Grand Design RV revealed the second in their collection of motorized RVs with the introduction of the new Lineage Series F 31ZW Super C. This truly does represent some better thinking.
While the company had a pretty good reputation, recent issues with frame failures and other customer service gaffs have tarnished that. I believe these motorized units show real attention to detail that could bring some skeptics back to the popular brand.
To be quite honest, when Grand Design announced that they would be building motorhomes, I wasn’t very excited. The company has done an okay job building towables, but many of their offerings are entry-level in structural features, in my opinion. Further, the company has really come under fire lately for issues with their frames, and they were very slow to respond to the issues.
They have now upgraded their warranty on towable frames and, to their credit, the warranty is also transferable. Nice.
Impressed with the Super C
But we’re here to look at the new Super C and I have to say that, after learning more, I am very impressed with what they’re doing. In fact, I’m so impressed that I feel that, if you are in the market for a new Super C motorhome, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not waiting to check this out.
In a company press release, Mike Hums, product manager for the Lineage Series F, is credited with saying, “We started this project by challenging every convention in Super C design. From the foundation up, we’ve engineered a coach that performs as impressively in the backcountry as it does on the interstate. Working with partners like Fox Racing and MORryde, we’ve created a suspension system that lets owners dial in their perfect ride, whether they’re towing their boat to the lake or exploring forest service roads. This isn’t just another Super C—it’s a glimpse into the future of motorized RVs.”
Mike Hums said that the Lineage brand is going to be applied to all of Grand Design’s motorized units.
From a business standpoint, this makes a lot of sense because a dealership can sign up for Lineage and get the Class C and Class B and whatever else comes down the pike from Grand Design. Sometimes the RV industry so convolutes these brands that it makes it confusing for customers and difficult for dealers.
For example, do you know the difference between a Reflection or a Transcend or an Imagine? That’s just Grand Design’s current major brand of towables. Think of the rest of the RV industry doing the same thing. I follow the RV industry and it’s confusing for me—so I think a great deal of consolidation would not be a bad thing.
From the road up with the Grand Design Lineage Series F 31ZW
This new model is based on Ford’s F600 chassis which incorporates that company’s 6.7 liter V8 diesel engine. From there, Grand Design has partnered with both MORryde and Fox Racing to upgrade the suspension system and provide a unique ability to adjust that system based on conditions.
For example, if you’re going off-road, the system can be adjusted to optimize suspension performance for that. If you’re towing a heavy load, it can be altered for that, as well.
In fact, the bare chassis already has a 22,000-pound gross vehicle rating. That means after the upgrades and changes it is still capable of towing some 15,000 pounds.
These are also using a SureSlide® Slide-out mechanism that has reportedly been designed to have fewer issues than previous systems.
Impressive build features in the Grand Design Lineage
Part of the way the company has worked on this is to frame interior walls and things like the dinette in welded aluminum as opposed to wood. This offers greater strength and lighter weight.
Other weight-saving measures include the European door and the aluminum power-operated step. Little bits here and there add up, and not all of these measures are inexpensive.
Something that really impressed me is the aluminum structure under the skin of this rig, which is an extruded aluminum channeled piece to which the walls and roof slot in. This is a really impressive way of doing this build.
The front and rear cap on all models will be painted with automotive paint. You can also get a fully painted exterior as an option. In fact, the entire exterior uses an automotive paint and, look. Just look. Not one swish, swirl, or zoom graphic. It’s like someone who has good taste and never once worked on a Mardi Gras float was invited to the party.
But two other things just really made me happy.
Mike Hums described a partnership with the folks who make SharkBite plumbing fittings that are used in this RV. Leaky, cheap plumbing fixtures are a common problem in the RV industry, so the fact that they’re using these metal fittings says a lot.
They also have a 25-year guarantee on the plumbing of this unit. That says even more.
“We’re spending a lot of money where people can’t see it,” said Hums.
What’s inside the Grand Design Lineage Series F 31ZW
The floor plan of this features a cabover bunk, as you might expect. There are theater seats and a dinette in a road-side slide.
The kitchen occupies the camp side wall with a larger 12-volt fridge and two-burner propane stovetop, although this may change. Some details of this rig are still being finalized. For example, the video Josh Winters shared shows a four-burner propane stove and large oven.
I also like that all the latches on all the doors are positive mechanical latches instead of just magnets. Nice.
Speaking of cabinets, the back wall of the bedroom is all cabinets but there’s also a pull-out drawer that can serve as a nightstand. Slick.
You would use that nightstand from the king-sized bed in here. While the bed is a bendy bed, it’s a mattress that is intended to be comfortable and has more firm padding around the outside so it can be used as a seat as well.
Bathroom in the Grand Design Lineage Series F 31ZW
The bathroom here is decent enough in size, and what you’d expect in this floor plan. There is a porcelain foot-flush toilet. The shower is not as small as you might imagine thanks to an illuminated skylight. The shower head is pretty fancy, as is the linear drain.
The A/C in this is a ducted unit with adjustable vents, and features a residential filtration system. Nice.
