Grand Design Imagine Xls 17MKE 17MKE reviews

This Grand Design is my 7th. This 17MKE is my 3rd. I used all of them for traveling to work sites harvesting. When not working used for camping throughout western and mid western USA and wintering in Arizona and New Mexico. For the most part I was able to fix problems and issues. All trailers I owned never froze up and I remained comfortable. I sold 3 to my workers and they still have them back to 2018. The current 17MKE had an inoperable awning. Dealer fixed it by replacing the circuit and unity board. It does pay to buy local! The 2150 RB was my first and that was repaired local. They replaced Thetford toilet with an American Dometic 310. Yes. I had issues with other models but had to fix myself or call a mobile rv technician because I was harvesting and my time was completely focused on the thousands of acreage to be completed. I am 78 and can’t work anymore. I bought this 2025 17MKE and it’s for sale because of health reasons. Bottom line…Yes! I would still buy Grand Design Products because of the quality and my personal experience with the product! No RV is perfect! I Have seen people with Airstreams with problems! Read the unbiased reviews on other brands. Make your decision on the top 5. Stay away from the Covid era years! The Chinese tried to kill us and they disrupted the world! The USA will prevail because God is still in charge! Show less

Bought this GD 17 MKE after much searching and was very excited when I received possession. My wife and I took a few local trips and was very pleased with the unit until the slide out quit working, it was still under warranty so the dealer replaced both motors, so I thought, no big deal, things happen. Then we decided to make a longer trip from Kentucky to California, about half way there the refrigerator quit working and we had to buy a cooler until we got there where we were able to get it running but we had to bypass some electrical issues but at least it worked temporarily. Then the hot water heated stopped working and is still not working, I replaced the circuit board and it failed too. This means no hot water for showers, doing dishes and other necessities , si it’s still not working. Finally, on our last trip the electric awning quit working, I checked the power and it’s getting power to the motor so I’m pretty sure it’s the motor that’s bad. Since the unit is no longer under warranty, I guess I’m just stuck with it, the dealership says they can fix it but nothing is covered by the warranty. How about it Grand Design, what can I do? Show less

Minor stuff - a few loose screws - a cargo door sheared pin - Nothing wrong with the systems (heat - air - water ) ! As expected for the price ! Quite satisfied ! Perfect Couples camper ! Some recommendations. #1 Bring tall blocks for tongue Jack - Unit sits up fairly high - is easier to work under though ! #2 double pane windows if you’re really serious about 4 season Capabilities? #3 Move to Azdel if possible - Better peace of the about water infiltration ? #4 More modern suspension - possibly Dexter if doable? #5 Better brakes Easier to adjust ? On the whole a massive upgrade for my wife and I ! Easier to choose after your entry level - You’ll have a much better idea of what you Want ? Allows you to tow with smaller trucks ( Colorado - Ranger - Tacoma ) easily with adequate safety Margins ! 🤗 Show less

We are an elderly couple that thoroughly enjoy the 17MKE. We have been on many trips and have never had anything fail. 1 downfall might be that the length of the trailer could be stretched out 14" so the bed could be laid down without the slide being moved out. The table for the Theater seats could also be improved on (move it over the seats more). The floor plan is roomy with great counter space and there is lots of storage space The side docking station is very convenient and user friendly. I tow the 17MKE with a 2017 Ford Expedition with the V-6 eco-boost engine and it has no problem on any grade. We would definitely recommend the Grand Design 17MKE as a couples trailer. Show less

We've owned 5 RV's prior to purchasing the Grand Design Imagine. It is by far the best constructed. I'm an amputee and the over sized shower is a huge plus for me. The unit tows beautifully and is extremely easy to set up! Show less

The customer service from the manufacturer of Grand Design and the service by Campers Inn of Tucker, Ga is nonexistent! We have had several issues since the purchase of our trailer last January. Now to address a simple repair we are asked to leave our camper with them for weeks to have a part looked at for service. They will then contact the manufacturer to see about a solution. The first issue was a manufacturer’s defect which finally was patched up but not fixed appropriately. What a huge disappointment as we like the trailer . I cannot recommend anyone purchase from this manufacturer or dealership. Show less

After doing a great deal of research, we decided to purchase a Grand Design travel trailer based upon their reputation for quality. We ordered an Imagine XLS 17 MKE in April of 2021 and took delivery on July 30 2021. We have been disappointed ever since. Unfortunately, we now know that their reputation for high quality is FALSE and UNDESERVED. They may have been good at some point, but right now they are cranking out crap. Their quality is an absolute joke!! Here are just a few of the issues we have found so far that somehow got past their special PDI (pre-delivery inspection) that they like to talk so much about… -Water leak that sprayed water all over the chaos of wires and connectors that were just lying on the floor beneath the leaking hose in the same area as water pump and water heater. What kind of geniuses combine plumbing and electric in the same spot with zero protection for the electric? Ever heard of a wiring harness or loom! This leak soaked all the way through the floor of camper and leaked out the bottom so the integrity of that is now suspect. The rusty screw laying on the floor below the hose indicates that this leak has been there since delivery. The screw probably belongs in the bottom of the vertical 1x1 piece of wood next to it that doesn’t have any anchor in the bottom… -Every exterior light and the 30 Amp electrical connection on the outside of camper all leak and take on water in the rain. That’s a 100% failure rate! -The interior trim of the dinette slide out rubs on the couch every time the slide moves. -The hardware for the door catch on the outside is mounted 1.5” too far to the right, making it useless unless they remount and drill 4 new holes in the side of a brand new camper. - Drawer slide hardware detached and was pinching electric wire with sharp metal edge. -The vast majority of cabinet doors are out of alignment and rubbing. Mounting screws are stripped into the wood. Adjusting screws have stripped heads. -Wobbly drawers with splintered wood joints that are just waiting to fall apart. -Glue stains on couch cushion. I have contacted our dealer about these and other issues and they have been responsive, but they are backed up like everyone else and haven’t had time to fix it all. They got it in to fix the water leak but most of the other issues are waiting on parts from Grand Design, and time for the dealer to fix. In the meantime, I have had to fix several of the items myself just so that we can use the thing. Maybe I’ll send an invoice for my time and materials to Grand Design! Very disappointing quality on a very expensive trailer! I would not recommend Grand Design to anyone. Show less

The design is well thought out and very spacious. Quality is great. HOWEVER, they need to take care of those waiting for new propane pressure regulators under their current recall. It has been since June, we're heading into October. Show less

We searched every available RV for comfort and the simple ease of livability and the 17MKE is the best of all the others for a retired couple. The amount of counter space sold my wife, and the size of the shower sold me since I am 6’4”. We had to wait a long time for ours to come in, but it was worth the wait. Show less

Outstanding product. This is my third Grand Design. I have gone down smaller each purchase. Big trailers, more issues. I do my own repairs. Nothing major with GD. If they made smaller than the 17MKE, I would still purchase. Bigger is not better! This unit is everything a person needs! Get real! Get back to camping not “RVing”! A lot of bang for the buck with GD. No freeze up with this “true” 4 season trl. Best of all...one does not need an overpriced behemoth diesel truck to tow the 17MKE! Good things come in small packages! GO GD! Show less