I am reporting a potential safety defect involving excessive frame flex and structural failure on a 2018 Grand Design Solitude 384GK fifth-wheel trailer. The RV experienced years of slide-out alignment and operational problems beginning shortly after purchase and Grand Design RV has known about this since then. In September 2023, the bedroom slide unexpectedly extended approximately halfway while the trailer was being towed, creating a significant highway safety hazard. Subsequent inspections and teardown revealed extensive structural failures, including broken welds in the aluminum wall framing, broken welds at bulkhead areas, missing and broken lag bolts, inadequate frame support, frame flex, wall movement, and structural components separating from the unit. Repair records also documented water intrusion associated with wall movement and structural deformation. The condition appears progressive in nature. Multiple repair attempts over several years focused on slide mechanisms and related components, but later inspections identified underlying structural failures and frame flex that may have contributed to the continuing problems. I am concerned that excessive frame flex and structural failure could result in slide-out deployment while traveling, loss of structural integrity, component separation, or other safety-related failures affecting both occupants and the motoring public. Insurance denied due to what they called manufacturing deficiency. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether similar Grand Design Solitude units or units built on similar frame designs are experiencing excessive frame flex, structural weld failures, inadequate frame support, or related safety defects.
The worst 2018 Grand Design Solitude problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes2
- Suspension2
- Body1
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes2
- Suspension2
- Body1
- Wheels1
Recalls 3
Equipment: appliance: refrigerator
- What is wrong
- Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Momentum, Solitude, and Reflection recreational vehicles. A 110-volt wire in the refrigerator cabinet may be improperly secured, which could result in the wire contacting the refrigerator cooling unit, causing an electrical arc.
- Risk
- An electrical arc increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace any damaged wiring, and properly secure the wires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 21, 2022. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1‑574‑825‑9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910026.
Recall number 22V038000 · Recall details
Equipment: appliance: refrigerator
- What is wrong
- Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Solitude recreational trailers. The liquid propane (LP) supply line that runs through the exterior lower refrigerator compartment may contact the burner tube of the refrigerator, possibly damaging the line and causing an LP gas leak.
- Risk
- An LP gas leak increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Grand Design will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the LP supply line for damage, replacing it as necessary. All lines in the vicinity of the burner tube will be wrapped in a thermal foil heat barrier material, then secured away from the burner tube of the refrigerator with additional P-clamps, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2020. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1‑574‑825‑9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910021.
Recall number 20V523000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: lpg systems: lines and fittings
- What is wrong
- Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Grand Design Solitude fifth-wheel trailers. The liquid propane (LP) gas line on the optional pull-out outside kitchen may contact the underside of the hot grill.
- Risk
- Contact with the hot grill may result in a propane leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Grand Design will notify owners, and dealers will re-route the LP gas line to prevent it from contacting the bottom of the grill, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2018. Owners may contact Grand Design RV customer service at 1‑574‑825‑9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 900013.
Recall number 18V399000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2018 Grand Design Solitude
Defect investigations
Frame Flex on Grand Design Fifth Wheel Recreational Trailers
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received twenty-three complaints alleging excessive frame flex on model year 2017-2023 Grand Design fifth wheel recreational trailers, models Momentum and Solitude. Twenty-two of the complaints allege that excessive frame flex resulted in a cargo or entry door opening while in transit, some with objects lost on roadways, while six complaints also state that slideouts extended out partially. ODI has been in contact with both Grand Design and Lippert, the frame manufacturer. Grand Design believes that some frame flex, generally considered to be vertical movement in the upper deck area of the fifth wheel, is normal. However, Grand Design has developed a technical service bulletin (TSB), to evaluate concerns of excessive frame flex, defined as vertical movement greater than 3/8 inch. Per Grand Design, the frame flex is only occurring in the upper deck area of the fifth wheel and is resulting in cosmetic defects such as moving sidewalls, damage to cabinets, binding doors, etc. However, Lippert believes that the effects of frame flex may also extend back to the front axle of the trailer.While Lippert provides frames for multiple trailer manufacturers, the majority of complaints are for these Grand Design products. Cargo and entry doors that open and slideouts that extend while in transit increase the risk of injury or a crash. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to determine whether an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety exists. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE24029
Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Grand Design Solitude 5
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Lippert Components and Grand Design RV are launching a Customer Satisfaction Campaign to address frame web...
