51 of the
207 complaints filed about the Grand Design Reflection
are about the braking system —
25% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
Trailer is equipped with the Lippert ABS brake system. During final review of issues covered by warranty at the Dealer (General RV in Birch Run MI) the dealer recommended a wheel bearing re grease which I agreed to. During this procedure the left rear brakes were noted as totally worn out and the brake drum had a significant crack due to excessive heat from the dragging brake. This trailer has approx. 8000 mi of towing. As of now root cause has not been determined but if I had not opted for the wheel bearing grease service the problem would not have been discovered. Failure of the cracked drum could have caused wheel lockup and led to a loss of control. There was no indication of a problem when driving
NHTSA complaint #11649902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A thin rubber grommet is used to protect the electric brake wires passing through the axel tube. These grommets wear through during normal towing. This, in turn, causes the wire to short to ground leading to total failure of the trailer brakes. I did not experience an accident but came very close as I was approaching a stopped vehicle and realized I needed MUCH more braking force on my truck brakes to stop my forward movement. All 4 grommets on the 2 axels on my trailer have failed as shown in the attached pictures but only one has resulted in the wire being rubbed through causing the brake failure. A picture of the axel ID is also included. This appears to be a serious design flaw that should be corrected. A quick Internet or YouTube search will show there are many occurences of this!
NHTSA complaint #11613694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We have taken two trips with trailer and (Tow vehicle - 2021 Ram 2500). First trip in April 2021 of about 150 miles round trip no problems were encountered. Second trip in May 2021 with a round trip of 380 miles we had repeated instances of "Check Trailer Brake Wiring" and "trailer disconnected" appear on dash. These warnings would disappear after a few moments. When safe to do so after first instance (and the warning was off) I pulled off the road and checked connection and trailer brakes by engaging the emergency trailer brake switch and trying to pull away. It appeared that the trailer brakes held. This cycle continued for trip to and from RV park. This month, I made an appointment at the RV Dealer, hooked up the trailer, checked operation of turn signals and brake lights and checked that the trailer brakes would engage. They did. When pulling out of storage lot, the warnings appeared, I tried to engage the trailer brake emergency brake while the warning was still on the dash and found No trailer brakes. I proceeded to drive to the RV dealer and the warning disappeared and brakes seemed to function. While I believe the truck brakes will stop the trailer at slow speeds, I am worried about the situation at highway speeds. Trailer is at the dealer waiting in a repair queue. I had telephoned the Grand Design RV customer service line and was told they weren't aware of a problem. However, a friend with the same year and model trailer but a different tow vehicle has encountered the same brake warning issue.
NHTSA complaint #11419813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The electric brakes on our brand new 2021 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS periodically go out. We get a warning through the brake controller that the trailer is disconnected or to "check trailer brake wiring." The warning will go away and the electric brakes will work again, only to have the problem return with the complete loss of trailer brakes. This problem occurred on our very first outing with the new 5th wheel trailer. We have contacted Grand Design customer service through telephone and email, but have received no response. We have scheduled a service appointment to have this issue investigated, but the service department at General RV in Huntley, IL has pushed out our appointment several weeks as they are quite busy. Having no brakes on a 5th wheel trailer that weighs close to 12,000 lbs. loaded is obviously quite concerning to us.
NHTSA complaint #11419770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERMITTENT BRAKES (LOST BRAKES) ON FIFTH WHEEL DUE TO THE USE OF UNDERSIZE WIRE AND OVERUSE OF SCOTCHLOK GUILLOTINE CONNECTORS. EACH BRAKE HAS A MAXIMUM CURRENT DRAW OF 4AMPS. 4X4 = 16 AMP POSSIBLE DRAW ON 14 AWG WIRE AT APPROXIMATELY 60+ FOOT LOOP ROUND TRIP FROM PIN BOX TO BRAKES BACK TO PIN BOX. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE BRAKE WIRING IS SUBSTANDARD IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY. SHOULD BE AT LEAST CONNECTED 10AWG USING CRIMPED BUTT SPLICES AND CIRCLE CONNECTORS. IT WOULD ALSO HELP TO HAVE A GROUND BOND AT THE AXLE TO REDUCE THE LOOP BY 50%. SOMEDAY SOMEONE WILL DIE (PROBABLY HAVE ALREADY) BECAUSE OF CHEAP UNDERSIZED WIRE WITH CHEAP GUILLOTINE CONNECTORS EVERYWHERE. FOR LIGHTS OK FOR BRAKES? NEVER!*DT
NHTSA complaint #11396988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION TRAILER EQUIPPED WITH SELF ADJUSTING BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE VERY HOT AND SMOKING. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BRETZ RV & MARINE (2999 OLD HARDIN RD BILLING, MT 59101) THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. *BF CONSUMER STATED AXLE COMPANY PAID TO FIX TRAILER.
