2020 Grand Design Solitude problems

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Recreational Solitude RV. The contact stated that there was extensive frame flex in the RV. The contact stated that the slide-outs rolled out while turning. The contact stated that there was an issue with the kingpin that related to the flex frame. The doors were out of alignment and there were screws popping up out of the floor. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: PE24029 (Structure). The RV was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with cracks in the frame. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the RV was inspected, and no cracks were found. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11753457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Recreational Solitude RV. The contact stated that there was extensive frame flex in the RV. The contact stated that the slide-outs rolled out while turning. The contact stated that there was an issue with the kingpin that related to the flex frame. The doors were out of alignment and there were screws popping up out of the floor. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: PE24029 (Structure). The RV was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with cracks in the frame. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the RV was inspected, and no cracks were found. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11753457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Solitude. The contact stated that while completing routine maintenance on the RV, the contact noticed that there were three cracks on the passenger’s side frame, and there was a crack on the weld. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and denied the claim made by the owner. The frame manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000

NHTSA complaint #11701651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This is an ongoing problem. I have had multiple frame related issues with this 5th wheel RV. The bedroom closet wall separated causing items to fall into the opening, A crack developed that eventually reached 9 " in length in the sidewall by the bedroom slide. Most of the frame gussets supporting the rear and sides of the RV BENT and or the welds cracked. The floor sloped down at the edges due to improper support, Multiple times the propane doors opened while towing, Screws keep unscrewing from around the front of the RV. small cracks in the frame. The main bracket that holds the slide wall to the RV cracked and needed emergency welding while on the road, if it broke completely off the slide would come out while towing! After numerous attempts at getting Grand Design to fix this unit, I had to spend thousands of dollars to prove it was road worthy to tow it from Arizona to Indiana to their service center. They finally agreed to repair it. After 3 weeks we got it back with everything fixed or so we thought, less then 500 miles later the crack in the sidewall came back. After reaching out to Grand Design again they agreed to repair it again, 3 weeks later it was repair. Now the Wall the they repaired is moving, obviously something broke again. From the looks of it they didn't fix the problem just covered it up. The supports under the floor are bent and I had to put a 2x4 to support the floor, never fixed. We are full time in this RV and it gets towed all over the country. I have tried to reach out to Grand Design again for repairs but have been rebuffed in my attempt. This RV has been nothing but a disaster, having replaced a bent axle, numerous leaf springs and brakes. This RV was sold stating it was for Full Time living, we will attest that is not the case as they are not built well enough to sustain towing on the roadways of the U.S.A and Canada.

NHTSA complaint #11653640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

This is an ongoing problem. I have had multiple frame related issues with this 5th wheel RV. The bedroom closet wall separated causing items to fall into the opening, A crack developed that eventually reached 9 " in length in the sidewall by the bedroom slide. Most of the frame gussets supporting the rear and sides of the RV BENT and or the welds cracked. The floor sloped down at the edges due to improper support, Multiple times the propane doors opened while towing, Screws keep unscrewing from around the front of the RV. small cracks in the frame. The main bracket that holds the slide wall to the RV cracked and needed emergency welding while on the road, if it broke completely off the slide would come out while towing! After numerous attempts at getting Grand Design to fix this unit, I had to spend thousands of dollars to prove it was road worthy to tow it from Arizona to Indiana to their service center. They finally agreed to repair it. After 3 weeks we got it back with everything fixed or so we thought, less then 500 miles later the crack in the sidewall came back. After reaching out to Grand Design again they agreed to repair it again, 3 weeks later it was repair. Now the Wall the they repaired is moving, obviously something broke again. From the looks of it they didn't fix the problem just covered it up. The supports under the floor are bent and I had to put a 2x4 to support the floor, never fixed. We are full time in this RV and it gets towed all over the country. I have tried to reach out to Grand Design again for repairs but have been rebuffed in my attempt. This RV has been nothing but a disaster, having replaced a bent axle, numerous leaf springs and brakes. This RV was sold stating it was for Full Time living, we will attest that is not the case as they are not built well enough to sustain towing on the roadways of the U.S.A and Canada.

