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Grand Design's use of pin nailers - trim falling off everywhere!

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  • #16
    Originally posted by GDRV-Megan View Post
    The plant does a very good job of installing the trim pieces, but with the units rolling down the road. . .
    Well I guess GD is off the hook.

    2018 Solitude 310GK, disc brakes
    Morryde SRE4000/XFactor with heavy duty shackles, V-Brackets in spring hangers
    2012 Ram 3500 SRW 6.7 Diesel, air bags
    18k B&W Companion, non-slider
    640 watts solar, 400 amp-hour Lion Safari UT 1300 battery bank
    Aims 1500 watt inverter/charger with ATS
    Somerset, WI

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    • #17
      Knowing the great GDRV many of us have come to know over the years, in addition to the timely and appreciated feedback from Megan GDRV-Megan , it would have been wonderful to see a response include something similar to the below in bold as well. Continuing to have customers fix the factory challenge here seems less than the "GDRV way.":

      “Because we at GDRV communicate in various forms our passion and commitment to deliver better product and service quality, we take all concerns no matter how big or small from our family of owners and other stakeholders under review to work towards a resolution. As such we will be looking at what we need to do and implement changes to improve the product build process and/or design. We will stay in touch and communicate updates to you our valued family of owners."

      Dan
      Dan & Carol
      2014 303RLS Reflection #185 (10/2013 build)
      2012 Silverado LTZ Crew Duramax 2500HD - 2700/16K Pullrite Superglide

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      • #18
        Originally posted by steve&renee View Post

        Well I guess GD is off the hook.
        Canyonlight

        FYI - I wasn't just saying we aren't working to improve this, I was explaining why trim pieces seem to fall off of the units. I do apologize if that was how my comment was read. We are constantly looking for suggestions and looking to improve our product. As I have mentioned in a previous post (https://gdrvowners.com/forum/grand-d...ed-falling-off), we have switched to a longer headless pin nail to hopefully resolve many of these issues. I have provided all of these comments back to our GMs and product managers so they are well aware of everyone's concern in regards to trim pieces falling.

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        • #19
          We have resolved the issue by using (pneumatic) narrow crown staples and a sharpie to match or blend the finish.

          A pin nailer shoots "needle like pins," and has limited holding power. Brad nailing without a glue bond would never be acceptable in Norm's shop...

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          • #20
            Originally posted by GDRV-Megan View Post
            FYI - I wasn't just saying we aren't working to improve this, I was explaining why trim pieces seem to fall off of the units. I do apologize if that was how my comment was read. We are constantly looking for suggestions and looking to improve our product. As I have mentioned in a previous post (https://gdrvowners.com/forum/grand-d...ed-falling-off), we have switched to a longer headless pin nail to hopefully resolve many of these issues. I have provided all of these comments back to our GMs and product managers so they are well aware of everyone's concern in regards to trim pieces falling.
            Thanks Megan. Your previous message did sound like GD was patting itself on the back and blowing off this problem that is seriously frustrating some customers. I had to hold back steam.

            Grand Design has blundered into this problem and whomever has decided that just using a longer pin will resolve it is almost certainly blundering again. Your team would be wise to very carefully weigh the advice of some here that a pin nailer will not - was never intended to - provide sufficient attachment of pieces like this without also using glue or other support. Especially in a rolling / bumping / moving trailer, or does Grand Design not think customers will do that with their trailers?!

            Simply adding a wipe of strong glue is not a good resolution either. For example the decorative trim pieces on the sides of the windows - the ones that have / are all falling off on my trailer - must be removed if it's necessary to remove the valance and frame from around the window. There are likely other circumstances (adding cabling / wiring might be one) in which customers will want to remove trim.

            I'd like to see an apology from GD for this blunder and news that it will begin adding a strongly-tacky strip behind trim pieces - one that will later allow careful prying-off of the trim if necessary - in addition to its pin nailing. Or return to attaching the trim properly with a finish nailer and finishing the holes it leaves behind.
            Mark - 2018 Solitude 310GK - Ford F-350 SRW diesel short box - Pullrite Superglide hitch

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            • #21
              Originally posted by boyscout View Post

              Thanks Megan. Your previous message did sound like GD was patting itself on the back and blowing off this problem that is seriously frustrating some customers. I had to hold back steam.

              Grand Design has blundered into this problem and whomever has decided that just using a longer pin will resolve it is almost certainly blundering again. Your team would be wise to very carefully weigh the advice of some here that a pin nailer will not - was never intended to - provide sufficient attachment of pieces like this without also using glue or other support. Especially in a rolling / bumping / moving trailer, or does Grand Design not think customers will do that with their trailers?!

              Simply adding a wipe of strong glue is not a good resolution either. For example the decorative trim pieces on the sides of the windows - the ones that have / are all falling off on my trailer - must be removed if it's necessary to remove the valance and frame from around the window. There are likely other circumstances (adding cabling / wiring might be one) in which customers will want to remove trim.

              I'd like to see an apology from GD for this blunder and news that it will begin adding a strongly-tacky strip behind trim pieces - one that will later allow careful prying-off of the trim if necessary - in addition to its pin nailing. Or return to attaching the trim properly with a finish nailer and finishing the holes it leaves behind.
              We will look into this further. We have heard of this happening more frequently in the past. We made adjustments, for example - for a while, everyone was using one compressor so we weren't able to adjust the air pressure depending on where the trim was being installed. So we provided a separate compressor for the guys hanging the trim. If you will notice, no one posting here have the Transcend models. This could be because Transcends are newer and we don't have as many Transcend owners on this page, or it could be because the Transcends are mainly wood.

