We have enjoyed our Imagine but we are selling it. We have purchased a Class C motor home and will make our journeys with it. You still have a young family so all the extra room is great our kids are all grown and have moved on. We will always be following for the great reviews on the parks. Enjoy the Holidays!!
So nice to be able to use the bathroom with the slide in. Ours is a 27ft and we have to take the slide out out about 18" to get the bathroom door to open.
Loved your video! Straight to the point without all the fluff in between. Just started looking for a travel trailer and the Grand Design is at the top of my list. Thank you!
@@WanderingWeekends Good to hear. I've been pouring over the Imagine series for days and I think I have it narrowed down to two models. It's difficult out here in Montana. Will have to drive a distance to actually see one in person.
we just bought a grand design Imagine 2900RB, ya your right if you have to go, bathroom in the back. we are planning our first trip in a couple of day. With Covid, we had to put off our travels till now. although we still have to stay in our own province on ontario, so for this year Ontario it is.. thanks for some of the tips. Ya for me that was the biggest seller, was the storage, and we did the same thing with the dog drawer.. l use one of the shelves beside the fridge and under the tv. l use for a craft storage for me. We don't have the bunkhouse. so our bathroom is huge,
One more comment... I took an RV Inspector course and the instructor mentioned that blocking or turning off heating ducts in these units can cause them to overheat and mess up the thermocouple and possibly other items. You may want to proceed carefully if you start blocking off ducts.
@@allenshorter no plans to block them... simply adjust the output. The closer the vents are to the furnace/AC the more air comes out. I'd simply adjust the direction of airflow to the vents further away. Total volume wouldn't be reduced.
Great video! We love Grand Design and even looked at this model, but we ultimately went with a Vibe for the larger bunk house (4 kids in tow!). We're hoping to go with Grand Design for our next rig. Great idea to do a "one year update", we may just do the same thing. Keep enjoying your time with those kids, it flies by quick (we've got one going off to college this year, yikes)!
Living a Life Fulfilled it does fly by! We wanted to make the most of our time with the kids while they still think we’re cool 😂. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!
Just found your channel and we have the 2400BH and are very happy with it. We also have the solid stairs that you mentioned, Rey nice when stationary but you need to have space to open the door on travel days. Stay safe on the road.
We also have an Imagine 2800BH (2017) that we've had for 2 years now and it's a great all-around camper whether in a park or year round dry camping. The all season feature keeps you comfortable in zero degree weather up in the mountains. I've done a few upgrades to make it more creature comfortable. Enjoy!
We're renting this exact same trailer this coming weekend. I'm super excited. The RV rental place recommended we watch a UA-cam video on the trailer we're renting and so I searched and found you guys. Serendipity!
great video!We also have the 2018 GD Imagine 2800bh. This is the best model that suites our family and still has a bit more upscale finishes than other manufactures we looked at (was a lot). Love it!! :) GDRV4life I did do the adjustable vents upgrade (bought from amazon) and it has worked out really well. Able to shut off the heat blasting out in the master bedroom. The one thing my wife would like is cabinet doors installed below the narrow counter in the bathroom. We see the 2020 model now has them installed.cheers !
Thank you for your review and your other links to things you like. I just purchased a 2021 2800bh and this is our first travel trailer so we are new to the glamping scene and I’ll take all the advice we can get!!! Thanks so much
Great video! We LOVE our Grand Design also. Like you said, everything can use some improvements here and there. But GDRV still gets an A+ from us! Safe Travels!
Glad to hear you're still happy after a year! My wife and I just purchased a 2019 GD Imagine 2600RB and are picking it up tomorrow. We were very impressed when we walked through it.
@@JohnSmith-xi2oq No, we didn't, but I have seen UA-cam videos about them. If I'm not mistaken, Northwood is considerably more pricey than GD's Imagine line. So, maybe more comparable to GD's Reflection line. If you're looking, in that price range, you may also want to look at Lance. By the way, my wife and I have been out in our GD Imagine 2600RB, several times, and we are really happy with it.
Due to the purchase of our 2800 BH at the start of COVID we weren’t given a walk through so maybe you can help how do you tie the straps to secure dining table for travel. PS love your channel. Keep up the great job.
Excellent review! I haven't got a chance to do the RVing yet. Will try to make it happend asap with my kids. I have two kids. And Grand Design 2800BH should be the one for us.
Hey there! My wife and I loved this video and it was super informative! I see your tow vehicle is a super duty. Is it a gas or diesel? Just trying to figure out what we need.
Wandering Weekends wonderful! Thanks for the update, that’s exactly the power train I was looking at. My family is moving back to the mainland from Hawaii this summer and your review settled for us that this is the camper we want. What kind of towing MPG do you get?
Good review! This trailer is on my list, I have a Salem Cruise light 261bhxl now and my wife and I are considering upgrading, accessing the trailer with slides in is important to me as we sometimes stop and sleep in the camper at truckstops. My current trailer is 5500 lbs loaded so I know I will have to upgrade tow vehicles with this trailer.
Daytona 5.7 feel free to reach out with any questions! We will do our best to answer them and if we can’t we will tell you that too! Good luck in your search. Hard to go wrong with a Grand Design.
Beautiful rig and EVERYONE who has a Grand Design brag about the Customer Service GD offers to their customers. That's a huge plus. Thank you for showing your RV to me. bill in Florida
we also have a 2018 2800 B H .Did yours come with the recliners? Ours did not ,we were told it would take 2 weeks to get them in . We found a dual recliner couch that was half the price and took it apart and made them work . We are very pleased with the way it turned out. we also are pleased with our 2800 B H best quality travel trailer we looked at .
Very informative video. We are looking on getting this model travel trailer and are super excited about it. My husband and I absolutely love the comforter sets that you have for the bunks. If you don’t mind me asking where did you purchase them at and which size did you get them in?
I just bought one (2019). I wished they would have put a window in the bathroom. I looked at a similar trailer with the exact same layout in the bathroom, but they had a sliding window. I really like it. I think I'm going to add one....
My old camper from 1974 didn't have a window in the bathroom and just a normal vent (doesn't even have a fan). The previous owner lived in it for a year or 2 full time here in Montana. He didn't control the humidity and so I have to replace all of the ceiling beams because they have black mold on them. I have a Fantastic Fan that I am going to put in and I plan on putting in a window for added ventilation and light.
Great video. I subscribed to your channel. I'm finding that the reviews for this trailer are mixed. It's clearly a very appealing looking trailer aesthetically, however can you speak to any issues that you've had? For example, have you had any structural or mechanical issues? How abouut water leaks from the roof, etc.?
We had a leaky valve early on (may have come from the factory). Otherwise smooth sailing. I will say this... having over 9000 UA-cam subscribers, being members of several Facebook Groups and forums... hearing from all of those people... you won't find better customer service anywhere in the industry. Make no mistake, most units will have little nit-pick things here and there. This rule applies to any RV (even $500,000 units). Grand Design is on your side. You won't find that anywhere else in the travel trailer business.
I seen you all had a different mattress in the front bedroom. What kind of Mattress is it? We’re actually buying a 2800 this week and would like to upgrade to a good mattress. Love the video
Have you camped in colder weather and if so, how did the artic insulation package work out? I'm not a big fan of using propane for the furnace, so I've use a Lasko ceramic tower heater that you can set the timer for 1hr, 2hr, etc. You can place them where you need them.
Eric Schrader no need for propane heat until about 30 degrees or so. We use 1 small ceramic heater and it keeps up fine until then. The propane will pop on about 2-3x per night when it’s below freezing. We’ve never tried more than one ceramic heater. That would likely take the propane use away until low 20’s. I do like that the propane heats the underbelly though. Keep that in mind.
I know you’ve moved on to a new Rv but I’m about to buy this. Planning to tow with an f150 3.5. We will see if I end up at the truck dealer lol. I am curious about your bunk bedding! Would love to know what it is and where you found it. Pick up on the 19th trying to get planned out. **pulling with my old 10k/1k e4 but if I dint like first step is to go weigh safe.
We still have this rig! It’s our personal RV. The other RVs you see on the channel are prototypes we “test” for Grand Design. We love Tochta bedding for our bunk beds!
Thanks man! I’ll check it out. I was up to armpits in purchase of jay feather 24bh and after order found out they removed the bedroom door. Cancelled order. Walked into this one and fell in love even though a bit nervous to pull even though I’m under my numbers. Curious about your real world tongue weight
Thank you for your honest opinion of the grand design. I am a new subscriber because of this review. We actually just put money down on the 2800BH 2021. Have to wait three more weeks to get it from the factory. Your bed looks amazing, what mattress is that?
