Solomon the Trailer
Updated November 2021
Solomon is our 2020 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R, our home on the range. It previously belonged to the Pardini family in Kettle Falls, Washington, who purchased it new in November 2019 and spent 6 months living full time on the road in the western US. They had planned to spend a year on the road, much like us, but a family emergency required them to return home early and resettle there. Do read their story at Pardini Family Adventure..
Solomon occupies Grand Design's S-Class line of Solitude fifth wheels, which is a notch down from their main line Solitude trailers. They're rated for full-time living, which in RV land means that the fixtures and systems are durable enough to be used every day for several years. Turns out not all RVs can do that, and many are built to be used at most 30-60 nights a year.
Modern fifth wheel trailers are marvels of engineering. When you're settled in and hooked up, you really feel like you're in a house. But everything's just a bit more delicate and wobbly, and some care is required. Lots of the systems are different from a house or a boat, and if you want to RV full time, you'll have plenty of need and opportunity to get intimately familiar with them.
Why this coach in particular?
Floor plans that permit a family of 4 to each have their own beds are rare in the RV world, and rarer still is one where the kids get their own room. Many bunkhouse floorplans have just a curtain, or a tiny space near the beds and no actual living space. This floorplan has an enormous bunkroom with its own bathroom, closet, and desk space. There's plenty of room back there for the kids to work, play, and hang out.
The common area isn't quite as stunning as the mid-bunk or two-person floorplans, as it lacks the wraparound window effect on the back wall. However, it's worth it for that second bathroom which makes the coach feel much bigger than it is. Also, the stove area with the window and countertop on the side is a very comfortable workspace, unlike many which put the stove in a cave and offer no kitchen-wall windows.
Favorite Features
Dedicated bunk room space for the kids. It gives them space to do school while others work at the kitchen table, a space to be silly or cozy, or build forts. Indoor fun options are important - when you RV, the world is your living room, but sometimes the living room is dark and rainy!
Onboard washer and dryer. In a trailer this size, these are a no-brainer. You’ve got the room and weight capacity for it, and the time savings are huge.
Spacious cooking area. Unlike floorplans that surround the stove with cabinets, ours has counter space and even a window by the stove.
King bed with our actual mattress. Wherever we go, we can always return to our own bed!
Shower with plenty of hot water. We rarely run out, and the shower is nice and spacious.
Huge tanks. With 100 gallons of freshwater, 2x50 gallon gray and 2x50 gallon black tanks, once we get settled into our boondocking spots, we’re good for a solid week.