NHTSA complaint #11653640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

This is an ongoing problem. I have had multiple frame related issues with this 5th wheel RV. The bedroom closet wall separated causing items to fall into the opening, A crack developed that eventually reached 9 " in length in the sidewall by the bedroom slide. Most of the frame gussets supporting the rear and sides of the RV BENT and or the welds cracked. The floor sloped down at the edges due to improper support, Multiple times the propane doors opened while towing, Screws keep unscrewing from around the front of the RV. small cracks in the frame. The main bracket that holds the slide wall to the RV cracked and needed emergency welding while on the road, if it broke completely off the slide would come out while towing! After numerous attempts at getting Grand Design to fix this unit, I had to spend thousands of dollars to prove it was road worthy to tow it from Arizona to Indiana to their service center. They finally agreed to repair it. After 3 weeks we got it back with everything fixed or so we thought, less then 500 miles later the crack in the sidewall came back. After reaching out to Grand Design again they agreed to repair it again, 3 weeks later it was repair. Now the Wall the they repaired is moving, obviously something broke again. From the looks of it they didn't fix the problem just covered it up. The supports under the floor are bent and I had to put a 2x4 to support the floor, never fixed. We are full time in this RV and it gets towed all over the country. I have tried to reach out to Grand Design again for repairs but have been rebuffed in my attempt. This RV has been nothing but a disaster, having replaced a bent axle, numerous leaf springs and brakes. This RV was sold stating it was for Full Time living, we will attest that is not the case as they are not built well enough to sustain towing on the roadways of the U.S.A and Canada.

NHTSA complaint #11653640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While we are driving, the front and back door of our rv open while in transit. This happens even when the RV doors are both locked and deadbolted. They both open up and we have had to add a bar to keep the door from opening all the way on the rear, which places us and others in danger while driving. We have pulled over and the door whipped open and hit a road sign, it could as easily hit construction worker. I have reported it to Grand Design, and at that time, it was not repaired. I was at the headquarters at the time. I had already purchased the aftermarket door bar to keep it from flying open, but they both still come unlatched. A dealer has not verified this , and GD does not take it out driving so they would not have verified it either, although they were informed of the issue while I was there for frame reinforcement due to other issues (front landing gear failed due to side to side frame flex) It has not been inspected further to my knowledge. The wall between the main living quarters and the bunkhouse and rear bathroom has movement in transit as well, which is directly by the rear door. There is sawdust still after five years after a move day in the rear bathroom. This leads me to believe there is a lack of structure holding this middle section of the rv together, allowing the shifting while in transit. The doors have opened in transit from the date of purchase, new from a Wyoming Grand Design dealer and has never been properly addressed when brought up. I will say at the time, I was having other major issues fixed, so it was not on the top of my list since I had already bought the door bar to keep it from flying all the way open while driving so I did not push it with GD HQ.

NHTSA complaint #11639589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

While we are driving, the front and back door of our rv open while in transit. This happens even when the RV doors are both locked and deadbolted. They both open up and we have had to add a bar to keep the door from opening all the way on the rear, which places us and others in danger while driving. We have pulled over and the door whipped open and hit a road sign, it could as easily hit construction worker. I have reported it to Grand Design, and at that time, it was not repaired. I was at the headquarters at the time. I had already purchased the aftermarket door bar to keep it from flying open, but they both still come unlatched. A dealer has not verified this , and GD does not take it out driving so they would not have verified it either, although they were informed of the issue while I was there for frame reinforcement due to other issues (front landing gear failed due to side to side frame flex) It has not been inspected further to my knowledge. The wall between the main living quarters and the bunkhouse and rear bathroom has movement in transit as well, which is directly by the rear door. There is sawdust still after five years after a move day in the rear bathroom. This leads me to believe there is a lack of structure holding this middle section of the rv together, allowing the shifting while in transit. The doors have opened in transit from the date of purchase, new from a Wyoming Grand Design dealer and has never been properly addressed when brought up. I will say at the time, I was having other major issues fixed, so it was not on the top of my list since I had already bought the door bar to keep it from flying all the way open while driving so I did not push it with GD HQ.

NHTSA complaint #11639589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

I beam frame, frame failure, compartment doors popping open, walls moving, lag screws incorrect. RV is available for inspection. compartment door popping open and tings falling out, walls coming loose and RV breaking apart king pin breaking at front of RV and coming loose from two vehicle. It has been reported to dealer service center The problem has been inspected by the MFG Dealer the problem started cracking of floors, loose lag screws, bent I beam, walls moving.

NHTSA complaint #11636181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

I beam frame, frame failure, compartment doors popping open, walls moving, lag screws incorrect. RV is available for inspection. compartment door popping open and tings falling out, walls coming loose and RV breaking apart king pin breaking at front of RV and coming loose from two vehicle. It has been reported to dealer service center The problem has been inspected by the MFG Dealer the problem started cracking of floors, loose lag screws, bent I beam, walls moving.

