Why we kept our old 303 from what we did for our GD threaad

[Hoopy Frood]

To avoid confusion, Hoppy did not start the thread , it was moved out of what did you do to your GD. Moved to keep that thread on topic seeing as what we did took on a life of it's own

We did an amazing thing for ours yesterday. We went to the Tampa RV supershow , looked at GD and Brinkley and decided we are keeping our ancient 303.

Just curious about the rationale behind your decision? TIA.

 

[ajg617]

We did an amazing thing for ours yesterday. We went to the Tampa RV supershow , looked at GD and Brinkley and decided we are keeping our ancient 303.

Can't leave everyone hanging - what helped you decide other than what you have has worked well for you and is probably paid off? Were there floor plan or technical rationale for the decision? I'm not looking but interested. Maybe a new thread? I'm sure there are others interested and looking.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Just curious about the rationale behind your decision? TIA.

A few things made our decision. #1 is our 303 is paid for and only needs a few minor things, The new trailers have on demand water heater which we do not want. The interior storage even in a 43 footer is less than we have now because of bigger windows, Fireplaces and Televisions. The 12 v fridge isn't high on our list just yet, undecided if we'd like that or not. I can't stand the drop down block your door steps, but they can make one with no steps for us so it's a minor issue.

We looked at the new Influencer and Solitudes and there was not one floor cabinet (including the pantry with fixed shelves which were all smaller than ours with the exception of one floorplan) without fixed shelving or boxes in the way of storing a dog food bin or anything else that would be 20 inches tall.

And the prices have gone crazy. Best deal was the Influence 3305 (a rebadged S Class 3350 because they want the name out there) that was at a show price $ 77,000 with a $101,000 MSRP

 

[Steven@147]

A few things made our decision. #1 is our 303 is paid for and only needs a few minor things, The new trailers have on demand water heater which we do not want. The interior storage even in a 43 footer is less than we have now because of bigger windows, Fireplaces and Televisions. The 12 v fridge isn't high on our list just yet, undecided if we'd like that or not. I can't stand the drop down block your door steps, but they can make one with no steps for us so it's a minor issue.

We looked at the new Influencer and Solitudes and there was not one floor cabinet (including the pantry with fixed shelves which were all smaller than ours with the exception of one floorplan) without fixed shelving or boxes in the way of storing a dog food bin or anything else that would be 20 inches tall.

And the prices have gone crazy. Best deal was the Influence 3305 (a rebadged S Class 3350 because they want the name out there) that was at a show price $ 77,000 with a $101,000 MSRP

We understand Marcy. Is it the Influence 3503? I see where they have glass front doors on the fridge, that would be a show stopper for us. Those glass doors can break and then they say, you have to travel with the fridge empty.

We met a couple with a Reflection that had this very issue, the glass fridge door shattered, then they were told sorry, we wont replace, you have to empty the fridge when you tow, how stupid. It only has one pantry.
Also the bedroom slide contains the bathroom sink, that means they have to have flexible water lines for the sink. They way they install leaky water lines? No thank you.

 

[Steven@147]

A few things made our decision. #1 is our 303 is paid for and only needs a few minor things, The new trailers have on demand water heater which we do not want. The interior storage even in a 43 footer is less than we have now because of bigger windows, Fireplaces and Televisions. The 12 v fridge isn't high on our list just yet, undecided if we'd like that or not. I can't stand the drop down block your door steps, but they can make one with no steps for us so it's a minor issue.

We looked at the new Influencer and Solitudes and there was not one floor cabinet (including the pantry with fixed shelves which were all smaller than ours with the exception of one floorplan) without fixed shelving or boxes in the way of storing a dog food bin or anything else that would be 20 inches tall.

And the prices have gone crazy. Best deal was the Influence 3305 (a rebadged S Class 3350 because they want the name out there) that was at a show price $ 77,000 with a $101,000 MSRP

Hey Marcy, you could always go out to Spacecraft and have a custom RV built like the You Tuber Switch It Up. It's 54 feet, built on a semi trailer frame with 4 sets dual tires on the rear end with air brakes. But then you would have to go buy a Semi tuck to pull it. can you say Peterbuilt, MAC, Volvo !

Yeah Right, We'll go right out and order one !

 

[WhittleBurner]

We understand Marcy. Is it the Influence 3503? I see where they have glass front doors on the fridge, that would be a show stopper for us. Those glass doors can break and then they say, you have to travel with the fridge empty.

We met a couple with a Reflection that had this very issue, the glass fridge door shattered, then they were told sorry, we wont replace, you have to empty the fridge when you tow, how stupid. It only has one pantry.
Also the bedroom slide contains the bathroom sink, that means they have to have flexible water lines for the sink. They way they install leaky water lines? No thank you.

​Yeah 3503..oops! the sink in the slide isn't my favorite feature either. and the fridge is a no thank you too. I need to move all this to a thread of it's own!
OK it is now not off topic LOL

We do want to stay under 38 ft , stay with a rear lounge and it did fit that bill plus nice CCC with a big basement and 8k axles. Just not enouugh there to sway us away...not a fan of one control or any other control...We like light switches and all that simple stuff. Less to go wrong and leveling the old school way is not that difficult.

The Brinkley has some great features as well but they are priced for those features. If we were buying and knew we would be camping another 20 years we would possibly be swayed to them if they ever came up with a floor plan we would want , essentially they are the 2nd coming of GD but a step ahead in creativity for the moment. But why wouldn't they be, it's all GD people that created it.

