Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2024 Grand Design Transcend ONE 151BH. This is a new addition to the Grand Design Transcend series, which features travel trailers with a wood-framed, aluminum-skinned construction.
Building trailers this way just costs less than laminating RVs for a number of reasons. Less skilled work in stapling wood together versus spending time welding beams, no big lamination components, and some other factors that result in these “stick-and-tin” type trailers just costing less.
But is cheaper worse or better? There’s not really a definitive answer to that. This type of construction has the benefit of being very easily repaired if it’s damaged. You basically take out the damaged aluminum panel and replace any wood that may have been crunched and you’re done, son. It’s pretty easy.
But the uneven sides mean that the waterproofing needs to span greater distances. For those who don’t bother to inspect the seals on their RVs very frequently, this can be an issue. Water intrusion can cause lots of problems very quickly. Not the trailer’s fault, but certainly something to be aware of.
What is the Grand Design Transcend ONE 151BH?
What you have here is a very simple single-axle, no-slide, bunkhouse trailer. The “ONE” in the name designates a single axle. Pretty simple, right?
But, unlike a lot of these types of rigs, this is a full eight feet wide. Many of these, including the Flagstaff ePro E19BH, are narrower.
Where that comes into play is in the bed, which spans the width of the front of this little trailer. It is an east-west bed, and I suspect the more youthful buyers who would be likely to buy this trailer don’t really mind climbing over one another.
They probably don’t have to wake up as often to visit the bathroom as some of us who’ve had a greater number of spins on this big blue marble in space.
Anyhow, that bed is a proper queen-sized bed—which is a bit of a surprise.
Typically, this floor plan has a dinette, but this one has a jackknife couch instead. I suspect that’s a better use of the space than a dinette might be. Grand Design has done a good job with putting storage all over the interior of this little trailer. For example, there is a drawer under the couch, which is a spot that wouldn’t be there if this did have a dinette.
There are a decent number of drawers in the kitchen, drawers under the bunks in the back, and storage under the bed. For a trailer this small, Grand Design has found just about every cubic inch they can of storage. That’s true outside, as well.
Impressive counter space in the Transcend ONE 151BH
I am also impressed with the amount of counter space in this rig. This isn’t a huge counter at all, but it’s not a huge trailer. But there is more counter space than in any other RV with this floor plan.
Part of the way that’s accomplished is with a tiny bar-sized fridge. This fridge is still a 12-volt fridge, but it’s pretty small.
Here’s a thought: I wonder if a buyer would be better served with a 12-volt cooler like this one instead of a fridge? Perhaps not. I am just obsessed with these 12-volt coolers.
Other than that, you have two bunks in the back, of course.
The bathroom isn’t bad for a trailer of this size. I like the use of a shower curtain with a bowed curtain rod to offer more space inside. Note that this trailer’s ceiling height is 6’5” at the edges. So taller individuals might have to have their head in the skylight space while standing in the shower due to RV shower floors being raised to accommodate plumbing.
What I would change
First of all, know that we’re all getting an early look at these trailers. As Josh said in the video, there are things the company already knows they want to do differently in production.
Of course, being a trailer that’s very, very budget focused, you have things like low-grade import tires, a cheap leaf spring suspension, and a dollar-store vent fan in the bathroom.
I like the layout overall and I think Grand Design was masterful with accommodating storage in something this small. This also has an MSRP of around $20,000, which I haven’t seen in a very long time in a travel trailer. Yeah, yeah, some of the stuff on here reflects an absolute focus on that number when decisions were being made. But it doesn’t feel overly cheap at all, really.
As to the frame flex stuff, this does use a Norco huck bolted frame rather than a Lippert frame. The company claims their frames are better. However, I managed to split one right in half on a drainage ditch, so I’m not totally sure about that claim.
This is clearly an entry-level trailer, but I think Grand Design has done a good job of providing value here. They also do a good job with rallies and gatherings. They have done well with standing behind their customers, frame flex issues on larger fifth wheels notwithstanding. So this might be a good gateway rig into the Grand Design family—and that’s also a wise choice by the company.
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the photos and video for this story.
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 his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
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Thank you, Tony! 🙂 For such a small RV, it certainly sleeps many! The tank capacities seem odd in that they are all equal (at least formally). I would prefer a larger freshwater tank and a bit less storage, perhaps also for the gray water tank. I guess one could immediately get better tires and, depending on how often it gets used in practice, augment (replace?) the suspension. The price is great and certainly could entice some to try camping if they previously were “on the fence.” Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