Our New Travel Trailer - 2021 Grand Design Imagine 3000QB

Today we introduce our new-to-us RV - the Grand Design Imagine 3000QB. It clocks in at a lengthy 37 feet according to our actual, real-world measurements and we're finding that it's a bit... long when it comes to navigating urban areas and maneuvering slightly off-road terrain. Did we make a mistake? Find out what our actual, unbiased thoughts are in this RV introductory film.
For those of you joining us by scanning the QR code from the large rolling Squatch Nest - welcome! You've gotten a sneak preview of the upcoming reveal film. 😎
Reference Links:
Part I. on BTBRV's Channel: • Amazing Compact Bunkho...
Big Truck Big RV Channel: / bigtruckbigrv
10 Most Unnecessary RV Camping things: • Upgrade Your Camping -...
** Bigfoot Film Fun Facts **
Time to Film: 3 hours over 3 days
Time to Edit: 12 hours
Time for Script: 4 hours
Cameras Used: 3
Transcript Summary:
Greetings to all my…. Ahh, hang on
[Move camera back]
There. Ahem.
Greetings to all my loyal squatchologists out there! I’m Bigfoot Dad here with part 2 of my RV series. Welcome back to my viewers that watched the first video hosted over on my favorite RV review channel, Big Truck Big RV, and if you’re new here, be sure to click on the link above to watch part one. And, as promised, I’m going to take you on the continuing journey of our RVing experience.
So what we have here is our new-to-us 2021 Grand Design Imagine 3000QB affectionately known as Mr. Marbles, buy the family who lovingly owned this before us.
It comes in at a whoppin 36’ and I have to say, I almost bought the shorter 2800BH option. But I’ll tell you why we finally opted for this instead in just a moment.
As discussed previously, I tow this with my 2017 Dodge---err RAM ¾ ton pickup with the 6.4L Hemi engine. That’s right, this is a gas engine. As you can see, it’s the salt version. And to liven up the towing experience, the ring gear also turns at an amazing one twist per 3.73 rotations of the pinion gear making acceleration breathtakingly… lackluster.
Ok, now, there are a few things guys lie about, and gas mileage is one of those things. So I’m just going to lay it all out there and tell you that I get an honest 68.4 miles per gallon --- ahem, I mean I get ON AVERAGE 8 miles per gallon while towing this trailer. But if I’m really lucky, I can hit the double digits.
Let’s go over the weights of the RV. This vehicle has a GVWR of 8,995 lbs - yes, that’s it for this lengthy rig because it only has a single slide. It rides on 4,400 lb axles and E-rated tires, which we’ll also get back to in a moment.
Ok, we’re finally coming back to the tires. These are the Goodyear Endurance E series and it’s one of the most critical things we upgraded recently. The Westlakes already had a considerable amount of mileage on them and would just randomly lose air, or gain air (wait, that was probably me filling them constantly) and they made me a bit nervous. If there’s one thing (well, actually there would be a few things) but one thing I would change about Grand Design is this - let’s get some safer tires on these units straight from the factory.
And the other important suspension item I have upgraded immediately was the equalizer - switching out the old Dexter one of this LCI Road Armor unit. I do have a bit of a review / slash before-and-after video coming out for this specifically, so stay tuned.
The front storage compartments are, to my standards, huge. And one of the attractive features of the 2020+ and beyond models is these upgraded slam latches --- Oooooo -- which I have grown to love.
It does come with a 5th wheel-esq wet bay which is… just showing how fast my little travel trailer is growing up.[HUUUuuuuph] But it turns out after having this apart recently this is just laminated wood, so maybe this wetbay is still maturing. I do enjoy this valve to switch between tank fill and city water - just another one of those time-saving features.
This travel trailer is equipped fully with LEDs so no upgrades in this area are needed. Well, sorta. This light by the utilities is nice, however, it beams straight outwards onto my retinas at night, rendering is completely useless. We’ll be coming back to this item for an upgrade at a later date.
Coming around the front side, there is an outdoor kitchen, although it’s missing a sink and I removed the refrigerator and… so what we have here is an outdoor burner. You can cook things or… burn things on it, I guess - we haven’t tried it out yet.
And to give a little bit of shade we have a 21 foot awning to worry abou-- I mean to provide some nice shade. I like this LED strip that spans the entire length of the awning. It’s about bright enough to confuse owls and bats as they pass by so we have that going for us, which is nice.

[@BTBRVReviews]

Awesome setup brother! You need to deal with that Yeti problem. Time to adopt I guess

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Ha, yeah - but they keep me warm at night in this chilly Montana weather. 😉

[@Fs_farmer22]

I love your channel it’s cool watching but I haven’t watched it lately

[@jessicaw1839]

Informative, honest and entertaining, as always. 👍

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Thank you, Jessica! 🙂

[@JimmyBender]

I really loved this! Great sense of humour. I’m also excited to see your upgrades because we have the same set up! I’m always up for some inspiration! Happy camping

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Hi, Jimmy - thanks for the feedback! Yes, I have one video partially done with upgrades. I had to send our travel trailer into the shop for a few issues and waiting to get it back so I can finish the upgrades and the video. Hopefully soon!

[@iVolkswagen]

Can’t wait to see you tinker and customize this!!

[@iVolkswagen]

PS: You deserve about 500k more subs.

