Considering 2017 Redwood 3401RL

gearhead · 07-10-2019, 02:56 PM

We have a purchased new 2014 Montana High Country now. Looking at a 2017 Redwood 3401RL at PPLmotorhomes in Cleburne TX. That full body paint sure dazzles compared to oxidized filon. The 3401RL is a bit short on bedroom cabinets, I suppose because of the king bed vs. our queen. I think the wife can work around it though. The Redwood closet door has fallen off the track but that should be an easy fix. It does have 2 issues that are concerning: The tires are Westlake 215/75 17.5 that have a speed limit of 62MPH. That should be illegal. I suppose I could do what I assume everyone else does...just go for it. The other issue is it has a Winegard Travel'r DirectTV dish on the roof. I'm hearing of issues with DirectTV and RV's. Plus I'm thinking of all the roof perforations for mounting the dish and securing the cables. I'm already looking at RVArmor and Flex Roof. Other than those issues I'm impressed by the interior looks and trim. The frame looks substantial, it has 8,000# axles, and the exterior doors feel substantial compared to the Montana HC.
Any feedback is welcome and much appreciated.

**piper guy** · 07-10-2019, 04:20 PM

Just a couple of things - ditch the Westlakes and put on Sailun S637 tires. Lots of us run th m and I haven't heard of an issue yet. I've got over 11k on mine and we're loaded heavy as fulltimers.

Suspension - this has always been a weak point with the heavy fifth wheels. If it doesn't have at least a MorRyde equalizer (the CRE 3000 or 4000) work that into the deal along with heavy duty MorRyde spring shackles and wetbolts. If you're planning on pulling a lot, work on budgeting MorRyde IS suspension and disc brakes down the road.

You'll love the coach. Ours is almost 7 years old and we still get " is that a new one " when we pull into a campground.

gearhead · 07-10-2019, 04:44 PM

Yeah Sailun seems to be the go to tire for this size. That's what I'll use. I might run these Westlakes for a short time. It has wet bolts and I think a cushioned equalizer. From memory on the equalizer anyway, I put my finger on a grease zerk on the spring end. Best I can tell Redwood uses the same frame for all models. Beam size anyway. Since this one has a carry capacity of 4,400# I hoping it's a robust carriage. I would love to get discs on it after we run the bugs out of it and are convinced we will keep it long term.

Thanks for the input...

XCMARK · 07-10-2019, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

Yeah Sailun seems to be the go to tire for this size. That's what I'll use. I might run these Westlakes for a short time. It has wet bolts and I think a cushioned equalizer. From memory on the equalizer anyway, I put my finger on a grease zerk on the spring end. Best I can tell Redwood uses the same frame for all models. Beam size anyway. Since this one has a carry capacity of 4,400# I hoping it's a robust carriage. I would love to get discs on it after we run the bugs out of it and are convinced we will keep it long term.

Thanks for the input...

Morryde and disk brakes if your pulling are a great up grade . That 2017 should already have 8000lb axels and bigger brakes (3 3/8 wide x 12" shoes) if I recall. They will stop ok if they are clean and in good working order. I had 7K axles and 2" x 12 drums , that doesn't stop 17,000 lbs!
the morryde IS cost just over $3800 plus tax+ disk upgrade . They can put your drums brakes on IS. I had problems with cabinets opening while towing with springs and equilflex trungion. with Morryde IS the coffee maker stays on the counter right where I left it, even on back roads ! I have 1700 mile on my Morryde that was just installed this spring , I will not own a heavy trailer with out it now. The closet door on mine came off the track on the ride back from Niagra falls and again on the ride to Elkhart (morryde) , hasn't happened since.

duel wheel one ton is almost a must have also. IF you don't load the basement and run with almost zero water a single wheel 3500 is border line over weight on the rear axel.

gearhead · 07-10-2019, 09:36 PM

I could Google the Morryde IS, but is it a torsion axle? I have 2 torsion axles on my boat trailer and one on my utility trailer. I like 'em.

