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RE: Grand Design vs Mini Winnie plus?
I've never been into a Winnebago travel trailer so I can't compare against the GD your considering. I can attest to the customer service reputation of GD as they came through for me on a needed repair after the warranty was over.
Also, you didn't mention the dealer name, or if they were at the same dealer, but don't fall for the "show price" or "sale price". They want to sell you a TT so negotiate for the one you want - don't just buy the one that is priced less.
Take the MSRP and calculate 30% - 35% off that on the TT you want to buy - then compare that number to their price. Their price will be below MSRP. After they give a price to you, take out your phone and calculate it in front of them - show them the phone and say this is where I'm at. Maybe they will take it, maybe they wont. Be prepared to walk - and then do so. You will find one at the price you want to pay.
I took my own advice and got 30% off MSRP on my GD 303RLS and a front bedroom AC on top of that.
Good luck.
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2012Coleman
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01/15/20 01:46pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Grand Design Reflection 150 Series
That's a nice layout - would consider that one over my current layout. I like the bedroom on that one - the front window is pretty cool.
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2012Coleman
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01/10/20 05:09am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Towing a 2640lb 16ft TT with a Ford Ranger 4.0L?
My last TV was a 2003 Tundra Access cab. It had the small v8 - 4.3 or 4.6 - don't recall. I towed my previous Coleman TT which was north of 5K without a lot of trouble. It would be a good option for you if you can find one. I put it up for sale and was inundated with buyers. Very dependable, gas mileage while not towing was not bad. High mileage maintenance included having the timing chain changed.
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2012Coleman
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01/09/20 01:22pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Grand Design Reflection 150 Series
I'm pretty sure you can open at least one of the doors on the fridge - that slide is against the island when in so make sure if that is important to you. It's not to me, so I don't pay much attention to it. The table is held down by screws - most likely easy to remove. We really enjoy the rear living layout in this model - lots of windows and plenty of storage. The TV is directly across from the recliners. The fireplace does a great job of warming things up. I got the bedroom AC as part of the deal. Every time I go into it after being closed up - it still smells new inside. A far cry from the formaldehyde off-gassing Coleman we previously had. I'll be glad to answer any other questions you have.
Thank you! After having two other trailers, we've really narrowed down what's important... and loading/unloading the fridge with the slide in is one of them, even if it's only one of the doors to grab a beer right when we get to our destination :)
Our current and previous rigs were both toyhaulers, so I'm really looking forward to having rear living with lots of windows. Toyhaulers by nature are dark inside and you don't get to take advantage of views from inside.
We are going to an RV show this weekend so we hope to be able to walk through some Grand Designs. They're at the top of our price point but they may be worth it!
The GD has a hitch receiver in back, so you may be able to use a cargo carrier to carry your Gen - I'm not sure how big it is or the weight rating on the receiver though. You mentioned you were going to be pulling something though - not sure what that was.
The Reflection fifth wheel series comes standard with the 4 point Lippert auto leveling system. I also use the big orange buckets on my landing gear from etrailer.
My biggest complaint about this camper is the fridge in the slide out. Stock, it has trouble in the summer keeping it's cool. Winter camping is great. It already comes with 4 fans to suck in air from the bottom over the fins, and out the top and does blow a lot of hot air - but I changed the sensor that turns the fans on at 170 to one that turns them on at 150 and had no issues on our annual 7 day (Florida) summer trip. I put 4 blue ice packs from Walmart in the bottom too. I'd like to upgrade to a residential, and maybe will in future. Just keep that in mind. The four door fridge is an option - make sure your getting what you want. I don't keep beer in the fridge - I always bring an RTIC cooler. The basement holds everything I used to put in my pickup bed besides bikes. Including my 42 gallon Thetford portable tank when not going to a full hookup site. Only other pet peeve is that the DVD player isn't blue ray. I had one from the previous camper so it's not a big deal to hook it up and change input.
You will also notice the heater vents on the sides of the island vs in the floor - this is wonderful. Also compare Island construction to other brands - on others, I could open the doors and see outside light. Also compare the lack of motion sensing lights in the pantry and bathroom - and maybe the best one of all - the toilet is made from porcelain instead of plastic.
I negotiated 30% off MSRP plus front bedroom AC when purchasing - the rumors of GD not allowing dealers to discount are false.
Good luck on your search.
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2012Coleman
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01/09/20 12:56pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fort Wilderness Trip Planned
We took our bikes and rode around FW on them and saved a bunch of money. As I remember the cart was almost as much as the site per day.We will take bikes too (and running shoes) - the golf cart is a splurge for us to enjoy something a little extra - just because.