NHTSA complaint #11636181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Excessive Upper Deck Frame Flex. Unit is currently at Busted Knuckle Mobile RV Repair Auto, RV & Trailer in Henderson NV and has confirmed the unit is out of spec for Frame Flex. Grand Design has authorized minimal repair. See attached document for issues/symptoms.

NHTSA complaint #11632839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

Excessive Upper Deck Frame Flex. Unit is currently at Busted Knuckle Mobile RV Repair Auto, RV & Trailer in Henderson NV and has confirmed the unit is out of spec for Frame Flex. Grand Design has authorized minimal repair. See attached document for issues/symptoms.

NHTSA complaint #11632839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The main entry door is coming unlatched while driving down the highway. This condition has only worsened with time. With the latches in the locked condition, after stopping the main latch on the door has unfastened (not unlocked). The only part keeping the door closed is the deadbolt and the entry handrail. If this door was to fully open, the entry steps would then deploy and hit the highway which could result in the steps being torn away from the RV and placed into the path of any vehicle(s) that may be traveling beside/behind me. I believe that this is caused by what is becoming to be known as "Frame Flex" caused by the use of below standard manufacturing and the use of below standard materials. On the inside of the RV, there are signs that the walls have started to shift making items such as trim/cabinetry to fall or start to separate. There are also signs that there is metal to metal rubbing (chaffing) along the bottom of the walls leaving metal dust along the floor. I have tried to explain to the dealership and manufacture to no avail.

NHTSA complaint #11628148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

The main entry door is coming unlatched while driving down the highway. This condition has only worsened with time. With the latches in the locked condition, after stopping the main latch on the door has unfastened (not unlocked). The only part keeping the door closed is the deadbolt and the entry handrail. If this door was to fully open, the entry steps would then deploy and hit the highway which could result in the steps being torn away from the RV and placed into the path of any vehicle(s) that may be traveling beside/behind me. I believe that this is caused by what is becoming to be known as "Frame Flex" caused by the use of below standard manufacturing and the use of below standard materials. On the inside of the RV, there are signs that the walls have started to shift making items such as trim/cabinetry to fall or start to separate. There are also signs that there is metal to metal rubbing (chaffing) along the bottom of the walls leaving metal dust along the floor. I have tried to explain to the dealership and manufacture to no avail.

NHTSA complaint #11628148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Latched and locked baggage storage doors pop open while in transit exposing content to falling out. Both passenger and driver sides have exhibited this behavior. It did it on the first trip after purchase, and was addressed by dealer but continued to occur. Was again checked by manufacturer two years later, latches adjusted, continued to occur. I ended up using packing tape on the doors to help secure. Unit was returned to manufacturer (Grand Design) facility in June of 2024 (originally reported to them June 2023) for frame / wall flexing was addressed. These did were adjusted again and the popping open has not occurred again after about 3k miles. I'm convinced the issue was related to this flexure, not the doors or latches themselves. Other issues that may be of concern to you as well. - roof membrane separation at front cap - relative movement between walls and interior furnishings - cracks in frame behind rear axle spring mount (repaired on site by Lippert remote repair technician 9/2023)

NHTSA complaint #11626604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

Latched and locked baggage storage doors pop open while in transit exposing content to falling out. Both passenger and driver sides have exhibited this behavior. It did it on the first trip after purchase, and was addressed by dealer but continued to occur. Was again checked by manufacturer two years later, latches adjusted, continued to occur. I ended up using packing tape on the doors to help secure. Unit was returned to manufacturer (Grand Design) facility in June of 2024 (originally reported to them June 2023) for frame / wall flexing was addressed. These did were adjusted again and the popping open has not occurred again after about 3k miles. I'm convinced the issue was related to this flexure, not the doors or latches themselves. Other issues that may be of concern to you as well. - roof membrane separation at front cap - relative movement between walls and interior furnishings - cracks in frame behind rear axle spring mount (repaired on site by Lippert remote repair technician 9/2023)