I'm apologize if this is a rude question but can you give me an idea of what you ended up paying for your 2021 2800bh? It seems prices are all over the place here in Colorado and I'm just curious what they are actually asking for. I understand if you would rather not answer. Thank you
Howdy.. we have the same Grand Design model (2018). We absolutely love it! No regrets. I will advise though to make sure when you lift up your flip-up counter top extension by the sink because the heater vent will melt it if in it’s lowered position. Wish the vent was installed a bit lower. Subscribed👍🏼🇺🇸
Rodney G. Noted! We generally have our little space heater to take the chill off but will remember that in the future. Thanks so much for the sub! We will do our best to keep you around. Happy camping!
We love our Imagine 2670MK. We shopped for five years before making a decision. I notice you have the Blue Ox Sway Pro as do I. Your thoughts? I have no frame of reference as this is our first TT. Pulled it from South Carolina to New Mexico and back in December. I felt more sway than I anticipated. I stayed at 60 MPH or less. My expectations may have been to high.
Actually did a vid on the Blue Ox. Towing with a 1/2 ton you’ll still feel some movement but much improved over our old Husky hitch. I think if you’re looking to eliminate movement completely you’ll have to go ProPride/Hensley Hitch or 3/4 ton truck. Here’s my thoughts on the BlueOx... ua-cam.com/video/DAdDG7svhpM/v-deo.html
Fantastic review. Thank you for showing the head room in the shower! Some reviewers do not. Love the comment about the ducts not being adjustable! Questions: do you wax the outside the keep the fiberglass from fading? Also, where is the toilet paper roll mounted, or do you have a floor stand? I think I saw it but am not sure. Thanks again.
As an owner and full timers of a GD Solitude 380FL, we've had plenty of “opportunities” of a not so cosmetic nature. I haven't met another GD owner who hasn't had some serious issues within the first year. Should we viewers take this away as a one year with “no significant issues” type experience? If so, you would be the first. Please reply with significant issues if you had any. Great presentation skills regardless so kudos to you both!
James Bell that’s very interesting. Our experience has been quite the opposite. Over 2 years now and still nothing worth noting. The only thing I can add to this is a small piece of ceiling trim popping loose. Also quite the opposite with what we hear from others. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of a “perfect” rig but 90% of folks we hear from love their unit. We’re constantly getting thank you messages in our inbox from folks happy with their Grand Design. Sincerely hope things get better on your end. Safe travels and happy camping 😊
Glad to hear this and the best experience I've heard for two years by far! Thanks for the reply and hope the great experience continues. We're looking to be done soon though have no regrets about the overall experience. Again, you guys present better than most so keep these coming! God bless y'all.
I've been watching your videos and following your channel for a few months now. I really appreciate the information you pass along. November this past year my wife and I decided to try out tent camping for a year with our two girls (7 & 4). If we all enjoyed it we would look into getting a travel trailer. We have loved our camping trips and the family memories that they created, minus the tent camping downfalls ( the list is long, haha). So we have started the search to make an informed decision on buying one in a few months. For whatever reason, I just noticed your Grand Design videos, this one as well as the walkthrough of them at an rv show. This led to me checking out Grand Design website and I noticed ya'll are ambassadors for Grand Design. Did ya'll become ambassadors after you already owned it or have one because you were ambassadors?
Brent Tatum sounds fun!! To answer your question: we already owned our trailer before Grand Design reaches out to us. We sincerely love the brand. They’ve really strives to make the RV ownership experience after the sale a great experience. It’s the primary reason we chose our trailer.
@@WanderingWeekends Thank you for the response! That's the same type positive comments we are seeing on the owners Facebook page and online forums for Grand Design.
Raymond Bunderson great questions! We generally have our dirty clothes hamper stored behind the TV. We’re pulling the Imagine with a 2013 Ford F-250 (gasoline) and it seems to be the perfect match. Thanks for the questions! Happy camping.
@@WanderingWeekends we are just looking into maybe buying the 2800bh or the 2400bh. Our truck is a new ram 1500 that is rated at 11,300 tow capacity and 1800 in the bed. I just trying to figure out if the 2800bh would be just to long vs the 2400bh. Any in put since you were towing with a f150 before would be great.
If a tow vehicle upgrade is not gonna happen I'd go 2400bh... with a travel trailer it's more about lateral drag pushing on those sidewalls. Half tons are just lightweight vehicles. No amount of tow capacity or payload is going to fix that. I wanted stability and had to go F250 to be comfortable with the 2800bh. Exciting times shopping around! Let us know what you get!!
Hey guys- great channel! I am looking at this exact model. Any regrets getting the theatre seating as opposed to the trifold couch with having the kids?
What is the weight of this model? Also what truck are you towing with? We own a 2018 Silverado half ton. Dealer says I'm able to tow it but I'm not 100% sold on that . Grands design is definitely best in the business.
GVWR is around 7500lbs. I’ve moved to 3/4 ton and it is certainly the way to go. The sidewalls on anything over 26ft or so will have a 1/2 tons rear end dancing around with the lateral drag they produce. It isn’t a weight issue. It’s a stability issue.
Bought the same thing in 2015. Most of the trim in the camper fell off and had to be repaired. Roof leaked and now the side has big bubbles in it. Glass fell out of 2 cabinet doors. Love the interior design, but not sure if I would buy another?
I wonder if you like having the city water hookup inside of the storage door. Seems like it should be outside so you don't have to leave the door open. May be a bit inviting for unwanted guests.
Hooked on Boating the hose inserts through the floor from underneath similar to higher end fifth wheels or motor homes. The storage door shuts completely. It is actually a much better setup than having the hose connect from the outside. Someone would have a much tougher time stealing your hose and the connection is better protected from the cold.
Great review! Currently looking at purchasing the same travel trailer. Going from a 22ft Jayco to 28ft. Pulling with a Tundra 5.7. What do you pull yours with?
I'm in a 2019 F250 with the 6.7 Powerstroke. It's overkill. A gasser will handle the 2800 just fine. I would suggest a 3/4 ton though. Much more stable.
Great video and 411; but I disagree with the stairs. I actually like the stairs you have now. I simply won't have anything to do with the solid stairs that swing down. My experience has been a delay and cumbersome and dirty. We make stops along our road trip and to bring them down immediately sucks! especially if the weather is bad but more so when you have no choice but to park right next to another vehicle/camper /tractor-trailer; understand you have to swing them down and need the clearance. Also if the ground is unleveled for any reason good luck trying to open the door. And now the dirty or wet side to those solid stairs, if it's rainy or muddy etc. You will need to wipe them down before swinging them back into your camper! I much rather have your current stairs now and once at camp, simply place tiny jack holders on each end or holding the second step up.
Jesse Revilla we have heard similar feedback. Pros and cons to both but nasty weather would certainly make them a pain to deal with. Love these type of comments. Makes our comment section a great resource. Thank you!!
Manual leveling. Tow vehicle is a F250 crew cab. Tows straight as an arrow. Anyone who has sway with a modern travel trailer doesn’t know what they’re doing. These units tow very well. . .
Is this specific model supposed to blow air through the furnace vent underneath the TV mount? I just looked at one that wasn't blowing air you could feel from the vent directly under the TV, and they told me there was a "factory constriction" built-in that caused that vent NOT to blow air very well. Was I just being lied to, because I have no clue why a vent would not blow air other than damage.
Yes, there is a vent under the entertainment area. I’m not sure about “factory constricted” vents but it is possible. There are certainly efforts made to get airflow at the furthest ends of the unit to equal the airflow close to the furnace or AC.
@@WanderingWeekends Okay, thanks... but does your vent actually blow air? The bathroom vent was blowing more air than the entertainment center vent, which why I asked and got that weird answer that seems inaccurate.
I quickly moved from an F150 to a F250. Definitely the way to go in my experience. I’ve documented that journey on the channel if you’d like to follow along.
Vinny Mozzarella we went with a Tuft and Needle. We’ve got around 50+ weekends on it now. Still happy. If you like a supportive sleep I would recommend.
Looks like a f150 4x4 yoh use to pull it. How does it handle the trailer? Can you talk about that a bit and what sway control you using. My wife and i want this same set up truck and trailer
Raymond Martens at the time we were in an F250 gasser. Decided to cure my curiosity and moved to a diesel F250 about 6 mo the later. Honestly the diesel is overkill. The gasser pulled it just fine. I’d certainly recommend a 3/4 ton truck though. We started with a 150 and I wasn’t happy with the experience. Our hitch is a BlueOx SwayPro 1000. I’m happy with it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Have fun shopping!
Thanks! Yes our unit has screens and I believe all other GDRV units do too. As far as the Ridgeline is concerned... I am not at all familiar with those specs. :-/
Look at "Big Truck Big RV" channel on youtube. He has a lot of good information on there about how to determine which trailers can be pulled by which trucks.