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2012Coleman
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01/08/20 07:35am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Grand Design Reflection 150 Series
We have a "hookup" at Cummins so we get the Onan at very low cost. We have one in our current toyhauler and do not find it to be noisy. I can nap with it running and I'm a light sleeper.
Anyway though, weight is not an issue with us (tow vehicle is a F350 dually). It's just the shorter length of the Reflection 150's that was appealing. Many other manufacturers have shorter trailers but they're often their low-end models that don't have some of the other amenities we want. We basically want the features/finishes you find in a larger trailer, but shorter length. Proving harder to find. We are at 38' right now and want to go smaller so so 30' sounds like a dream. But it's looking like we'll be in the 32'-34' range in order to "check off the boxes" of everything we want.I have the Reflection 303RLS - listed as 33 feet in length. I am very happy with it and the customer service I have received from the company and mostly my dealer.
That is actually the floor plan I liked the best :) Can you remove the dinette altogether pretty easily? Since we are losing the garage space of the toyhauler, I'd like a little area for our dog beds when they are with us (although I'm sure they'd prefer to sleep on the sofa haha).
Edit to Add, Also, can you open the fridge when the slides are in?I'm pretty sure you can open at least one of the doors on the fridge - that slide is against the island when in so make sure if that is important to you. It's not to me, so I don't pay much attention to it. The table is held down by screws - most likely easy to remove. We really enjoy the rear living layout in this model - lots of windows and plenty of storage. The TV is directly across from the recliners. The fireplace does a great job of warming things up. I got the bedroom AC as part of the deal. Every time I go into it after being closed up - it still smells new inside. A far cry from the formaldehyde off-gassing Coleman we previously had. I'll be glad to answer any other questions you have.
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2012Coleman
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01/08/20 06:07am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Fort Wilderness Trip Planned
fortfiends.net(spelled correct)
Link Thanks! Now I know why I couldn't find it...
I agree, reserve the cart now.
Here is our trip report on DisBoards from March 2019. Disoards is a great resource.
Fort Wilderness Trip ReportRead your trip report - sounds like a great time until the end! I'll take the advice on the cart - thanks all.
2Rad4U - if you like St. Augustine, consider a stay at North Beach camp Resort huge pull through sites if you book early. We go there for 5 - 7 days each summer. This past summer, we were there and went to the beach one day. I'm OCD as well so, I always make sure the camper keys are safe - not this time! They were in my pocket while I went out for some body surfing. Didn't realize it until a thunderstorm started rolling in and we had to hoof it. Needless to say, the pop-a-lock guy braved some good lightening strikes getting us into the camper (I have UConnect and spare keys in the truck, but couldn't get a cell signal). Next day I was outside having a beer, a guy pulls up on a golf cart and asks if I lost some keys! They still have the dealer tags on them so he said he spotted them on a fence rail and thought he would drive around looking for a Reflection. I expressed my extreme gratitude. The lock guy had made me a spare key so I now use one of those magnet cases to hide a spare.
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2012Coleman
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01/08/20 05:23am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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Fort Wilderness Trip Planned
Was able to book a week at the Fort at the end of May. Got a full hookup site and plan on splurging and renting a golf cart. Originally looked at a package deal for the site fee plus a three day multi park pass for three. Just before booking, we emptied the cart and ended up buying the park passes separate which saved over 600 bucks! Am excited to be going as this will be my first time pulling my own camper.
I've searched on here, but can't find the website that I have read about - fort friends or something like that. Can someone clue me in on that?
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2012Coleman
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01/07/20 01:47pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: 04 Cougar M301 bhs by keystone
Start by posting your question on the Travel Trailer forum - this one is for help with posting or other forum issues.
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2012Coleman
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01/07/20 01:38pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Grand Design Reflection 150 Series
We have a "hookup" at Cummins so we get the Onan at very low cost. We have one in our current toyhauler and do not find it to be noisy. I can nap with it running and I'm a light sleeper.
Anyway though, weight is not an issue with us (tow vehicle is a F350 dually). It's just the shorter length of the Reflection 150's that was appealing. Many other manufacturers have shorter trailers but they're often their low-end models that don't have some of the other amenities we want. We basically want the features/finishes you find in a larger trailer, but shorter length. Proving harder to find. We are at 38' right now and want to go smaller so so 30' sounds like a dream. But it's looking like we'll be in the 32'-34' range in order to "check off the boxes" of everything we want.I have the Reflection 303RLS - listed as 33 feet in length. I am very happy with it and the customer service I have received from the company and mostly my dealer.
