RV LIFE: Grand Design Factory Tour Time // RV Refrigerator 12 Volt Conversion
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- 🌄Over The Hill Adventures is about RV life, RV how-to's, and sharing our experiences with you as we travel in our Grand Design Imagine 2500RL.
Our goal is to encourage and inspire, not just those of us who are "over the hill", but everyone to get active and find YOUR new adventure!
We look forward to being a part of your adventures.
~Stan and Rhonda💌
👍Learn more about us and Join our Community: www.overthehilladventures.life
✅IN THIS EPISODE: Stan and Rhonda from Over The Hill Adventures finally get to do their long awaited factory tour at the Grand Design Factory in Middleburry, Indiana @GDRV TV. Unfortunately, they were not allowed to video the tour due to needing prior authorization. However, Stan and Rhonda share what they have learned and give you insight from their experience. They also do a an interview with fellow Grand Design owners Greg and Denise who converted their problematic standard RV refrigerator into a 12 volt refrigerator. You do not want to miss this episode.
Come with Stan and Rhonda as they spend their last days in Elkhart County Indiana the Capitol of RV Nation!
GRAND DESIGN RV: www.granddesig...
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Great video!! It helped us decide if Grand Design is worth the jump. Everything I’ve read is pretty great. Additionally, you’ve shown me a donut that I’ll be on the hunt for when we do our tour! 😂 Safe travels guys, keep up the great content!
Just to add what being a part of the Grand Design family is like. We went to the Grand Design National Rally. We were surprised to see first hand what an incredible company Grand Design is! Do they have flaws? Absolutely! However, they make every opportunity to make it right. At this rally you get to pick three things on your rig that you need to be fixed. They had a squadron of RV mechanics fixing rigs. I have never seen anything like it. Some of them were major repairs. They also have SRT Teams. Service Response Team. These teams are dispatched through out the country to help fix rigs. If they see you stuck on the road they will stop help you get back on the road even if have different manufacturer. That is how incredibly the company is. Feel free to contact us with any questions with your decision. We are happy to help. Stan and Rhonda🙏🏼❤️
my frig is battery too great ice maker maker
That is awesome! If we get a new GD trailer definitely need the 12V fridge. Thank you for joining us. Stan and Rhonda
Nice video. I hope they made propane fridge at least optional on their smaller units. I boondock a lot, often under a forest or otherwise with poor solar, and I really don’t like running a generator…
12v compressor fridge only, would unfortunately cross Grand Design off my list.
Hi Jeff, yes they still have units with the propane and electric option. I agree with you on this one. Even though the entire industry is moving to clean energy. I’m not in favor of solar. However, these new 12 volt compressor take very little energy to use. With a good couple of lithium batteries you can last off the grid for quite some time. I’m still using two lead acid batteries and thinking of converting to lithium. Thank you for your comment and good luck on your hunt for a trailer. I’m 100% in on Grand Design they have served us well. Stan and Rhonda
@@OverTheHillAdventures I’m not against solar really. I run 300 watts right now. I just hate running a generator, but sometimes camp under a forest canopy, or whatever. Ive also seen compressor fridges kill batteries surprisingly quickly. In one demonstration a 100 amp/hr battery didn’t make 24 hrs (though that was in extreme temps with the fridge on high).
Lithium wise, you generally get much better charge rates, higher energy density and life cycle- but they do have disadvantages. Generally they can’t be charged when below freezing, they loose capacity and gain internal resistance when left at high charge in high temperatures, and of course the initial cost.
Don’t get me wrong, I think lithium batteries are great, but I think people get an overly negative opinion of lead. The battery a dealer installs is often the cheapest thing a recognized brand has, rated at something like 67 amp hours on 20 hour scale. A pair of GC2’s might be 230 a/h. People promoting lead acid also claim you can only discharge lead 50%, which isn’t true. IIRC most rate their life cycle at discharged to 40% state of charge. This stemmed from a rule of thumb that if you are going below 50% every day, you’d save money by doubling the size of your battery bank- because they’d last more than twice as long at 75% daily.
For me, most of the time I’m in the sun and never below 80%, but if I want to be under trees for a week, an occasional deeper discharge doesn’t ruin the batteries.
Anyway, glad to hear propane will at least be an option. In the small toyhauler segment I like the 21G quite a bit. Outdoors RV also makes a nice one (with a non Lippert frame) but I think the layout of the 21G is more versatile.