Oh, and every light in this rig is dimmable, plus there are motion-sensing lights in the pantry, the rear closet, and in the bathroom.
The ceiling is padded and darker than the rest of the interior, which just works here.
Boondocking and travel access in the Grand Design Lineage Series F 31ZW
This RV is absolutely suited to off-grid camping in every way. There are 1,000 watts of solar on the roof and 320 amp hours of lithium battery storage. This features an 8,000-watt Onan diesel generator, as well.
Of course, there’s that four-wheel-drive with adjustable suspension.
The bed can’t really be used with the bedroom slide in. Other than that, this rig is pretty accessible when buttoned up for travel. And the dinette and cabover bunk can be accessed in travel mode—so you have choices.
Conclusions
I have to say I was ho-hum about Grand Design bringing out a Class C to the market. However, after looking into this, I am very impressed. The decisions made by the company seem to point to building a very high-quality product.
Something else worth noting: The headrests in the front seats of this rig actually have little safes in them. Talk about finding space that everybody else just ignores.
Overall, this is one of the best Super C designs I’ve come across. I can’t wait to actually visit Grand Design later in the year and check out one of the production models in person.
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the photos and video in this article.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out Tony and Peggy’s RV podcast.
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😲 This is at least the 3rd time I saw this review in RVtravel.com. Ummm, while most of us don’t have a quarter million to plunk down on an RV (I’m assuming), I appreciate the time and effort going into showing us what the upper class folks have for their RVing pleasures.
I don’t remember seeing this model in RVTravel before.
For a true Super C, this one is entry level!
Agreed…I’ll stay in the “cheap seats”.
This impressive Class C shows that Grand Design can build a top-notch RV, especially when not constrained by previous decisions. I hope they are a success but, to be honest, it’s relatively easy to build one unit very well when you have a blank slate to start from. What will the quality be like in the 25th, 50th, or 100th unit? What will things look like if/when they decide it’s time to maximize the ROI? Unfortunately, Grand Design’s track record is questionable; previously, they showed that they knew the importance of customer service, but really stumbled with the frame flex/failure issues. Will they do the same with the quality in their Class Cs?
Not so grand design used to build “OK” units when they first went into business years ago…they got really cheap after Winnebago adopted them. I know I had one.
Just looking at the picture why do companies use the entry level cab of the manufacture? I would think as the driver I want the more comfortable seats of the higher end trim package. Plus the front flairs need to be body color.
Super C’s (not sure that’s a label I’d attach to this one) on the Freightliner chassis generally have a flat floor from the driver area on back so the cab is actually useful while parked. Also much nicer cab amenities with seats that can swivel around to become part of the living space.
Nice they did some suspension upgrades…is that an air ride suspension? Also the 4WD could come in handy.
Make sure you have a Ford chassis service location lined up before buying.
One thing Tony & I will agree on…it’s bland white on the outside…very, very white! 😵💫 😉
I’ve always thought I’d like a Super C rig but never toured one I wanted. Even meeting people in campgrounds who agreed to give us a tour, I came away thinking they all looked cool on the outside but lacked any likeability on the inside. This one changes my mind. Of course, being 79 years old I’m afraid our current trailer is our last RV. BUT, if I won the lottery and money was no object, I’d have one of these ‘yesterday’! Great tour, Josh. Thank you. And thank you Tony for bringing this to my attention. It’s always nice to dream . . .
I love the large kitchen! So much room to cook an egg. There is no counter space. If one spends more than a weekend in an RV one needs room to prepare a meal. No kitchen space no sale!
Why do you need an 8000 watt generator? It seems that you’d be better off to cut that in half and double the battery capacity.
I think the layout would be improved by having the dinette and all these nice windows on the camp side. I don’t want to sit in the slide out and look at my neighbor’s site.
Well…maybe they don’t have to worry about frame flex so much.
You wrote the headrests even have little safes built in, and you mentioned using every space. OK now it’s obvious that designer was a submarine sailor whose design mantra was– hmm I wonder what would fit in that spot.
I do question the height at 12′ 3″. I would have kept at 12′ or slightly under for going into, not offroading, but rougher roads with overhanging stuff.
Thank you, Tony! If the linear drain makes it to the final design, be careful around it and especially don’t step on it. They aren’t especially sturdy. Also hard to catch hair, given the length, shape relative to a conventional round drain. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
If GD really wanted to have a unique Super C, they would have made it propane-free! Diesel-fueled furnace-water heater combos are readily available. And even our small diesel Class C has an induction cooktop and convection microwave. Then, no propane would be needed at all, with two big diesel tanks to provide all the generator, furnace, and water-heating fuel necessary. And the only reason to have that huge generator is to run two standard AC units. How about using two, much more efficient, 12v AC units or one mini-split and considerably more Li battery, then reducing the generator to 4KW?
The slide is just a newer version of the Schwintek slide. We’ll have to see how it holds up. With some of the issues I’ve read about Grand Design RV’s I’d be hesitant to buy one.