NHTSA complaint #11626604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1. Frame flex caused damage behind the pin box and under the drivers side bedroom slide schwinteck system. The slide motors came derailed causing the slide to become non-secured. There was a possibility of the slide opening while the Rv was being pulled on the road. Frame components required factory technician to weld supports under the slide and behind the pin box. 2. Two days after frame repairs a Rear leaf spring broke approximately 3 inches from bolt attaching to frame. This caused the drivers rear wheel to slide within one inch of the front wheel. The axle shifted approximately half a tire width to the passenger side while driving down the road. The trailer followed the tow vehicle at approximately 30 degree angle instead of straight behind the tow vehicle. (Picture available) 3. Pne year ago a Passenger front 7kw Dexter axle bent a spindle while during down the road causing rapid tire tread wear. There have been numerous reports of instances of fifth wheel frame flexing requiring lengthy repairs to correct a safety situation. Temporary housing for full timing RVers who live in their Rv is not a reimburseable expense. Trailer repair specialist performing repairs stated that 7 kw axles and five bar leaf springs are inadequate. 8 kw and six bar leaf springs are recommended.

NHTSA complaint #11591687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

1. Frame flex caused damage behind the pin box and under the drivers side bedroom slide schwinteck system. The slide motors came derailed causing the slide to become non-secured. There was a possibility of the slide opening while the Rv was being pulled on the road. Frame components required factory technician to weld supports under the slide and behind the pin box. 2. Two days after frame repairs a Rear leaf spring broke approximately 3 inches from bolt attaching to frame. This caused the drivers rear wheel to slide within one inch of the front wheel. The axle shifted approximately half a tire width to the passenger side while driving down the road. The trailer followed the tow vehicle at approximately 30 degree angle instead of straight behind the tow vehicle. (Picture available) 3. Pne year ago a Passenger front 7kw Dexter axle bent a spindle while during down the road causing rapid tire tread wear. There have been numerous reports of instances of fifth wheel frame flexing requiring lengthy repairs to correct a safety situation. Temporary housing for full timing RVers who live in their Rv is not a reimburseable expense. Trailer repair specialist performing repairs stated that 7 kw axles and five bar leaf springs are inadequate. 8 kw and six bar leaf springs are recommended.

NHTSA complaint #11591687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2020 Grand Design 390 RK Noticed trim molding under bedroom area of 5th wheel rv had dropped from original position, on both sides of the trailer, in approximately same location. Took to a Grand Design dealer who inspected unit and stated there was a frame flex issue. After two weeks of the unit being at the dealership, Grand Design decided to send a factory technician to examine the rv and its issue. The rv has full body paint which has caused concern to remove the front cap and damage the paint scheme for inspection. Awaiting result of tech's examination. Reading another reported incident for a 2020 Solitude, we have also had the seam at the top of the front cap where it meets the roof 'pop' the screwed in metal strip securing the two together. I repaired this and re-sealed the repaired area. We have also had the outrigger braces above the axles, on both sides of the trailer, bend and/or crack welds where they were attached to the frame. Upon notification, Grand Design stated I would need to contact Lippert for possible reparation for the repairs. Eventually Grand Design agreed to pay for the materials to repair these outrigger braces and I paid for the labor. There is also a TSB for rear floor support. From the factory there was one cross brace support installed in the space over the rear drawer slide, and the screws mounting the brace were not tightly secured. I had two additional cross braces fabricated and I installed them in this same area to provide additional support.

NHTSA complaint #11590456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There appears to be massive frame flex and/or failure my unit interior stairs have been scrapping on walls as well as large hutch, have suffered roof separation at cap, suspension failures with broken leave springs

NHTSA complaint #11588334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

There appears to be massive frame flex and/or failure my unit interior stairs have been scrapping on walls as well as large hutch, have suffered roof separation at cap, suspension failures with broken leave springs

NHTSA complaint #11588334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Factory weld failures in the walls of the front of the 5th wheel. This is a manufacturer wide issue that has been well documented. This problem will only continue to get worse as time goes on and become a safety hazard, yet Grand Design refuses to acknowledge the issue.

NHTSA complaint #11537969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Solitude RV. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, both the rear and the front entry doors of the trailer would unlatch. The contact also stated that the failure occurred while driving at lower speeds on bumpy road surfaces. The contact stated that the front entry door would unlatch but would not open all the way due to a safety bar that was designed to keep the door closed. However, the rear entry door would open gradually while driving. The contact stated that upon veering to the side of the road to manually close the rear door; while the contact was driving at a slower speed, the rear door flew open and struck the road sign on two different occasions causing damages the door. The contact purchased an RV handrail designed to close over the ends where the door would open. The contact installed the part herself. The contact stated that the rear door still unlatched but no longer flew open while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The RV was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11476895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.