We have looking at the same TT for our future. I was wondering if you have had any issues with the shower door? I wish they had put real doors like the Reflections have. The Imagines just seem flimsy to me. Thanks for the help.
Laurie G I had the exact same concern but no issues at all. We leave it open as much as we can to make sure it stays as dry as possible. The material is actually much tougher than you’d think.
Great! Glad your enjoying it. We have a 2400 BH model. Same trailer just no couch...few ft shorter. Our first and only complaint so far (that's because we haven't had a chance try really use it yet.) Is ...the heating. Up here in Canada its a fairly important component. Using a pair of digital thermometers and a pair of conventional ones as well. we did some testing on the efficiency of the ducting and its ability to heat and keep the trailer warm in an even and balanced manner. Now I must admit I was pretty suspicious just looking at the ducting ( and lack of in some areas) that there my be an issue there. Our test with the thermometers proved my suspicions were warranted.The system was actually much WORSE than Id even thought it would be. With the starting temperature at -4 C ( 24.8F )and inside a quonset .Which would actually make heating evenly easier as no area would be subject to any wind etc that other parts were not. The heating system failed miserably. At the point were the thermostat kicked out at 22 C in the bedroom. The temperature at the other end of the trailer ( bunk area) was only 11 C. and the bathroom about the same if not worse.! Main part of the trailer was about 14 - 15. This to us is unacceptable. Like I said. We live in Canada...lol. So at this time I'm in the process of installing more ducting and modifying existing ducting to balance the heat delivery. Now sure. Over the course of a day or so some of the temp disparity would equalize some. But this test did prove the ducting is NOT well designed....much less anywhere near Grand. Have you noticed there's NO ducting to the bunk area at all? So my question for you is.... hows your heating system working for you? :-) thanks...and thanks for posting your vid
g cragg very interesting. I have to say we haven’t experienced this issue. We have camped at the temps you mentioned and stayed perfectly warm. In actuality we run a small ceramic heater which keeps the coach comfortable. The furnace only kicks on 7-8 times per night with the small heater running. We have a duct under the TV near the bunks and one in the bathroom. We actually worry about Townley getting too warm in the top bunk so we face the small heater away from the bunks. The bathroom gets a little cooler if you keep the door closed. That’s really the only thing I’ve noticed. I hope your mods remedy your specific situation. The 35k BTU furnace is the same used in their large 5ths. I know the power is there. Hopefully you find a fix.
@@WanderingWeekends Thanks... exactly right. with 35000 BTU there's lots of heat there. Its just not balanced properly. The duct under the TV- pantry area actually shares a source duct from the furnace with the bathroom. This is a BIG design flaw. No duct in the bunk area is another flaw. Ill be running another duct to the bunk area and a separate one for under the pantry. Leaving the bathroom with its own ducting circuit. Problem solved! Now fortunately Im handy enough that this is no problem for me to do. If I wasn't able to do it myself it would prob be to expensive. A few other projects Im doing on this trailer include. (But not limited to) modify battery box to be able to accommodate four 6v batts 3000watt pure sine wave inverter auto transfer switch electric fireplace 30 amp solar controller-regulator LED accent lighting upgraded stereo speakers ( Have a really good pair kickin around so...why not :-) built in pressure washer ( For dirt bikes mostly) Im not installing solar panels this yr though Im going to wait till we re spending long enough stays in it to need them. Hoping for more efficient - better panels to come. Ill maybe post a youtube vid when Im all done. take care guys and we hope you have many great camping trips with your awesome trailer and please...keep sharing :-)
I have a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 and I pull our camper almost every weekend and it’s about 8000 pounds loaded, and it does fine but we’re looking towards this camper since it is bigger but lighter by almost 2000 poinds
I’ve used several at this point. Towed it home with a max tow 3.5 EB Expedition, several trips with a F150 EB, F250 w 6.2 gasser, F250 w 6.7 diesel, and now F250 w 7.3 gasser. Love this 7.3.
@@WanderingWeekends I’ve see your videos of the switch from diesel to the 7.3. That might be my next truck. I’m ready to buy a 2022 2800bh and curious how it would do. Seen you out at Hershey! Should of stopped and said hi. Thanks for your content
Roberto Corona we’ve actually been shopping for generators ourselves. We think we’ll end up with a Honda. They’re expensive but they’re also the one everyone else strives to be. Reliable, fuel efficient, and quiet. Not sure if We will go big enough to power the AC though. We will certainly do a vid on it if we ever pull the trigger. What are you guys looking at? Congrats on the new rig. Happy camping!!
Thank you very much. We have been using my brothers it’s a Honda EU2000i but, we haven’t used the AC yet.. it’s very quiet and fuel efficient. My other option would be a Yamaha..
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Do you change the tv holder rack for kids watch tv ?
I thought I was having deja vu until I realized you had posted a video when you first received the camper. We have selected the 2020 2800BH as our model of choice (we've looked at over 100 campers!), it's just left to arranging our finances and making a deal. We're upgrading from a 2006 Fleetwood Sun Valley folding trailer which has served us well. One question I have is with the gravity fill being on the patio side. Our state parks in Wisconsin have the fill pump on the street side of the camper, and I'm needing to solve the problem of how to fill the fresh tank from the other side. The complication is that the fixtures in the state parks are not standardized, often just a filling nozzle is all you get. So I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. I can also report that the rig we looked at at the dealer does have the sturdy steps on the rear entrance and the folding aluminum steps on the front entrance. And that I agree that the shower fixtures stick out like a sore thumb compared to the other fixtures elsewhere. Also like to know how many warranty issues you had to deal with. Going down the Facebook and UA-cam rabbit holes is not productive knowing that people love to gripe about things which always skews the sample. I know there will be some issues, but I just can't rely on what randos say in the comments. Great work, and you have a new subscriber!
Welcome! Sorry for the delayed response... our little girls birthday festivities this weekend. Great to hear they've upgraded steps. I also see they're revamping the interior. As far as filling the freshwater tank... it sounds like your best option is to bring your own hose that is long enough to reach under the rig or reach your fresh water fill at the comfort station where your hose connects for city water. There is a valve there that will direct the water to your fresh tank.. I'm sure you've thought of this already. Many parks here allow you to fill up at the campground entrance but I'm not sure what the facilities look like up there. We have had one warranty issue... Ironically speaking it was that valve I just spoke of that directs the city water hookup to the fresh tank or directly to your rig. It had a small leak. Grand Design was very prompt and I was allowed to bring the rig to my preferred service center. We are very happy with our decision to go with Grand Design. Enjoy your rig!!
I have no idea if you will see this, totally not a UA-camr. But what about sheets for the little bunks? We just purchased this RV and I’m on the hunt for good sheets. The mattress is quite thin and oddly shaped. Wondering if you have any tips ! Thanks if you do see this!
Hey guys! Full size sheets work fine. Just tuck the one corner. We did another vid about improving the bunk comfort... you can see that here: ua-cam.com/video/tMzm3gLiYFg/v-deo.html
Great question! We initially towed the rig with a SuperCrew F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost. The truck performed OK but we wanted more stability so we moved up to a gas F250. I feel like it’s the perfect match for this trailer. Tows like a dream. I hope this helps! Happy camping.
@@WanderingWeekends i greatly appreciate you answering my question let me bug you for just one more question, right now we are looking for just camping on weekends, you think The F-150 would do the trick just as part time? You say you wanted more stability, can you explain?
We now tow with a gas F250 which I feel is the perfect fit. Before we upgraded it was the F150 EcoBoost. EcoBoost pulled it fine but did not feel as solid as I would have liked (wind, semi trucks, ect...) so we moved up. Here is a few vids we did on our switch. F250 First Impressions: ua-cam.com/video/XHv-6ka9zKk/v-deo.html 7 Month Update: ua-cam.com/video/H6GJtspa5SE/v-deo.html You will have a great RV either way! Thank you for watching and commenting. Happy camping!
looks great. i'm looking at this model vs the cougar 29bhs half ton. Both have great features and if you could combine them you would have the perfect TT. Also, you mentioned in your first review that you had an F150 and upgraded to a 250 - can you tow this model with a 150? i have a 2018 F150 with a V8 and 10k towing capacity so i'm thinking it should be able to handle this rig but would love to know you thoughts on pulling this with an F150 vs your F250.
So many variables when it comes to trucks. Payload is the number to be concerned with. Towing capacity is a sales pitch number. Check your yellow sticker inside your door jam and go from there. Payloads vary wildly even between 150’s.
I just looked at a GD Transcend model over the weekend with a similar bathroom to this. How has the shower door held up? I am not sure that the retractable feature would hold up well over time and it feels really flimsy compared to everything else in the camper. Thanks!
Ours has actually held up very well. I have heard stories of toddlers falling into them and they hold up just fine. Over 2 years and no smells, mildew issues, ect... It is a great space saver.
