2021 Grand Design Solitude Problems

Beginning in 2024 our RV exhibited consistent structural movement & frame flex including: upper deck flex, front cap cracking, cracked moldings, sidewall movement, filon transition movement, screws pushing upward into floors, slides coming out during travel. Rv has unsuccessfully been repaired twice by Grand Design SRT & three times at Grand Design Factory. Independent RV service repair shop identified further damage caused by Grand Designs failed attempts at repair.

Frame weld cracks. Wall support framing cracks. Damaged cargo doors from flexing frame. Slideout damage from frame support break which may or may not keep it locked in placed during travel. Has been returned to manufacturer twice. 2024, 2025. Same issues again in 2026.

Frame weld cracks. Wall support framing cracks. Damaged cargo doors from flexing frame. Slideout damage from frame support break which may or may not keep it locked in placed during travel. Has been returned to manufacturer twice. 2024, 2025. Same issues again in 2026.

The contact owns a 2021 Grand Design Solitude Trailer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH, the cargo doors opened independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the built-in tables were detaching from the wall, and the wall panels were separating in the bunk room. The contact also noticed that the walls were separating from the floor. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE24029 (Structure). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

I am filing a complaint regarding the frame manufactured by Lippert Components on my 2021 Grand Design Solitude 380FL (VIN [XXX] ). Lippert is the OEM supplier of the frame and has been directly involved in inspection and repair of ongoing structural failures. The unit has experienced repeated structural failures, including frame flex, broken welds, cracking of the main I-beam rails above both axles, torn steel upper sill plates and suspension failures. These issues began within the manufacturer’s warranty period and required extensive factory repairs from December 2024 to February 2025, including reinforcement of the upper deck, weld repairs, sill plate replacement, and added gussets. Despite these repairs, new failures developed shortly after. In September 2025, a Lippert technician (dispatched at Grand Design’s request) identified new frame cracks above both axles, a bent outrigger support, and repeated suspension failure. These were not pre-existing conditions but occurred after factory structural repairs. In December 2025, Lippert performed additional field repairs, including welding the cracked frame, adding fishplates, reinforcing outriggers, and installing cross-members. These repairs were performed under engineering direction, and Lippert confirmed no standard TSB applied to this condition. Despite multiple repair attempts, the unit continues to exhibit structural-related issues, including cargo doors opening during transit and recurring suspension failures. These conditions indicate ongoing and unsafe frame deflection and instability. Grand Design has now stated their repairs are done per a customer satisfaction campaign, and attributed responsibility for any ongoing frame issues to Lippert, and has abandoned any further assistance with cargo doors opening during transit. This represents a systemic structural defect affecting safety, including risk of debris or components entering roadways and loss of structural integrity during travel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

We are having issues with the frame flex failing, screws popping out from around the slides and also around the wheel wells. Seams on the exterior are pulling apart, roof is pulling away in several spots. The slides are pulling in crooked, external compartment doors open while traveling down the highway. Sawdust is noted in multiple spots in the interior of camper. We had the springs fall apart ( they literally fell off onto the highway!) and caused the axle to shift forward while driving down the interstate. Our camper was going sideways down the highway and caused a flat tire and left us stranded on the side of the highway. Thankfully we didn’t not hit any other vehicles. There is also a burning smell in the camper, the generator turns on and off randomly by itself.

On the evening of 7-1-25 we had finished unhooking the rv. As we were setting out our leveling blocks we noticed smoke pouring from the front battery compartment. After we had disconnected our batteries via the battery disconnect switch and removed the batteries we were able to search out the cause of the smoke . The power cable from the tow vehicle where it makes connection to the camper was inserted into a metal box. The connector to the box had come free allowing the cord to rub through and short to ground on the metal box causing the wire to burn back through the wire bundle into the battery compartment. This melted all the wires in the bundle and fused them together . There appears to be no fusebile links in line to protect against thermal overload. If we had not been parked and unhooked we would not have been able to respond so quickly to disable the battery power .

We are having issues with the frame flex failing, screws popping out from around the slides and also around the wheel wells. Seams on the exterior are pulling apart, roof is pulling away in several spots. The slides are pulling in crooked, external compartment doors open while traveling down the highway. Sawdust is noted in multiple spots in the interior of camper. We had the springs fall apart ( they literally fell off onto the highway!) and caused the axle to shift forward while driving down the interstate. Our camper was going sideways down the highway and caused a flat tire and left us stranded on the side of the highway. Thankfully we didn’t not hit any other vehicles. There is also a burning smell in the camper, the generator turns on and off randomly by itself.

2021 GRAND DESIGN SOLITUDE RV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VARIOUS ISSUES WITH RV. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REGULATOR MALFUNTIONED CAUSING A SMELL OF PROPANE. THERE WAS LEAKAGE THAT PREVENTED THE USE OF APPLIANCES THAT REQUIRED PROPANE. WATER SEEPED FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE KITCHEN SLIDE OUT. THE BLINDS HAD WATER MARKS. REFRIGERATOR DISPLAYED CODE DR DUE TO A FAULTY DOOR SWITCH. BEDROOM CLOSET DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE. WALL PANELING SEPARATED. PANTRY DRAWER WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY DUE TO BEARING FALLEN OUT. THE RECLINING CHAIRS WERE NOT SECURED AND MOVED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING TRANSPORTED. THE SCREEN DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. WHILE BEING TRANSPORTED, SCREWS FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND STORAGE COMPARTMENTS.

Electrical system spontaneously caught fire. Had this happened while on the road or with people inside the trailer, it would have lead to serious injury or death. The issue has been confirmed by the manufacturer and they are refusing to take action or honor the warrantee. The RV has been inspected by the manufacturer and is the in process of being inspected by insurance. There was no warning or symptoms prior to smoke pouring from various compartments of the RV.

Trailer is not manufactured in compliance of FCR Title 49 393.70 a,b,(ii), California Code of Regulations Title 13 and Cal.Vehicle Code. Coupling devices and towing methods, as it is a known fact that 5th wheel hitches are breaking frames. Hitch will flex vertically 1 to 3 inches when towing. If towing truck has USDOT and/or California BIT numbers on side of truck the trailer is bound to Federal and State Motor Carrier Laws as trailer is part of combination. Hitch weight is overweight by 106 lbs empty, see attached weight sheets and product sheet. Grand Design main sales phone number confirmed Max Hitch Weight is correct on sales brochure. We cannot legally install generator or washer dryer in front compartments as trailer will be at least 500lbs overweight on hitch. During trips, front cargo door and rear cargo doors have come unlatched. When trailer was purchased, brakes were not operating properly, called dealer, the brakes are self adjusting and will get better. I knew better and fixed myself, Dexter reimbursed me for parts. Trailer will go to Grand Design Dealer for repairs to hitch and upper deck failure in February 2025.