GD Solitude 380FL-R or Keystone Alpine 3711KP

[1970rs]

Doing research on upgrading from a TT to a 5th wheel. We really like the front living floor plans. We have narrowed down our focus to the two options in the subject line. It seems like Grand Design owners are die hard for that brand.

I am looking for opinions and pro-cons of these two brands in particular.

Any info is very much appreciated!

[2012Coleman]

Hammerboy wrote:

Fireman1043 wrote:
Considering both... so what about this?? Does that change anyone’s mind

https://www.bankstonmotorhomes.com/blog/keystone-montana-fifth-wheels-compared-to-grand-design-solitude-fifth-wheels/

Interesting first post.:h

Anyway while I am not a Grand Design Koolaid drinker, I think the article is too biased by only pointing out the potential negatives of the Solitude's and no negatives of the Montana's. Worthless article in my opinion.

Dan

And gee, Bankston Motorhomes is a big conglomerate that sells/rents new and used RV's and toawables - notably, they sell Keystone, but not Grand Design.

Most people are too smart to fall for this kind of "informative" blog nonsense.

Looks like spam that should be removed.

[Hammerboy]

Fireman1043 wrote:
Considering both... so what about this?? Does that change anyone’s mind

https://www.bankstonmotorhomes.com/blog/keystone-montana-fifth-wheels-compared-to-grand-design-solitude-fifth-wheels/

Interesting first post.:h

Anyway while I am not a Grand Design Koolaid drinker, I think the article is too biased by only pointing out the potential negatives of the Solitude's and no negatives of the Montana's. Worthless article in my opinion.

Dan

[Fireman1043]

Considering both... so what about this?? Does that change anyone’s mind

https://www.bankstonmotorhomes.com/blog/keystone-montana-fifth-wheels-compared-to-grand-design-solitude-fifth-wheels/

[ACZL]

The way 2012Coleman described his case in feel is indicative of how you get things done. Not always, but most of the time. If you are polite and state your case in a nice way, mfr's will help you. Again, not saying this is true 100% of the time, but has been my experience.

[1970rs]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

[FlatBroke]

Grand Designs are breeding like rabbits. Something must be good.

[2012Coleman]

B.O. Plenty wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
Grand Design - Outstanding customer support - even after the warranty period. But you should tour both as they have similar floor plans, but different features which may/may not be important to you - extra toilet in the solitude for example.

I am thrilled with my Grand Design product. My dealer had Alpine fivers on the lot which we toured - my preference was GD.

Good luck!

Is the Grand Design service still what it once was? Or since they were purchased has it become just another ho-hum manufacturer.
B.O.

I had some issues after the warranty period - I contacted the VP of customer service via email and received his out of office reply. You can readily find contact information for basically anyone in the GD Owners forum. I emailed him a description of the problem and included some pictures and my VIN number. Not an hour later, I received a phone call from a customer service rep - apparently, the VP's email is monitored, and they were able to find my phone number from my VIN number. I had a very nice conversation with this person about how they were going to fix the problem, and structural stuff - the issue was the awning was pulling away from the side because it was installed incorrectly. They gave me a case number, I called up the dealer, gave them the number, made an appointment, and the repair was done at no charge to me.

[Second_Chance]

I'll second (or third) the recommendations for Grand Design... we're in the process of buying our second - largely due to the customer service which we've experienced first-hand. Yesterday, we had a mobile RV tech doing a complete inspection on our rig for the couple who are buying it. My wife likes to put people on the spot so she asked him, "Seeing all the things you see, if you were going to buy a new fifth wheel, what would you buy?" After saying he would strongly consider Grand Design he added, "... and I would stay away from anything made by Keystone." He said that Grand Design treats him very well, too, when he does warranty work for customers.

Rob

[ford_truck_guy]

TXiceman wrote:
GD over any Keystone product.

Ken

X2..

although , technically my REDWOOD is now a Keystone product. The difference is that the Redwood only carries their name. They are a stand alone, build it facility, they may answer the phone "Keystone", but they act like they are Redwood, NOT Keystone.
I had 2 issues this past summer and have to say, Keystone warranty help was AWESOME to deal with !

[TXiceman]

GD over any Keystone product.

Ken

[CaLBaR]

B.O. Plenty wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
Grand Design - Outstanding customer support - even after the warranty period. But you should tour both as they have similar floor plans, but different features which may/may not be important to you - extra toilet in the solitude for example.

I am thrilled with my Grand Design product. My dealer had Alpine fivers on the lot which we toured - my preference was GD.

Good luck!

Is the Grand Design service still what it once was? Or since they were purchased has it become just another ho-hum manufacturer.
B.O.

I had a problem with the outside steel furnace access panel rusting and only noticed it after I was 3 months out of warranty. Called GD customer service and 1 week later had a brand new access door arrive at home. So far I would say they still have very good service.

[B_O__Plenty]

2012Coleman wrote:
Grand Design - Outstanding customer support - even after the warranty period. But you should tour both as they have similar floor plans, but different features which may/may not be important to you - extra toilet in the solitude for example.

I am thrilled with my Grand Design product. My dealer had Alpine fivers on the lot which we toured - my preference was GD.

Good luck!

Is the Grand Design service still what it once was? Or since they were purchased has it become just another ho-hum manufacturer.
B.O.

[2012Coleman]

Grand Design - Outstanding customer support - even after the warranty period. But you should tour both as they have similar floor plans, but different features which may/may not be important to you - extra toilet in the solitude for example.

I am thrilled with my Grand Design product. My dealer had Alpine fivers on the lot which we toured - my preference was GD.

Good luck!