I've looked at you other videos but haven't found what you are towing it with. How well do you think a half ton suburban would do towing this trailer from your experience? Thanks 👍
We tow with a 2013 gas F250 SuperCrew with a 6.5ft bed. Love the setup. I'd be careful towing with a Suburban. We towed once or twice with Brooke's Expedition and it wasn't the best experience. It'll do it but I'd prefer a 3/4 ton for sure.
@@WanderingWeekends yes that's what I was thinking it might not have enough power & torque to go up hills towing with our suburban. I've been looking @ a chevy Suburban 2500 or GMC Yukon XL 2500 & have found some online, but are pretty far from us. Thanks for the reply
The only fixes we’ve had was the valve controlling city water and fresh fill and a few trim pieces. I’d like to have slam latches and a griddle in place of the stove on the outside kitchen. We named a few other things we’d like to see changed. Really that’s about it. It’s a great RV.
Hello from CO! My family just purchased this exact trailer last month and can’t wait for our first trip over Spring Break! Crossing my fingers it goes well. Loved the video as it shows all the things we liked about the trailer. Not sure if it’s sanitary or not (not judging, just asking) but I saw that you kept the dump hose in the HD bucket in the pass through. I was told by the dealership that the rear bumper has removable end caps that allows you to store the dump hose there! Part of me thinks this is great...as I will not keep anything else in there, but the other part says it could be gross if anything leaks. Any thoughts on that before our first trip? Also, do you use any type of storage bins in the pantry or cupboards to keep things from shifting/rattling while on the road? Thanks for the videos...I just came upon your channel and will keep watching. Happy camping.
Erik Devereux congrats on the Grand Design! So exciting! I keep the sewer hose in it’s own bucket at all times. We flush thoroughly and as surprising as it may seem the hose has no smells once were done flushing properly. I don’t think the Rhino hose (slightly larger fittings) would fit in the bumper if I remember correctly. Even if it did you’ll still need to store the other accessories needed for dumping (both elbows, black tank flush hose, caps, ect) somewhere so why not store the hose there too? As for storage bins... we use a basket for the kids snacks in the pantry. The basket is more for general organization than keeping things from bouncing around. We haven’t had any real issues with things moving around or falling out while towing. We have to straighten a few cups when we get to the campsite but that’s about it. Great questions!! Welcome to the channel, we’re so glad you are here and hope for more questions/ideas from you all in the future!
How do you make the bunk beds? We’ve been throwing sleeping bags on the bunks, but I’m thinking sheets and a comforter might be more cozy for the kids. How do you put that cute bedding on?
WriterXanne it’s tough! Brooke generally crawls up there and makes it happen. It’s a workout but once you’ve done it the first time your done for the trip! Great question, thanks so much for watching and commenting!
kristen s we joined the owners groups for the different brands we were interested in. These groups are real owners with zero influence from the manufacturers. Grand Design was top of the heap for us. Service, floor-plan, quality.
Debbie Tucker GVWR on the 2800 is 7995lbs. Our current tow vehicle is a 2019 Ford F-250 with the 6.7 liter PowerStroke diesel. I would recommend a 3/4 ton truck for the 2800 but a gas version will do just fine.
Urban Hunter we used it 26 times in 2019. No major issues at all. Had a small trim piece come loose which we fixed. City to fresh water fill valve had a slow leak which was unintentionally filling our fresh tank. Never caused an issue and was replaced under warranty. Literally the only things that I can think of. It’s been two years now and we’re very happy.
I'm assuming you're referring to Winnebago acquiring Grand Design a few years ago? Hasn't seemed to affect the brand or customer service experience whatsoever. If anything Winnebago's resources have helped GD with any growing pains they may have experienced had they not been acquired. We're happy with our product!
John Vande Vusse we really love our Blue Ox SwayPro 1000. No need to unhook before backing. The latch system is easy to use. No greasy bars to deal with. Great performance. Here’s a link amzn.to/2P5N1LJ Make sure you know your hitch weight. That will determine which bars you include in the setup. Don’t purchase higher rated bars than you need. The setup is designed to flex some to help smooth out your ride. Thank you for watching and commenting!
We are going to look at a 2021 Imagine 2800BH this Saturday. Pictures of them look great, nice video l. Thanks for the sneak peak!
Great video and it just helped us to go ahead with our decision to purchase the 2800BH!
We still love ours! 2017 and counting!
I have a crossroads sunset trail 288bh. It is identical to this floorplan. We love it
Great video! Timeless as mentioned, oter than a few minor upgrades like the steps, they have remained the same. Can't wait to look at one Saturday!
We have enjoyed our Imagine but we are selling it. We have purchased a Class C motor home and will make our journeys with it. You still have a young family so all the extra room is great our kids are all grown and have moved on. We will always be following for the great reviews on the parks. Enjoy the Holidays!!
Congrats on the new rig! Happy for you guys. We will keep doing our best on the reviews. Thanks for commenting!
So nice to be able to use the bathroom with the slide in. Ours is a 27ft and we have to take the slide out out about 18" to get the bathroom door to open.
Loved your video! Straight to the point without all the fluff in between. Just started looking for a travel trailer and the Grand Design is at the top of my list. Thank you!
Diane Prince thank you! Heck... almost 3 years now and we’re still completely happy!!
@@WanderingWeekends Good to hear. I've been pouring over the Imagine series for days and I think I have it narrowed down to two models. It's difficult out here in Montana. Will have to drive a distance to actually see one in person.
We purchased the exact TT and we love it. Upgrading the tires this year and the shower head. That’s about it. Great review. 👍🏻
Thanks for watching!
we just bought a grand design Imagine 2900RB, ya your right if you have to go, bathroom in the back. we are planning our first trip in a couple of day. With Covid, we had to put off our travels till now. although we still have to stay in our own province on ontario, so for this year Ontario it is.. thanks for some of the tips.
Ya for me that was the biggest seller, was the storage, and we did the same thing with the dog drawer.. l use one of the shelves beside the fridge and under the tv. l use for a craft storage for me. We don't have the bunkhouse. so our bathroom is huge,
Safe travels and happy camping!
Great idea for this video! Thanks again for the help with the photo of the roof! We are likely becoming GD 2800BH owners in the next few weeks!
One more comment... I took an RV Inspector course and the instructor mentioned that blocking or turning off heating ducts in these units can cause them to overheat and mess up the thermocouple and possibly other items. You may want to proceed carefully if you start blocking off ducts.
@@allenshorter no plans to block them... simply adjust the output. The closer the vents are to the furnace/AC the more air comes out. I'd simply adjust the direction of airflow to the vents further away. Total volume wouldn't be reduced.
Great video! We love Grand Design and even looked at this model, but we ultimately went with a Vibe for the larger bunk house (4 kids in tow!). We're hoping to go with Grand Design for our next rig. Great idea to do a "one year update", we may just do the same thing. Keep enjoying your time with those kids, it flies by quick (we've got one going off to college this year, yikes)!
Living a Life Fulfilled it does fly by! We wanted to make the most of our time with the kids while they still think we’re cool 😂. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!
Thanks for the tour. Very nice y'all.
Southern Adventures you’re very welcome! Thanks for watching.
Great review. I wish they would have air vent at top bunk and sink at outside kitchen. Enjoy your travels.
Just found your channel and we have the 2400BH and are very happy with it. We also have the solid stairs that you mentioned, Rey nice when stationary but you need to have space to open the door on travel days. Stay safe on the road.
Frank White glad you found us! I think we will try the little stabilizers first. Thank you for watching and commenting. Happy camping!
what are you towing your 2400bh with?
We also have an Imagine 2800BH (2017) that we've had for 2 years now and it's a great all-around camper whether in a park or year round dry camping. The all season feature keeps you comfortable in zero degree weather up in the mountains. I've done a few upgrades to make it more creature comfortable.
Enjoy!
Grand Design family! Thanks for watching and commenting!
We're renting this exact same trailer this coming weekend. I'm super excited. The RV rental place recommended we watch a UA-cam video on the trailer we're renting and so I searched and found you guys. Serendipity!
Lisa Pittman Ha! Enjoy your trip! It’s been 2 years now. Still love our rig. 😊
How did the rental go for you?
great video!We also have the 2018 GD Imagine 2800bh. This is the best model that suites our family and still has a bit more upscale finishes than other manufactures we looked at (was a lot). Love it!! :) GDRV4life I did do the adjustable vents upgrade (bought from amazon) and it has worked out really well. Able to shut off the heat blasting out in the master bedroom. The one thing my wife would like is cabinet doors installed below the narrow counter in the bathroom. We see the 2020 model now has them installed.cheers !
Cheers guys!! Brooke wants doors in the bathroom too... I think they offer them now!
Great rig guys.
