2020 Reflection 297RSTS by Grand Design (Unbiased RV Review)

[@russellcoble9480]

Very thorough and useful review. Your video helped me narrow my search and decision. Thank you for taking the time to create this review.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Wow that is so nice to hear but you left me hanging, what is your decision? You've got me excited for you. Glad we could help you out. Thanks for watching.

[@russellcoble9480]

@@DoesSizeMatter Deciding between the GD Reflection 297RSTS (your video was a major decision maker) and the Jayco Eagle HT 280RSOK. Pretty much the same floorplan. There are certain things I like about the GD and other things I like about the Jayco Eagle HT. Sure wish I could find the trailer that checked all the boxes. But both are there and in my opinion equal. We're leaning towards the GD Reflection, but because of the interior decor and storage. The Jayco Eagle HT has more exterior storage and the outside command center is a little better than the GD...mainly all the pulls (gray's and black) are inside the heated storage area. I also want auto leveling, which the Jayco Eagle has. I don't think it's an option for the GD...but I could be wrong. We're going back to the GD dealership to follow-up and get some more numbers. Crossing my fingers. The GD provide me with a little more buffer when it comes to payload. Looking at the numbers, my 2018 Ford F150 Lariat FX4 has a GVWR=7,000 lbs, GCVWR=16,200 lbs, Payload=2,050 lbs, and Towing capacity of 10,700 lbs. So factoring in 400 lbs for passengers (my wife and I along with our Goldendoodle and cargo of 300 lbs (packing light in the truck) with the GD Reflection 297RSTS I have a 555 lbs of available payload above what we put into the camper. This way if we have additional passengers come along with us (friends or family) we should have enough available capability without putting us over any legal limits. So in short, your video was very.....very....helpful . Thank you so much for doing these reviews. I've also been following Keep Your Daydream. I love both your channels and have become official subscribers. My wife and I will be retiring in less 2 months and plan on becoming "Some-Timers" as well. I grew up camping all the time with my family. My wife grew up on a dairy farm...so they didn't go anywhere. It was a 24x7 operation. :-( Our kids are now grown and out of the house....so this is our time to enjoy the rest of our life.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Oh I am so excited for you both. The RV Sometimer Lifestyle works so good for us and we are thrilled that you have joined us. If you get a chance check us out on IG @doessizematterrv I just posted a great picture showing why we like being RV Sometimers. I am very interested in the Jayco as well. A number of people have asked us to do a review on it so I am looking for an opportunity. It sounds really nice. I know what you mean about finding the exact one and I don't think that every box gets ticked off on one RV only, ever. It's a give and take and is completely individual to you. So exciting though for you guys. Do you know where you will go first?

[@russellcoble9480]

@@DoesSizeMatter Not sure. South East USA most likely. My uncle has a place in Hilton Head. We both like the Tennessee, Kentucky, and N.Carolina area. But I don't want to attempt taking any mountains until we get a few miles under our belt and I see how the truck handles everything. My truck is supposed to handle them without issue based on other posts from other F150 owners. But everyone's skills and vehicles are different. Mine has the extended towing package. But I think I will add air bags for the bed lift/ride. I also need towing mirrors. Any advice there?

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Nice, those areas are on our list too. We head back to the Beaver, which is waiting patiently for us in Atlanta, in Jan but we will go to Florida, then N Alabama by the end of March then we will start heading through the areas you have mentioned. Give us a shout if we are crossing paths. As for towing mirrors we don't have any advice but I can refer you to a couple of resources. Try @bigtruckbigrv here on youtube or ourfutureinanrv.wordpress.com/ this is a blog from a guy that researches everything and he is so smart, I always learn from him. Hope that helps. Again thanks for joining us.

[@Sintillator7575]

I’ve watched dozens of RV videos and your honest, straightforward approach is so refreshing. I also appreciate the thoroughness of how you go thru all aspects inside and out and the cabinets and bathrooms etc. Well done, & thanks!

[@DoesSizeMatter]

We are so glad you like them. We really do try hard to be all of those things and appreciate that it works for you. Thanks for spending your time with us.

[@Erin-Thor]

That window that “is not your fave,” has a plus... it can be left open in light rain. Every other type must be closed. This can make a big difference!