NHTSA complaint #11327697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO SEPARATE ISSUES: 1. LIPPERT WHEEL BEARINGS LEAKED GREASE ALL OVER THE DRUM BRAKES WITH LESS THAN 4000 MILES. LIPPERT REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE YEAR. 2. WITH BRAND NEW BRAKES PROPERLY ADJUSTED, BRAKES ARE STILL VERY WEAK. APPLYING 12 VOLTS FROM BRAKE CONTROLLER RESULTS IN MINIMAL BRAKING. SUSPECT UNDERSIZED FINAL WIRING TO BRAKES (20 GAUGE). BRAKES HAVE BEEN UNDERPERFORMING SINCE DAY 1. *DT*JB*DT
NHTSA complaint #11228422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'VE HAD 2 WHEEL BEARING FAILURES ON THE SAME WHEEL. I'M WONDERING IF THE UNIT IS OVER WEIGHT FOR THESE BEARINGS. GVWR 9995 LB, 2 AXLES RATED 4400 LB EACH, 1536 LB HITCH WEIGHT. UNIT GVWR OF 9995 LB MINUS HITCH WEIGHT OF 1536 LB PUTS 8459 LB ON THE AXLES. TWO 4400 LB AXLES MEANS 8800 LB TOTAL AXLE STRENGTH MINUS 8459 LB TRAILER WEIGHT MEANS AXLES SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT. EXCEPT THAT IT RUNS ON RVD-H 65535 HUBS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT "65535" TRANSLATES TO: 6 BOLT, 5.5 INCHES BETWEEN BOLTS AND THE 35 MEANS 3500 LB BEARINGS. IF THE STRENGTH OF AN AXLE IS LIMITED BY ITS WEAKEST COMPONENT THEN IT SEEMS THAT THE WEIGHT LIMIT OF THE AXLE SHOULD BE 3500 LB INSTEAD OF 4400 LB, AND IF THE WEIGHT LIMIT OF THE AXLES IS ACTUALLY 3500 LB INSTEAD OF 4400 LB THEN THE AXLES WOULD BE OVERLOADED BY 1459 LB, I.E. 8459 LB MINUS 7000 LB = 1459 LB WHEN THE WHEEL BEARING FAILED THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED WITH A 3500 LB. BEARING. AT THAT TIME I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. I AM NOT AN ENGINEER. MAYBE THE COMPONENTS ARE ADEQUATE FOR THE JOB. I KNOW THAT COMPONENTS ARE USUALLY RATED WELL BELOW WHAT THEY CAN TOLERATE BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, IF THE MANUFACTURER IS USING SUB PAR COMPONENTS TO SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THEN MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE "ENCOURAGED" TO SAVE THE MONEY ON LESS STRATEGIC COMPONENTS. THESE BREAKDOWNS HAVE ALREADY COST ME OVER $1500. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT MILE MARKER 400 ON I-25 IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. TRAVELING STRAIGHT, WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON DASH STATING THAT THE TRAILER BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. *DT CONSUMER STATED HE IS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #11190479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPECTED DIMINISHED BRAKING ACTION WHILE TOWING MY 2016 GRAND DESIGN 313 RLTS 37 FOOT RV. WE TOWED FROM THE NORTHEAST TO THE SOUTHWEST THIS LAST SEPTEMBER. ONCE ARRIVING AT OUR DESTINATION AND PLACING THE RV IN STORAGE I BEGAN RESEARCHING THE BRAKE SET UP. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AXLES LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC HAD PUT OUT A NOTICE THAT AFFECTED MY RV. THE NOTICE DESCRIBED AN ANOMALY DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS WHERE TOO MUCH WHEEL BEARING GREASE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE HUB ASSEMBLY. THIS CAUSED THE SEALS TO FAIL ALLOWING THE GREASE TO CONTAMINATE THE CRITICAL BRAKE COMPONENTS. MORE SPECIFICALLY THE BRAKE LININGS, ACTIVATION MAGNETS AND THE CORRESPONDING SURFACES OF THE BRAKE DRUM THE COME IN CONTACT WITH. THIS DIMINISHES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKING ACTION SEVERELY. UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES COULD PROVE DISASTROUS. EVEN FATAL TO NOT ONLY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE TOW VEHICLE BUT ANY OTHER PEOPLE TRAVELING ON THE SAME HIGHWAY WITH THE RV IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. LIPPERT ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM WITH ME AND SENT REPLACEMENT BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLIES AND SEALS FOR ALL (4) WHEELS. NOT INCLUDING THE BRAKE DRUM, OR BEARING ASSEMBLIES. OR LABOR TO INSTALL THE NEW COMPONENTS. THE WHEEL ASSEMBLIES HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE RV SINCE NEW. UNTIL THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW COMPONENTS BEGAN I HAD NEVER SEEN THE EXTENT OF EXCESS GREASE CONTAMINATION I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH. PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED PHOTOS. THIS MAY VERY WELL BE AN UNRESOLVED ISSUE ON OTHER RVS ON THE ROAD WITH THESE LIPPERT AXLE ASSEMBLIES. NO ONE EVER CONTACTED ME REGARDING THIS ISSUE. NOT THE RV MANUFACTURER OR LIPPERT. I HAD TO RESEARCH THIS ANOMALY ON MY OWN. PLEASE MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE BRAKES OF OTHER UNASSUMING RV OWNERS TRAVELING ON OUR HIGHWAYS.
