New Recall on Reflection 297RSTS

[TTbound]

I am supposed to take delivery of a 2018 Reflection 297RSTS on Monday the 27th. The dealership called to say there was a recall from Grand Design concerning a change from 15" rims to 16" rims. The fix for the recall is not clear at the moment. Everything I have read about this model says it should have 15" rims.

So here is the real question. What's the fix for the recall? A lift kit? Who else has 16 inch rims on their rig?

I will post the recall number in this thread when I get it.

Heads up!

[TucsonJim]

My 2017 has 15". Interesting.

Jim

[TTbound]

Just got off the phone with Grand Design engineer. The Reflection 297RSTS engineers decided on a mid production year change. They went from a 15" to a 16" rim as originally stated. This increased the outer diameter of the tire itself. At some stage it was discovered the change left little room between the slide ram and the larger wheel. Oops!

The Fix for now: A 1 3/4 inch lift kit. Does this change the center of gravity? You betcha! I am guessing it will be better than shaving an inch of rubber off the tires as you go down the road.

No recall number yet but, I will post it when I get it.

Cheers!

[TucsonJim]

I wonder why they felt they needed to go with a larger wheel/tire in the first place?

My 2017 297RSTS has a GVWR of 9,995#. The GAWR is 5,200#. The 15" tires are rated at 2,830 each. If the trailer is fully loaded to 9,995#, and has only 10% hitch weight, then the tires are carrying a total load of 8995.5#. If each tire is carrying 25% of the load, that is 2,249# per tire. With the tires rated at 2,830#, that leaves 582# of excess capacity. That seems like more than enough buffer to account for an unbalanced load if one tire is bearing more weigh than the others.

Do you know if GDRV increased the GVWR of the units with the 16" wheels/tires?

Thanks.

Jim

[TTbound]

I wonder why they felt they needed to go with a larger wheel/tire in the first place?

My 2017 297RSTS has a GVWR of 9,995#. The GAWR is 5,200#. The 15" tires are rated at 2,830 each. If the trailer is fully loaded to 9,995#, and has only 10% hitch weight, then the tires are carrying a total load of 8995.5#. If each tire is carrying 25% of the load, that is 2,249# per tire. With the tires rated at 2,830#, that leaves 582# of excess capacity. That seems like more than enough buffer to account for an unbalanced load if one tire is bearing more weigh than the others.

Do you know if GDRV increased the GVWR of the units with the 16" wheels/tires?

Thanks.

Jim

It is likely there will be a follow-up with the engineer at a later date but, I did not inquire as to the motivation for the change. I will certainly ask about why this was done and post it here when I find out. The dry weight is supposed to be 7895 lbs and gross is still 9995 lbs. The capacity rating does not appear to have changed.

The larger tire has both advantages and disadvantages. Accommodation for a bigger wheel potentially raises the center of gravity which is never a good thing. It also increases the cost per tire when it gets to be replacement time. Of course, the one advantage is more rubber on the road.

If I had to guess, the Reflection 297 RSTS is right on the line for needing a 16 inch wheel and that is where the rest of the industry is heading. The service manager at the dealer said he is seeing an increase in wheel size on many of the newer rigs. I'll bet the tire manufacturers aren't complaining.....

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

[Midawilson]

I was supposed to take delivery of a 2018 297RSTS on Saturday the 25th, the dealer called today to say they could not sell it to me due to a recall. They really could not tell me what the recall was about. I was told that the 297 would not be available until 12-18.

Thanks for the info, at least I sorta have an idea of what is going on now.....

[Chiefblueman]

On a dealer website I found several 297RSTS trailers for sale. They show a photo of each trailer's weight tags. Units built 8/2017 have 15 inch wheels, units built 10/2017 have 16 inch wheels. Price looks to be about +$400.

The difference in diameter between 225/75-15 and 235/80-16 is 2.4inches which would be radius of 1.2 inches. Add a 1.75 inch lift and you're looking at nearly a 3 inch bump in elevation.

I notice they are using the 16's on the 315RLTS now also. Wonder if the same lift was put on them.

[TwoCampers]

Took delivery of our 2018 297RSTS on 11/10. Came with 16 in. tires.

[klenger]

Our 297RSTS was built 8-20-2017 and has the 15" wheels. I immediately changed out the tires for Goodyear Endurance. I glad I got mine before the 16" wheel change. The big benefit I see for the 16" wheels is a much larger selection of light truck (LT) tires like the Michelin XPS Rib, which I had very good results with on a past 5th wheel.

[TTbound]

Took delivery of our 2018 297RSTS on 11/10. Came with 16 in. tires.

Most likely you will need the lift kit, if that is in fact the fix. The engineer indicated that as you near the gross weight with water and belongings you run the risk of damage going down the road. In a few days you should be able to check your VIN against the recall database.

My friend told me, "if you like staying busy fixing things, buy a RV".....