This is almost the perfect RV. As a former solo camper, I agree that this is a great rig for singles or part-time parents. I'd use that top bunk for storage and as the occasional guest bed. Grand Design is really knocking it out of the park with counterspace lately, too! It feels like they're one of the RV companies who's actually listening to what consumers want.
I thought so too but I didn't like the idea of towing something 8' wide. We ended up with a FR No Boundaries model. Nowhere near the fit and finish of the GD AIMs but fits our uses better. We were definitely having trouble picking between them, but in the end we ended up going with the narrow body.
It's a very nice camper. I kinda wish the bathroom sink would swing into the shower stall. That way the bathroom is set up as a half bath all of the time and the sink swings away when the shower is in use.
I like the no slides. I don't want the bunk over, but it is a cool way to add it. I would prefer that over wasting the normal space. I would prefer a couch to the table since that looks to be the only way to watch the TV. The bathroom looks a bit small for me, but it might work. I wish they would make something that could off-road like this.
I like it. Just make that top bunk completely removable and swap out the dinette for theatre seating. Why are dinettes still so common in RV's? Barely anyone sits down at the table to eat anymore.
Needs grey tone farmhouse cabinets, full refrigerator/freezer on L, loose the bunk and dinette, add recliner seating w/ folding table ... Better cabinets... done deal
@@Erin-Thor I love your passion for dinettes, but my back says give me a comfortable sofa or theater seating and we’ll figure out a place to occasionally play cards on a rainy day👍
I love the kitchen as well. Big plus having a lot of kitchen space. When Mama is happy, everybody is happy. Just like at home, I'll be keeping the heck out of there. 😂
That’s me! The single mama, this is absolutely perfect for my little man and I! I have been searching high and low. Didn’t want anything too cumbersome to tow but needed to have room for us and kitties while still giving him his own little space. I’m a chef and am always so disappointed in the lack of countertop and storage space in most small campers, class b’s and even small c’s. I am so in love with this! They knocked this one out of the park!
That's a lot of camper packed into such a small space! I could see this a solo/couple and use the bunk as storage, freeing the pantry to be... well, a pantry! Using the bunk as storage, you would have to load carefully to keep the rig balanced and not tongue light, with the L passthru in the rear as well.. I would like to see a theaterseat (with side trays) or dinofa option. That would open the front kitchen even more as the dinette seat would not block. #RVNerdling2ndClass
Hitting a lot of great points. I was a single father and I definitely would get this GD. Hitting a ton of awesome points. Belly mount spare tire by far, sewer tube caddy on the belly are awesome. Then I seen the added hitch, not for towing but say a bike rack on the back. Nailed it big time with this design Grand Design. I am fan of the Azdel as well. Tankless hot water heater is a major plus. Saves space and gives the parents a longer shower or kiddos who may need a little longer to clean up. Then to top it all off is the total weight; cargo plus trailer weight, opens up more tow vehicles that can handle the weight safely. Overall a great series and I can not wait to see where GD goes from here with the series. Oh, major key point, keeping all this in check and under 25 feet opens up a ton of campsites at state parks to private parks. Speaking from experience with my previous camper, if you can keep under that 30 foot mark the sites and options open up big time, let alone backing the camper up when that perfectly placed tree is on the road side right where you need to make the swing. Great video and walk threw Josh. Been a while but back to check out the great content. 👍🏻
We're nearly sold on an AIM. Hope to see a review of the 15 RB Haven't scrolled through the comments so apologies if I'm the umpteenth person to tell you it was Reagan's trickle down....
I’d remove the upper bunk and line the top of the walls with storage. Like the fold down sink but would prefer a couch with floating table to the dinette
Great job Josh...I think Grand Design makes a nice-looking trailer. The only hick ups are that they love to install chip board. It isn’t hurt that bottom line to install plywood.
Josh, if you mostly park camp and have an unlimited supply of water and propane then an on demand water heater is freakin’ awesome😂but if you camp off grid and conserving water is an issue then a traditional water heater is just fine👍
@@JoshtheRVNerd could be, I was thinking something shallow possibly open faced or netted front. When the bunk was folded up in your video it appeared to have a good space at the ceiling.
It's cute. That bottom bunk would be a pain to change the bedding on. Guess you'd have to store your personal affects under the bed, though, it's pretty spacious.
