We try not to travel long distances per day, why you ask? Because we don't have to. Anyway, the first overnight stop was at Grand Island KOA (18 May 2019) and then we hung out at the Kellogg RV Park in Kellogg IA for a couple of days (19-21 May 2019). Nothing really happened while we were here except we made it to Bass Pro shop. While there we saw a rubber squeaky ball toy for the dog. So we picked it up for him to play with.
When we were leaving the campground, we put the ball in the truck so Scout had something to do other than bother me while I was driving. It was a good idea at the time. So before we completely left the campground, we stop to let the dog out go pee before we got on the road. So what did he do? He jumped out of the truck to get a bird...or at least try. He ran all the way across this corn field before he decided he wasn't going to get it. He came back and hopped in the truck and off we go. A little ways down the road, we noticed he wasn't playing with the ball. After looking around, we determined it must have rolled out when he was trying to get the bird. Oh well, maybe we can find another one later.
Our next stop was Eby's Pines Campground in Bristol IN. I am surprised we didn't have any issues getting here. We spent some quality time dodging Gigantic Pot Holes while doing through Illinois. I think one of the holes had a VW Bug in it. But we made it and stayed here for a couple of days too (21 - 23 May 2019). We actually had plans for this stop. This is where our RV was made...no not at the campground silly, but just down the road in Middlebury IN. There was nothing special about the last two campgrounds we stayed at, but this one was like a resort with pools, trails, games, and stuff like that. The park was really big. But like I said, we were here to get a tour of the plant that made our RV.
When we got to Grand Design RV Factory, they handed out reflective vests (that had Grand Design printed on the vests) for everyone. (We asked and were able to keep ours). For only being around for about 7 years, their complex was really large. They had 10 factory buildings already and was building another one. They also have a small campground (about 5 spots) for customers that needed to have some serious work done. So everyone doing the tours started in the lamination building and then split up to different RVs. Grand Design had the Solitude (what we have), (the luxury model), Momentum (Toy Hauler), Reflection (lower end 5th wheel) Imagine and Transcend (both bumper pulls). The Solitude only comes in a 5th wheel while the Momentum and Reflections comes in both 5th wheel and bumper pulls.
What I found interesting is all the walls for all the RVs are built in the same building, using the same materials and process. GD build all their walls in house and if any wall falls more that 1/8th of an inch out of square, they throw that wall out and build another one. They also test every piece of scrap that is cut out for like windows for the strength of the glueing process. If any of them fail, then the entire wall is thrown out and redone. We were told that no other manufacturer that they know about does that. There was other things that was impressive too like the building was temperature and humidity controlled, and when they build the walls, they put wood in the 2x2 metal framing so you screw into wood and not just metal. After this building we all split into our smaller groups and headed to the RV tour of choice. We headed to the Solitude tour.
We were told that they kept something like a million dollars worth of parts on hand at all times. If a dealer needs a part, it is usually shipped within a couple of days. Some of the key points about the tour was the furniture wasn't put in the RV until it was done. This way you know that all furniture came through the door...and can come out the same way. The RV also goes through QC processes. Another department that reports only to the CEO (or someone high up like that) does the QC. If there is issues, then the trailer goes back gets fixed and then back through the QC again. Things do slip through, but that's life.
The motto of GD is "Customers for Life". I think they do their best at that. All issues that we have had, GD has taken care of. And all the employee's that I have talked to, say that they wouldn't work for anyone else. That says something too.
I would show you some pictures, but they said I can't share them on social media, not to mentioned the only pictures I took was with the frame and storage tanks.
They tour was fun and memorable and I would do it again if given the chance. Well we're off to Terry's parents house now. See ya on the road...hopefully you don't end up in a Pot Hole!.
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