Thank you for your review and your other links to things you like. I just purchased a 2021 2800bh and this is our first travel trailer so we are new to the glamping scene and I’ll take all the advice we can get!!! Thanks so much
Big Country welcome guys!! Love your channel name... born and raised Georgia boy here.
Great update, thank you!! What bedding do you use for master bedroom? Looks very neat and tidy which I love!
I believe Brooke found the bedding at Target but its been a few years!
You can swap out those knobs. And the stock shower is a water saver to prevent using a hundred gallons of water per shower.
My husband and I are in the market to purchase a Travel trailer and your video has been very helpful. Thanks
This vid is from a few years ago... but we are still super happy with our GDRV!!
Great video! We LOVE our Grand Design also. Like you said, everything can use some improvements here and there. But GDRV still gets an A+ from us! Safe Travels!
Changing Lanes Grand Design gets an A++ from us as well! Thanks for the sub. We really enjoy your vids.
What do you tow it with?
Jose Cabrero great question! We tow with a 2013 F250 w the 6.2. Check this vid out for more details ua-cam.com/video/H6GJtspa5SE/v-deo.html
Glad to hear you're still happy after a year! My wife and I just purchased a 2019 GD Imagine 2600RB and are picking it up tomorrow. We were very impressed when we walked through it.
Mark Kreger congrats! Closing in on two years now... still very happy!!!
Hi...we're looking at buying a 2020 2800BH up here in Wisconsin. I'm curious what the final retail price on your rig was. Thanks!
Mark, we are considering the GD2600RB or the Arctic Fox 25r. Did you look at the northwoods?
@@JohnSmith-xi2oq No, we didn't, but I have seen UA-cam videos about them. If I'm not mistaken, Northwood is considerably more pricey than GD's Imagine line. So, maybe more comparable to GD's Reflection line. If you're looking, in that price range, you may also want to look at Lance.
By the way, my wife and I have been out in our GD Imagine 2600RB, several times, and we are really happy with it.
Winnebago bought grand design couple years ago, but before that they still in my mind one of the hidden best rv
Confession: we just upgraded to this camper largely due to all of our positive reviews! Where do you keep the trash can when you're camping?
We keep it under the folding counter to the left of the kitchen sink! Great question!
After seeing yours, we traded our 2020 Nash 22H in on a GDI 2500RL. Thanks!!
Nice! Enjoy!!!
Awesome Video !
We love our Grand Design !!
Due to the purchase of our 2800 BH at the start of COVID we weren’t given a walk through so maybe you can help how do you tie the straps to secure dining table for travel. PS love your channel. Keep up the great job.
Gosh... we just keep wrapping the strap until it works... haha... no real technique. Thanks for watching the channel! We appreciate it.
Agree 100% we love our GD Imagine!!!
Excellent review! I haven't got a chance to do the RVing yet. Will try to make it happend asap with my kids. I have two kids. And Grand Design 2800BH should be the one for us.
Napat Thanetnonthee great choice!! We love it.
Hey there! My wife and I loved this video and it was super informative! I see your tow vehicle is a super duty. Is it a gas or diesel? Just trying to figure out what we need.
I’ve used a gasser and a diesel. Gasser is plenty! Currently in a 7.3 gasser from Ford.
Wandering Weekends wonderful! Thanks for the update, that’s exactly the power train I was looking at. My family is moving back to the mainland from Hawaii this summer and your review settled for us that this is the camper we want. What kind of towing MPG do you get?
Good review! This trailer is on my list, I have a Salem Cruise light 261bhxl now and my wife and I are considering upgrading, accessing the trailer with slides in is important to me as we sometimes stop and sleep in the camper at truckstops. My current trailer is 5500 lbs loaded so I know I will have to upgrade tow vehicles with this trailer.
Daytona 5.7 feel free to reach out with any questions! We will do our best to answer them and if we can’t we will tell you that too! Good luck in your search. Hard to go wrong with a Grand Design.
Glad you are enjoying so much !
Great job on the video!! New subscriber!!
chelseafn10 Thank you so much! Sincerely appreciate the compliment. Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.
Beautiful rig and EVERYONE who has a Grand Design brag about the Customer Service GD offers to their customers. That's a huge plus. Thank you for showing your RV to me. bill in Florida
Will Wonder thanks a ton Bill! It’s been a year since we made this vid and we’re still super happy
we also have a 2018 2800 B H .Did yours come with the recliners? Ours did not ,we were told it would take 2 weeks to get them in . We found a dual recliner couch that was half the price and took it apart and made them work . We are very pleased with the way it turned out. we also are pleased with our 2800 B H best quality travel trailer we looked at .
Yes, ours came with the recliners. Great for movie nights! So glad you are happy with your GD. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Very informative video. We are looking on getting this model travel trailer and are super excited about it. My husband and I absolutely love the comforter sets that you have for the bunks. If you don’t mind me asking where did you purchase them at and which size did you get them in?
I like the cute camping themed bedding for the kids and your tea towel. Where are they from?
Coral Hooper the bedding was from Target and we found the tea towel at a boutique shop in Dahlonega GA!!
I just bought one (2019). I wished they would have put a window in the bathroom. I looked at a similar trailer with the exact same layout in the bathroom, but they had a sliding window. I really like it. I think I'm going to add one....
My old camper from 1974 didn't have a window in the bathroom and just a normal vent (doesn't even have a fan). The previous owner lived in it for a year or 2 full time here in Montana. He didn't control the humidity and so I have to replace all of the ceiling beams because they have black mold on them. I have a Fantastic Fan that I am going to put in and I plan on putting in a window for added ventilation and light.
let us know how the mod goes!!
Great video. I subscribed to your channel. I'm finding that the reviews for this trailer are mixed. It's clearly a very appealing looking trailer aesthetically, however can you speak to any issues that you've had? For example, have you had any structural or mechanical issues? How abouut water leaks from the roof, etc.?
We had a leaky valve early on (may have come from the factory). Otherwise smooth sailing. I will say this... having over 9000 UA-cam subscribers, being members of several Facebook Groups and forums... hearing from all of those people... you won't find better customer service anywhere in the industry. Make no mistake, most units will have little nit-pick things here and there. This rule applies to any RV (even $500,000 units). Grand Design is on your side. You won't find that anywhere else in the travel trailer business.
I seen you all had a different mattress in the front bedroom. What kind of Mattress is it? We’re actually buying a 2800 this week and would like to upgrade to a good mattress. Love the video
We’ve had a few Brooklyn Bedding mattresses. All have been very good!
Have you camped in colder weather and if so, how did the artic insulation package work out? I'm not a big fan of using propane for the furnace, so I've use a Lasko ceramic tower heater that you can set the timer for 1hr, 2hr, etc. You can place them where you need them.
Eric Schrader no need for propane heat until about 30 degrees or so. We use 1 small ceramic heater and it keeps up fine until then. The propane will pop on about 2-3x per night when it’s below freezing. We’ve never tried more than one ceramic heater. That would likely take the propane use away until low 20’s. I do like that the propane heats the underbelly though. Keep that in mind.
Wandering Weekends - That’s exceptional! I assumed with only R7 walls that the heat would be on a lot more.
I know you’ve moved on to a new Rv but I’m about to buy this. Planning to tow with an f150 3.5. We will see if I end up at the truck dealer lol. I am curious about your bunk bedding! Would love to know what it is and where you found it. Pick up on the 19th trying to get planned out.
**pulling with my old 10k/1k e4 but if I dint like first step is to go weigh safe.
We still have this rig! It’s our personal RV. The other RVs you see on the channel are prototypes we “test” for Grand Design.
We love Tochta bedding for our bunk beds!
Thanks man! I’ll check it out. I was up to armpits in purchase of jay feather 24bh and after order found out they removed the bedroom door. Cancelled order. Walked into this one and fell in love even though a bit nervous to pull even though I’m under my numbers. Curious about your real world tongue weight
Thank you for your honest opinion of the grand design. I am a new subscriber because of this review. We actually just put money down on the 2800BH 2021. Have to wait three more weeks to get it from the factory. Your bed looks amazing, what mattress is that?
Congrats! Fun times ahead. Our mattress is a Tuft and Needle brand. We’re 3 years in with it. Very happy. Thank you for subbing!!
I'm apologize if this is a rude question but can you give me an idea of what you ended up paying for your 2021 2800bh? It seems prices are all over the place here in Colorado and I'm just curious what they are actually asking for. I understand if you would rather not answer. Thank you
dodgefreak8, We don’t have it, so I can’t tell you the final price with add on’s. They were asking 38.
Howdy.. we have the same Grand Design model (2018). We absolutely love it! No regrets. I will advise though to make sure when you lift up your flip-up counter top extension by the sink because the heater vent will melt it if in it’s lowered position. Wish the vent was installed a bit lower. Subscribed👍🏼🇺🇸
Rodney G. Noted! We generally have our little space heater to take the chill off but will remember that in the future. Thanks so much for the sub! We will do
our best to keep you around. Happy camping!
