What would you add and why?

[danrn]

We have had our 38GK for about 6 years now, and my wife commended the other day about looking at new RV's. She said we should look at pushers, or newer luxury 5th wheels. Here’s the dilemma. I still like our 38GK. It has been good to us having very little problems in the 6 years we have had it. It tows very well with our chevy dually. So, I was thinking of what improvements can we do to it to make it better. Here is my list:

1. IS and disc brakes (probably move up to the 8K)
2. Lippert solid steps
3. Upgrade recliners
4. Back-up cam (wired is more expensive, but better)
5. 50amp roller cord reel (powered)


I have some other possible add-ons, but the above are the main ones.
Thoughts…?

Thanks,
Dan

[mhs4771]

Dan those all are really good upgrades. If it's like ours it's probably due for replacement gaskets all the way around and depending on usage maybe new awing material and slide toppers if you have them.
We have a very early 2016 and you couldn't give us a new one they look all pretty and shiny, but beauty is only skin deep. We've looked and they have cheaped every thing except price. For our MB they have taken away better than half of the internal storage.
The current Luxury Fifthwheels are over $200K MSRP and are plagued with problems.
To sum it up, we'll fix up ours and keep it till the wheels fall off.
All comments are personal opinion.

[edmcneff]

Originally Posted by danrn

We have had our 38GK for about 6 years now, and my wife commended the other day about looking at new RV's. She said we should look at pushers, or newer luxury 5th wheels. Here’s the dilemma. I still like our 38GK. It has been good to us having very little problems in the 6 years we have had it. It tows very well with our chevy dually. So, I was thinking of what improvements can we do to it to make it better. Here is my list:

1. IS and disc brakes (probably move up to the 8K)
2. Lippert solid steps
3. Upgrade recliners
4. Back-up cam (wired is more expensive, but better)
5. 50amp roller cord reel (powered)


I have some other possible add-ons, but the above are the main ones.
Thoughts…?

Thanks,
Dan

Did the camera fit? They are saying no backup camera will work

[travelin' texans]

Originally Posted by danrn

We have had our 38GK for about 6 years now, and my wife commended the other day about looking at new RV's. She said we should look at pushers, or newer luxury 5th wheels. Here’s the dilemma. I still like our 38GK. It has been good to us having very little problems in the 6 years we have had it. It tows very well with our chevy dually. So, I was thinking of what improvements can we do to it to make it better. Here is my list:

1. IS and disc brakes (probably move up to the 8K)
2. Lippert solid steps
3. Upgrade recliners
4. Back-up cam (wired is more expensive, but better)
5. 50amp roller cord reel (powered)


I have some other possible add-ons, but the above are the main ones.
Thoughts…?

Thanks,
Dan

Got rid of our '13 RW a couple years ago, BTW it was in great shape & someone got a helluva deal compared to today, but even then wouldn't of traded it for anything in a '19 or newer model of any make or brand. This Covid thing has all but ruined the rv industry, along with others, with folks buying them faster than they can build them thus the quality has suffered for the sake of profits.
We've looked at a few rv shows thinking of getting something smaller for just summer travels, but the quality of EVERY manufacturer is horrible, even the DW walks into them & points out obvious flaws.
Even back a few years when quality was a tiny bit better you better be somewhat of a handyman with basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical & routine mechanical maintenance if planning on owning a rv, regardless of what you pay for it.
With that said I'd keep what you have & spend the $$ on the upgrades to it rather than pay more $$$ for a whole new set of issues on a unit of much less quality.

[Ford truck guy]

Well,

1 visit to Morryde could knock off 3 items off that list… - 8K IS /discs, Step Above strut assist steps, and the 50 amp power reel…

As far as the recliners, can’t help you but many have talked about I believe Lambright ( spelling ?) in Elkhart..

I have a Furrion back up cam and really like it.. It also has a microphone so I can hear my wife yelling at ne while backing in :-)

[ricknnell]

Amen Sista, i totally agree, we have the 2014 38rl , and we love it, having only minor issues. I think it's when Thor sold out to Crossroads, that's when it became a cheaper coach.

