What RV do you have?

[KR2011-REDW]

I am curious about what RV do you have now if you are awaiting the arrival of a Redwood or what Rv you may have had when you bought your new Redwood? What made you decide to move to a Redwood? Are you a fultimer or Weekender, Snowbird, winter Texan or going fultime? We have a 2006 Montana that we just love the floor plan, but we went to a RV show where we stepped into a Redwood and the floor plan caught our eye as we were considering a move to the Montana 3750FL. We are fultimers so quality really maters, when we stepped into the 36FL we were amazed by the fit and finish as well as the little differences that they made to this floor plan. We were there with friends and they were so impressed that they are ordering a 36FL as well and they have not had much experiance with 5ers. These homes ( as my wife and I call ours ) really do feel like a home.Edited by: KR2011

 

[hoosierguy]

After about4 years of research,for 2 1/2 of those years we thoughtwe would go the way of a semi-custom coach from another manufacturer. But, for thelast two years, the price kept going up faster than our budget could handle, so, we had to make the decision that it just was not going to work work for us. We have been pop-up campers for over 30 years and moving up to a 5th wheel was no small decision. I did a factory tour where the production coaches were built for the semi-custom units and frankly was not all that impressed. As a Electronics Technician andElectrical Engineer, I have some knowledge of manufacturing facilities. I also built my own house over 30 years ago and know something of quality construction techniques.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />

InJune 2011, my wife and I visited Tiara RV Sales in <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Elkhart</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">IN</st1:State></st1lace> for the purpose of looking at some Cameo models built by Carriage. The Cameo's were nice units but none of them really impressed my wife and I as much as we had hoped for. And with what has happened with Carriage, I am certainly glad we did not go with any of their product.

While at the dealer, we also noticed two Redwood models and asked to walk through them. We were both very impressed. On the way home from the dealer, my wife was looking through the literature and pointed out the the 36RL floorplan as being very nice. The following week I requested a plant tour be set up for us which we did and that sealed the deal for me. We were able to view 10 to 12 coaches in various stages of construction including the 36RL modeland was very impressed with the quality of workmanship. Themanufacturing plant was very clean and well organized.Most of my questions were answered to my satisfaction by factory rep.

We returned to the dealer on July 8, 2011to place an order. We took delivery on September 12. The first week of October, we went on first outing to <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Cadillac</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Michigan</st1:State></st1lace> to view the fall colors.

While were traveling, we had several very nice compliments on the Redwood..........at Camping World in Grand Rapids, MI.........at the campground where we stayed..........at a rest stop and even while we were parked in a Meijer's parking lot someone came up to us to compliment how nice the "rig" looked.

Relative to our new coach, I have had a lot of new things to learn........remember we are new this 5th wheel thing. The only issue that I have run into was related to the automatic leveling system. It worked great for the first seven times that I used it. But, after returning home and when I was getting ready to put the coach away for the winter, I tried to power up the leveling control to raise the coach to hook up to my truck and the control would not power up. Strange......it had worked when I last used it to level the coach. So, I checked all of the DC fuses and AC circuit breakers that I knew about and all were okay. So,it was time for a call to the dealership's service manager. Long story short here, Ifinally started following all of the cables for the leveling control system and discovered an in line 10 <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Amp</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">DC</st1:State></st1lace> fuse that was blown. It was tucked behing the cables and you could not see it, but, I was able to find it by feel while runing my hands along the cables. So, I now know that I need to learn how to operate the hydraulic pump manually in case I ever run into a situation more serious than a blown fuse.

I know this has been a long story. We love our Redwood so far and are looking forward to some extended vacation timethis summer.I plan to retire this fall at age 70. Next winter we are thinking about some extended time in the Gulf Shores, Alabama area. <?: prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /></v:stroke></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:ulas></vath><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shape><a href="http://www.redwood-rv.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"></v:></v:shape>

Guy

 

[KR2011-REDW]

What all did the plant tour consist of I have requested a tour and Paul emailed back and asked where we were coming from and said they would acomidate us with no further response. Where will you be going in Gulf Shores my wife and i as well as some friends of ours with a Redwood will be spending time at Gulf Breeze RV park this winter around December and januarary.

 

[hoosierguy]

We did the plant tour in late June 2011. My wife and I were not able to be there during the plant's working hours as we are both still working full time. So, we arrived at about 3:30 in the afternoon. The tour lasted about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The factory representative started us at the beginning of the assembly line showing us the FIT undercarraige frame work where they start putting in the storage tanks. We then were able to walk through or see12 to 15 different coaches in progressively further levels of construction. We were able to see 3 or 4 36RL models (the same model as wewere interested in). I am certainly not an expert in 5th wheel construction, but, I was impressed with the quality of workmanship, how the assembly line was organized and the cleanliness of the factory environment. The Redwoodfactory and tourwas much more impressive than a previous tour that I did at a major 5th wheel manufacturer in Goshen, Indiana.
We are not really all that familiar with the Gulf Shores area. Gulf Breeze RV Park is one of the places on our list as it has been highly recommended by several folks on another forum. Aszalea Acres RV Park,Island Retreat RV Park and Gulf State Park have also been recommended.