- The rear upper deck on Solitude ST390RK models produced prior to June 6, 2022 may not be properly supported
- Customer Satisfaction Program released to have a protective heat shield installed behind convection...
What 2018 Grand Design Solitude owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
One of the passenger side leaf springs on our Dexter axle snapped near the shackle point. Since we have read that this is a common issue, we are reporting as this could have potentially resulted in a serious safety issue. When our leaf spring snapped, it severed the propane line that runs underneath our 5th wheel in two places. It also caused the two tires to rub together. Fortunately, for us, this must have happened within a short distance from the RV park we were staying at for the evening because we only lost about 1/3 tank of propane and the tires do not appear to have sustained significant damage. We were able to disconnect and drive to a nearby trailer supply store and get a new leaf spring. We also removed and took the damaged propane supply line to a nearby propane provider/retail store and have it repaired. My husband replaced the leaf spring and reinstalled the propane line making sure to test for leaks. We did not keep the broken leaf spring as it didn't even occur to us to keep it for inspection but we are able to show where it snapped, if needed. It almost appeared to be rusted from the inside. Since we don't live/store our RV in humidity prone areas, this seemed unusual. This incident occurred while we were on a trip to visit family in Florida. We do not/nor have not lived in our RV full-time. Our use is infrequent. There was no indication that there was any issue while we were driving. It was only when we exited our truck that we smelled a very strong propane smell that my husband investigated the source and discovered the damage. We had been traveling on I-20 near W. Monroe, LA when we discovered the issue. It is frightening to think about what could have happened had we had a blowout from the tires rubbing together, along with the propane leak while driving down the interstate at 65mph. Please note: we are extremely trailer weight conscience and are very careful to not overload.
From factory, vehicle standard build weight of this trailer (nothing loaded) is; 14,200 lbs. Trailer is a two axle design, with each axle rated at 7,000 lbs. Total load allowed by their specifications is 14,000 lbs. Before I add any items normally carried in a travel trailer (food, clothing, etc.) I am already over the axle rating. On a trip with with normally carried items and approximately 20 gallons of water in a fresh water tank (capacity is 54 gallons) I had two tires blow out on two separate roads. (one tire each side about 25 miles apart) Factory now offers upgraded axles of 8,000 lbs. each, bringing axle load capacity to 16,000 lbs. I was unable to determine why the tires failed as they shredded beyond any recovery of the tire structure. Tires were 235/85 R 16 in size, load range 'G' and trailer rated. They were inflated to 110 lbs. as directed by the sidewall. My concern is with the possible defective design of the axles, which may have contributed to the tire failure. Overheated bearings, poor load distribution, unknown at this time.
Mine is a 5th wheel trailer. It had 7k lb lippert axles from the factory. All four inside seals leaked and got grease on the brake drums and shoes. The trailer brakes didn't work from the first day I got the trailer. I ended up changing out the axles with dexter 8k lb axles with never lube bearings so I would never have this problem again. I found out lippert was reimbursing for this repair. What do I need to do to qualify?
Just picked up a brand new 2018 grand design solitude 310gk 5th wheel trailer and noticed that the brakes don't work very well. Towed the unit home 400 miles and decided to contact lippert, the manufacturer of the axles and brakes. I was given a claim number to inspect the brakes. Due to owning a tire repair shop, I was allowed to perform the inspection myself. What I found was no issue on the two hubs and brakes on the left side of the unit, brakes contaminated with grease on the two right hand hubs. Grease was on the magnets, inside of the drum braking surfaces and magnet surface. Lippert agreed to send me 2 new backing plates with brakes, and two new grease seals, plus pay two hours of labor. All of this is great, but if I had been in a panic stop situation, I would not have been able to stop this vehicle.
Compare the 2018 Grand Design Solitude
Other model years
Questions about the 2018 Grand Design Solitude
Is the 2018 Grand Design Solitude reliable?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2018 Grand Design Solitude, fewer than a typical Solitude model year.
What is the 2018 Grand Design Solitude year score?
The 2018 Grand Design Solitude scores 85 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Grand Design Solitude: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Grand Design Solitude?
Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is suspension (2).
How many recalls does the 2018 Grand Design Solitude have?
3 recalls, covering equipment.
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