NHTSA complaint #11153382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DURING MOSTLY HIGHWAY TRAVEL WITH OUR CAMPER THE AXLE GREASE SEALS FAILED WHICH ALLOWED GREASE TO CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE SHOES AND BRAKE DRUMS AFFECTING BRAKING PERFORMANCE. REVIEWING OTHER POSTS ON-LINE A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THESE CAMPERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11118831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, I PURCHASED A 2016 GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION 313RLTS TRAVEL TRAILER (USED) FROM A GRAND DESIGN DEALER (PALM BEACH RV, WEST PALM BEACH, FL). VIN: [XXX]. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS TRAILER APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES. I NOTICED THAT THE TRAILER WASN'T BRAKING AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE, SO I TOOK IT IN TO A LOCAL RV REPAIR SHOP (RVTECH, FT. MYERS, FL) TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. UPON INSPECTION, THEY DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR OF MY GREASE SEALS HAVE FAILED, AND THAT THE BACKING PLATES AND BRAKES WERE SPLATTERED WITH GREASE, THE DRUM ASSEMBLIES WERE SCORED, THE BRAKE PADS WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPAIR. HE ALSO SAID IT APPEARED THAT THE MAGNETS WERE ACTUALLY DIGGING INTO THE METAL, CREATING FURTHER SCORING. I'M NOT A MECHANIC, BUT THEIR EXPLANATION OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE WAS THAT IT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE GREASE SEALS FAILING. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS INDEED A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM - THE GRAND DESIGN OWNER'S FORUM HAS 92 PAGES ON A SINGLE THREAD ABOUT IT. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING A 10,000 LB TRAILER WITH BASICALLY NO BRAKES. WHY DIDN'T GRAND DESIGN NOTIFY THEIR DEALERS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE THE DEALERS CHECK TO SEE IF ANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS HAD THIS PROBLEM? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11061282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OVER PACKED WHEEL BEARINGS FROM FACTORY CAUSING GREASE TO BE FORCED PAST REAR WHEEL BEARING SEALS AND CONTAMINATING ELECTRIC BRAKES. BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS SEVERELY COMPROMISED CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOUND BY SELLING DEALERSHIP DURING IT'S FIRST WARRANTY INSPECTION BUT WAS IGNORED OR OVERLOOKED. (TOM STINNETT'S CAMPERS INN RV IN LOUISVILLE KY) FIRST CONTACT WITH COMPANY, DEALERSHIP DENIED WORKING ON THE RV AT ALL, THEN LATER SAID THEY DID IN APRIL OF 2017. THEN CLAIMED THAT THEY ONLY LOOKED AT ONE WHEEL. THAT WHEEL AND THE OTHER THREE WERE BADLY CONTAMINATED WITH GREASE. WE TRUST THAT FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE TECHS WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO AND PROTECT THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM SAFETY ISSUES BUT IN THIS CASE THEY IGNORED THE BLATANTLY OBVIOUS PROBLEM. HEAVY GREASE ACCUMULATION ON THE WHEEL RIMS IS A DEAD GIVE AWAY OF THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY EFFORT TO INSPECT, YET NOTHING WAS DONE. (FIRST DETECTED DURING TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP TO ME ON 8/16/2017)
NHTSA complaint #11020281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BRAKES, SEALS AND BEARINGS ON MY 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME DUE TO THE SEALS LEAKING GREASE ONTO THE BRAKES. ALL FOUR BACKING PLATES, THE FRONT TWO HUBS AND ALL FOUR GREASE SEALS AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ON OUR FIRST TRIP AFTER TAKING POSSESSION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL IN MAY 2017. THIS WAS DONE AT A CAMPING WORLD DEALERSHIP IN NORTH CAROLINA AND RESULTED IN BEING WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR TRAILER FROM MAY 18 ' 23. ON OUR SECOND TRIP, STARTING ON JULY 9, 2017, THE BRAKES AGAIN BEGAN PERFORMING POORLY. RAY DUFFY, OF GRAND DESIGN, ARRANGED TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED IN WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA ON JULY 14, 2017 AT JAKE'S AUTOMOTIVE. HE PRE-SHIPPED REPLACEMENT PARTS IN ANTICIPATION OF BAD SEALS. THE TECHNICIAN AT JAKE'S AUTOMOTIVE FOUND GREASE CONTAMINATION ON THE RIGHT FRONT, RIGHT REAR AND LEFT REAR BRAKES. HE