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  1. #1
    Left The Driveway
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    Post Full Body Paint and Heat Pump Options on Solitude 310

    We are new to RVing. Looking to purchase our first, a 2018 310 Solitude. Undecided on the value of the full body paint option and heat pump option. Does anyone have experience with these who can provide us guidance on that? Also, we are getting mixed reviews on cost effectiveness of dual pain windows. Thank you in advance for your help.

  2. #2
    Seasoned Camper
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    Check out this Forum discussion on dual panes. I posted my information as gleaned from manufacturers.
    https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...l-Pane-Windows
    Scott M. Barlag
    Product Specialist
    [email protected]
    www.camplandRV.com
    219/787.1040 x102
    219/508.5662 cell/text
    219/787.1038 fax

  3. #3
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
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    Don and Patty, We have been full timing for 7 years, our last 5th wheel taught us a lot about quality, life cycles, things that work, and things that don't work. So when it came to replace our old 5th wheel we did a lot of soul searching, budgeting, planning. Here are my thoughts on your questions:

    Full body paint. Decals look nice on new RV's. Straight fiberglass looks good on new RV's. But after about 5 years they begin to fade and crack. We got the full body paint hoping that it will remain viable and shiny for the life of the RV. This option was $9800, that's a pretty big investment for just looks.

    Heat pump. Opted for this function also. Verdict is still out as to whether it is a good thing or not. During cooler temp we have used it to warm the RV 40-60f, but now that we are in full winter mode, -3f to 36, we don't run it at all. This option was $275, given the total amount of money we spent it was not a significant investment.

    Dual pane windows. Everyone has their own thoughts on this. For us it was a no brainer. We do extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. -22f to 100f. A $2100 option, again, take a look at the pocket book and the type of traveling you will be doing. I am in Ellensburg, WA waiting for a winter storm to pass so the mountain pass we need to go over will clear enough we can continue. In my old single pane 5th wheel we had to put insulation in the windows. We don't do that with the dual pane windows. If you are only going to do mild weather traveling don't get them.

    Because we are on the subject I would like to talk about a couple of other options.

    Slide toppers. $2390 for our Momentum 376. They get mixed reviews also. But back to the extreme conditions thing. I like them because they insulate the top of the slide in the summer. They provide another layer of water proofing during heavy rain. For weekend warriors and fair weather campers they are unnecessary.

    Goodyear G614 tires. $3095 listed option, on the 376 that is 7 of them. The money we spent on our new 376 was starting to look like a really big number, so I opted to not get this option. Trying to be frugal. Back to the usage thing, the Westlakes are probably fine for light usage. 8 months into ownership a Westlake tire let loose and tore up the side of our shiny new 376. I now have G614 on the 376, $2400 I still haven't gotten the damage repaired, probably another couple grand. Hind sight being 20/20 I would have been ahead with the option.

    Do not expect to get your money back on these options. They are good only for your own comfort and peace of mind. Keep in mind, we live in our 376, it's not just a camper, it's our home. We move around a lot. We are hard on our 376. If you are not going to use the 5th wheel a lot don't waste the money.
    Dallas
    2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
    2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750

  4. #4
    Big Traveler JCZhome's Avatar
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    I concur with Dallas on all points.

    Keep in mind that his rig (mine to) is the 376TH and so it has five slide outs and that equates to many, many windows (ie. the small side windows on the slideouts, etc.) and so that raises the cost for his dual pane windows. Still, the way to go in my opinion and first hand experience.

    Full body paint....if you plan on keeping it more than 4-5 years then I would say that's the way to go for long term ownership. If you're just going to have it a year or two and then trade it in on something else, then it's not worth the money. 5-10 yrs. from now, a full body paint unit is definitely going to bring more money when you go to sell it or trade it in.

    Heat pump....the A/C side work well in very hot weather (that's the reason homes all over the southwest have them) however, on the heat side they also work well from 70F down to about 50F. They will still heat down to about 40F outside temps but after that they're running pretty much non stop and your inside temp isn't getting any warmer. That's when it's time for the fireplace heater, furnace (propane) and portable space heater.

    I don't have dual pane on this rig however, my previous 5th wheel I experienced it without dual pane and then with. Big difference and I would recommend dual pane if you want to use your trailer in the cold and in the high heat.....dual pane is the way to go. Also, a lot quieter.