@@JeffinTD great info thank you.
My 2021 keystone passport came with a 12 volt frig
Brian, Grand Design was a little slower in getting there. I bet you love your 12v. Everyone seem to like them except for they stay on all the time. Does your have a shut off switch?
@@OverTheHillAdventures yes Stan I can turn it off when we are done camping
Thank you so much
Betty Jo, thank you for watching. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
Thank you, so informative.
Thank you for joining us!
Good info…thanks for sharing. Enjoy following your adventures!
Aubrey, thank you for being apart of our adventures and following along. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
Another amazing video and well worth my time watching. I can say our 2023 2800BH has the 12 volt refrigerator along with the 165W solar panels on the roof. That fridge is amazing!! We absolutely love it. You don't have to worry about cooling down everything before putting it in there. The freezer is amazing too. I've heard people complain about them but we LOVE IT!! So far it's been flawless (knock on wood) and does great! Keep up the great videos all and enjoy!!
Thank you!! I am jealous of the 12 volt refrigerators. They are awesome! Just make sure you never let your battery discharge more than 50%. You will encounter some cloudy days. Plus, I always keep our trailer plug in while it’s in storage. It trickle charges the battery. Keep the battery fresh. If you follow our journey you will see what we do for over night stays. We travel with our 4650 watt generator. Rain or shine we got power. Thank for your kind words. If you have any questions we are here to help. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
Wish mine worked ☹️. 2023 reflection have lost two fridge n freezer full of food 🤔
@@camojack6293 I can say for a fact from what I've experienced that you do have a problem. I hope you have contacted the repair people because that is not what is expected from the Grand Design build at all. Please keep us all updated on the fix for your problem in case anyone of us has this happen to us. Be well and god bless..
We saw our car in front of you in the video! I saw myself in the waiting room. Fun video. We love our Grand Design and have not had any problems. We love our new handles. Great meeting you again at the tour. I think that one couple you mentioned was us!!!
Karla and Bruce, Yes, we were talking about you and how you love your 2600RB! It was such a pleasure to meet you both on the tour and develop the friendship we have. I especially love sharing travel destinations. You have been to some awesome places! We sure hope to meet up again down the road! Blessings, Rhonda and Stan
You recommend getting your RV inspected. Did you use a NRVIA certified inspection service for your unit? What should it cost?
Hi Larry, a professional inspection should cost around $500 for the full report. I did my own inspection I have years of RV experience. It is important to remember your trailer gets delivered being towed on the back of a truck. It is so important to get a complete inspection for your major investment. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda❤️
Another nice trailer is manufactured by Outdoors RV. They are made in Lagrande OR.
They use the moride suspension and Goodyear tires as well. They are a very nice unit.
Matt, Thanks for sharing that information! That’s what we love about this community, we can all share information with each other. We aren’t familiar with Outdoors RV, but will check them out. It’s nice when the manufacturer already sets you up with the good stuff from the get go!
Thanks for joining us on our adventures and we look forward to being a part of yours.
~Rhonda and Stan
You validated our decision to update our suspension to the MORryde . We switched over because we do a lot of camping in the High Sierras and some of the roads that we go on are not the best, not to mention all the potholes on our freeways in SoCal. We definitely noticed the difference right away. For us it was money well spent.
Hi guys! Wow, that’s awesome news to hear you upgraded your suspension and are finding it to be a good decision. We actually installed it right before our Quartzsite Rally knowing we were going on those dirt roads and glad we did. We definitely know about the SoCal roads. In fact, heading that way in a few weeks with the trailer to see the kids and grandkids. Always love hearing from you guys. Looking forward to seeing you at the Rally!
~Rhonda and Stan
We are picking up our 2023 2500RL on Saturday. It has the 12 volt refrigerator and 165W Solar panel. We are so excited! Love the channel. I have many of your videos saved because I’m going to copy some of your mods right away! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Grant, Congratulations 🎊🎉🍾🎈 I am sure you will be happy with your new adventure. Please take my advice and check your trailer thoroughly. Be absolutely meticulous check everything. Check all your appliances even the water heater gas and electric. Check your heater and air conditioner. Check your frame for any defects. Make sure you bring your slide in and out several times. If they give you an opportunity to stay in it for a night on their property do it. If anything is wrong or not working properly make them fix it before taking it with you.