I do have a couple of concerns about the queen bed in the corner. First concern is there is very little access into it, you pretty much just have a corner in order to climb into it. This is going to make it hard to put bedding on, difficult for anyone with knee issues to climb in and out of, and really hard to replace the mattress eventually. My second concern is with bedroom escape windows -- there don't seem to be any. I would really like to see windows big enough to actually climb out of for both bunks. This is a fire safety issue. If they would offer an option to not have the upper bunk at all that could enable putting in a bigger escape window for the queen bed as well as opening up some of the access for getting in and out of it, especially if instead of a dinette they have a movable sofa. There could then be some overhead cabinetry or shelving added to provide some additional storage above the queen bed. I noticed that they have angled stabilizing jacks. I like the idea of this not only because it might help stabilize the trailer better, but because it might also prevent the stabilizer jacks from blocking the view of the tires when seen from the mirrors of the tow vehicle. Something I noticed on the trailer that I have is that when I am towing it and I look in my side mirrors to check on the trailer I cannot see where the tires meet the pavement because my stabilizer jacks are blocking exactly that part of my view. I actually find this a bit annoying because I like to see the contact points with the road, especially if I have just passed by or over some road debris. I am also a bit concerned about no bumper on the back. What kind of damage does the trailer take if someone rear ends it? An interesting trailer. I will be curious to see where they continue to go with this line.
*BED:* Yeah, you're climbing in. No Question. Hard to avoid in a small size like this. *BEDROOM ESCAPE WINDOW:* That's something for fire code if the bed is more than Xft from the door. Since this one's bed is RIGHT by the door MFGs tend not to include them. *REMOVABLE TOP BUNK:* would be awesome! *IF REAR ENDED:* All depends on how hard something is hit. Hard enough an no bumper will make a difference really.
My partner and I took delivery of one of these a few days before you posted this video, it was down between an Aim and an Ember Overlander series. We don't have kids and don't plan to but loved this layout and the colors, we got sick of seeing the modern farmhouse that's already looking dated in RVs. After examining the bunk we determined that it shouldn't be too difficult to remove and plan to do that when we have good weather where we are.
I'm in love with this floor plan. It's got everything done perfectly: love the TV flush with the storage in the back, love the flip-top bunk, love the flip-up sink (provided it's reliably locking), love the solar package and the factory-standard ladder! My only request is if they can make an optional induction stove, then I'd be all-in with Imagine!
Now that's cute. That'd work great for my daughter, SIL, granddaughter & grandson. No slides, LOVE the front kitchen, and thank you for the bathroom sink as well!
This is a nice model. I like the included griddle. I'm not sure about the bumper or not. I do think the receiver is important, as I would attach a bike rack. I think the drop down Bathroom sink is fine, since they are trying to minimize space & length
Love the no slides Love the dry bath LOVE bed size Love the kitchen Wish but not deal breaker I wish there was a dino-fa instead of the dinette I wish the bunk folded completely to the wall.. but I can deal with it. I am going to try and see in person.
Water heater.... I have used both. Boondocking I prefer a tank or a showermizer system bc it saves a TON of water. I know they say instant hot water but thats NOT true, you have to let the water about 2 min before you get warm water. When I am in camp with unlimited water give me the tankless. No need to plan who showers when.
If this was an option when we started looking it would’ve likely replaced our super basic Clipper 182DBU. GD hitting it out of the park as usual. Appreciate the walkthrough!
@@JoshtheRVNerd Thank You. I have been set on the Jayco Feather 21MML and noticed the 25BHE is the same thing with a added bunk room that could be used for storage, a dog area, counter space or desk area if the 30" bunks were removed...
The kitchen is the star and that top bunk could be for the wife...or hubby. Or if you are a dog owner, one or two pups with one adult on bottom and one adult on the top bunk. I do like that table. My table seems big and my big feet constantly fight with the metal frame.
Hey Josh. This is one that I would want to buy. I love it. It is everything we are looking for. I spock with a private inspector. This is one of his top picks. One of most quality built trailer. He also said it's from grand design. This was his first choice on his buy list
I would remove the bathroom sink altho the fold up is fine. Sofa instead of dinette with folding table. Good for single/couple camper. I would use the bunk for storage, It would be interesting to see what they can do with 2-3 more feet. Induction that stores in a drawer would be better than the gas cooker altho I'm glad to see it's vertical instead of horizontal.
Grand Design seems to make some very nice campers and this is a very nice design. would love to see a sofa with a table to replace the dinette. Very nice.
I understand why they have a dinette. I want a dinofa/recliner setup though. Very nice bunk house camper. Imagine aim designers did an Awesome job on this one.