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Yes you are right about it being better in the rain. We have mentioned that many times. Pros and cons right? Everyone has their preferences. Thanks for watching

[@bon2198]

That gray valve in front is for bathroom grey only. Kitchen has its own tank.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

You are right about that. We did mention that there are 2 grey tanks on this trailer but we did not specify that the front was for the bathroom. Thanks for clarifying and watching.

[@bon2198]

Does Size Matter I love your reviews. I always comment on the go, and usually clarifications or corrections happen later and I always forget to either delete or edit my comment. All your videos are great, and having been 20 years in the military I always like to add my .02 and potentially help with clarification or a different perspective as well. Keep up the great work!!

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Haha, you aren't the only one. We like chatting with folks and never claim to be the all knowing experts on anything. We just share what we research and what we see and clarification is fine with us. Some folks choose to share their opinions as facts and in those cases we need to get them to show their sources so that we can verify them as we want our viewers to get the most factual information they can from our channel. So thanks for sharing and we are thrilled that you enjoy spending your time with us.

[@bon2198]

Does Size Matter you’re most welcome. The videos that always kill me is when weights are involved. And rarely ever payload is spoken. Which IMO is more important than tow capacity. You’ll run out of payload capacity LONG before tow capacity. I am a salesperson’s worst nightmare when it comes to this. They’ll sell anybody anything without any regard for safety limits. I hope the day comes when RV’ers will have to get weighed and DOT inspected. I’ll be laughing as I pass them all with flying colors having been a truck driver and dealing with weight and load calculations in the military.

[@bon2198]

Does Size Matter and with that said if you’re ever looking to interview someone to explain GVWR, GCWR, PAYLOAD, TOW Capacity, and how all this works mathematically I’d be more than happy to via phone or Skype or whatever method you so desire. Far too many misinformed travelers out there that I always bring this to their attention each trip I take.

[@aaronholly3128]

This is a really well thought out and useful review. We are in the market for our first ever RV so this video has been very helpful. Thank you.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Oh wow that's super exciting. Glad our review is helping. We love researching them. If you need help we are doing 1:1 consulting and we can talk more by you emailing [e-mail] The hunt is half of the fun. Thanks for watching

[@brenharris6214]

I love the way you show a camper, opening all the drawers and allowing us to see inside, I like this one , thanks 😊

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Glad you like it, hope it helps you out. There's more to come. Thanks for watching.

[@williamquestmagic]

Love this design. My most favorite thing is the REVERSED FLOOR plan with the kitchen on the door side. I like the TV facing the door side. I am a SOFA person and am only able to lay on a sofa ( my favorite position to watch TV ) on my left side due to nerve damage in my right shoulder area. Being reversed allows me to look toward the TV laying and pointing to the door side of the RV. A small issue to some but a HUGE issue for me as I watch a lot of KZbin including your shows. This video has helped me decide on which Grand Design suits my unique need and this is one of the only designs like this in the GD line. For that matter...it seems almost Any Brand out there. Thank you so much and thank you Grand Design for making the Reflection 297RSTS. You are the top runner for my replacement RV. Keep up the great work you two. bill in Florida

[@DoesSizeMatter]

So cool to hear you are watching lots. GD does do a good job. When we walk into an RV and see something different it always makes us wonder who this one would fit and why. We always say there is a right RV out there for everyone and you have just explained why. Glad that this suits you so well. Let us know when you go for it. We'd love to include it on our website. Thanks for spending your time with us.

[@maynardholmes8870]

I have nothing further to add on your videos they are lovely I enjoy watching them in fact I have not been able to get notifications for a while so I just got a reply to something that I sent months ago this is the second reply anyhow keep up the good work not a troll I think you remember me and I have a lot of good questions and enjoy your program

[@DoesSizeMatter]

We are having the same problem as you with notifications so we have to go back and search for comments that we did not know about as we try to respond to them all. We do remember you and we are happy to hear your thoughts we just need to make sure we let all of our viewers and comment readers know the facts so when someone thinks we are not providing facts we need to investigate further to uphold the highest standard of info that we can. We are glad you are watching and we will keep working to share the best that we can on all of these great rvs and our adventures.