Before our Grand Design, we purchased a 2020 Jayco I found a defect. They told me just bring it back we have to order the part. Several weeks go by they get the part in and we take it back. Three months later they finally finished the work. Absolutely ridiculous, so if you leave it there you go to the top of the line and they fix it right away. Hope this helps! Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
@@OverTheHillAdventures great advice. I have a PDI checklist printed out and ready to go. I plan on spending a few hours there.
And I have heard that the 2023s have the tack and pinion slide systems instead of the Schwintech…but I will find out on Saturday.
“rack and pinion”
Great video thanks for sharing your information. Sad you didn’t get to see the bus. Thanks From Wisconsin
Hey Robert, no worries we will get to see it next time. Thanks for watching. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
I had never heard of Grand Design until AFTER I bought my Wildwood 26DBUD. Now, I really want a Grand Design Imagine 3100RD. If I woudnt lose my derrier, I would trade tomorrow. Since y'all were there, can you buy direct from the factory?
Hello Gerry, you can not buy factory direct. So we had a 2020 Jayco 22SLX Baja Addition sold it private party had it for about 6 months and sold it for the same price I got it. Maybe lost a couple hundred. Then I went to Blue Dog did it all online I chewed them down, I was negotiating with other dealers at the same time the best price won. Got a great deal plus they threw in the 10,000lbs Blue Ox weight distribution hitch. Stan and Rhonda
Great video! 👍 Question though what's a throw down?🤷♀️ 🤔 We haven't heard about that.
Thanks Lorie and Jeff
Lorie and Jeff, you haven’t seen shake down on the counters of your trailer? You would if been one of the lucky ones. Lol Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
@@OverTheHillAdventures I'm lost not sure what that is???
Where is the frame repair shop at?
Lippert!!
Great video lots of information. Our 12 V refrigerator conversion is still working great. We are now looking into solar.
Hi Greg, thank yo for being in our video. It was such great information. Have fun with solar. I like my generator. Just remember solar doesn’t work in the trees and not so good on a cloudy day. Those lithium batteries are so expensive! However, never like being off the grid. Thank you for everything! Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
Great video. I appreciate your information and input. We have been looking for several years as we prepared to retire. I was stuck between a 2022 & 2023 unit. What sold us was the options on the 2023 unit which includes the 12 volt refrig, solar panel, tank-less water heater along with many other features. We picked up our new 2023 Imagine XLS 23LDE last Friday. We hired an RV inspector who found just a few items. He said that he enjoys taking on an inspection on GD units because he has to get nit picky to find things. We hear great things about the GD products and value, we hope that we made a great decision. The inspector did recommend the MORryde suspension upgrade. It is on my list along with upgrading my stabilizer jacks to a heavy duty type. We are pretty excited!
Congratulations 🎊🎉🍾🎈 Welcome to the Grand Design Family!!! You will be extremely happy with Grand Design. We have a video putting on the MORryde suspension and wet bolts. Best decision we ever made. We have done all of fun upgrades you might like on our channel. We would love if you join Team OTHA. We inspire, encourage folks to get active and find their new adventure. Blessings and safe travels, Stan and Rhonda
@@OverTheHillAdventures I've seen quite a few of your videos already before we purchased our unit. I believe you had your FORD? pickup with the airbags. We are packing up tomorrow for our maiden voyage to spend a couple of days to try out the unit. I've got a list of upgrades that I am working on. Thanks for the reply.
@@TheGrainSideUp we used to have the Chevy Silverado 1500 with the airbags. If you have any questions during your shake down be sure to reach out. Safe travels.
@@OverTheHillAdventures I appreciate you!
Thanks for the skinny on the Grand Design Imagine!! We own a 2022 GD 2600RB. We hope to take a tour next year. We LOVE our 2600RB. Can’t wait to take the tour. 😃 Happy Camping.
P.S. I did know our side walls are aluminum framed- it’s how they keep the weight a bit lower. 😁 I did a ton of research before we traded our RPod UP for our new camper.
Dan, That’s a nice floor plan you have!! It was actually one we highly considered, but settled on the 2500RL of course. The bathrooms in these models are massive 👏 And that’s what we loved about them.