    Goodyear G614 tires are the way to go! After reading all the posts about tire failure and tearing up the side of their RVs, that was one of the first things I had done.
    SOLD my 2017 Momentum 376TH being pulled by a 2014 Ford F-350 Lariat, FX-4, Crew Cab, Longbed, Dually. Not pulling the 5er, catch me on my 2013 CVO Harley Ultra Classic.

    Map = states that we've stayed at least one night in our RV.

    http://visitedstatesmap.com/image/AR...TNTXUTWYsm.jpg

  5. #5
    Left The Driveway
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    Thank you so much for your feedback. In our search for an RV we have found nothing more valuable than consultation and feedback from owners. I sincerely appreciate it. Don

  6. #6
    Left The Driveway
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    You guys are so great and so helpful. This forum is quickly becoming my lifeline to learning.

  7. #7
    Big Traveler JCZhome's Avatar
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    Don, I'm in your backyard once or twice a year. My brother has a few acres up the hill in Divide.
    SOLD my 2017 Momentum 376TH being pulled by a 2014 Ford F-350 Lariat, FX-4, Crew Cab, Longbed, Dually. Not pulling the 5er, catch me on my 2013 CVO Harley Ultra Classic.

    Map = states that we've stayed at least one night in our RV.

    http://visitedstatesmap.com/image/AR...TNTXUTWYsm.jpg

  8. #8
    Commercial Member huntr70's Avatar
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    Just an FYI on the Goodyear tires.

    They are no longer an option from Grand Design. All Solitude and Momentum models come with upgraded G range Westlake tires. Haven't heard of many, if any failures on these.
    Steve- Inventory Manager at Tom Schaeffer's RV, Shoemakersville, PA www.tomschaeffers.com
    [email protected]
    2011 RAM 3500 SRW Outdoorsman Edition 4X4, 6.7 Cummins--TWEAKED!
    2021 Reflection 310RLS

  9. #9
    Full Timer warsw1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Don and Patty Coates View Post
    We are new to RVing. Looking to purchase our first, a 2018 310 Solitude. Undecided on the value of the full body paint option and heat pump option. Does anyone have experience with these who can provide us guidance on that? Also, we are getting mixed reviews on cost effectiveness of dual pain windows. Thank you in advance for your help.
    If you are truly new to RVing and this is your very first RV I would be a little cautious about spending too much money thinking this is going to be your forever RV. Most will go through several before finally getting the one that really works for long term.

    Now to address your questions. Unless you are pretty sure that you will be happy with the RV you select for long term $9800.00 is a lot to pay for something that you will not recoup when you sell. There are a lot of things you can do to prolong the finish of your RV for a lot less money. A heat pump will only works and be efficient in a very narrow temperature range. Unless you spend a lot of time in these temps it will never pay for itself.

    I have only read about, so I have no real experience with, the dual pain windows they use in an RV but from what I have read it seems they help very little except for reducing condensation. They do not have the thermo quality of the windows used in a residential home.
    Randy & Sharon (Went full time April 14th 2017)

    2016 Ram CC SB Outdoorsman 4x4 CTD
    Michelin 295/70R18
    Fold-A-Cover G4 tonneau,
    Dee Zee truck bed mat,
    Dee Zee tailgate assist,
    Dodge Ram 4x4 Steering Gear Box Brace
    Fumoto oil drain valve,
    Husky floor liners,
    WeatherTech No Drill Mud Flaps,
    Firestone Ride-Rite Suspension Kit
    Reece Pro Series 20K lb 5th wheel hitch

    2018 Solitude 375res
    8K lb axles, springs & hubs with Nev-R-Lube bearings
    MORryde HD shackle kit with brass bushings & wet bolts
    Reece Sidewinder 19K lb pin box.

  10. #10
    Site Sponsor Jerryr's Avatar
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    From safety standpoint - DISC BRAKES and G Rated Tires. Best investment you can make for safety.

    Since new Solitudes now come with G-Rated Tires now consider having disc brakes installed. You can’t get them from factory but they are available aftermarket.

    Jerry
    Jerry & Linda
    Emma & Abby our Mini Golden Doodles & JR our Amazon Parrot
    2017 Reflection 337RLS, Build Date 01/2017, Titan Disk Brakes, Goodyear G614s 235/85/16 G Rated tires
    2022 F-450 King Ranch Ultimate, 4,868 lb Payload, Bedrug Bedliner, Andersen Ultimate II Aluminum 5th wheel hitch
    http://visitedstatesmap.com/image/FLGANCSCsm.jpg

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