We love our Imagine 2670MK. We shopped for five years before making a decision. I notice you have the Blue Ox Sway Pro as do I. Your thoughts? I have no frame of reference as this is our first TT. Pulled it from South Carolina to New Mexico and back in December. I felt more sway than I anticipated. I stayed at 60 MPH or less. My expectations may have been to high.
Actually did a vid on the Blue Ox. Towing with a 1/2 ton you’ll still feel some movement but much improved over our old Husky hitch. I think if you’re looking to eliminate movement completely you’ll have to go ProPride/Hensley Hitch or 3/4 ton truck. Here’s my thoughts on the BlueOx... ua-cam.com/video/DAdDG7svhpM/v-deo.html
Good review- one year later is more valued than review when new
2.5 years now and still very happy :-)
Fantastic review. Thank you for showing the head room in the shower! Some reviewers do not. Love the comment about the ducts not being adjustable! Questions: do you wax the outside the keep the fiberglass from fading? Also, where is the toilet paper roll mounted, or do you have a floor stand? I think I saw it but am not sure. Thanks again.
Glad it was helpful! We have a stand for the TP. I use wash/wax all on the fiberglass... love it! Thanks for watching!
As an owner and full timers of a GD Solitude 380FL, we've had plenty of “opportunities” of a not so cosmetic nature. I haven't met another GD owner who hasn't had some serious issues within the first year. Should we viewers take this away as a one year with “no significant issues” type experience? If so, you would be the first. Please reply with significant issues if you had any. Great presentation skills regardless so kudos to you both!
James Bell that’s very interesting. Our experience has been quite the opposite. Over 2 years now and still nothing worth noting. The only thing I can add to this is a small piece of ceiling trim popping loose. Also quite the opposite with what we hear from others. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of a “perfect” rig but 90% of folks we hear from love their unit. We’re constantly getting thank you messages in our inbox from folks happy with their Grand Design. Sincerely hope things get better on your end. Safe travels and happy camping 😊
Glad to hear this and the best experience I've heard for two years by far! Thanks for the reply and hope the great experience continues. We're looking to be done soon though have no regrets about the overall experience. Again, you guys present better than most so keep these coming! God bless y'all.
I've been watching your videos and following your channel for a few months now. I really appreciate the information you pass along. November this past year my wife and I decided to try out tent camping for a year with our two girls (7 & 4). If we all enjoyed it we would look into getting a travel trailer. We have loved our camping trips and the family memories that they created, minus the tent camping downfalls ( the list is long, haha). So we have started the search to make an informed decision on buying one in a few months. For whatever reason, I just noticed your Grand Design videos, this one as well as the walkthrough of them at an rv show. This led to me checking out Grand Design website and I noticed ya'll are ambassadors for Grand Design. Did ya'll become ambassadors after you already owned it or have one because you were ambassadors?
Brent Tatum sounds fun!! To answer your question: we already owned our trailer before Grand Design reaches out to us. We sincerely love the brand. They’ve really strives to make the RV ownership experience after the sale a great experience. It’s the primary reason we chose our trailer.
@@WanderingWeekends Thank you for the response! That's the same type positive comments we are seeing on the owners Facebook page and online forums for Grand Design.
We Just purchased Open Range 2802 BH, EXACT SAME CAMPER. No access to master bedroom with slide in, but has back door access to bath.
John Cooper congrats guys! Happy Camping!
2 questions for you. 1. What do you put in the storage behind the tv? 2. What size truck are you pulling it with?
Raymond Bunderson great questions! We generally have our dirty clothes hamper stored behind the TV. We’re pulling the Imagine with a 2013 Ford F-250 (gasoline) and it seems to be the perfect match. Thanks for the questions! Happy camping.
@@WanderingWeekends we are just looking into maybe buying the 2800bh or the 2400bh. Our truck is a new ram 1500 that is rated at 11,300 tow capacity and 1800 in the bed. I just trying to figure out if the 2800bh would be just to long vs the 2400bh. Any in put since you were towing with a f150 before would be great.
If a tow vehicle upgrade is not gonna happen I'd go 2400bh... with a travel trailer it's more about lateral drag pushing on those sidewalls. Half tons are just lightweight vehicles. No amount of tow capacity or payload is going to fix that. I wanted stability and had to go F250 to be comfortable with the 2800bh. Exciting times shopping around! Let us know what you get!!
Hey guys- great channel! I am looking at this exact model. Any regrets getting the theatre seating as opposed to the trifold couch with having the kids?
So glad we have the theater seating! A must for us. Thanks for watching!!!
What is the weight of this model? Also what truck are you towing with? We own a 2018 Silverado half ton. Dealer says I'm able to tow it but I'm not 100% sold on that . Grands design is definitely best in the business.
GVWR is around 7500lbs. I’ve moved to 3/4 ton and it is certainly the way to go. The sidewalls on anything over 26ft or so will have a 1/2 tons rear end dancing around with the lateral drag they produce. It isn’t a weight issue. It’s a stability issue.
Bought the same thing in 2015. Most of the trim in the camper fell off and had to be repaired. Roof leaked and now the side has big bubbles in it. Glass fell out of 2 cabinet doors. Love the interior design, but not sure if I would buy another?
So you bought a 2016 Imagine in 2015?
Nice. Just kicking the internet tires, I like this or the 2400BH, depends on what I decide for tow rig. Mine is tired and dad needs new wheels.
I wonder if you like having the city water hookup inside of the storage door. Seems like it should be outside so you don't have to leave the door open. May be a bit inviting for unwanted guests.
Hooked on Boating the hose inserts through the floor from underneath similar to higher end fifth wheels or motor homes. The storage door shuts completely. It is actually a much better setup than having the hose connect from the outside. Someone would have a much tougher time stealing your hose and the connection is better protected from the cold.
Great review! Currently looking at purchasing the same travel trailer. Going from a 22ft Jayco to 28ft. Pulling with a Tundra 5.7. What do you pull yours with?
I'm in a 2019 F250 with the 6.7 Powerstroke. It's overkill. A gasser will handle the 2800 just fine. I would suggest a 3/4 ton though. Much more stable.
Great video and 411; but I disagree with the stairs. I actually like the stairs you have now. I simply won't have anything to do with the solid stairs that swing down. My experience has been a delay and cumbersome and dirty. We make stops along our road trip and to bring them down immediately sucks! especially if the weather is bad but more so when you have no choice but to park right next to another vehicle/camper /tractor-trailer; understand you have to swing them down and need the clearance. Also if the ground is unleveled for any reason good luck trying to open the door. And now the dirty or wet side to those solid stairs, if it's rainy or muddy etc. You will need to wipe them down before swinging them back into your camper! I much rather have your current stairs now and once at camp, simply place tiny jack holders on each end or holding the second step up.
Jesse Revilla we have heard similar feedback. Pros and cons to both but nasty weather would certainly make them a pain to deal with. Love these type of comments. Makes our comment section a great resource. Thank you!!
Nice. How do you level it? What is towing vehicle? Felt Any swing on road? Many videos say that it is safer to tow a 5th wheel than TT. Thanks.
Manual leveling. Tow vehicle is a F250 crew cab. Tows straight as an arrow. Anyone who has sway with a modern travel trailer doesn’t know what they’re doing. These units tow very well. . .
@@WanderingWeekends do you use weight distribution and sway control in case of strong wind? I am deciding on 5th wheel vs TT.
Do y'all still have this travel trailer? Still like it? What year is it?
Yes! Still rocking and rolling. It’s a 2018 we purchased in late 2017.
Is this specific model supposed to blow air through the furnace vent underneath the TV mount? I just looked at one that wasn't blowing air you could feel from the vent directly under the TV, and they told me there was a "factory constriction" built-in that caused that vent NOT to blow air very well. Was I just being lied to, because I have no clue why a vent would not blow air other than damage.
Yes, there is a vent under the entertainment area. I’m not sure about “factory constricted” vents but it is possible. There are certainly efforts made to get airflow at the furthest ends of the unit to equal the airflow close to the furnace or AC.
@@WanderingWeekends Okay, thanks... but does your vent actually blow air? The bathroom vent was blowing more air than the entertainment center vent, which why I asked and got that weird answer that seems inaccurate.
What do you use to pull that? We are looking to upgrade to a 2800bh and I’m planning on pulling it with my 2014 gmc sierra 1500.
I quickly moved from an F150 to a F250. Definitely the way to go in my experience. I’ve documented that journey on the channel if you’d like to follow along.