Guy

 

[mhs4771]

We bought our Montana because the floor plan suited our immediate needs and we have added numerous upgrades, but now being Snow Birds (6+ months)and on the road a majority of the Summer we decided we wanted something with an Island counter and more room. We had attended the Fall Montana Rally in Goshen and Tiara put on the Dinner for all the attendees and had units open for inspection. Well just one quick look and we were impressed. So in Jan we drove across state to the Tampa Show just to give the RWs a closer look and were trying to decide between the RL and the FB. So having made our decision I contacted three different Dealers and was supprised to get the best quote from Lazy Days RV outside Tampa, so this past Thursday we put a deposit down to order a 36RL equiped with everything we wanted so we don't have to spend two years upgrading.

 

[KR2011-REDW]

I agree with you mhs4771 we bought our Montana becouse the floor plan fit are needs and at the time we felt the Monty had the most bang for the buck but like you we have spent 2 years upgrading the Monty to work for our life style. We have had our Monty 4 years now and we were just getting ready to do some more upgrades and carpet, we had no thoughts of buying a new house until we walked into the Redwood.

 

[dave and ginny]

My wife and I met camping as teenagers 40 years ago and have always camped whenever possible for the last 33 year of marriage. Along the way we've had travel trailers and pop-ups but never a 5er.

We own our own business and because of this we use our 30 ft travel trailer for sleeping instead of hotels whenever possible. With that said we needed more room and although we've seriously looked at Diesel Pussher motorhomes we've desided to stay with a 5er. I've looked at most and I wanted something that would last a long time and

built right although I also had to consider weight because I didn't want a dually. I was ready to buy a Carriage Cari-lite until I really looked through it and again decided against a dually for business purposes.

I was about ready to go back to the idea of the Diesel Pusher until I found the Redwood. The Redwood gave me reasonable quality at a reasonable price and the weight worked well with my 2011 F350 Lariat

We'll be slowing down within the next few years and retiring completely within about 8 years. At that time we'll become 3/4 campers maintaining a home to come back to. I think the Redwood RL will fit our needs well. The following is the check-off list I used when looking at 5ers in no special order;

#! quality built
#2 weight
#3 carrying capacity
#4 tank sizes
#5 full body paint
#6 generator
#7 disk brakes
#8 a bedroom and bathroom my wife must like
#9 leveling system
#10 NO RUBBER ROOF
#11 I had to be able to acquire it under 100k after talk down ( total rig costs had to be 175K or less) otherwise I'd spend an extra 100k and get a good Diesel Pusher.

 

[COLJDM60]

We are taking delivery of our 36FL on Tuesday21 Feb. Really looking forward to it. We are trading a 1996 Holiday Rambler Imperial. Lazydays RV outside of Tampa, FL is handling the process. We were extremely impressed with the layout, worksmanship and quality of the Redwood coach. Since we will both be retired in June we are planning a cross country trip with two of our GrandChildren starting in June and culminating in August. Will let all know how the acceptance process works and how the coach operates as we go along.

 

[KR2011-REDW]

Congrats on your new Redwood we will be looking forward to your input.

 

[hoosierguy]

John,

Congratulations on your purchase of a Redwood. Keep us posted on your travels and how your coach is working for you. Safe travel.

Guy

 

[KR2011-REDW]

Has anybody noticed just how many of us on here are waiting for there Redwood to arrive?

 

[dave and ginny]

Yea I think it a damn epidemic.....maybe these trailers really don't exist and this is just a big hoax!

 

[KR2011-REDW]

I don't even want to start that thought process but I would like to see those of you that have orders before mine take delivery so they can get to building mine

 

[lillyputz]

I would hope they don't sacrifice workmanship for speed.

Lillyputz

 

[Hunter11-REDW]

When we went to look at the 34SK floor plan we are interested in we were told 8 to 10 weeks delivery on an ordered unit and add up to two weeks longer for full body paint. Now compare that to 6 to 8 weeks delivery on Crossroads units and that is about right when you figure the Redwood is a higher end unit and should take a little longer to build.

 

[KR2011-REDW]

I agree plus I would like it done right the first time so I don't have to spend my time dealing with warantee issues.

 

[KR2011-REDW]

You know what would be cool, to have a live feed of your Redwood being built! If not a live feed how about at least a daily or weekly picture update of the progress being made. We do this in the insurance industry for collision repairs.

 

[Flyfisher-REDW]

We ordered ours with full body paint and a couple custom windows on December 16th and it was delivered the first week of February, 2 weeks earlier than we expected!We had to scramble a bit to get prepared to take delivery.If any of you are still shopping insurance rates we found American Adventure Insurance saved us $600 a year and offered way better coverage and lower deductibles over what our regular agent was quoting.
Good luck to all waiting on delivery of your Redwoods, they are well worth the wait.
Happy trails

Brett and Jan

 

[KR2011-REDW]

It's posts like yours thatkeep me excited about getting our Redwood on our camp spot sooner than later. Thanks Flyfisher!

 

[movingon1766]

The wife and I ordered or 36FL the first week of Feburary and was told this week to expect mid April. Seems with spring on the way so are a lot of orders. Thanks for all the positive post on here! Makes me look forward to getting ours.