That is one snappy design but they need to offer an oven and it needs a window by that top bunk. Another good design would be to put two shelves about half the size of the bunk over the bed on that side for clothes and towels and such
Thank you Josh! I have watched 3 or 4 other people's videos on these AIM but have been waiting for your more in depth take on it. Can't wait to see these in person. So, here are my thoughts: 1. Love the front kitchen. ESPECIALLY the sink. Grand Design PLEASE put this same kitchen sink in the other AIM models. It looks like there would be plenty of storage space in kitchen. Will have to confirm in person. I would probably remove the microwave. 2. Bed area: Like others I would probably remove the bunk. It's just me and the dog, and I would want that area more open. I happen to like a rear bed. The corner bed would be more difficult to make tho. Love the side storage for book, water, phone, meds, etc. Would like another window at the rear so I have a window right at the head of the bed. 3. Dinette: I actually use my dinette but wonder if a sofa might make it feel more roomy since there is no slide. With this model I am a little concerned about not enough floor space for me & the dog. You didn't show if any storage under dinette seats. Is that used for water tanks or storage? 4. Like the fridge style, but would like to know some real world numbers on how many Amp Hours it actually takes to run it since it is 12v and I camp with no electric. Perfect size for this camper. It would be double the size of my current camper. 5. AIM Solar pkg: Definitely would take that package. How much is it? Please put the 2nd solar panel on the camp side though so it is not shaded by the pine trees. Need lithium batteries also. Not sure I want or need knobby tires. What do those do? 6. Window in door: All models need to have clear window with a shade. Especially on this model it would help with lack of camp side windows. 7. Very happy that these have 15" tires. And the front and back stabilizers - that is critical. 8. Incredible storage access under that bed! 9. Bathroom: It is small. I am not. So not sure if that will work for me. Will have to check it out in person. I don't care about the shower as I never use it. Like the fold down sink - better than not having one. Nice to have the medicine cabinet. 10. Dual sewer hookup? Not ideal, but not a deal breaker. I have that on my current trailer. 11. Black tank flush? Not sure if you mentioned this? Does it have it? 12. Storage/drawers to right of fridge... I would use for clothes. Well done Grand Design!! Josh, Can't wait to see the other AIM models. I think the 16ML will be my choice. Hoping to see them all in person soon. I currently have a Chevy Traverse which has 5,000 tow capacity, but don't think that will be adequate. I am currently researching tow vehicles. Want some sort of SUV not a truck, but probably 6 to 6,500 lbs, I have never towed an upright TT. I have a 20ft hard sided pop up that just fits in my garage. So going to a full upright TT will be a major change for me. Tow vehicle recommendations welcome. Thanks again Josh!
Ok...great little TT . GREAT tank sizes!!! Frig & kitchen are well done. I would prefer the traditional bumper & tire on the back of rv. The bathroom sink is great..better than no sink. I always think tandem axles are a must on any 8' x 15' TT...so much safer! Looking forward to seeing the other AIM models. Thx nerd 🐾😎👍
Very good effort at a camper so small! 😊😊👍👍👍👍👍 the only hiccup for me that toilet right in front of the shower, if they could offer an option to have the toilet and That cool folding sink to trade places😊😊👍👍👍👍👍
Had to give you a thumbs up for the opening alone. We would use the cabinet and drawers by the door for clothing. For the size of the trailer the cabinets in the kitchen are plenty adequate for pantry, appliance and utensil use. I prefer a spare tire mounted to a bumper. There is nothing worse than having a flat hours away from your destination with it raining then having to crawl under the trailer to get to the spare. Given a choice I would still want the sewer hose holder mounted under frame even if the trailer has a bumper. I'm not a fan of the fold down sink's look. I would rather see it in a nicer looking style such as you see in European RVs to go along with what I consider GD's more upscale interiors.
What a cool camper! Fantastic kitchen. It ticks off my boxes- lots of counter space, the cook top vertical and not eating into the space. No oven using a lot of storage space, but a convection microwave in the same area instead. No reaching up for that hot soup. I really like the bed system. However...no side table-like area. The pocket shelves are ok, but not wide enough to hold the snore-stopper. It looks like there is room on the upper bunk to put a shelf, without interfering with the flip-up. Speaking of a place to put stuff, How come the USB plug (and was that a household plug I saw mid way down in the corner?) is all the way over there, opposite from where you'd probably want to put whatever you plug in. It does look like a cozy spot. The bathroom is a good example of why I would love to see a large wet bath. Hear me out. We have a long narrow space. Bring the shower wall forward, the toilet back, along with the flip sink ( #vanlife ) it would leave the front 1/4 or so as a dry area, to dry off, hang a towel and robe. It seems like a game changing use of space. The storage next to the TV would have to be used for wardrobe, There isn't another place to put it.
Yeah there are some fair challenges with it. But at the same time a true queen NON-murphy in something this size is also pretty outstanding. Small size sometimes mean some things get bumped out.