The tour was great! You learn so much! You might want to find more out about the on-site camping if you plan to stay a few days. Might save a few bucks.
We are currently on the road to So. Cal to see our kids and start a new adventure 👏 Safe travels to you both! ~ Rhonda and Stan
Great info on the rv moving process. I see them come through Montana all year long being pulled by a pickup. Weather assorts, good to have a inspection by dealer before final purchase.
Mountain Man Nate always good to hear from you. Montana must be beautiful this time of the year. Blessings to you, Stan and Rhonda
Question: we are close to buying a GD Imagine and add we look at the strengths and weaknesses we noticed the drawers seem to be a little flimsy compared to other good brands. Some owners have commented on the drawer bottoms needing to be stronger to hold the weight needed when full. What is your experience.
Hi Larry, Merry Christmas!! The drawers are the same industry wide. They are light weight. Our’s have held up great. However, I did not over load them. They are not residential drawers. I put way too much many in one of our side cabinets and the bottom broke out. Totally my fault. Hope that helps! Blessings, Stan and Rhonda ❤️
We just traded up to a ""22 Imagine 2600RB. Can't wait to start travelling.
Cathy, congratulations !🍾🎉🎊
That’s an awesome rig. I am sure you will make wonderful memories. Small enough to get in every State and National Park. Safe travels! Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
Great video! Too bad they didn’t allow video at the factory although I can understand why. Grand Design has been great with answering questions and getting information...the dealers not so much. Thanks for all the valuable info! Happy Trails...will be waiting for your next video.
Hello Carol, we were a little bummed but we understood. However, we were truly impressed with their company. We really appreciate you joining us on our adventures. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
What made you choose Grand Design over any other brand of travel trailer? Was Grand Design your first travel trailer? I ask as I am researching Grand Design, Jayco, and Rockwood manufactures. There are many features in each that I like and qualities that are, above and beyond. all three I know Grand Design has the best customer satisfaction above the others. What else could you tell me. I have not owned any RV's this would be my first. when I buy. I am retiring soon and plan to buy in 2024 as a weekender and possibly a couple weeks now and then.
Hi Jimmie, we had a 2020 Jayco. We got rid of it in six months. We loved the floor plan of our Grand Design. We bought site unseen. Their reputation of service is over the top. Stan and Rhonda
Thanks now that I have seen a video of the assembly plant I am more confident in the grand design and looking forward to seeing one first hand. I have a couple of floor plans in mind that I like just hope to find one at an RV show or maybe just order one I know I will like.
Thanks New subscriber.
Thank you, Jimmie! Happy to have you on Team OTHA 👏
The KOA you stayed in looks like an older one. The architecture and layout is the give away. We've stayed in a couple over the years and though they aren't super modern, they are quite charming. Too bad you couldn't video the tour but construction methods are a corporate secret, so.... We're definitely considering a Grand Design based on your info and the performance documented by Finding Our Someday (FOS).
Safe travels, y'all!
Robert, you are absolutely correct about the trade secrets. I think if we knew a little more we could of gotten a media pass which would of allowed us to film inside. We are small and not like the big kids in the RUclips world. Thanks again for joining us on our adventures we appreciate you. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
@@OverTheHillAdventures - Josh Bish from Bish's RV did a tour of an RV manufacturing plant one time and he had to wait until all the workers were gone before filming. Nothing was moving but you could see how everything worked in the assembly line. I forget which plant it was but you could check out his RUclips channel Josh the RV Nerd and watch his video. I think it was in 2 parts.
God Bless Y'all and safe travels!
Bob and Dottie
Our 2019 GD 2500RL has been virtually trouble free. Our biggest complaint has been the fridge. Sure we have had some other problems but not because of quality or workmanship just things that need maintenance. Anytime I have contacted GD they have been very helpful. We would definitely stay with GD. I think I want a donut now. Thanks guys.
Jim, thank you! The 12V refrigerator is an awesome conversion. Food for thought. We have had no problems either except a little maintenance here and there. Thank you for watching! Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
Nice video, but just asking, who eats a donut with a fork? Hehehe Dealers and service SUCK. I LOVE MY GD Solitude 2930. This is my 4th RV AND SO FAR THE BEST ONE.
