New Member from Canada

[BradPAjax-REDW]

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I have been looking at the 36 BR since we saw the 36RL and 36RE in Halifax Nova Scotia last summer.

After trips to 3 RV Shows and to a local dealer we have settled on the unit and the options... although I am still reading thru the posts, but we don't have a "puller" yet.

Based on the signature tags a 1 ton dually appears to be the way to go. We plan to use the unit over the next 2 summers and then go full time when I retire in late 2014.

Without starting a turf war is there any pros or cons to any of the Big 3 units... gas or diesel?

Thanks,

Brad and Eileen Paul
Ajax, Ontario, Canada

 

[dave and ginny]

First off congrats on your decision on the Redwood. As for the truck, I've had gas trucks for years and got my first diesel last May (2011 F350 4x4 lariet Single rear wheel) and I wish I had before. The diesel pulls like a train and doesn't over heat like a gas when pushed hard. The harder you push them the happier they are. As for the big 3, this is my first ford, I've driven GM for 30+ years(I won't buy government motors). I was going to buy a dodge but didn't want a dually and the dodge 3500 single rear wheel can only have around2800 lbcargo(double check this figure), Ford is 3790 not sure about GM. The Redwood RL has a pin weight of 2660 this only gives me 1130lbs for what I put in the cab and tanks. If you buy a dually any of the trucks will carry what you want without a problem

Regardless which truck you buy all 3 are good trucks each have their own advantages. I like the mirrors, dash, brake controler and front seat of the Ford. The GM has the best transmision and the Dodge mega cab is great and there's something to be said aboutthe simplicity of a6 cylinder. All have good diesels although some are a little faster, they all get the job done. You can play with the after market stuff and make the diesels do anything you want them to do and increase the mpg while having fun. Within the next month I'm going to add 160 FT LBs of torque to mine and increase the MPG for about $1900. This addition will pay for it sell within 2 years and besides it'll help keep the engine cooler on hot rides pulling (hot engines eat more).

Good luckand have fun!

 

[KR2011-REDW]

Brad congats on your purchase you'll love it, on the subject of tow vehicals I have hada 2010 dodge drw and several ford drw I'll start with the dodgeI bought it becauseI wanted a reliable motor,I knew they had tranny problems butI took the chance any way, that truck lasted in my fleet 1.5 years beforeI traded for a 2011 ford, the dodge is a very good truck but in myfleet it just did not have the power I needed to get the job done. If you decide to go with a dodge do not let the dealer tell you that you can get by with the 3:73 gears. The truck will do ok on flat ground but inslight hills it will shift all the time mine did this andI replaced 3 sets of u joints in 18000 miles.In oerder to get a resonable tow rating you have to get the 4:10rear ends, the dealer wil tell you that the truck will do fine but you will have a lot of shifting. the exhaust brake is wonderful in the dodge ( I do miss that ).I find that the cab can be confining (I order mine the bucket seats ).
The fords on the other handI can say it all in 3 words I LOVE IT!! I havehad the ford with the old 6.9, 7.3, 6.0, and now the 6.7 and of all of themI find the 6.7 to be the most powerful in stock form, but if you plan on playing with the motorI found the 6.0 to be the easest to modify for the least amount ofmoney, and the power is close to what my stock 6.7 has for output. The 6.0 does have a reliabilty problem but this can be addressed ahead of time with some mods being done. The cab is more spacous and comfortable in my opinion.
Now for chevy it is simple I personally would not oun one ( know offense chevy guys) the last chevy i owned had a 454 gas and it liked the fuel so much thatI had to trade for a ford 460 gas.
Once again congrats on your purchas hope this helps just remember these are just my opinions.
Edited by: KR2011

 

[Flyfisher-REDW]

Brad and Eileen,
Congratulations on your Redwood purchase decision! Please keep us posted on your experience with your new rig. We took delivery on our 36RE this month and we love it. Our tow vehicle is a 2011 F350, DRW, 4wd, 6.7 Ltr deisel, tow package, crew cab with long bed. It came fully equipped to tow our 5r. I did not look at any other makes so will disqualify myself from offering any comparisons.. Within the Ford family though the truck I have will do the job with a good margin of safety, power and reliability. Good luck in your decision making process, I know it can be nerve racking.

Happy trails
Brett and Jan

 

[mhs4771]

Brad & Eileen, congrats, we're presently waiting on a 36RL ourselves. Diesel no question, make is up to you. If it's diesel, all of the newer big 3 will get comparable MPG. Depending on driving style between 9 to 11 is a good average (numbers will be slightly different with the Imperial Gal and Meters, but you get the idea) We're Chevy folks and have been driving them for years, but I did look at the newer Fords while I was waiting for GM to finally put the numbers together for the 2011s. With the weight of the Redwoods, I personally would stick with a Dually. Remember the numbers posted for Pin weights and for an empty unit, once you start adding options and travel gear that pin weight will likely increase 500 to 1000 pounds more than the published numbers. Our current Montana's pin is approx 800 Lbs heavier than the published numbers. I would rather be safe then sorry. So my vote is for a Dually.