ALSO FOUND THAT THOSE SEALS AND BEARINGS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE HUBS AND REMAINED ON THE SPINDLE WHEN THE HUBS WERE REMOVED. THE RECEIPT STATES, 'HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF FOUR BACKING PLATES AND HARDWARE DUE TO WHEEL SEALS BLOWING OUT.' THE FOURTH WHEEL, THE LEFT FRONT, WAS NOT REMOVED OR INSPECTED BY THE REPAIR FACILITY SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE AND THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT REMOVAL OF THE WHEEL COULD DAMAGE THE GREASE SEAL. I REMOVED ALL FOUR HUBS TODAY. THE INTERIORS OF THE TWO LEFT HUBS WERE COMPLETELY COATED WITH GREASE. THE LEFT FRONT WAS WORSE THAN THE LEFT REAR. THE TWO RIGHT HUBS DID NOT HAVE AS MUCH GREASE ON THEM AND WERE EVIDENTLY DOING THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAKING. THE INSIDE OF BOTH HUBS WERE PRETTY SEVERELY SCORED BY THE MAGNETS AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALL FOUR GREASE SEALS AND THE INNER BEARINGS STAYED ON THE SPINDLES WHEN THE HUBS WERE REMOVED. SINCE THE SEALS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PRESSED IN, I FOUND THEIR REMAINING ON THE SPINDLES PROBLEMATIC.
NHTSA complaint #11016116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING VERY WELL, WITH THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GAIN IN MY TRUCK SET AT 10.0 (FULL ON). PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY LEAKING AXLE SEALS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS BEING COATED WITH AXLE GREASE. ALL FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND AXLE SEALS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #11015835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOUND SEVERAL PROBLEMS ONLINE INDICATING THAT GREASE LEAKS PAST THE AXLE SEALS AND CONTAMINATES THE BRAKES. MY WHEELS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF GREASE AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE BRAKES LOSE EFFECTIVENESS. PROBLEM IS THAT THE CONDITION WILL GET PROGRESSIVELY WORST AND THE USER MAY NOT NOTICE THE LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.
NHTSA complaint #11005866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER LESS THAN 200 MILES OF TOTAL TRAVEL, WE ARE INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND "BACKING PLATES" NEED TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF NEARLY $1,000. MY BRAKES ARE GETTING GREASE ON THEM. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET - THE WEB IS FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THE MANUFACTURER, SO FAR, IS AVOIDING RESPONSIBILITY WITH A LIST OF BS EXCUSES ABOUT OWNERS DOING THEIR OWN MAINTENANCE ETC. BRAKES, BEARINGS, AXLES, BACKING PLATES, SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE ON A NEARLY NEW TRAILER WITH LOW MILES AND JUST NOW GETTING IT'S FIRST MAINTENANCE. IN THE WORDS OF MY SERVICE MANAGER "THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE". SO WHY IS LIPPERT OR GRAND DESIGN NOT DOING THE RESPONSIBLE THING??
NHTSA complaint #11005099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL 4 ELECTRIC DRUM BRAKES ON THE REFLECTION FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER TRAILER WERE CONTAMINATED WITH GREASE FROM THE AXLES. AFTER CHECKING BRAKES BECAUSE OF POOR TRAILER BRAKING WHILE TOWING THE FIFTH WHEEL TRAIL, I FOUND THAT ALL 4 BRAKE'S SHOES WERE BARELY WORN AFTER 2 YEARS OF USE. THE BRAKE SHOES HAD GREASE ON THEM AS WELL AS THE ELECTRIC MAGNET THAT ACTIVATES THE BRAKES. THE GREASE CONTAMINATION CAUSED FAULTY OPERATION OF THE BRAKES. NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER LIPPERT HAS SUPPOSEDLY AFTER SEVERAL YEARS MADE SOME CHANGES, BUT STILL BRAND NEW CAMPER TRAILER ARE BEING FOUND WITH BRAKE GREASE CONTAMINATION.
NHTSA complaint #11003193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE AXLES/BRAKE ASSEMBLIES HAD DEFECTIVE INTERIOR SEALS. THE SEALS FAILED AND CONTAMINATED THREE OUT OF FOUR BRAKES WITH GREASE. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO UNABLE TO STOP THE TRAILER TO AVOID VEHICLE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO RUN OFF ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH LIPPERT COMPONENTS THAT THEY CONTINUE TO TRY TO DENY. I ATTACHED TWO PHOTOS OF WHAT I FOUND IN THREE OUT OF FOUR BRAKE HUBS UPON INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11002665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.