              I would ask of everyone to please send me pictures of WHERE the trims have fallen down so that I can provide as much information over to our plant managers.

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              • #22
                Originally posted by GDRV-Megan View Post
                ...please send me pictures of WHERE the trims have fallen down so that I can provide as much information over to our plant managers.
                As requested. 2019 315RLTS 573TR3827K3320033

                Multiple pieces in front closet area. These came off soon after taking possession. I fixed it myself.

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                Decorative piece in living room. Happened very recently. So it hung in there (pun intended?) for ~18,000 miles.

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                Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by GDRV-Megan View Post
                  I would ask of everyone to please send me pictures of WHERE the trims have fallen down so that I can provide as much information over to our plant managers.
                  Here's my latest Grand Design experience. In the shock of first seeing it I formed the impression that most of the pins remained in the trim piece... I guess I was imagining what they would do if the trim had fallen completely off. The second photo shows that some pins stayed in the trim, but a lot of them stayed in the board to which the trim attaches.

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                  GD doesn't need photos of my side trim pieces decorating the sides of all the windows... didn't want to open the slides just to get that.

                  The first two to let go were the two in the middle of the dining slide between the big windows. That happened within about a month of our actually using the trailer (the dealer had it in "service" for five months after we bought it.) First the right one, then the left one were on the floor after travel.

                  In the year afterwards all but two (I've been mis-reporting it as three) of the other window trim pieces in the trailer have either fallen off (two more on the side windows of the dining slide) or become wobbly enough to need attention before they fell off. Two more are very wobbly now, certain to fall off soon. They are the ones on the far left and right sides of the dining slide main windows, the ones that are tucked behind the decorative frames on the side windows of the dining slide. They are going to be a real PITA to fix since I'll have to remove the now-fixed side window valance frames to do it. I've reattached the others with a nailer.

                  The only two window side-trim pieces that remain firmly attached (AFAIK - haven't checked recently) are the two on the window behind the TV.

                  EDIT: OK, I just went out to look at it again, wondered about my memory of all the pins in the trim. Sure enough, there ARE lots of pins in the trim that don't show in my photo above. I counted eight pins in the trim, seven pins in the board to which it was attached. A few more pins remain "attached" but as I moved the trim gently to view the pins it came even closer to detaching from that end. I'll be taking it down before I move the trailer again.
                  Last edited by boyscout; 03-13-2020, 08:49 AM.
                  Mark - 2018 Solitude 310GK - Ford F-350 SRW diesel short box - Pullrite Superglide hitch

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                  • #24
                    Thank you howson & boyscout I will send this to Greg, who I have been working on this with. If anyone else would like to chime in, please do so here and tag me in the post so that I'm sure to see it.

                    boyscout - also, can you please send me your VIN so that I am sure to have all information? I tried finding it in your profile, but I didn't see it. Thanks!!

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                    • #25
                      Speaking from personal experience as a home owner, and installing door casing, baseboards, etc., it may be helpful to angle the trim nails through the wood. They seem to pull out easier when installed straight in. Just a thought. Stay healthy everyone.
                      Scott M. Barlag, RV Product Specialist, NW Indiana

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                      • #26
                        2020 397TH - My trim on top of the main slide has come off in much the same as the photos posted above. My question is whether anyone has repaired by using ordinary nails. I do not have a staple/nail gun and would rather not use glue. I have used nails to repair the trim around the door going into the garage and has held up well. I think there are a couple support joints that I can nail into. not so sure about nailing right into the face. The flat trim going across the roof in the same area has started to fall off (going to use nail/hammer at the same time).
                        2020 Momentum 397TH - 2019 Ram 3500 - ICON Golf Cart 40L - 1200 watts solar - 600 amps battery

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by CaptDan View Post
                          2020 397TH - My trim on top of the main slide has come off in much the same as the photos posted above. My question is whether anyone has repaired by using ordinary nails. I do not have a staple/nail gun and would rather not use glue. I have used nails to repair the trim around the door going into the garage and has held up well. I think there are a couple support joints that I can nail into. not so sure about nailing right into the face. The flat trim going across the roof in the same area has started to fall off (going to use nail/hammer at the same time).
                          I've successfully used nails while I'm on the road. I don't take my pin nailer with me, so sometimes a hammer and nail are needed. I prefer to used paneling nails because their ridges seem to hold better. For instance:

                          https://amazon.com/Hillman-Group-417...s%2C244&sr=8-3
                          Jim and Ginnie
                          2024 Solitude 310GK
                          GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
                          GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

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                          • #28
                            Thanks Jim. I used similar nails except they don't have the "ridges". I'll have to order some to have on hand next time it happens. Was able to install 2 nails (vertically) per small 6" support (that the top of the slide trim sits on). Was unable and unwilling to nail horizontally since my first attempt met nothing but air behind the façade..
                            2020 Momentum 397TH - 2019 Ram 3500 - ICON Golf Cart 40L - 1200 watts solar - 600 amps battery

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                            • #29
                              CaptDan You should be able to find paneling nails at just about any box store or hardware store if you are on the road. You may have to ask. Also note some of them come pre colored. Dark brown, black, and white I think are the common colors.

                              https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rit...BBLK/202308574
                              https://www.lowes.com/pd/Fas-n-Tite-...-oz/1000643177
                              Joseph
                              Tow
                              Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
                              Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
                              South of Houston Texas

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                              • #30
                                I've used small dabs of clear silicone and tape to hold the trim in place until the silicone dried. It will never fall off again. In fact an adhesive backing with proper pin nailing from the factory would ensure they never come loose.

                                Jim

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