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Thank you, iVollswagen! I really appreciate your continued support and kind comments. 😎 More to come soon... after our trip!

[@dnovello]

Another great video. The set up on the trailer is fantastic!! Love the LEDs above the awning; as well as, the amenities like the outdoor kitchen. Stove is a little small for the size of the trailer, kind of a drawback. 8mpg is actually pretty good, In my mind. Very creative and interesting. Really made my day to see this update. Congratulations and many enjoyable travel adventures with the family!

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Thanks, Paul! I appreciate the comprehensive comment. I agree with your analysis. We're heading across the country right now, and actually getting just a tad better than that at an amazing 8.7 mpg. 😅 Thank you again for your continued support! More to come, hopefully a little faster this time.

[@dnovello]

@@BigfootDadExploresMontana enjoy your trip. My wife's landcruiser 100 (2003) gets about 11 -13 in mixed driving and we are not pulling anything; so, I think your mileage is pretty impressive 👍

[@dnovello]

Diesel trucks cost more per mile, not to mention, the increased inconvenience of the frequent maintenance. You definitely made a great choice. I'm beginning to realize that 99.9% of the time, Less is more 👍

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

@@dnovello - this is good to know! Thank you for that info and for your candid analysis. I often wonder about my decision not to go diesel.

[@dnovello]

@@BigfootDadExploresMontana I know several people who were diehard diesel fans and are realizing that they may not make sense, in many cases. The latest diesels are not as reliable; all of them have had there issues Power strokes, Isuzus, and believe or not, even the newer Cummins. You are definitely better off with gas, in my opinion.

[@weirskruud]

Awesome video...happy trails

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Thank you, Angela! Happy trails to you as well!

[@TheDaubSquad]

Wow! What a great trailer. Love the graphics on the back.

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Ah, you must have passed us on the road today. 😉 And, thank you! Glad you found us and are here now.

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Subscribed to your channel, btw. 😎

[@TheDaubSquad]

@@BigfootDadExploresMontana no we’re actually right behind you in the KOA. Lol!

[@TheDaubSquad]

Thanks for the sub, also! We’re just starting out….

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

@@TheDaubSquad - ha, ok. That explains that then. We're just passing through and in our way in the morn. Others are going to wonder what the graphics are about, but we'll make a reveal video soon. 😅

[@dawnmtwild5409]

Oh my good garsh ! You just crack me up 😂 You're so fantastic on your wording and philosophy of all. What a delightful surprise when I turned on the TV this morning and Walla there you are with another video !!! My loving 11 grandchildren and I are really looking forward to the day we could afford an RV of anything we love love exploring and camping. Thank you so much for taking the time and the effort to make these videos ! My grandkids are the sixth generation here in north west Montana. PS Yes I was within 5 feet of a real live bigfoot. Never again do I want to encounter another one EVER !

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Thank you, Dawn! Feedback like yours is what keeps me going. I hope you can find a way to get out and start RVing soon. Your bigfoot story... that intrigues me. 😃

[@teages078]

Glad your back!

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Thanks, Teage - I'm still here! One video almost ready and one more about half way done through editing. 🙂

[@deanc3362]

Great video! That looks like a quality RV and you'd think heating/cooling would be much better (we have a 26' Keystone Hideout that seems to do pretty decent). Happy trails!

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Thank you, Dean! Yes, I was surprised too about the heat. Our old Keystone seemed to retain heat better also... hmmm, interesting. Happy trails to you and yours as well! 😎

[@BTBRVReviews]

Wait..... Temperature actually is below 100degrees somewhere?

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Maybe the arctic insulation was shipped down to Texas... 😅 Meanwhile, stay cool, my friend!

[@deanc3362]

did you ever find a better solution for the bunk beds? comfort wise?

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Hi, Dean - not yet. There's a company that makes these in various sizes that should fit, however, it's quite expensive. We'll look again in the spring before we head out on our next long adventurers. If you find anything on your side, I'd love to hear.

[@deanc3362]

@@BigfootDadExploresMontana Sounds good, and I'll let you know if I find something!

[@nrolled2888]

Looking at buying this exact year and model. They’re asking 30k…

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Hi, enrolled2888 - that's exciting! Have you been looking at RVTrader.com? I see a few on there, one of them is close for about 28k. Perhaps they will negotiate.

[@Fs_farmer22]

Sounds like someone needs a Cummins

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

Hi, Lamborghini Freak - it's all a mater of finances. Unfortunately it's not in the cards... yet. 😉

[@loveracing1988]

@@BigfootDadExploresMontana for fuel mileage you aren't missing much. I went from 8.5 to 9.5 mpg towing the same fifth wheel from the 6.4 hemi to the 6.7 cummins.

[@BigfootDadExploresMontana]

@@loveracing1988 - Thank you for the honest comparison! This is something of continuous curiosity for me and those are good real-world numbers. But the good news for you is that at least now you are able to use the pull-through semi pumps! 😎

[@loveracing1988]

@@BigfootDadExploresMontana that is the 2nd biggest upside to the diesel. You'll find out now with the bigger trailer fitting in those gas pumps is not remotely fun. You might have bigger stations out west though. The biggest plus is just how easy it is to set the cruise and go. No more manually downshifting to maintain speed up hills and no more listening to the engine scream at 3000 rpm to maintain 70.