We tow with a 2018 Ram Cummins Aisin 4x4 crewcab longbed 3.73 DRW pearl white. Also a 2008 Bigfoot 9.4 cabover, a 21ft center console NauticStar bay boat, a GoDevil duck boat with a 35HP surface drive and a pirogue. Just out of Houston in Liberty.
Brent...Retired Shell Machinery Specialist-refinery redneck.
Betty...retired high school calculus teacher-the smart one.

XCMARK · 07-11-2019, 02:24 AM

Morryde is similar to TQ style axles , it uses a large rubber block that has a swing arm that is held up by rubber in the shear direction. light trailer TQ style axles use rubber in a twisting motion and compression. Morryde can change the sping rate by how hard the rubber is and how much rubber is on the blocks.
Independent Suspension System - MORryde Products

factory mounted on some DRV and Lux trailers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_54xz0ymTzM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNy1H0lE9W4

gearhead · 07-14-2019, 06:49 PM

Question for those that have hanging/sliding front closet doors with the track inside the closet...there are 2 small doorknobs on the exterior of the doors where they meet. Do you think a small bungee cord wrapped around the 2 knobs would prevent the doors from sliding while travelling? We use spring loaded curtain rods in the bottom tracks of the shower doors to prevent them from sliding, if the little latch doesn't hold.
Advice please...this 5th has been for sale since March, with no offers. The salesman is young and new with maybe 6 months experience. The sales manager did most of the talking, and he is good. I made them a low ball offer 10 days ago. About 15% less than asking price. I called the new salesman a couple days later with the "Ford truck guy" simple fix for the sliding closet door. They haven't called back. Not sure if it's a stand-off or what. Would you call and ring their bell, or wait some more??

XCMARK · 07-14-2019, 10:01 PM

I have a drop in latch with a heavy 1/4" ~5/16 wire that drops into a receiver at the bottom and two latches to keep the doors strait and latched. No issue for a 1000 mile drive to Elkhart this spring on pot hole infested roads. this was all before putting Morryde in , the 1000 miles home I left the coffee maker on the counter (it didn't move). the doors in my opinion are a very easy fix , tops 1 hour and $25 in cabinet door hardware. Not knowing your offer " low ball" may need just a little bump.

gearhead · 07-14-2019, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCMARK

I have a drop in latch with a heavy 1/4" ~5/16 wire that drops into a receiver at the bottom and two latches to keep the doors strait and latched. No issue for a 1000 mile drive to Elkhart this spring on pot hole infested roads. this was all before putting Morryde in , the 1000 miles home I left the coffee maker on the counter (it didn't move). the doors in my opinion are a very easy fix , tops 1 hour and $25 in cabinet door hardware. Not knowing your offer " low ball" may need just a little bump.

I put the same latch on our Montana HC front closet doors. Apparently the heat has affected my brain. Jeez, I'll just do the same thing.

I'm thinking the salesman is waiting on me, and I'm waiting on him.

wintertree · 07-15-2019, 01:49 AM

Remember...."Tis the season" in regards to RV sales...they are never as hungry this time of the year...!5% lower is an easy to accept offer offer..."off season"...maybe not as easy to swallow right now..We purchased ours middle of Jan....-30 (Canada)....pretty quiet around the dealerships that time of year..

I would pester them....when I want something I go after it....but I also have a price in mind and don't move much from that...did the salesman get you a counter offer ?...If not ....boot him in the butt to get you one....

Always remember....THERE IS ALWAYS MORE OUT THERE !!...the next rig down the road could even be better...

Its been my experience that my final deal....whatever it is ....always is better than the original thing I was after....Trucks...RV's....equipment for my farm...even real estate ( for us)....

XCMARK · 07-15-2019, 02:01 AM

look at it from a trade in stand point , they don't pay you CHIT for your old trade and the still make a profit on the new rig , so really they need to make a little and be happy they moved another unit. its the time of year they need to empty there lots .

gearhead · 07-15-2019, 03:32 PM

The Redwood is on a consignment lot. PPLMOTORHOMES.com Big operation with lots in Houston, San Antonio, and Cleburne Texas. They take trade-ins and sell them alongside the consigned units. And oh yes they get you coming and going. I knew the trade in would be ugly but it's really bad.