Hey Tim, Rhonda is the only one I know that eats a donut with a fork. 😂 I must agree with you and that’s why I do most of the work myself. The Solitude 2930 RL is our favorite. It was just a little to much money for us. They went up so much last year. We so happy with our 2500RL small enough to get in every State and National Park 🏞. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
We researched heavily and really wanted a grand design travel trailer. We're ordering a rockwood signature. Higher quality construction, standard features are unmatched by anyone including frameless windows with optional dual pane in a travel trailer nobody else does that. Also standard wifi on roof, moryde steps, fully laminated azdel composite on both interior and exterior, auto leveling, actual color choices on interior, dexter torsion axles and I could go on and on. We wanted to give grand design one more chance at the hershey rv show and stepped into a comparable reflection travel trailer. Immediately walked out when we seen the fully carpeted slides and cheap fan not maxair in the bathroom ceiling. Sadly I believe GD has become a cookie cutter manufacturer and just pushing the easiest and fastest thing they can out the door. Too each their own and everyone needs to really do their research and if you can't actually do a factory tour rockwood has some on RUclips and yes, let's other's film their tours and there also on RUclips.
Congratulations!! We are so happy for you and glad you found the best trailer for your needs. We know Grand Design is not the best quality out there. However, we looked at price point and more importantly the floor plan. Rockwood Signature makes an incredible trailer we just could not afford one. We looked at the Alliance which is also an incredible rig. We are not affiliated with Grand Design and could of filmed the tour if we gave proper notifications. We wanted to do the tour as Stan and Rhonda. We were very impressed on how they manufacture our trailer. So are they the best? Absolutely not! For the price point for us absolutely yes! We have traveled all over the country with our little trailer. It has held up perfectly for an earthquake going done the road. Our trailer is simply with a lot less to go wrong. Again we are so happy you found your perfect trailer. May God bless you and may you have safe travels with your new trailer. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
Stan this is Jeff ? about the Sensor relocation kit, is the kit for the AC Or Heater and where is it located in the RV. I'm calling Tomorrow and getting mine.
Hi Jeff, if you open the filter in the air conditioning unit, you will see wires tuck up there. It is a black wire with a round tip. It is labeled room sensor. What I did was pulled down cut off the zip tie and passed it the air conditioning filter and the plastic grate that keeps the filter in place. I probably won’t use the sensor because the heater and the air conditioner work great now. Let me know how it goes if you need more help. I showed it on our last trailer review video. Blessings, Stan
@@OverTheHillAdventures Thank you I will do that.
Hello, My wife and i are going back and forth on either a Reflection or a Solitude. One thing for sure we will be going with Grand Design. My question is. In an earlier video you had your trailer in your garage and you were saying that the propane gas line was in a bad spot. If the tire blows out that it would damage the line and you also said that if a big gush of wind caught the door it would slam shut and could hurt a child. Words to that effect, Did you talk to Grand Design about those issues? I know in the video you were very concerned about that. I was just wondering since you were at the headquarters. Thanks and love your videos.
Bill, thank you so much for this excellent comment. Reference your choice my favorite is the Solitude 2930RLS small but a mighty 5th wheel rig. We almost pulled the trigger it was just too much money for us after a long debate. The windows in that particular rig are amazing.
I have to be honest, I forgot to mention about the door and the gas line. I remedied both. A bungee for the door and the GasStop for the gas line. I will have another chance at the Grand Design Rally. Thank you so much Bill for remembering our video. It means so much to us. We appreciate you. Blessings, Stan and Rhonda
@@OverTheHillAdventures Thank you for responding back to me and Thank you for the kind Blessings. Right back at ya. We really like the Reflection 337RL-S and then my wife seen the Solitude 390 RK-R. A beautiful rear kitchen model that she loves more. Our dealership claims that my 2018 dodge ram 2500 crew cab diesel could handle the Solitude but i am not 100 percent sold on that. So i am leaning towards the Reflection as i don"t want to buy a dually. Thanks again, and safe travels. Bill and Charlene
@@bikernu the 390RK is a huge rig. I don’t think the Dodge 2500 could handle that size of rig. Check your payload on the yellow tag inside the driver’s door. Safe travels!!
OOOPS! Shakedown?
Shake down is little saw dust particles coming down from the ceiling. It is a well known fact with new trailers. Such a pain every trip it was like a mouse leaving evidence. Lol. All good now.
@@OverTheHillAdventures lol 😆 thanks