 

[BradPAjax-REDW]

Hi All,
Getting VINs for the F-350 and 38BR on Monday. Looks like delivery of truck on May 17 and 38BR on May 24.
Planning a christening of our new Land Yacht at our yacht club on Saturday May 26 with a blessing for many years of happy "sailing" from our Fleet Captain... nice boating tradition involving moderate amounts of liquid refreshments.

Will post photos of unit and event.

I have learned a lot from everyone and everything posted... thanks to all for your information and insight.

 

[Tobys Home]

Must wait till the sun is over the yard arm.

Good luck with your new adventure on land.

 

[dave and ginny]

Hi All,
Getting VINs for the F-350 and 38BR on Monday. Looks like delivery of truck on May 17 and 38BR on May 24.
Planning a christening of our new Land Yacht at our yacht club on Saturday May 26 with a blessing for many years of happy "sailing" from our Fleet Captain... nice boating tradition involving moderate amounts of liquid refreshments.

Will post photos of unit and event.

I have learned a lot from everyone and everything posted... thanks to all for your information and insight.

Good luck and let us know how it goes, I'm sure you'll have fun.

 

[Campers-THOR]

As a fellow sailor that has gone to both land and RW. Congrats Looking forward to seeing you down the road, fellow Ontario RW Owner.

 

[Tall-Pines]

Congrats ... from a real nearby almost 36RL owner! I live 40 min NE of
Peterborough but work in Pickering ... so we probably both bought our
units from Camping in Style? (We did!)


Ordered it about a month ago so we have a another month or two before delivery.


I bought a slightly used Ford 2011 F350 dually diesel King Ranch edition and it is absolutely grand!

Pulls like anything and you can even chirp all four rear tires pulling
out of my driveway ... okay might be a bit of gravel to help loosen up
those rears!

I am also a sailor ... catamarans: Hobie 18, Hobie 16 and Freestyle 474.


Ian & Jan
Edited by: Tall-Pines

 

[dave and ginny]

Ian and Jan,

welcome to our group and that's a good looking truck. I'm real happy for you folks and hope your trailer gets to you soon.

good luck



Edited by: Dave&Ginny

 

[Stevea1956]

Ian & Jan, welcome to the forum and to the Redwood family. We love seeing the forum grow and look forward to your pictures and stories from the road.
Congrats on the new truck too... you'll be glad you have the training wheels.

 

[KR2011-REDW]

Congrats ... from a real nearby almost 36RL owner!  I live 40 min NE of
Peterborough but work in Pickering ... so we probably both bought our
units from Camping in Style?  (We did!)


Ordered it about a month ago so we have a another month or two before delivery.


I bought a slightly used Ford 2011 F350 dually diesel King Ranch edition and it is absolutely grand!

Pulls like anything and you can even chirp all four rear tires pulling
out of my driveway ... okay might be a bit of gravel to help loosen up
those rears!

I'm glad to see someone else has as good of taste as me that's a good looking truck now if you want it on steroids just let me know and I'll set you up like mine

I am also a sailor ... catamarans: Hobie 18, Hobie 16 and Freestyle 474.


Ian & Jan

Edited by: KR2011

 

[Tall-Pines]

Yowzers! Funky back end ... but I was kinda hoping to use the truck as a truck! Need to haul the garbage to the dump, firewood and all that stuff the rest of the year when we are not 5th wheeling!

New to this this stuff ... last camping trailer I hauled was a tent trailer behind my 1979 Buick LeSabre a few years ago. Sort of like maybe 30 years ago?

Does that big-a$$ wing help you fly down the road?! I assume it is to cut the wind resistance and force it up and over the trailer?

Ian

 

[KR2011-REDW]

I built the hauler body becauseI also use my truck as a truck I can do everything you mentioned and then some and yes the wing is to help with wind resistance but it only helps on some trailers.

 

[dave and ginny]

Does the wing help keep the bugs off the trailer?

 

[RollsRoyce]

Now that's a picture...Nice looking rig....if you got standard paint on RW should be really pretty.

 

[KR2011-REDW]

Dave
Yes it helps keep the bugs off of the trailer but when i pulled my Montana it hurt my fuel mileage, I don't know how it will effect my mileage with the Redwood.

 

[dave and ginny]

If It'd keep those pesky bugs off and help with the mileage a little, it might be worth it. I might try to find someone that can put the 3M film on the front of the trailer.

 

[sinder-REDW]

Dave I had the Trident coating put on my unit this past weekend. It is suppose to help to keep the rig protected and make it easier to clean off bugs on the front. Will see - it comes with an 8 year warranty. I can tell you that when we picked it up, the surface was like glass and the pollen was attracted to the sides do to static electricity.