Grand Design Reflection Construction (Unbiased RV Review)

[@captainskippy6622]

Two weeks ago we traded our 2017 Reflection 303rls for a 2019 Reflection 320MKS. We wanted a king bed and a little more room. Overall we are happy with the construction and the dealer we purchased both units from. I do wish they would use American tires such as the Goodyear brand. I hade a west lake fail on my 303. We had our first trip in the 320 last week and will get one more trip before we have to winterize it. Next year I will change out the tires. I see no need to get new tires just to have them sit until spring. I also don’t like the fact that GD leaves the bottom of the propane storage completely open. I am a retired police officer and firefighter so I understand the properties on the gas being heavier than air hence the open area. But in my area wasp and dirt dobbers build nest in places like this. This also happens in the fridge and heater/water heater. I cannot understand why RV companies can’t spend $30-$40 more dollars and put mesh vents on these areas. I will be doing it myself including across the bottom of the propane area. This unit is the 6th RV we’ve had. I have learned a lot about them. Hope you have safe travels!

[@DoesSizeMatter]

So glad you are happy with your Grand Design Reflections. I'm sure the new one has been fun for you. Thanks for sharing a few areas of improvement and your plan to make it better. We appreciate an owner's perspective. Thanks for watching.

[@bertadelaudebri7179]

Thank you so much for your perspective and insight into this 5th wheel. Your indepth knowledge of this subject-matter is notable.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

So glad we could help you out. We appreciate you spending your time with us. Thanks for watching.

[@stevenscott4096]

One thing that's a little misleading, and many manufacturers do it, is the R-40 claim for their roofing systems. If you read the documentation carefully, you'll notice there is an * after the R-40 insulation value. When You look at the key it says something to the effect of "Equivalent R-Value". You can't get a building inspector of a home to accept "Equivalent R-Value". It has to be actual R-value. Like I said GD isn't the only company doing it either.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

You are very right about this. All manufacturers are coming up with these numbers by calculating all sorts of things together. We make a point of no longer including R values in our reviews for this very reason. We think it is more important to tell folks how things are built and what materials are used and we know people can decide for themselves. Thanks for bringing it up and for watching.

[@vap0rtranz]

We read the same spec sheet. At least GD admits the equivalent statement in a footnote. Other makers just state huge, impossible R-values without an equivalency foot note.

[@PHILDRU911]

LOL! Yep! I have to get the barrier off to get to the fresh water tank which dropped out on one side going down the highway. Who knows what I'll need...

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Oh wow. That will be a job. Let us know what you decide to do and how you put it all back together again. Thanks for watching

[@imout671]

The tires will have the letter rating stamped on in as well as the country of origin.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

That is true. Thanks for watching.

[@maynardholmes8870]

I just saw an ad for rv armor they coat and say you will never need roof service again can you investigate that and review 😊👍

[@homerogarcia2749]

It is my understanding that the frame has wood studs along with the aluminum frame. It is for cabinetry attachments, and structural reinforcement could you check on it. Thank you!!

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Hey there, I have been waiting to hear back from GD to see if there has been any updates or changes and they simply have not gotten back to me, which I must say is rare for GD they are generally pretty good. So what I can tell you is that they are using aluminum framing but what some manufacturers do (what I was asking GD about) is they put small pieces of wood inside the aluminum tubes only in strategic places for better screw retention. We have found no where that GD claims to do this but it is possible that you may have heard something like that and if GD gets back to me and confirms either way I will let you know. GD does use actual aluminum wall studs on 16" centres which does make for a stronger wall vs many that have aluminum frames with or some without windows and door frames. This gives them more to adhere cabinetry and such to. Hope this helps and if I learn more I will share it with you. Thanks for watching.

[@dkoo5402]

Tires have a 5 year warranty on them. 3500lb rear hitch (300 lb tung rating) RV has one of the best warranties out there.

[@mobileparamedical]

Epdm? Tpo?

[@DoesSizeMatter]

These are traditional roof membrane materials. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@MRHEAT20]

Great review- you hit on a lot of things that other people have missed - thanks

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Thanks for watching.

[@guyboyd0130]

How thick are the basement walls on the 2021 Reflection 295RL?

[@DoesSizeMatter]

The walls on all GD are one piece from top to bottom which includes the basement space. We discuss the specific thickness on the Reflection in this construction video. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching

[@guyboyd0130]

@@DoesSizeMatter Understand, I have watched the video several times. I plan on mounting a charging controller in the front storage area where the batteries are. If I got it right from your video the walls are 2" thick. I am trying to determine what size and type of screws I will need to mount the controller on the back wall of the battery compartment. Is wood in the wall? If thick enough wood, I can use wood screws, if not, I will need a screw to go all the way through. Can you give me more info?

[@DoesSizeMatter]

@@guyboyd0130 in our research the only wood in the walls was the luan which is very thin. There are aluminum studs and foam insulation that we believe are 2" but we would be measuring the walls in the areas you are wanting to do the mounting to. Also check into the GD owner's forums because it is quite possible that you will find someone that has done exactly what you are trying to do. Hope that helps you out some.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Great job with the review, i love the detail on the construction.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Glad you liked it. thanks for watching.