@@WanderingWeekends ok 👍 I’ll look for that vid thank you much appreciated
I just picked up the Winnebago Voyage 3033BH. Looks like the same exact trailer. What mattress did you upgrade to?
Vinny Mozzarella we went with a Tuft and Needle. We’ve got around 50+ weekends on it now. Still happy. If you like a supportive sleep I would recommend.
Looks like a f150 4x4 yoh use to pull it. How does it handle the trailer? Can you talk about that a bit and what sway control you using. My wife and i want this same set up truck and trailer
Raymond Martens at the time we were in an F250 gasser. Decided to cure my curiosity and moved to a diesel F250 about 6 mo the later. Honestly the diesel is overkill. The gasser pulled it just fine. I’d certainly recommend a 3/4 ton truck though. We started with a 150 and I wasn’t happy with the experience. Our hitch is a BlueOx SwayPro 1000. I’m happy with it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Have fun shopping!
Great video guys! Quick 2 questions. GD trailers, do they have bug screens on the windows? Also, Would a Honda Ridgeline tow any of the GD models?
Thanks! Yes our unit has screens and I believe all other GDRV units do too. As far as the Ridgeline is concerned... I am not at all familiar with those specs. :-/
Look at "Big Truck Big RV" channel on youtube. He has a lot of good information on there about how to determine which trailers can be pulled by which trucks.
We have looking at the same TT for our future. I was wondering if you have had any issues with the shower door? I wish they had put real doors like the Reflections have. The Imagines just seem flimsy to me. Thanks for the help.
Laurie G I had the exact same concern but no issues at all. We leave it open as much as we can to make sure it stays as dry as possible. The material is actually much tougher than you’d think.
Great! Glad your enjoying it. We have a 2400 BH model. Same trailer just no couch...few ft shorter. Our first and only complaint so far (that's because we haven't had a chance try really use it yet.) Is ...the heating. Up here in Canada its a fairly important component.
Using a pair of digital thermometers and a pair of conventional ones as well. we did some testing on the efficiency of the ducting and its ability to heat and keep the trailer warm in an even and balanced manner. Now I must admit I was pretty suspicious just looking at the ducting ( and lack of in some areas) that there my be an issue there.
Our test with the thermometers proved my suspicions were warranted.The system was actually much WORSE than Id even thought it would be.
With the starting temperature at -4 C ( 24.8F )and inside a quonset .Which would actually make heating evenly easier as no area would be subject to any wind etc that other parts were not. The heating system failed miserably.
At the point were the thermostat kicked out at 22 C in the bedroom. The temperature at the other end of the trailer ( bunk area) was only 11 C. and the bathroom about the same if not worse.! Main part of the trailer was about 14 - 15. This to us is unacceptable. Like I said. We live in Canada...lol.
So at this time I'm in the process of installing more ducting and modifying existing ducting to balance the heat delivery.
Now sure. Over the course of a day or so some of the temp disparity would equalize some. But this test did prove the ducting is NOT well designed....much less anywhere near Grand. Have you noticed there's NO ducting to the bunk area at all?
So my question for you is.... hows your heating system working for you? :-) thanks...and thanks for posting your vid
g cragg very interesting. I have to say we haven’t experienced this issue. We have camped at the temps you mentioned and stayed perfectly warm. In actuality we run a small ceramic heater which keeps the coach comfortable. The furnace only kicks on 7-8 times per night with the small heater running. We have a duct under the TV near the bunks and one in the bathroom. We actually worry about Townley getting too warm in the top bunk so we face the small heater away from the bunks. The bathroom gets a little cooler if you keep the door closed. That’s really the only thing I’ve noticed. I hope your mods remedy your specific situation. The 35k BTU furnace is the same used in their large 5ths. I know the power is there. Hopefully you find a fix.
@@WanderingWeekends Thanks... exactly right. with 35000 BTU there's lots of heat there. Its just not balanced properly. The duct under the TV- pantry area actually shares a source duct from the furnace with the bathroom. This is a BIG design flaw. No duct in the bunk area is another flaw.
Ill be running another duct to the bunk area and a separate one for under the pantry. Leaving the bathroom with its own ducting circuit. Problem solved!
Now fortunately Im handy enough that this is no problem for me to do. If I wasn't able to do it myself it would prob be to expensive.
A few other projects Im doing on this trailer include. (But not limited to)
modify battery box to be able to accommodate four 6v batts
3000watt pure sine wave inverter
auto transfer switch
electric fireplace
30 amp solar controller-regulator
LED accent lighting
upgraded stereo speakers ( Have a really good pair kickin around so...why not :-)
built in pressure washer ( For dirt bikes mostly)
Im not installing solar panels this yr though Im going to wait till we re spending long enough stays in it to need them. Hoping for more efficient - better panels to come.
Ill maybe post a youtube vid when Im all done.
take care guys and we hope you have many great camping trips with your awesome trailer
and please...keep sharing :-)
Wow great video. Seeing that u have an f250 pulling that makes me question if my 5.7 tundra could pull that.
The Tundra would likely lack the payload and stability you would want pulling this trailer. :-/
@@WanderingWeekends Thanks for your help!
I have a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 and I pull our camper almost every weekend and it’s about 8000 pounds loaded, and it does fine but we’re looking towards this camper since it is bigger but lighter by almost 2000 poinds
@@solden49 most 1500s can handle this TT
Thanks for your help!
Have you guys had any leaks or any kind of warranty issues?
Allen Rhodes we had a valve break at the water hookup. Otherwise smooth sailing.
I have one made in 2016. No leaks
What truck are you towing with? I have a 14’ F150 ecoboost. Just wondering what you think. Thanks
I’ve used several at this point. Towed it home with a max tow 3.5 EB Expedition, several trips with a F150 EB, F250 w 6.2 gasser, F250 w 6.7 diesel, and now F250 w 7.3 gasser. Love this 7.3.
@@WanderingWeekends I’ve see your videos of the switch from diesel to the 7.3. That might be my next truck. I’m ready to buy a 2022 2800bh and curious how it would do.
Seen you out at Hershey! Should of stopped and said hi. Thanks for your content
Maybe I should explain. I noticed this video was a few years ago on this 2800bh. Wondering what tow vehicle used then and how did it do?
We just got ours😎last week. And we are so happy with our grand design. Any recommendations for what size of generator to use? Thanks
Roberto Corona we’ve actually been shopping for generators ourselves. We think we’ll end up with a Honda. They’re expensive but they’re also the one everyone else strives to be. Reliable, fuel efficient, and quiet. Not sure if We will go big enough to power the AC though. We will certainly do a vid on it if we ever pull the trigger. What are you guys looking at? Congrats on the new rig. Happy camping!!
Thank you very much. We have been using my brothers it’s a Honda EU2000i but, we haven’t used the AC yet.. it’s very quiet and fuel efficient. My other option would be a Yamaha..
Do you change the tv holder rack for kids watch tv ?
No, this is the standard mount
do you have picture of the mount ? i juste buy a new 2021 and im not able to put the tv for kids
I thought I was having deja vu until I realized you had posted a video when you first received the camper. We have selected the 2020 2800BH as our model of choice (we've looked at over 100 campers!), it's just left to arranging our finances and making a deal. We're upgrading from a 2006 Fleetwood Sun Valley folding trailer which has served us well.
One question I have is with the gravity fill being on the patio side. Our state parks in Wisconsin have the fill pump on the street side of the camper, and I'm needing to solve the problem of how to fill the fresh tank from the other side. The complication is that the fixtures in the state parks are not standardized, often just a filling nozzle is all you get. So I'd like to hear your thoughts on that.
I can also report that the rig we looked at at the dealer does have the sturdy steps on the rear entrance and the folding aluminum steps on the front entrance. And that I agree that the shower fixtures stick out like a sore thumb compared to the other fixtures elsewhere.
Also like to know how many warranty issues you had to deal with. Going down the Facebook and UA-cam rabbit holes is not productive knowing that people love to gripe about things which always skews the sample. I know there will be some issues, but I just can't rely on what randos say in the comments.
Great work, and you have a new subscriber!
Welcome! Sorry for the delayed response... our little girls birthday festivities this weekend. Great to hear they've upgraded steps. I also see they're revamping the interior. As far as filling the freshwater tank... it sounds like your best option is to bring your own hose that is long enough to reach under the rig or reach your fresh water fill at the comfort station where your hose connects for city water. There is a valve there that will direct the water to your fresh tank.. I'm sure you've thought of this already. Many parks here allow you to fill up at the campground entrance but I'm not sure what the facilities look like up there. We have had one warranty issue... Ironically speaking it was that valve I just spoke of that directs the city water hookup to the fresh tank or directly to your rig. It had a small leak. Grand Design was very prompt and I was allowed to bring the rig to my preferred service center. We are very happy with our decision to go with Grand Design. Enjoy your rig!!