[mhs4771]

Folks, again it's the other way around, Thor bought out Crossroads and half the RV Industry.

[travelin' texans]

Originally Posted by ricknnell

Amen Sista, i totally agree, we have the 2014 38rl , and we love it, having only minor issues. I think it's when Thor sold out to Crossroads, that's when it became a cheaper coach.

You keep repeating the same wrong information!!!
Thor owns Crossroads!!!!!!!
Thor is the largest RV manufacturer in the industry....
Crossroads was rolled under the management of Keystone in about 2016 or a bit later.

[piper guy]

We’re keeping our 2013 36RL for all the same reasons as Michelle. We’ve done a ton of upgrades and I just finished totally painting the walls and replacing flooring.

[rex]

Hi Vaughan,
Sorry to hi-jack the thread somewhat but I'm interested in what you did for your floors. Have you already posted here and I missed it? I'm thinking of doing the same for just the kitchen/living. I like the idea of vinyl plank but have heard tons of negatives - mainly plank separation.
Thanks!...rex

[piper guy]

Hi Rex. Don’t worry about hijacking - we all do it to each other all the time. Lol

I used a vinyl flooring that is 1’x2’ each. It’s a Oyster Travertine that looks like a marble floor. 3.5mm (about 1/8”) Self adhesive but I also used adhesive as insurance. We have not traveled with it yet but do anticipate going cross country in the late fall. Will know for sure then, but I don’t think I’ll have any issues. Very happy with the results, brightens up the coach immensely and got rid of all the carpet. We painted the walls a very very light green. Almost looks like a cream until the light hits it a certain way.

I’ll post some (in progress) pictures. They will probably be sideways as I still haven’t figured out why my iPad does that. Lol

[piper guy]

Floor and wall pictures. Sorry my iPad turns them sideways. We decided to paint the curved walls in the hallway and bedroom and are happy with the results. Made everything a lot brighter and more cheerful. We are fulltime and had gotten totally tired of “brown and tan”. Lol

The first two pictures are before and almost after, same area.

[Jay & Deb Learn]

Originally Posted by rex

Hi Vaughan,
Sorry to hi-jack the thread somewhat but I'm interested in what you did for your floors. Have you already posted here and I missed it? I'm thinking of doing the same for just the kitchen/living. I like the idea of vinyl plank but have heard tons of negatives - mainly plank separation.
Thanks!...rex

Not sure how to add a photo from my iPad. 🤪

[piper guy]

Jay - what did you use for the transition finish on the dining slide ? That’s the only thing I have left, to come up with something that looks good there. I will need a paintable trim though.

Thanks Vaughan

[Jay & Deb Learn]

This is a vinyl so it has an overlay like the carpet had and the flooring company put a matching binding on it for us. Love not having carpet. Took it all the way through the bedroom and into the closet.

[ricknnell]

so who built our Redwoods? 2014

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by ricknnell

so who built our Redwoods? 2014

I believe that was Crossroads at 2014

[piper guy]

In 2014 Redwood was a stand alone division technically under Crossroads. But the original management was still there. Large management change in 2015 and also big changes in production oversight.

[XCMARK]

Our unit was built in June of 14, that may explain why it seems like it was built much different than the later Redwoods.

[Redwood 31SL]

We just purchased a 2013 RW 31SL after selling our 2016 Montana 3710FL. We wanted a smaller unit to travel with. I had the Montana as a work home while away on a 2 year project. The unit was comfortable and I loved the the floor plan but the quality was lacking.
We went with an older unit for the same reason each of you stated as to why you are keeping yours “Quality”. Based on my experience the 2011-2015 years were the better years after 2010. We also had two Thor Grand Junctions in the 2004-2007 range and we’re happy with the quality of those units.
We have had a few higher end units with the bells and whistles. This is what I would add to my current unit.
* Vinyl flooring through out.
* Theatre seating for both seating positions
* On demand hot water
* Induction stove
* Convection Microwave
* Heat Pumps on both AC units


I’ve had the hydraulic disc brakes and wouldn’t spend the money on them again as I had a hard time getting them to work with my truck. They worked well once I was able to sort out the issues.