Considering a Redwood RW38GK

[BlackJeep22]

Brand new to The Forum here. We are considering buying a lot, selling our motorhome and putting a 5th wheel on the lot permanently.

Currently looking at it 2014 Redwood RW38GK.
We've only started looking but this one seems to be a very nice unit.

Are you all happy with your Redwood RVs? We had a Forest River Class C motorhome and we would never purchase another Forest River product. We currently have a Tiffin class A diesel motorhome and are very impressed with the quality and customer service that Tiffin provides.

Were there any substantial changes made to the unit in 2014? 2015? 2016?

Any comments (pros and cons) regarding purchasing a Redwood 5th wheel would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

Steve

[XCMARK]

in my opinion the 14 and 15 are better choices , Keystone became the owner of the Redwood name in late 2015 if I recall and very model year since 2016 it seams like the overall quality has changed. GK are heavy but if your parking it that doesn't mater.

[wintertree]

Well ...you have experience "Forest River" so moving into a Redwood should be a good experience....as others have said.....the quality (mostly fit and finish) has changed with the redwood line of 5'vers around 2016.....But there are many out there that have the newer versions and are very pleased....as you are going to be mostly stationary....the biggest short comings of the earlier units was not heavy enough running gear (typical problem that plagues most RV's)....Funning thing that a trailer designed with extended stay / full timers in mind (which means usually traveling heavy) would come under-rated in regards to axles etc....but its all about profits...
Generally the Redwood line does do a great job of creating a more residential feel....with really is one of the big reasons most own them...I have been in a lot of trailers (I'm an old RV tech)....and I really feel comfortable in ours.....and I was hooked the first time we had a good look....

Wes.....2015 38RL / 2016 F-450

[BlackJeep22]

Thanks for all the responses. One other question... I have a DIRECTV satellite dish on the roof of my Tiffin Diesel pusher. I can't recall ever seeing a Sat dish on the roof of a 5er. Have I just not been paying attention? Is it possible to mount a dish on the roof? TIA.
Steve

[Jim & Mary]

We've had our on the Redwood roof for over 5 years now. One of the best things I've had done. Works most everywhere, unless there's trees in the way. That's only happened two or three times and then we watch movies or stuff recorded on our DVR.

[BlackJeep22]

Originally Posted by Jim & Mary

We've had our on the Redwood roof for over 5 years now. One of the best things I've had done. Works most everywhere, unless there's trees in the way. That's only happened two or three times and then we watch movies or stuff recorded on our DVR.

Thanks Jim & Mary. Was your 5er prepped for satellite? What year/model is it?

[wintertree]

Direct TV dish on ours also....no issues....We don't use it much.....but its a nice addition.....Sat wiring (prep) was all in place....

Wes 2015 38RL / 2016 F-450

[Jim & Mary]

It's my understanding that most if not all of the Redwoods of our era were so equipped The sat prep can be identified by the orange coax lines. One of our longtime members (Atom Ant) even installed his own and provides excellent photos documenting the process. Do a search on this forum to find those.

[BlackJeep22]

Originally Posted by wintertree

Direct TV dish on ours also....no issues....We don't use it much.....but its a nice addition.....Sat wiring (prep) was all in place....

Wes 2015 38RL / 2016 F-450

Thanks Wes. Do you also have an exterior TV that can run off of the satellite?

[wintertree]

Yes to the exterior TV.....Sorry no Idea if its hooked up to sat.....one of the other members may know this....I have never used this TV....

Wes 2015 38RL / 2016 F-450

[Shane Wood]

Originally Posted by BlackJeep22

Thanks Wes. Do you also have an exterior TV that can run off of the satellite?

All 3 of my TVs run off the sattelite

[XCMARK]

my 2015 is pre wired from the factory for a dish , next to the bath rm skylight there are 2 coax stubs on the roof waiting for a dish

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by XCMARK

my 2015 is pre wired from the factory for a dish , next to the bath rm skylight there are 2 coax stubs on the roof waiting for a dish

My 2012 36RL was also pre-wired for satellite. The problem is that there was no communication between the manufacturer and the dealer about that feature being present, or, the dealer forgot about it being available. When I ordered the roof mount Road Trip Mini-Max, the dealer did not use the available cables. They installed all new cables.

I did not know about the available cables myself until a year later when I accidentally discovered them hidden away under one of the caps on the roof. Unfortunately, Redwood doesn't think it's necessary to label anything and when they do label anything (like the fuses and circuit breakers), you can't read their chicken scratching. Why they don't make standardized pre printed labels and wire the coach in a standardized manner is very puzzling. But then, that would require they have real engineering and quality control departments. Of course the marketing and manufacturing departments who are always willing to cut corners to save a little money don't realize they could save some significant money by standardizing their manufacturing processes.

Enough rambling from a retired engineer.

[LoSt]

We have a Tri-pod mounted Direct TV dish, to dodge the trees in the mountains, and all three TV's work with the dish connected.
Steve

[wintertree]

I think the only thing I have found so far is the lack of solar pre-install....and that may be present in the newer models ....not a biggy.....but at the factory level it would be so easy.....but CrossRoads never did promote it as a unit designed for boon docking and such.....Plus the "Bean Counters" have control on where the money is spent....
Another thing that surprised me was the el-cheapo bathroom fan.....I did have a power fan in stock (fantastic fan) and have installed it...

Wes 2015 38RL / 2016 F-450

[Shane Wood]

Originally Posted by wintertree

I think the only thing I have found so far is the lack of solar pre-install....and that may be present in the newer models ....not a biggy.....but at the factory level it would be so easy.....but CrossRoads never did promote it as a unit designed for boon docking and such.....Plus the "Bean Counters" have control on where the money is spent....
Another thing that surprised me was the el-cheapo bathroom fan.....I did have a power fan in stock (fantastic fan) and have installed it...

Wes 2015 38RL / 2016 F-450

Our 2015 has fantastic fans in the kitchen and bath.perhaps the dealer that ordered it went cheap on the options

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by wintertree

I think the only thing I have found so far is the lack of solar pre-install....and that may be present in the newer models ....not a biggy.....but at the factory level it would be so easy.....but CrossRoads never did promote it as a unit designed for boon docking and such.....Plus the "Bean Counters" have control on where the money is spent....
Another thing that surprised me was the el-cheapo bathroom fan.....I did have a power fan in stock (fantastic fan) and have installed it...

Wes 2015 38RL / 2016 F-450

My 2012 36RL (built in Sept. 2011) also came with ordered Fantastic Fans in bathroom and kitchen.

[mhs4771]

Interesting, both our '12 36RL and current '16 39MB came with MaxxAir Fans

[Ford truck guy]

our 16 had max air fans...

the new 20 will have solar prep, and a " power fan " in the bathroom.... should know in a few weeks.

[Jim & Mary]

Joe
Are you trying to find one on a dealer lot or ordering what you want from Redwood?