[@maynardholmes8870]

Does Size Matter OK sounds good to me if you can look up the Rockwood I believe it’s 8327 to 8338 those two are very nice I would love to see your review on it as an unbiased review

[@elaneya]

Thank you so much for sharing this video as it was very insightful. I have been considering buying a GD RV for about 1.5 years and today bought this one. It will arrive in six weeks....

[@DoesSizeMatter]

That is such exciting news! 👏 Congratulations. We are so happy we could help you out with your decision. Let us know when you go out in it we want to hear all about it. Thanks for watching.

[@MRHEAT20]

Great detailed review- thanks

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching.

[@heavenonearth9959]

Have you ever done a video on the GD Reflection 150 273MK?

[@DoesSizeMatter]

We have not done that one but will put it on our list. Thanks for watching.

[@jeffosborn7821]

Can you guys review a Grand design imagine 2970rl? Would love your feedback on it...

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Sounds good. We have put it on our list and will start looking for it. Thanks for watchng.

[@lw5417]

Hi, could you please share how tall you are? I am 5' 10", so I need to imagine my height while you review parts of the RV interiors. Love your unbiased and informative reviews. Thanks for helping me find the perfect RV for my needs. 💖🌻

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Hey there, I am 5' tall. Hope that helps. We are glad to hear we could be a part of your decision making. Thanks for the kind words and for watching.

[@lw5417]

@@DoesSizeMatter thanks so much. 🦋

[@drumpatterns1]

Great information~~~ I love this Trailer trying to talk the wife into it ! Thanks for the review

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Glad you liked it. Did you show this review to your wife? What is she uncertain about? I'd be happy to chat with her. Thanks for watching.

[@BarryandKaren]

I hate islands because it almost always means very restricted access with the slides in, like at rest stops or truck stops etc.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

You do have a point there. I guess the decision to have an island or not would be based on the type of travel and stay patterns a buyer is planning to have. If your staying for longer periods then travelling it would be a very nice feature to have. Thanks for watching.

[@bon2198]

Does Size Matter I agree. Bathroom and bedroom access is no problem. The outside fridge is electric only, but could be used as a "cooler" for food needs on the road.

[@maynardholmes8870]

It takes a man to admit when he’s wrong I was so hung up on all of the reflection fifth wheels that I failed to realize this is a bumper pole so in me talking about you doing your research I just inserted foot in mouth I sincerely apologize maybe that tow hitch back there is for bicycles and/or cargo please forgive me I’m subscribing and I’m slapping myself in the face in hopes that you forgive me

[@DoesSizeMatter]

😂 We get it and we totally respect your ability to identify your mistake and apologize. The internet is a funny place where people often feel it is ok to say whatever they think, often without seeing the whole picture. To remember that there is real people behind our computer screens that messages go to is a very respectable thing. Thank you for showing others how to be an interactive member of an online community. We are all human, we make mistakes and just because what we are looking at is online we still need to be honest and good to one another. We are thrilled that you are with us and welcome your comments. Thanks for watching and spending your time on our channel.

[@maynardholmes8870]

Does Size Matter thanks and I will stick to my day job as a trucker as I watch and listen to countless spins on the fifth wheels that I would like to see or own thanks again

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Keep your wheels rolling safely, we are all counting on you and your industry to get us what we need to get through this viral crisis. Thanks for being 'essential travel'.

[@bradleyevans8147]

Closed width=8 ft

[@DoesSizeMatter]

That would be correct. Thanks for watching.

[@ulucom1651]

looks like they lengthened this for 2020

[@maynardholmes8870]

Arm if we are to describe the fifth wheel trailer let us learn all that we can before we light up the camera and start explaining not sure it’s a little bit unacceptable the tow hitch on the back is also for hauling things like a motorcycle as well please get the numbers straight good video though

[@DoesSizeMatter]

We do extensive research before we film but we always welcome added information from factual sources. If you have any facts to share please send them to [e-mail] and we will verify them to share. As we mentioned the receiver hitch on the back is not for towing but it may be able to handle a motorbike we did not get the exact wt limit on it. All of the numbers that we share with you are straight from the manufacturer but if you think they are wrong in what they publish please send us your sources of information to verify. Thanks for watching.