Thanks for help --- we've bought the Truck and a new Reflection 303!

[mageorge]

Well after kind answers to my previous posts, my wife and I are now owners of a new Reflection 303 RLS. We bought the 5th wheel last week from Coachlight RV and are having them add Black Slide Toppers and Fantastic Fans before we pick it up the first week of June. In the meantime, we purchased a new Ram 2500 diesel and are having a B&W turnover ball and Companion hitch also that first week of June. So, we will be ready to go!

My current questions - via my wife are - what in world kind of sheets do you use for the fold out couch? And what brand or type of Shelf Liner is recommended? Any other suggestions for us newbies? Thanks again for your help! Mike and Deb.

 

[TucsonJim]

I can't answer the question about the shelf liner. But we use just regular queen sized sheets on the guest bed. Congrats on you new purchase!

 

[Steve and Cill]

Congratulations on your new Reflection Mike and Deb.

 

[Renee]

That's great news Mike and Deb! Congratulations on the purchase of your new 303

It looks like your Reflection and my Solitude have the same couch and in my 305RE, we use the fitted sheets that have elastic all around the edge...it hugs the couch/bed better and stays on.
As for shelf liner, I think anything would probably work. I use the beaded grip kind. To make it stay in better I used my small hardware type stapler and secured the liner onto the shelves. I'm not for certain that our cabinets are the same, so if you do decide to staple, then I would test an area to make sure the stapes don't go through the cabinets

 

[2hams]

Congratulations on the new 303. We love ours.

I used the beaded grip shelf liner. I found the best price at Bed Bath and Beyond with the 20% off coupon. It was also a larger better grip. The 18" by 24" roll fit the pantry without trimming any for width. I used cheapie Dollar Tree liner for other cupboards. We also use a couple of refrigerator bars to hold taller items to the back of the pantry shelves when traveling.

Kay

 

[luckeyd1]

Bought shelf liner at WalMart, cut to fit. This stuff sort of sticks to bottom, we did not staple it down. Ditto on the refrigerator bars, bought one bar for each shelf in pantry. Regular queen sheet on fold out couch. You will love the B&W hitch, almost foolproof, nothing is 100% foolproof. I also got the black slide toppers and fantastic fans installed.

 

[mageorge]

Thanks for the help - we are building our list to "things to get" - the refrigerator bars look like a great idea. And we will check out the shelf liners. Mike

 

[mageorge]

Well here we are a full 10 days after our whirlwind trip to get things accomplished with the new truck and the new Reflection. We live 275 miles away from the dealer that we bought our 2014 Reflection 303 RLS from. There is one dealer that is about 60 miles away that didn't have any in inventory when we were looking, and another about 120 miles away that called us when he got one in stock, but when we made the trip to that dealer, there was a hole in the front of the compartment below the king pin. Not a small hole, but what looked like a tailgate went through it...the salesman said they could fix it as good as new, but we passed. We finally found the one we bought in Carthage, Missouri at a dealer that also has a very nice RV park. We were impressed with the dealership, the sales and service people, and the RV park - where they want you to stay for a couple of days while you get familiar with the RV. They gave a great 4 hour orientation, and checked on us everyday - and fixed minor issues we found with the 303.
Now that we have it, there are some things we would change if we ordered it - 1) double pane windows. Our single pane get hot in our neck of the woods. 2) Bigger wheels and tires. Don't know if it's an option, but our 15" ST tires are too small behind our 2014 Ram 2500 Diesel with 20" wheels and tires. We are tilting backwards, and I would think that would put more pressure on the rear axles of the 5th wheel. 3) Sorry Grand Design, but the rockers are comfy, but way too tall for anyone under 5'8" to sit on comfortably. 4) the couch, I can only hope we don't have company that has to sleep on it, it tilts back and --- well it's just not really a bed. 4) the actual bed, we did crash in, but it's one of the first things with are changing, it's like sleeping on the floor. Other than that, we love - love - love our choice of the Reflection 303RLS and the Dealer. Now, if my wife could backup as well as she drives the rig forward, I would be really happy! PS - beware of small matchbox cars - they roll under the slides! Mike

2014 Ram Laramie Crew Cab 2500 Diesel; B&W Turnoverball & Companion Hitch; 2014 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS + a lovely wife!

 

[Renee]

That's great news mageorge!
I think the tires and the bed are the 1st two things most change about the camper!

 

[mageorge]

Any suggestions on beds (queen) or wheels and tires would be helpful --- I also asked our dealer about Grand Design providing a cover for the sink, but he knew nothing about that or acted as if he would check into it for us. Should we contact them directly? Mike

 

[Mr Lucky]

I learned from my first rv. This time I ordered Dual pane windows with my 303. Also having the dealer get me info on a air unit in the bedroom. Like the size that goes in a truck camper. Will keep the bedroom and bathroom nice and cool! He hasn't got back to me yet. Should be hitting the dealer in a few weeks from the factory.

 

[Boomer]

We changed out our bed with a Bed in a box from Costco. It was on sale for $399 and fits perfect. It is made with memory foam and is so comfortable that we are considering one for our home. The down side is that it is heavier and taller than the original. This makes it difficult to use the space below the bed. Due to the 14" thickness it makes the electric outlet by the nightstand useless. We don't use it or the space below the bed so it's not an issue for us.
As far as the tires and wheels, I still have the originals and will keep them until they wear out, then I will change to 15s. I just make sure they are properly inflated and that the trailer is not overloaded. I also only tow between 55 - 60 mph this not only is where I feel it's safe, but it also saves gas. Enjoy your new trailer and safe travels.

 

[Renee]

I think it's a matter of what you prefer.
Some use a 4" memory foam topper and find that that works.
Others, including myself replaced the mattress. We ordered a Dynasty Mattress Cool Breeze 12-Inch GEL from Amazon. We like it.
There's been a few who ordered a Sleep Number bed.
So go with what you would like!

 

[thompsons 369rl]

Like you, Boomer we swapped out our bed with the Costco memory foam mattress also. Since it's a standard king, it's 6 inches wider than the RV mattress so it's a nice tight fit. No more stuff falling down the sides. It is a bit heavier so it does make lifting the bed to access the under bed storage area tougher but I think a different set of heavier weight cylinders will help that cause. It's sooo much more comfortable, I don't even worry about those little things. The Westlake tires haven't given us any problems so far and we're over 6000 miles on them. I have a TPMS and watch the pressures and temps like a hawk as well as keeping speed below 65mph. I'll probably put another 5 or 6000 on them before I worry about replacing with something else (unless there's a problem before that).

 

[Bamaman]

After visiting my friend's mattress store, I saw that beds are going toward memory foam and hybrid coil mattresses topped with memory foam. And they're getting seriously expensive.

I went to bedinabox.com and bought one of their premium memory foam mattresses with the gel topper. Service was great, and it came in a box--easy to setup. Too bad I've never been able to sleep in it at home, as the grandkids have taken it over. We also got a Leggett and Platt adjustable bed with Magic Fingers at the same time.