I agree with Mr Canfield, give me a theater seat please. I would keep the bunk I think for clothes storage. I'm an old fart so please put a square bumper and mount the spare tire there. Could I please have a 3000 watt inverter and as much solar as needed so I can run the AC. I'll get as many lithium batteries as needed. My 1500 Silverado will love pulling this gem. The Aim package is a definite.
Finally starting to see larger gray tanks in smaller campers! But 72 gallons of gray on a single axel??? GD should make a dedicated boondocking trailer with dual axles.
Pretty neat. Besides a single parent with shared custody, it would be could for a couple with part time custody, like a divorced parent who has a new partner, and sometimes a kid from the previous relationship. And nicely designed and built, too. I like that it’s different, I’ve always been a fan of different.
Depends on pricing, but this is a top choice form me based on design and size. I like the bunk, and really like the kitchen. Rather have a couch with table mount option for dining. Then I can set chairs to either side of it.
Innovative!! I like that there is no ‘master bedroom’ in such a small camper. And NO murphy bed! Yay! It allows for a nice big kitchen. The bathroom sink is cool. The size of the bathroom doesn’t bother me at all. It has all the necessary stuff and that’s all you need. Nice outside cargo space and the enclosed water docking station is a luxury. I think this will be a very popular model. Good job, Grand Design. Thanks, Nerd!
@@holliemcpetrie572 I currently have a Murphy bed in my Jayco. It's a pain to get ready to go to sleep at night or if you just want to take a nap. Lay the jack knife sofa down that's in front of the bed, unlatch the bed, fold the bed down, unclip the straps to keep the mattress from sliding when the bed is closed. It's a lot. Not to mention the lost cargo space in the front due to the mattress taking up that space. I have no front pass through storage. PS - I don't have a bendy mattress, It's a regular camp queen purchased after market. I'd much rather have a fixed bed that's positioned east to west with pass through storage underneath. Hope this helps.
Lots to like in this one! The weights and measures are all within my range (although I'd prefer less on the hitch weight...which always makes me wonder: Does the hitch weight include the weight of two full propane tanks and the battery, or is that weight added on top of the listed hitch weight?). I'm almost in love with the kitchen because of the storage and counter space, plus I really like those bottom freezer fridges. I'd prefer to have the stove where the sink is but I understand why it isn't (because then the range hood vent would be front facing--into the wind going down the highway...). But I do wish the 2-burner stove wasn't so close to the wall on the right. Partly for splatter reasons (really need a side/back splash) and partly for fire hazard reasons, and partly for pan handle reasons, lol). ...and someone really needs to invent a splatter guard to hang on the door beside those outdoor grills to protect the exterior of the camper from grease splatter. A wide piece of plexi-glass would do nicely. LOL I'd use the storage to the right of the fridge for craft supplies and office supplies. And I'd put my clothes, extra bedding, and towels in baskets on that top bunk (mattress removed of course). I'm curious how wide the back of the dinette seat is because those two poles look like a great place to mount a bed-facing TV. The existing TV is in kind of a dumb place, IMO, but I guess it'd be fine if you're sitting on the one side of the dinette. Which, I do like that it's a 2 person dinette instead of a 4-person dinette. The bathroom is small, but functional. And I'd be fine with the fold-away sink because it isn't in the way. And I appreciate the 200w of solar and the rear ladder. I like the big storage under the bed, although I think a person would need to be careful not to overload it with heavy stuff because it could cause trailer sway if you get too much weight back there. (especially if there's holding a tank behind the axle, too). So, I'd probably limit it to chairs, hoses, cords, etc... and put my heavier tools in my truck, instead. Although, if it fit through the door, I might put the spare tire in there just because I don't like under-mounted tires. Partly because of my back problems, but mostly because-as a Minnesota girl-I know what it's like to try to get one of those out when it's covered with ice-pack and frozen road grime...Even if you manage to avoid all snow and ice, you probably won't avoid all rain and mud, and that sucks too because you still have to get under there to pull it out. LOL Overall, I like this unit, but it has some deal-breakers for me. 1. As a person with serious back problems, I think I'd find it difficult to get in and out of that corner bed. 2. I really dislike the split dump for the holding tanks because I want the grey water to rinse the crap out of the hose after I dump the black tank, and I don't want to have to move the hose to do it. Gross. LOL 3. It's more than I want to spend, although I know you said that's just the MSRP and better deals might be available, it'd probably still be on the high end of my budget.
*HITCH WEIGHT:* Answer to your question often varies by MFG. _Most_ list it purely dry with empty tanks and no battery. And for safety-sake I do recommend only assuming that unless you learn otherwise.
