solitude 310GK-R weight

[ajg617]

For those interested, we looked at a Solitude 310GK-R this past weekend and again today. The unit on the lot included a king bed, slide toppers, residential refrig, and the pull out kitchen as additional options. UVW on the sticker was 13,044 lbs for that unit. 944 lbs over the standard spec of 12,100 lbs.

 

[orbsah]

Which is why our next unit will have the 8K axle upgrade

 

[ajg617]

Which is why our next unit will have the 8K axle upgrade

Well, I had that on my options list but took it off. Couldn't see adding over $5K when I was going to put MorRyde IS on when I can get in. Figured I could last a year (hope it's not more than that).

 

[Second Chance]

Well, I had that on my options list but took it off. Couldn't see adding over $5K when I was going to put MorRyde IS on when I can get in. Figured I could last a year (hope it's not more than that).

Just be aware that taking delivery with the OEM axles, drum brakes and load range G tires will put a 15K GVWR sticker on the trailer. Having the MORryde IS will not change that (though it is a MUCH more capable suspension system).

Rob

 

[ajg617]

Just be aware that taking delivery with the OEM axles, drum brakes and load range G tires will put a 15K GVWR sticker on the trailer. Having the MORryde IS will not change that (though it is a MUCH more capable suspension system).

Rob

The unit we looked at had Cooper H tires but the sticker sure had a GVWR of 15K. The options GD is offering are either the 7K or 8K with disc brakes. I'm assuming that the disc brakes (8K) are not re-usable by MorRyde - at least that's what I thought I heard from Brian last year? I can add the option back on - but do the 8K axles actually increase the GVWR? Guessing the 7k with discs would not.
Thanks,
John

 

[Second Chance]

The unit we looked at had Cooper H tires but the sticker sure had a GVWR of 15K. The options GD is offering are either the 7K or 8K with disc brakes. I'm assuming that the disc brakes (8K) are not re-usable by MorRyde - at least that's what I thought I heard from Brian last year? I can add the option back on - but do the 8K axles actually increase the GVWR? Guessing the 7k with discs would not.
Thanks,
John

Yes. There was a discussion in a thread a while back on this (sorry, don't remember which thread). Optioning the 8K axles, disc brakes and 17.5 LR H tires increases the GVWR on the sticker to either 17 or 18K (I don't remember which figure, either). GD Customer Service could tell you, though.

Rob

 

[ajg617]

Yes. There was a discussion in a thread a while back on this (sorry, don't remember which thread). Optioning the 8K axles, disc brakes and 17.5 LR H tires increases the GVWR on the sticker to either 17 or 18K (I don't remember which figure, either). GD Customer Service could tell you, though.

Rob

Found the thread - 18K. I don't know if we would ever be that heavy being part-time. TV can definitely pull it. I would look at it probably as a semi-permanent alternative to the IS (I really want the disc brakes mostly).

 

[JKellerJr]

I'm assuming that the disc brakes (8K) are not re-usable by MorRyde - at least that's what I thought I heard from Brian last year?

Mor-ryde will transfer over the OEM dexter disc brakes. They just did mine in July.

I can add the option back on - but do the 8K axles actually increase the GVWR
Thanks,
John

The 8k axles took my GVWR from 16,800 to 18,000

 

[cfowler55]

I thought I recalled reading that the frame is the limiting factor on the 310, 10” main frame rail as opposed to the 12” on the larger models. They all spec the 7k axles as standard , but the 310 is only 15k GVWR.
Charlie

 

[orbsah]

Found the thread - 18K

Either I'm misunderstanding or the math doesn't add up. How can you start w/ a 15K GVWR with 7K axles, then upgrade 8K and end up with 18K GWVR? As mentioned above, I thought there were other limiters. And as I vaguely recall from an older discussion, the 8K upgrade for the 310 only nets an additional 1K in GVWR (16K) - don't quote me on that, I could have recalled wrong.

Bottom line: Best to call GD to confirm.

FYI: We have 7K axles, Cooper H tires, factory disc brakes and after ~9K miles towing, zero issues so far!

 

[Second Chance]

Either I'm misunderstanding or the math doesn't add up. How can you start w/ a 15K GVWR with 7K axles, then upgrade 8K and end up with 18K GWVR? As mentioned above, I thought there were other limiters. And as I vaguely recall from an older discussion, the 8K upgrade for the 310 only nets an additional 1K in GVWR (16K) - don't quote me on that, I could have recalled wrong.

Bottom line: Best to call GD to confirm.

FYI: We have 7K axles, Cooper H tires, factory disc brakes and after ~9K miles towing, zero issues so far!

One of the main differences is in the disc brakes - they will stop over twice the weight of the drum brakes in the same distance.

Rob

 

[orbsah]

One of the main differences is in the disc brakes - they will stop over twice the weight of the drum brakes in the same distance.

I agree to the stopping power of the disc brakes, however my GWVR did not increase w/ the factory disc brake option. I'm stickered @15K.

 

[traveldawg]

Well, I had that on my options list but took it off. Couldn't see adding over $5K when I was going to put MorRyde IS on when I can get in. Figured I could last a year (hope it's not more than that).

@ang617
Will u be getting the 8,000 lb IS? I’m scheduled for an IS install and am not sure I need it or that I’ll get the upgrade. Thanks for any insight.

 

[ajg617]

@ang617
Will u be getting the 8,000 lb IS? I’m scheduled for an IS install and am not sure I need it or that I’ll get the upgrade. Thanks for any insight.

When I talked to Brian at MorRyde last year, he said they would highly recommend/would install the 8k IS components on the 310. I don't recall if that was a recommendation or something MorRyde would simply do based upon their assessment. With Brian moving up to an OEM slot, not sure what his replacement will say.

