factory tour

[Dave&Ginny]

I was asked how to get to the pictures of the factory tour I did a few years ago. Here is a link


http://s1173.photobucket.com/user/da...Factory%20Tour

[Adamsvr]

Pretty amazing photos! We don't really appreciate what it takes to put one of these Redwoods together. Thanks for sharing. Vic

[Gegallant]

Thanks for sharing! It is amazing all the parts eventually come together and make the RW 5er and everything ends up working.

[Steve & Linda]

Thank you Dave. Pretty cool.

[0nTheRoad]

For those who have not toured the factory, I strongly suggest you do so. We toured the facility about 2 years ago, before we actually ordered our coach and were very impressed with the process, but more so by the attitude and work ethic of the people working there.

It was one of the factors we considered in deciding to go with a Redwood.

[uscgcapt]

good morning Dave & Ginny, were new owners of a 36're as well new to owners forum. may ask a quick question . on your equipment list for your Beast 2012 you
show "Tuned" , can you tell me which unit you went with. our unit is a 2012 f350 4x4 srw. thanks for your reply. uscgcapt & Rocky (Better 1/2)

[uscgcapt]

Thanks Dave for the Factory Photo's , capt hank (uscgcapt)

[atom ant]

I'm always fascinated when I see those!

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by uscgcapt

good morning Dave & Ginny, were new owners of a 36're as well new to owners forum. may ask a quick question . on your equipment list for your Beast 2012 you
show "Tuned" , can you tell me which unit you went with. our unit is a 2012 f350 4x4 srw. thanks for your reply. uscgcapt & Rocky (Better 1/2)

I went with the Spartan tuner, afe exhaust, and a banks cold air take.

I don't use any exhaust fluid and even though my tuner will go all the way to 200 hp I have mine set for mid-range( I think it's 120). With it set like this I don't have to worry about exhaust temps or big clouds of black smoke following me. The only down side so far has been my wife complaining about the diesel exhaust smell.
To sum it up ...I'm running about 920 ft lbs of torque and getting better mpg than stock (but not as much as they claim I would get).

I don't have any code issues

[uscgcapt]

Thanks Dave , enclosed info is a Huge Help. To be running at 920 ft lbs of torque
has to be Smooth Sailing , with peace of mind when running up the mountains of NM . Thanks again for your reply. capt hank

[Dave&Ginny]

I've ran up those NM and CO mountains with the Redwood a few times without any problem at all. We find it most useful in heavy traffic when we get caught in bad situations.

We were running through Dallas last February and we were almost forced into a concrete wall at a lane reduction. With the extra power I was able to race my way out of it. Also on bad highway approaches I can get up to highway speed as fast as most cars while I'm pulling the Redwood.

[atom ant]

NM has mountains?

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by atom ant

NM has mountains?

Tall hills

[uscgcapt]

Good Morning Dave , Thanks again for the info on Spartan Technologies. Pulled up info on unit and really looks like the answer , combined with a cold air intake . Let me ask can you still run the exhaust fluid system with tuner or you need to do a bypass? Also do you need to replace oem exhaust system with a new home run exhaust ? Thanks Dave for taking the time to address my newbie diesel / more power questions . Just a quick fyi to Atom Ant , after working 25 years with my wife (better 1/2) Rocky on the Ocean / SW Fl , the hills of NM look " HUGE " compared to the 15'-25' Buffalo's we came across off shore . Ha then again your probably right (hills of NM) , to much sun on my head . Thanks again
capt hank

[mhs4771]

Not sure if it affects all tuners etc., but about a year ago the Feds got involved and made it illegal to defeat any of the emission stuff on the newer trucks. Many states now check for those, but some don't. Plus there are outfits that will defeat/remove all that crap. Just check the rules and regs where your truck in registered.

[travelin' texans]

Don't know about Ford, but the ecm on newer GM's record performance enhancements & if found voids warranty. Plus most power enhancements will take very long time to ever pay for themselves in fuel savings, been there, done that, it's fun, but definitely not cost effective.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by uscgcapt

Good Morning Dave , Thanks again for the info on Spartan Technologies. Pulled up info on unit and really looks like the answer , combined with a cold air intake . Let me ask can you still run the exhaust fluid system with tuner or you need to do a bypass? Also do you need to replace oem exhaust system with a new home run exhaust ? Thanks Dave for taking the time to address my newbie diesel / more power questions . Just a quick fyi to Atom Ant , after working 25 years with my wife (better 1/2) Rocky on the Ocean / SW Fl , the hills of NM look " HUGE " compared to the 15'-25' Buffalo's we came across off shore . Ha then again your probably right (hills of NM) , to much sun on my head . Thanks again
capt hank

I don't run the exhuast fluid but you could if you wish. I used a "exhaust fluid delete" mode on mine. Also I completely took off my factory exhaust from the turbo back. They tell me I should take the "EGR" completely off the truck but I haven't done that yet. My truck isn't loud and doesn't pump out a lot of exhaust. However I do get a lot of turbo noise out of the exhaust which under load sounds more like a growl.

I can not bass any emissions tests now and so far this hasn't been a problem. I've been all over the country and only been questioned one time as a "off the record" question. This was in Colorado after passing a state cop while climbing a pretty good size hill around Grand Junction. He followed me into a rest area and then asked what the hell I had under the hood. He was a nice enough guy and was asking because he heard the growl but didn't see smoke.

I can put my truck back to stock within a weekend when I trade it in but I've got a lot to change between the Kelderman air ride, exhaust and fuel tank.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Not sure if it affects all tuners etc., but about a year ago the Feds got involved and made it illegal to defeat any of the emission stuff on the newer trucks. Many states now check for those, but some don't. Plus there are outfits that will defeat/remove all that crap. Just check the rules and regs where your truck in registered.

You are right ! I've bruised most of the laws.

[travelin' texans]

All of the big 3 diesels in the last few years have more than enough power without tuning, just a matter of personal choice. Imho if you have an older one without exhaust brake that addition would be money better spent.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by travelin' texans

Don't know about Ford, but the ecm on newer GM's record performance enhancements & if found voids warranty. Plus most power enhancements will take very long time to ever pay for themselves in fuel savings, been there, done that, it's fun, but definitely not cost effective.

They find the tuners on the computers because they're actually viruses being downloaded. However, the spartan is not. The downside to this is that I can't do what the other tuners do and switch mine on the fly. When I change my tune it takes about 25-30 minutes with the engine off. Once I set it back to factory it wipes out all record of it being there. I'd still have to explain the larger exhaust. However if the warranty work isn't related to the exhaust of the truck, I'm still covered. My local Ford dealer sometimes sees my truck if I don't have time to do something on it and all the guys look forward to seeing it come in. They know I don't have the truck ridiculously jacked.

I only get about 2-4 miles per gallon better so it'll never pay for itself. I have about $2500 in the engine modifications. This is more of a giant erector set for me...just fun that the company pays for. This is my company car