*LOAD BALANCING vs BIG REAR STORAGE:* That's ALWAYS a good thing to keep in mind. In this one the front kitchen will help offset once loaded and the fact that it's short doesn't hurt
My local dealer has the same early model still in stock. Can’t get rid of it. Asking $22k. Limited options here on the Jersey shore. Love the front kitchen, and thought of removing the bunk and slapping a TV on the rails. Anyone know if the converter is LiFe compatible? I’m sure you could easily rig a XT-60 solar plug into the charge controller on the docking center wall. Run the charging through the floor port. Might have to replace the controller but they are easy to swap out. Maybe a beanbag couch on top of the dinette, it doesn’t look too high. It is built like a brick with wheels, being a full 8’ wide.
Hey uncle Josh hope you're having a great day? I'm a child of divorce. I really like the Grand Design Imagine Aim. I do agree I wouldn't consider that a bunk house. That fold down bunk could be used for a lot of different things. It surprised me with everything that they put into this travel trailer. Can this trailer be used for extended camping? It surprised me with the outside storage on the rear of the trailer,plus the water hookups being enclosed. I can't believe that it has the on demand water heater. I'm glad that the shower has the panels in it,plus that sink in the bathroom is cool looking. How big of a truck or SUV would you need to tow this unit. Have a great day Uncle Josh your number one fan an friend Leonard from NC. # NerdHerd!!!!!
14:41 I always want the bumper. It doubles as a “stinkslink”holder AND Gives some protection for a minor rear end from another vehicle AND I mount other things to it like a receiver hitch, or the factory can do it. Then I mount a carry tray there sometimes.(I realize that takes away from the rear end protection but I still like a bumper)
This is interesting .. needs some work but still some good stuff. Can you get a sofa instead of dinette I wonder? A big front window to look out while in the kitchen would really open up the feel of the tiny cabin. Nice kitchen for real!! Two single hunks that flip up would also be cool. Then one could be a sofa .. then fold down the top one to sleep on as a single camper. ❤
Hmmm.....well great kitchen and storage. I think that top bunk makes the bed area feel awkward and small. I agree with the other reviewer about it being hard to make the bed and get in and out of it. Not loving the bathroom- windows are nice but that wall would be good for hooks instead. I think for safety a bumper should be in there. We just put in a tankless water heater in our Catalina so I can get back to you on that. We needed it with 8 kids!
pretty cool unit, lots of room for its size.. and lots of storage if you used bunk for a shelf... kind of a lot for its size anyway regardless. i would wonder if taking out bunk and replacing with upper cabinets on both that and rear walls instead of bunk could be an option for those who would never use a bunk? would technically be less storage than using bunk for storage, but would look nicer and get bunk out from over the bed entirely... but for what it is, i take it as is, leave bunk down, put a cargo net around it and load it up with whatever. flip down sink in bathroom great for smaller bathrooms, better than permanent one, and better than none. looks like it might make a good off pavement unit if put a little better suspension on it.
Hey Josh, do you have the same pull on this floorplan as you did on the 2400BH, because if you could convince them to provide a comfortable sofa option to replace that dinette then this would be a real winner👍👍
@@JoshtheRVNerd not soon enough my man…but I am impatient. I need to tell you that your reviews are my favorite…unsure why exactly…but keep doing what you’re doing. I appreciate your passion and enthusiasm for this kind of a thing. Even if I’m not in the market, I can see myself watching your content.
I am in love yet again🎉 What a great little camper. I too tho think it would be nice to be able to remove and store that bunk. One small concern for me is the peg on the black bars that sticks out to hold the bunk if its down. Looks like you could easily get poked by that when the bunk is up. Adorable camper for sure. Would also do the AIM package and could do without the sink in the bathroom. Seems in an awkward position. Do like the mirror medicine cabinette tho.
Why don’t manufacturers put a metal bracket around the outside propane connection (for the griddle) to protect it during transit. I can see a rock kicking up and damaging that quick connect fitting. I would add one myself for peace of mind.
It's a neat--and tempting--floorplan, though I'd like to see some options in place of the dinette, like a sofa and something like the dinette from the 18BH. A sofa option would be nice for lounging on an inclement day. A bar would seem to offer nearly as much plate space as the dinette, but I think be more usable as a workspace. How's the bathroom leg room compare to the 17MKE and 22MLE? Seems to be a bit more?
I have that 18BH coming and man.. I like that Bathrooms in these are a little tight actually because it has that true queen bed beside. Definitely comparable to the 17MKE and 22MLE. not sure if either is larger though