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2012Coleman
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01/07/20 01:25pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Illinois state park alcohol rules
This is a case of don't ask a question that you really don't want to heat the answer to.
Lots of states, & private CGs, have similar rules. They are there to provide a legal stick to beat rowdy abusers of alcohol with. Generally no CG is going to throw you out for possessing, even consuming alcohol at your site. There may be a few overzealous rangers here & there who are sticklers for every little rule.
Like anything else drink responsibly. Keep it low key. Don't get obnoxious & disturb your neighbours & all will be well.Not a truer post in this thread. I've gone to many state and private parks with a cooler full of beer which sits on the ground underneath me door side slideout. I've passed electronic signs on the way into private parks that are flashing No Alcohol - Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Jacksonville -camper in tow, beer cooler in the bed. I've waved at park rangers from my zero gravity chair with my left hand with a coozie covered beer bottle in my right. There's always a story about getting busted by the rangers in the campground - not really a deterrent for me. Don't be an idiot, and you will be fine.
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2012Coleman
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01/06/20 05:09am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Parking in Jacksonville, FL Wal Mart
What exit is San Jose? Not on the map I have....Guess I can GPS it Exit 5B San Jose Blvd state rd 13. Walmart will be on the left side after you exit. Now if you get on the west belt of 295 from 95 prior to going through downtown, it will be the first exit after crossing the Buckman Bridge - St. Johns River. That's the way I come back into town.
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2012Coleman
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12/23/19 10:55am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Parking in Jacksonville, FL Wal Mart
Heading to South FL in a few days and wondered about stopping for a few hours sleep just South of Jacksonville. One Wally seems to be near I-95. Thanks
This Walmart is located at 10991 San Jose Blvd #1, Jacksonville, FL 32223. May be the one your looking for. I have never asked, but pass it every day on the way to work. I usually see some overnighters in RV's on the outer fringes of the lot which is adjacent to 295. Good luck.
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2012Coleman
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12/23/19 05:50am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Survey for online reservation vs old school phone and email
The trend is to online with or without site lock fee.
There are several providers of online res. systems that are limited to showing dates and level of service.
Finally ,there is an online res. system that deals with the intracies of parks and you.
When you want to make a res. at an campspot.com reservation hosted park, you will be required to go through a field of questions that concern your unit and wishes even in depth as to which sat. tv. provider and allow you to pick and see current photos of that site.
If you do not lock the site for fee, , then occupancy optimization may shift you to another site designated as equal or better of the same type. Should this happen you get an automated confirmation email of the site # change.
We have searched high and low, tried everything This is the best that works for you and us at this time. We have always given the best we have to the first caller, the early bird got the worm.
Whats your vote?
1- is it worth your trouble. to reserve online? No phone or email? Secure deposit and payment? instant confirmation?
2- Are you OK with a site lock fee?
3- Are you OK with an equal or better site we designate should the system shift your site to optimize our occupancy? If you did not designate a specific site, area or need?
4- Accessibiliy in our camp is of highest concern therefore, we have locked out certain sites for reservation for staff, or because those sites have special needs like a dang good driver . Call or email if the system tells you no availibility. Might not be true.
5- Groups can reserve differently. For adjoining sites and cabins, a reservation locks all those requested for a period until each party confirms with administrative hold.
Votes please line by line.
comments welcome
1 - Yes worth the trouble, as long as I can talk to a real person if necessary.
2 - No - it's called a reservation for a reason - right? I reserve the spot for a date range that your system shows it is available, I pay for it right then. Why do I have to pay a fee? At campspot.com, this fee is described as "Your guests desire a specific site and are willing to pay for its guarantee. Set a custom lock fee, collect additional revenue, and increase guest satisfaction. " How does having to pay an additional fee increase my satisfaction? I made a reservation - that is what locks the site. If you need additional revenue, figure something else out. Turn off that feature that may move me if I don't lock the site.
3 - No! I picked the site based on my needs and some pictures. A computer software program can't make this decision for me. Not sure why you would need to do this. If the site is unavailable due to some act of God like a tree falling into it then there is this device called a phone. Call me.
4 - OK by me.
5 - That's a great feature for people who need it.
I'm curious though - in another thread you said that you were selling - why are you researching reservation system then?