[@debbiemeyer6396]

You never went inside???

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Actually we did. If you watch to the end you can click on the link to see it. Here is a second link to another Reflection we did, kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYLLiX9maaerpLM as well. You will find at the end of each of our construction reviews (for any manufacturer) there will be links to particular models. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@darrellgordon9748]

Like your video, but think if your talking construction stuff you need more detailed information. Ie...Axle weigh rating (6k, 7k)tire rating ( load range E, F, G, H) very important safety stuff, frame size (10 inch I beam, 12 inch, does it have drop frame), does RV have Arctic package or winter package or none. No matter, your video did cover lots of stuff, so good job👍😃

[@DoesSizeMatter]

This is important information and whenever I have been able to identify these details for sure I do include them. I don't spend a lot of time on tires as they are an entire (pun intended😉) research project unto themselves and I think a person should seek this information from a tire specialist, which I identify, I am not. I do point out if a rig has a winter package whenever I can. We just try to help people by sharing the research we do. Thanks for your comments and for watching.

[@colinhunter8793]

Axle rating is dependent on model. Tires on reflections are now goodyear endurance e rated USA made Tires. Most mid profile 5ers use a 10 inch I beam. Most lite and half ton 5ers use 8 inch i beam. Full profile 5ers use a 12 inch main beam with either an 8 or 10 inch drop section. Pretty standard across all manufacturers

[@BookedL15]

I was understanding that the walls were made of azdel. Is that not correct?

[@DoesSizeMatter]

In my research I have found nothing that indicates there is Azdel in Grand Design walls. If I find anything different I will let you know. Thanks for watching.

[@jeffreywiseman6209]

Azdel is used on some Coachman brands.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

@@jeffreywiseman6209 you are right about that and you check it out more on our earlier Coachman trailer review. Thanks for watching.

[@ReluctantPost]

No, still using Luan, and Grand Design also uses chip board and calls it "marine-grade" implying that it is actual plywood with that grading when it is not, and their insulation values are complete nonsense because they use a fake "reflective" aluminum-faced bubble wrap insulation that has wildly large, random R-value numbers assigned to it (like most RV manufacturers do). If you search for that material at Green Building Advisors or any other highly respected source, you'll discover that it is illegal under federal law for manufacturers to make these claims for material that is actually R-1. However, the RV industry gets away with it by saying that they aren't the manufacturer of the "insulation" but only the unit that it's going in. However, they still make the false claim which is a deceptive trade practice. You should always assume that Grand Design and virtually all other mid-priced RV's will have about R-6 or -7 walls and around R-11 in this type of ceiling, except at windows, doors, cargo hatches, outside showers, skylights, vents, and anywhere else there is a penetration of the envelope. That just means it takes a lot more energy than their ratings suggest if you use it in hot or cold weather.

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Thanks for commenting. As you can see from earlier comments, we have discussed that Grand Design does not use Azdel and they don't claim to. As for whether their marine grade is plywood or OSB, I'm not sure so could you please point me to your information source so that I can verify that for our viewers? Your points regarding R values have also been discussed in many of the comments on our channel and, as we have said before, we agree that many manufactures add up R value in inconsistent ways. You are right they are adding value to the foil which I think we can all agree on, it just doesn't add up. As for whether the foil is 'illegal" as you put it, again I would need to see your information source on this to learn more. We DO NOT RECOMMEND our viewers ASSUME anything when purchasing an RV but we agree that there are commonalities between brands at similar price points. R Values are a complex number made up of lots of factors. We do also discuss the standard feature of single pane windows and the fact that this is an area we would for sure upgrade to dual pane, the reason being R value. Looking forward to getting a look at your resource information. ([e-mail]) Thanks for watching.

[@ccpd166]

westlake tires seem to be a problem

[@standennis6987]

Corey and me, not Corey and I, in your opening statement. ☺️

[@DoesSizeMatter]

😂 actually it is Kory and me, I think that's what you really meant right? 😉

[@standennis6987]

Yes, correct grammar, in that sentence, would be Kory and me. Sorry, I just have a thing for misuse of me, myself and I. No one wants to use “me” in a sentence anymore, even when it is correctly used. 😉❤️

[@DoesSizeMatter]

No worries, youtube is one of those places where people get to be themselves and don't have to worry about camera/tv perfection whether that be grammar or spelling. We just get to be ourselves. Enjoy watching the rest of our videos, they won't be perfect grammar either but you will find pretty accurate spelling.😉

[@standennis6987]

Does Size Matter Will do. 🙂Thanks for doing these videos. 👍

[@patriot8087]

Where do you find a reparable person? I don't think so!

[@maynardholmes8870]

I just saw an ad for rv armor they coat and say you will never need roof service again can you investigate that and review 😊👍

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Ya we have heard about that too. We don't know much about it but we can ask around or maybe some of our viewers know more???

[@maynardholmes8870]

Does Size Matter ok sounds good looking forward to seeing your next video 👍

[@DoesSizeMatter]

Here's a hint, a new class B on Thurs and Fri. Let us know what you think.

[@maynardholmes8870]

Does Size Matter will be watching 😊