I was surprised with the increase in weight to 13044 with just the few options on the 310 sitting on the dealer lot. I could see the 310s starting to creep up to 15K limit once loaded. That's what got me re-thinking 8K since I'm adding even more option weight.

Short answer, I added the 8K factory discs and axles back in. I'll pull it for a while (MorRyde is booked thru 2022) but at least I'll have the disc brakes and option to use them on IS if I go that route.

 

[orbsah]

I added the 8K factory discs and axles back in. I'll pull it for a while (MorRyde is booked thru 2022) but at least I'll have the disc brakes and option to use them on IS if I go that route.

Good move!

 

[ajg617]

I called Grand Design this morning asking about the GVWR with the 8K axles and got a call back around noon (eastern). The 310 Product Manager was in the office with the gent who returned my call.

Basically, they have been going back and forth (internally) on GVWR markings with the 8K axles trying to keep the 310 at 15k so it is towable by a 2500/250 TV. That said, some placards have read 15K and others 18K. Product Manager said best chance is to specifically write on the order asking for the higher GVWR on the placard with the 8K axles option, otherwise you may just get 15K. While I was listening to GD, the GM at the dealer was on the phone with GD and got exactly the same answer.

The average pin weight of all 310s delivered this year is 2550. I guess I can believe that given most are pretty basic dealer orders. He also agreed that 13044 UVW was high for the unit with the options we saw but sometimes the tanks aren't fully emptied before being scaled???

Anyway, dealer is updating order to request the higher GVWR on the placard. Be interesting to see what comes in and at this point, only a Cat Scale will give the true story. I have no idea if any of the above is accurate - just passing on what I was told.

 

[JKellerJr]

When I talked to Brian at MorRyde last year, he said they would highly recommend/would install the 8k IS components on the 310. I don't recall if that was a recommendation or something MorRyde would simply do based upon their assessment. With Brian moving up to an OEM slot, not sure what his replacement will say.

Walt Mason is his replacement, at least as of a couple of months ago

I was surprised with the increase in weight to 13044 with just the few options on the 310 sitting on the dealer lot. I could see the 310s starting to creep up to 15K limit once loaded. That's what got me re-thinking 8K since I'm adding even more option weight.

Along with the 600lbs+ the IS system adds.

Short answer, I added the 8K factory discs and axles back in. I'll pull it for a while (MorRyde is booked thru 2022) but at least I'll have the disc brakes and option to use them on IS if I go that route.

I think this is the right move especially with how the OEM springs have a tendency to flatten.

I looked at it this way, depending on the current discount and MSRP the math may be different, but when I ordered the 8K/disc option was just over 5K msrp. I got a 30% discount, so the 8K/disc option cost me $3500. At the time, the disc option from Morryde cost about 3k I believe. So I looked at it as getting the sticker cost me about $500 and I was willing to do that even though mechanically there is no difference. A bunch more than that and I would have forgone the OEM option and not worried about the sticker.

 

[traveldawg]

When I talked to Brian at MorRyde last year, he said they would highly recommend/would install the 8k IS components on the 310. I don't recall if that was a recommendation or something MorRyde would simply do based upon their assessment. With Brian moving up to an OEM slot, not sure what his replacement will say.

I was surprised with the increase in weight to 13044 with just the few options on the 310 sitting on the dealer lot. I could see the 310s starting to creep up to 15K limit once loaded. That's what got me re-thinking 8K since I'm adding even more option weight.

Short answer, I added the 8K factory discs and axles back in. I'll pull it for a while (MorRyde is booked thru 2022) but at least I'll have the disc brakes and option to use them on IS if I go that route.

Thanks. I'll see MorRyde in January at Tampa at the RV show and discuss some more. I still have time to decide.

I need to also decide if I am going up to 19.5" wheels and tires. I kind of like that but it is a bit pricy.

 

[traveldawg]

I called Grand Design this morning asking about the GVWR with the 8K axles and got a call back around noon (eastern). The 310 Product Manager was in the office with the gent who returned my call.

Basically, they have been going back and forth (internally) on GVWR markings with the 8K axles trying to keep the 310 at 15k so it is towable by a 2500/250 TV. That said, some placards have read 15K and others 18K. Product Manager said best chance is to specifically write on the order asking for the higher GVWR on the placard with the 8K axles option, otherwise you may just get 15K. While I was listening to GD, the GM at the dealer was on the phone with GD and got exactly the same answer.

The average pin weight of all 310s delivered this year is 2550. I guess I can believe that given most are pretty basic dealer orders. He also agreed that 13044 UVW was high for the unit with the options we saw but sometimes the tanks aren't fully emptied before being scaled???

Anyway, dealer is updating order to request the higher GVWR on the placard. Be interesting to see what comes in and at this point, only a Cat Scale will give the true story. I have no idea if any of the above is accurate - just passing on what I was told.

Just my opinion, but I don't think the 310 with whatever the plate on the rig says - it would be an overload on a 250/2500. I weighed mine - I'm right at my max GCWR on the truck. i just don't see how a 250 can handle that. But heck, GD and dealers are in the business of sales, not safety.

One more note about the 250..... LazyDays in Tampa made me sign some papers that said I was towing with a 350. I suppose they needed to cover themselves for liability. And a friend who had a 250 and had the springs changed ended up going up to the 350 after his first year.

 

[Second Chance]

Thanks. I'll see MorRyde in January at Tampa at the RV show and discuss some more. I still have time to decide.

I need to also decide if I am going up to 19.5" wheels and tires. I kind of like that but it is a bit pricy.

Did you mean 17.5" wheels and tires?

Rob