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2012Coleman
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12/23/19 05:27am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Typical problem we all see in RV parks.
We camped in Hilton Head Thanksgiving weekend. The sites all around us were occupied by people camping together and their fire pit was right outside our front bedroom. Alcohol consumption contributes to conversations that get increasingly louder into quiet hours. I was pretty annoyed the first night, but we went to the camp store and bought ear plugs - slept like a baby and remained on friendly terms with the neighbors.
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2012Coleman
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12/20/19 01:51pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: What is going on with this roof?
We only paid a 1,000 for it and it came with some of the renovation supplies. The wood we need we have gotten free, except the 4 floor boards which will be about 100. and 2 ceiling panels and a roll of insulation to replace a few parts. We will also have to buy sealant for corners, windows and roof. and screws. We already have paint, tile and fabric for the upholstery and pretty much all the lights and appliances work. the frame is in good condition a long with wiring and venting. We have opened up the entire front wall and the ceiling where there was water damage. Also we already planned on replacing the back wall wood and insulation and most of the wood and some of the insulation on both sides. Is there something that we are
missing?I would say that your not missing a thing. Be sure to take lots of pictures and post them as you are going through your rebuild - lots of people like following this kind of thread. Then you can stick around and help the next guy. This would be a great transfusion of knowledge in this forum. Check out the Cowboy Hilton rebuild thread by user Westend - you may get some good tips.
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2012Coleman
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12/20/19 01:13pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: What is going on with this roof?
Dutchmensport writes "Personally, as suggested above, I'd dump this camper and chock it up to bad experience and get something that is ready to go. You are going to invest a LOT more time and money into this camper than you can imagine. And then, if you decide to sell it, you will not get your investment back out ... not at all. Upgrades, fixes, cleanliness, improvements, do not add value to RV. The value is based on age, not your emotional or financial investment. "
DS - I've read your posts on how you have had to rebuild the interior of your NEW fifth wheel - doors not staying closed during transport, needing fridge mods to stop stuff from moving around underway - these from memory. I'm sure I could find some great quotes if I wanted to spend the time. So maybe you should - as you advised, dump it and find something ready to go.
Or you could simply use the knowledge you most likely gained to help a guy out, and stop being a reason for people to run from this forum.
Kudos to the OP for sticking to his guns.
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2012Coleman
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12/20/19 12:33pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Grand Design owners forum
Not sure where you get your information, but the original Grand Design owners forum was not sold to RV Life Network, which is actually a company called Social Knowledge LLC. It was sold to another person. Grand Design still participated for a time until they were acquired. The entire fiasco was initiated by Grand Design shortly after the acquisition by Winnebago, by Winnebago Attorneys. I have been a member there since the beginning,joined shortly after buying one of the first GD products to roll off the line. RV Life Network was never mentioned throughout the dispute. It was nothing more than corporate legal departments doing what they do. A lot of things have changed at Grand Design, none of them for the better.I get it from the source - RV Life Network is owned by Social Knowledge LLC which is owned by the guy who bought the forum (Andy)from the original guy (Chris). I'd give you the URL, but you're smart and can most likely find it yourself.
Your entitled to your opinion - Me? I'm getting a lot out of both forums - maybe because I don't have some kind of axe to grind.
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2012Coleman
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12/16/19 08:00am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Grand Design owners forum
The original guy that owned the URL and created the subscription site approached the company and got their buy in and support. The company was an active participant in the forum with over two thousand posts. Then the original owner was approached by RV Life Network and promptly sold it. If you don't know what the RV Life Network is, it's a conglomerate of similar brand based web sites - mostly subscription based.
Grand Design no longer was interested in participating and pulled out, demanding that the new corporate owned web site infringed on their trademarks - don't blame them one bit.
Of course, they wanted to keep a web presence and continue helping their customers. READ I have been on the receiving side of their customer support - even after my warranty expired and it is outstanding. So some of the mods there were offered gigs moderating a new web site where GD is again an active participant.
It's all about money, and no one here would do anything different. The new site is a great tool to get technical help and they don't tolerate bad behavior. Those that behave badly are not welcome, and that makes the site more enjoyable to use as you don't have to wear your flame suit like on other RV boards. There are plenty of critical posts to be found, but those posters are willing to discuss calmly and open to suggestions from others.
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2012Coleman
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12/11/19 06:09am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Newbie here. Maybe wrong forum but here goes.
Good idea to rent first - check out RVShare.com
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2012Coleman
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12/11/19 05:40am |
Beginning RVing
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