 

[trailrydr]

I can totally understand why one would keep their 303. Our '19 295RL (also paid for) is the 150 line of the 303 without bedroom slide and we love the layout. Because of that we put on the MorRyde IS and a RV Armor roof. The only issue with the 295 is the proprietary Turning Point pinbox mount IMO - otherwise great!

 

[Captcolour]

I'm at the Tampa show and haven't made it over to see the Brinkley's yet. Spent a lot of time at Grand Design of course. Some of the new floor plans for Solitude are nice. Biggest thing I saw was that the new Solitude 380FL has a 14" longer bedroom slide which translates into 14" more of floor space in front of the bed versus our 2021 380FL. 14" is huge!

 

[WhittleBurner]

I'm at the Tampa show and haven't made it over to see the Brinkley's yet. Spent a lot of time at Grand Design of course. Some of the new floor plans for Solitude are nice. Biggest thing I saw was that the new Solitude 380FL has a 14" longer bedroom slide which translates into 14" more of floor space in front of the bed versus our 2021 380FL. 14" is huge!

Some of the new floor plans were nice but just not for us. The one that had me scratching my head was the 417kb , the walk in pantry seemed like a waste of space with the shorter shelves and cabinet below...maybe a coffee bar with a door ?? Also there is a deep (long maybe 5 ft ) cabinet in the other kitchen corner that is wide open and only one access door, good luck getting to stuff that slides back while driving. It might make a better dog house/bed areaa by removing the door LOL. BUT the bath and a half would be nice.

 

[JKellerJr]

I'm at the Tampa show and haven't made it over to see the Brinkley's yet. Spent a lot of time at Grand Design of course. Some of the new floor plans for Solitude are nice. Biggest thing I saw was that the new Solitude 380FL has a 14" longer bedroom slide which translates into 14" more of floor space in front of the bed versus our 2021 380FL. 14" is huge!

I believe that was one of the 2021 mid year changes. Our 2021 375 has it and our friends 2021 380 has it. It was a very nice surprise when it showed up with the deeper slide vs the ones we looked at prior to ordering

 

[Captcolour]

I believe that was one of the 2021 mid year changes. Our 2021 375 has it and our friends 2021 380 has it. It was a very nice surprise when it showed up with the deeper slide vs the ones we looked at prior to ordering

I was told that it had to do with some square footage restrictions that were lifted, which allowed them to add the extra interior space. Don't know the details.

 

[Jims94vmx]

Anyone see the 370? That looks like the bigger brother to the 310.....I liked the video I saw. Wonder how it looks in person?

 

[Calbar]

I was told that it had to do with some square footage restrictions that were lifted, which allowed them to add the extra interior space. Don't know the details.

How would I know if my 2022 378 MBS has more floor space as well. Just curious about the difference in the slide depth that gets the extra 14" not that I could do anything about it anyway but just nice to know and satisfy my curiousity.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[JFF&KRN]

good morning to all!
changning rigs? not for us, yet. We look, we want, etc. but the reality is: mainly for me I like alll that my 2019 337RLS has and have had it from new, The truck and trailer, paid for and do everything we want. Tralier loaded is about 500lbs less than capacity of 14,000 so within specs for truck and trailer. fold down steps, she likes, i don't. center island she doesn't like, but oh well, sleeping is fine, she likes we have w/d and only spent about $500 for both, about another year or so and they paid for themselves, overall we both are very comfortable with all. all the bells and whistles we need are included and i can always change out things if needed. new brakes last week, and yeah, should have waited until after this trip and did disc, but have been doing well with regular breaks for over twenty years, so it is what it is, on demand water heater and fold down steps major NO for me, again, all paid for and have plenty more years of doing and going and with retirement income(s) we are able to go and do, so will just keep on keeping on.
A great day to all.

 

[robmcqueen]

Does anyone on here have any opinions on Outdoor RV Manufacturing Units ? They seem to be very well built. There floor plan selection is not that great to me. Just curious what others think.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Does anyone on here have any opinions on Outdoor RV Manufacturing Units ? They seem to be very well built. There floor plan selection is not that great to me. Just curious what others think.

I've never heard the of the brand. Not that that means much.

 

[SSROSS]

We looked at the Outdoor RV’s before we purchased the GD that we have. They seemed well built and I know they build their own frames in house. They seem to have heaver suspension parts and shocks, and are designed to travel on back roads a bit. They are heavier than other trailers in their class and I think it is because of the better built frames. We liked the build and extra features but did not like the interior color options they offered. They are owned by the same company that builds the Arctic Fox and Nash RV’s.

 

[traveldawg]

If ORV had had paid as much attention to their decor and color scheme as the build quality and features back when we were shopping we'd have one. Even now their interiors look dated.

 

[robmcqueen]

We looked at the Outdoor RV’s before we purchased the GD that we have. They seemed well built and I know they build their own frames in house. They seem to have heaver suspension parts and shocks, and are designed to travel on back roads a bit. They are heavier than other trailers in their class and I think it is because of the better built frames. We liked the build and extra features but did not like the interior color options they offered. They are owned by the same company that builds the Arctic Fox and Nash RV’s.

I agree with you on the interior, It has that rustic cabin feel. The ones I have seen are built very heavy duty. I think from a construction stand point they are built way better then anything Grand Design makes.

 

[minnow101]

I've read on other RV pages that the selling prices were outta of this world at the show. I guess the RV manufacturers haven't learned their lesson yet. Sales lots clogged with inventory, factories on layoff, interest rates double from just 6 months ago. But lets jump those MSRP's up another $10 grand.