How is it after 5 years? Anything new since this video?
Still doing great! Front LED lights have a few diodes gone. Otherwise all is well!
I have no idea if you will see this, totally not a UA-camr. But what about sheets for the little bunks? We just purchased this RV and I’m on the hunt for good sheets. The mattress is quite thin and oddly shaped. Wondering if you have any tips ! Thanks if you do see this!
Hey guys! Full size sheets work fine. Just tuck the one corner. We did another vid about improving the bunk comfort... you can see that here: ua-cam.com/video/tMzm3gLiYFg/v-deo.html
I joined today.
Thanks
Mark Reynolds welcome!!
Where did you get those adorable bed sheets for the kids? We’re in process of financing a 2019 3170bh(holiday weekend). I’m so excited
Target!
Awesome!
How has the 3170bh treated you over the last year.
I want to work where ever you work so I can afford and do these things 😭
Thank you so much for the video tho!
We are in the market for a rig with a bunkhouse and this one is at the top of our list. What vehicle do you use to tow yours?
Great question! We initially towed the rig with a SuperCrew F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost. The truck performed OK but we wanted more stability so we moved up to a gas F250. I feel like it’s the perfect match for this trailer. Tows like a dream. I hope this helps! Happy camping.
@@WanderingWeekends i greatly appreciate you answering my question let me bug you for just one more question, right now we are looking for just camping on weekends, you think The F-150 would do the trick just as part time? You say you wanted more stability, can you explain?
What are you using as a tow vehicle? My wife and I looked at this and the 2400 version but are concerned the 2800 might be alittle long for my f150 .
We now tow with a gas F250 which I feel is the perfect fit. Before we upgraded it was the F150 EcoBoost. EcoBoost pulled it fine but did not feel as solid as I would have liked (wind, semi trucks, ect...) so we moved up. Here is a few vids we did on our switch.
F250 First Impressions: ua-cam.com/video/XHv-6ka9zKk/v-deo.html
7 Month Update: ua-cam.com/video/H6GJtspa5SE/v-deo.html
You will have a great RV either way! Thank you for watching and commenting. Happy camping!
@@WanderingWeekends is this model to long for national and state parks?
looks great. i'm looking at this model vs the cougar 29bhs half ton. Both have great features and if you could combine them you would have the perfect TT.
Also, you mentioned in your first review that you had an F150 and upgraded to a 250 - can you tow this model with a 150? i have a 2018 F150 with a V8 and 10k towing capacity so i'm thinking it should be able to handle this rig but would love to know you thoughts on pulling this with an F150 vs your F250.
Joe MacCrory we’ve towed it with both! ua-cam.com/video/XHv-6ka9zKk/v-deo.html
Also, we were drawn to Grand Design because of their customer service. Head and shoulders above the competition.
So many variables when it comes to trucks. Payload is the number to be concerned with. Towing capacity is a sales pitch number. Check your yellow sticker inside your door jam and go from there. Payloads vary wildly even between 150’s.
I just looked at a GD Transcend model over the weekend with a similar bathroom to this. How has the shower door held up? I am not sure that the retractable feature would hold up well over time and it feels really flimsy compared to everything else in the camper. Thanks!
Ours has actually held up very well. I have heard stories of toddlers falling into them and they hold up just fine. Over 2 years and no smells, mildew issues, ect... It is a great space saver.
I've looked at you other videos but haven't found what you are towing it with. How well do you think a half ton suburban would do towing this trailer from your experience? Thanks 👍
We tow with a 2013 gas F250 SuperCrew with a 6.5ft bed. Love the setup. I'd be careful towing with a Suburban. We towed once or twice with Brooke's Expedition and it wasn't the best experience. It'll do it but I'd prefer a 3/4 ton for sure.
@@WanderingWeekends yes that's what I was thinking it might not have enough power & torque to go up hills towing with our suburban. I've been looking @ a chevy Suburban 2500 or GMC Yukon XL 2500 & have found some online, but are pretty far from us. Thanks for the reply
Really watch your payload too... good on you for doing your research!
So what would you change and what have you had to fix?
The only fixes we’ve had was the valve controlling city water and fresh fill and a few trim pieces. I’d like to have slam latches and a griddle in place of the stove on the outside kitchen. We named a few other things we’d like to see changed. Really that’s about it. It’s a great RV.
Is the single A/C unit enough power for the 2800 or is 2nd A/C unit recommended for the bedroom?
Frank Sanna we’ve camped up to 96 degrees with no issues. The new imagines have race track ducting so it should perform even better.
That’s good to hear thank you!
Hello from CO! My family just purchased this exact trailer last month and can’t wait for our first trip over Spring Break! Crossing my fingers it goes well. Loved the video as it shows all the things we liked about the trailer. Not sure if it’s sanitary or not (not judging, just asking) but I saw that you kept the dump hose in the HD bucket in the pass through. I was told by the dealership that the rear bumper has removable end caps that allows you to store the dump hose there! Part of me thinks this is great...as I will not keep anything else in there, but the other part says it could be gross if anything leaks. Any thoughts on that before our first trip? Also, do you use any type of storage bins in the pantry or cupboards to keep things from shifting/rattling while on the road? Thanks for the videos...I just came upon your channel and will keep watching. Happy camping.
Erik Devereux congrats on the Grand Design! So exciting! I keep the sewer hose in it’s own bucket at all times. We flush thoroughly and as surprising as it may seem the hose has no smells once were done flushing properly. I don’t think the Rhino hose (slightly larger fittings) would fit in the bumper if I remember correctly. Even if it did you’ll still need to store the other accessories needed for dumping (both elbows, black tank flush hose, caps, ect) somewhere so why not store the hose there too? As for storage bins... we use a basket for the kids snacks in the pantry. The basket is more for general organization than keeping things from bouncing around. We haven’t had any real issues with things moving around or falling out while towing. We have to straighten a few cups when we get to the campsite but that’s about it. Great questions!! Welcome to the channel, we’re so glad you are here and hope for more questions/ideas from you all in the future!
How do you make the bunk beds? We’ve been throwing sleeping bags on the bunks, but I’m thinking sheets and a comforter might be more cozy for the kids. How do you put that cute bedding on?
WriterXanne it’s tough! Brooke generally crawls up there and makes it happen. It’s a workout but once you’ve done it the first time your done for the trip! Great question, thanks so much for watching and commenting!
I just joined 2 fb groups as i am trying to decide if GD is a good purchase. How did you all research before buying?
kristen s we joined the owners groups for the different brands we were interested in. These groups are real owners with zero influence from the manufacturers. Grand Design was top of the heap for us. Service, floor-plan, quality.
We did a vid along these lines as well... ua-cam.com/video/A4abICNU5QE/v-deo.html
So what’s the gross weight on this trailer. And what size truck do you have?
Debbie Tucker GVWR on the 2800 is 7995lbs. Our current tow vehicle is a 2019 Ford F-250 with the 6.7 liter PowerStroke diesel. I would recommend a 3/4 ton truck for the 2800 but a gas version will do just fine.
Great Video !
Great content
About how many times did you use it during that year? Any problems?
Urban Hunter we used it 26 times in 2019. No major issues at all. Had a small trim piece come loose which we fixed. City to fresh water fill valve had a slow leak which was unintentionally filling our fresh tank. Never caused an issue and was replaced under warranty. Literally the only things that I can think of. It’s been two years now and we’re very happy.
Did you add that shower head or did it come with the trailer.
Mark Reynolds added it... here ya go. ua-cam.com/video/mHm2kyEbx30/v-deo.html
Wow I didn't know they sold out. No we have a problem. What a shame.
I'm assuming you're referring to Winnebago acquiring Grand Design a few years ago? Hasn't seemed to affect the brand or customer service experience whatsoever. If anything Winnebago's resources have helped GD with any growing pains they may have experienced had they not been acquired. We're happy with our product!
Do you have any recommendations on sway control hitches
John Vande Vusse we really love our Blue Ox SwayPro 1000. No need to unhook before backing. The latch system is easy to use. No greasy bars to deal with. Great performance. Here’s a link amzn.to/2P5N1LJ
Make sure you know your hitch weight. That will determine which bars you include in the setup. Don’t purchase higher rated bars than you need. The setup is designed to flex some to help smooth out your ride. Thank you for watching and commenting!
Thank you for the recommendation and quick response!
John Vande Vusse you’re very welcome!
Were you towing thos with a half ton?
I did for a short while.
@@WanderingWeekends Any issues? I've seen a few guys tow these with a half ton.
Just bought a new Grand Design. REFRIGERATOR DIDN'T Work upon delivery. They can look at it in a month and a half. Used is better nowadays.
Grand Design doesn’t make refrigerators…
What size truck do you pull your TT?
Glenn Rausch We run an F250. Very happy with the tow setup.