New Grand Design Reflection 230RL!

[Ctdecuir]

It has been a long journey, and a ton of research - yesterday we finally picked up our new 2018 230RL! We towed it about 40 miles to the storage facility where we will be keeping it between camping for awhile - and the tow experience was better than I expected, even with pretty strong Texas crosswinds. However, this was my first time towing a 5er, so I don't have other experiences to compare it to! We have our first shakedown camping experience set for next weekend in Galveston...

About 8 months ago, I joined this forum as part of my research on the best truck, hitch, and trailer to get for our new life experience. Many of the folks on this forum have provided LOTS of unbelievably helpful feedback and information - I can't tell you how much my wife and I appreciate your willingness to help newbie's like us!

We really look forward to seeing some of you at future Rallys!

Chad & Marisa

[Cate&Rob]

Congratulations Chad and Marisa ! Yours has been the best researched purchase process that I have ever seen . I am sure that you will be happy with your choices.

Rob

[Ctdecuir]

Rob, thanks so much for the insight and recommendations along the way. Hopefully we will see you and Cate during our travels so we can thank you in person.

Chad

[warsw1]

Now that all the research is done the fun begins. Congrats. My wife and I are going to be going through Texas this summer. Maybe we'll see you on the road.

[Likes to tow]

My advice to a new owner would be take it for a short distance camping trip as soon as possible. This will give you the opportunity to check out all the appliances, holding tanks, electrical and plumbing. They don't check anything at the factory! It's all put in place and pushed out the door. When you go on the first trip you can shake it down and see what needs attention before that longer more important trip. Our fresh water tank would not hold any water, had a big crack in the side. Our AC made a horrible noise.....unable to use it. Now after saying this I will tell you Grand Design will stand behind their warranty!!! Good folks to deal with. If your selling dealer gives you any problems then contact Grand Design customer service!!

[grampscamper]

Congratulations!!! I'm sure you're going to love the new Reflection.
Safe travels.

Bob

[Ctdecuir]

Thanks for the good advice, Likes to Tow! We "camped" in a section of the Dealer's lot the night we purchased the 230RL - everything worked except the TV, and the door needed adjusting. The Dealer received approval from GD to reimburse us for a new TV purchase (I bought a Samsung 40"), and they have ordered a new door since there is a bad "catch" in one of the door hinges. We are still working directly with our Sales Rep at Holiday World in Katy - he is awesome, and has been with us every step of the way. I know this is unusual and is not typical - he has told me a number of times that he doesn't want us to end up in a "black hole!" We are lucky we ended up with him as our rep! Also, we have a shakedown trip planned for this weekend in Galveston (about a 1.5 Hr drive) with several other folks that have trailers (and a lot of experience!).

One thing I did notice when we arrived at our Storage Facility - when backing, it seemed like there was a "clanking" sound from one of the axles - I'm wondering if this is due to brake shoes catching on the drum? I turned the brake gain down to 1 to see if it made a difference, but don't believe so. I will check this out again before our trip to Galveston.

Anyone have this same experience while backing?

[johndeerefarmer]

Thanks for the good advice, Likes to Tow! We "camped" in a section of the Dealer's lot the night we purchased the 230RL - everything worked except the TV, and the door needed adjusting. The Dealer received approval from GD to reimburse us for a new TV purchase (I bought a Samsung 40"), and they have ordered a new door since there is a bad "catch" in one of the door hinges. We are still working directly with our Sales Rep at Holiday World in Katy - he is awesome, and has been with us every step of the way. I know this is unusual and is not typical - he has told me a number of times that he doesn't want us to end up in a "black hole!" We are lucky we ended up with him as our rep! Also, we have a shakedown trip planned for this weekend in Galveston (about a 1.5 Hr drive) with several other folks that have trailers (and a lot of experience!).

One thing I did notice when we arrived at our Storage Facility - when backing, it seemed like there was a "clanking" sound from one of the axles - I'm wondering if this is due to brake shoes catching on the drum? I turned the brake gain down to 1 to see if it made a difference, but don't believe so. I will check this out again before our trip to Galveston.

Anyone have this same experience while backing?

Congrats on the 230rl! I haven't noticed any sounds when backing my 220rk

[J&G garage]

Congratulations. Nice looking rig. Clunking from the area of the axles when backing and turning at the same time seems to be a fairly normal occurrence. I get it on ours even with wet bolts and bronze bushings although it seems to be less after lubing the wet bolts. There is some play between the springs and the spring hangers and I think the noise comes from the springs sliding across the bolt until it hits the spring hanger. If you are just backing straight then it's probably something else and warrants getting it checked out. Another thought you might wiggle each hub cap on the wheels and see that they are all firmly in place.

[Ctdecuir]

Thanks, Donald - I have been watching your posts for a long time! They have been extremely helpful as part of my research. Btw, I noticed that the "clanking" noise only happened when I was turning while backing the trailer - not when I was just backing in a straight line. Btw, I have to also say that this was my first backing experience, and there were more than a few "back and forth" maneuvers that I went through to get the trailer square in the the Storage slot .

Luckily, there was no one else there to witness that it took me a REALLY long time to get the trailer backed in correctly and the barrage of somewhat heated communication that went on with my wife who patiently directed me from outside the truck! Something tells me there is a rear mount Furrion observation camera coming in the near future!