I'll give them a couple days.

I think around here the summer is a bit slower depending on how hot it is. Gets fairly uncomfortable looking at RV's on a concrete lot in July unless you are used to it.

XCMARK · 07-15-2019, 09:00 PM

I recall reading something about there internet price being fixed and no haggle fixed price. take a look at there internet offers in the fine print. A consignement RV can be a different thing , the owners and dealer may not want to go back table and ask .

gearhead · 07-16-2019, 04:44 AM

They mention hassle free but I didn't see anything about no haggle. On the consignments they just forward the offer to the owner with I assume some strategic advice. Then reply back to the possible buyer until the deal is done.

gearhead · 07-16-2019, 11:09 PM

Well I got to the bottom of it today. Seems a few days ago the owners came and got the 5th. Apparently their consignment contract had run out. Salesman said they wanted it back and wanted to use it. So I wouldn't have had much luck buying it anyway.
I was cooling off about it. The satellite install with the roof perforations kinda gave me the heebie jeebies.

I'll keep my eyes open for another Redwood.

travelin' texans · 07-17-2019, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

Well I got to the bottom of it today. Seems a few days ago the owners came and got the 5th. Apparently their consignment contract had run out. Salesman said they wanted it back and wanted to use it. So I wouldn't have had much luck buying it anyway.
I was cooling off about it. The satellite install with the roof perforations kinda gave me the heebie jeebies.

I'll keep my eyes open for another Redwood.

Check the "Classified" section on here.

gearhead · 07-17-2019, 01:14 PM

Yes, I've been cruising through them.
I may be getting busy anyway. Got a call that I may be wanted in the west Texas oilfield for some post-retirement contract inspection work. We'll see.

travelin' texans · 07-17-2019, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

Yes, I've been cruising through them.
I may be getting busy anyway. Got a call that I may be wanted in the west Texas oilfield for some post-retirement contract inspection work. We'll see.

The ROG forum may have some different ones to check out when you havea chance.
I did the post retirement inspection thing for 4-5 years for the company I retired from also, paid a lot better than when I was a full-time employee.

gearhead · 07-17-2019, 06:20 PM

Yeah, I'll jump over there and look too.
I retired in 2008 and swore I wouldn't go back. A year later at a crawfish boil my ex boss lady talked me into doing safety inspections on little well pad rental compressors. That's all it took. Next thing I know I'm doing inspections in the Houston fab shop for the pipeline sales compressors....1,500HP V-12 Waukesha's driving Ariel recips. Then go to Laredo and watch the installations. Lived in a hotel down there for a year. Then it was go inspect compressors, pumps, gearboxes, etc. for whatever wherever.
Four years later I took a breath, looked at my play money account and bought a red Corvette, a new bay boat, and a bunch of guns.
You know the saying: God please let there be another oil boom. I promise not to urinate it away next time.
What kind of inspections were you doing?

travelin' texans · 07-17-2019, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

Yeah, I'll jump over there and look too.
I retired in 2008 and swore I wouldn't go back. A year later at a crawfish boil my ex boss lady talked me into doing safety inspections on little well pad rental compressors. That's all it took. Next thing I know I'm doing inspections in the Houston fab shop for the pipeline sales compressors....1,500HP V-12 Waukesha's driving Ariel recips. Then go to Laredo and watch the installations. Lived in a hotel down there for a year. Then it was go inspect compressors, pumps, gearboxes, etc. for whatever wherever.
Four years later I took a breath, looked at my play money account and bought a red Corvette, a new bay boat, and a bunch of guns.
You know the saying: God please let there be another oil boom. I promise not to urinate it away next time.
What kind of inspections were you doing?

Did pipeline maintenance/operations for 30 years, also retired '08, old boss called nearly in years from being very shorthanded so went back inspecting new pipeline construction & after 4-5 years DW said "that's enough, we're retired" so as they say the rest is history.

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