Fifth wheel selection criteria

[gordonpc]

My wife and I are planning to purchase about a 36’ fifth wheel within the next few months. We have narrowed down our choices to an Excel Limited, Mobile Suites or Redwood. We are planning factory tours at all three manufacturers in the coming month. If you were in the market for a fifth wheel, what factors would be most important to you in selecting among our finalists?

[5th_Time]

Isn't this the "Redwood" forum?

[SueMar]

Welcome! We just ordered a Redwood 36rl (36 is just the model number -- it's really about 40"long) last month -- are waiting for it to come in. The first thing we looked at was what kind of truck would we need to tow the unit.We didn't want to go bigger than a diesel, 1 ton dually.We considered the volume of the tanks (fresh, gray & black) so if we decide to boondock or spend a night or two at Walmart or somewhere similar we'd be OK. We looked at the furniture (we have 3 dogs, so leather was pretty much a given). We checked the frame, insulation, floorplans, available options, interior finish, etc. Then we compared cost.We're planning to full time, so kitchen layout. counterspace and storage (kitchen and general)were big considerations (love the pantry and island, full width dresser and top cabinets in the bedroom,doors on the top cabinets -- shelvesseemed to bepretty much worthless, a full width bedroom closet with the washer & dryer elsewhere, separate washer & dryer, dishwasher available was a big deal). Finally, we looked at buyer forums to get a feel for how owners felt about the product. Common problems, manufacturers and dealer response to problems, things like that. We talked to dealers to see what they thought of different makes & models. We spent LOTS of time inside various units to get a feel for what it would be like to really LIVE in them. Redwood won hands down!

[Grandpa]

We also looked at the Excel but in our part of the country, dealers and service isvery limited.

The Redwood 36RL was our choice. We wanted to make one more RV purchase before we hit the road in a couple of years to 'almost' full time. We ordered most of the options including the larger refrigerator with an ice maker, two awnings, roll out storage tray, two air conditioners with heat pumps, Winegard SK3005 sat dish, linoleum in the living room area, washer and dryer, dishwasher, king size bed, roll up day/night shades, two slide toppers, etc. Only option we didn't order was a generator. The unit has been as comfortable as home since March 2012. The only problem we have is that we don't spend enough time in it.



We shopped around and did research until our eyes crossed. No matter how we looked at it, Redwood came out on top!

[mhs4771]

Do your home work. Know nothing about Excel (other than the MicroSoft Spreadsheet software LOL) Even tho you'll see Mobile Suites behind 3/4 ton TVs, most should really be hooked to MDTs at they typically carry mucho pin weight. We've been in the Mobile Suites of several friends and looked at them at the Hershey show last year and at Tampa this past Jan, we ordered a Redwood 36RL, everything about the floor plan suites us perfectly. We spend approx 9 months a year living in it, seriously on the fence about selling the stick house, have to see what spring brings.

[par]

Originally Posted by 5th_Time

Isn't this the "Redwood" forum?

\

I like your style 5th_Time!

[RollsRoyce]

It is the RW forum but, itis because of nice and knowledgeable rver's like us that we can help all comers ro make the right decision for all the right reasons.....We are one of the major reasons.....

gordonpc when you look at RW at the factory be sure to look at an FB ...big shower

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by gordonpc

My wife and I are planning to purchase about a 36’ fifth wheel within the next few months. </span>We have narrowed down our choices to an Excel Limited, Mobile Suites or Redwood. </span>We are planning factory tours at all three manufacturers in the coming month. </span>If you were in the market for a fifth wheel, what factors would be most important to you in selecting among our finalists?

You can ask 10 people and get 10 different answers. I needed full body paint, low weight, good tank capacities, high quality and NO rubber roof. The warranty and their "out of the box" proactive thinking won me over. Most RV companies ask you to mold around their trailers, never changing them until their competition forces them to. Redwood on the other hand put innovative thought into their trailers.

[UNDRPSI]

We also looked at the Excel's before making our decision and Redwood won out. Bought the 36FL. The biggest difference between the Redwood and the Excel to us was the WOW factor! I mean when you walk in to your coach you want it to feel like your home when you walk in. For some reason the Excel just didn't have it that when we walked into it. I know they are both well made and the Excel's are much heavier then the Redwood because of the all wood structure. I guess it boils down to this, If you take out the fact that most RV's use the same Stove's, Refrigerators, Furnace's, Sink's, Yada Yada Yada it end's up being, 1 the Wow factor, then the floor plan, which we loved Redwoods concept for this.The 6-4-2 concept. Room enough to entertain 6, Dinner for 4, Sleep 2, BUT some Redwood's do sleep more very comfortably. Then you have the Fit and Finish which was great on both. Then you also have to consider Warranty and Factory support after the sale. So far Redwood has been awesome to work with. Rv's are mechanical. Things are going to happen and support from the factory is when you really get to appreciate the Redwood company. Just another person's 2 cents to confuse' you. Good luck on your decision. Either way, your going to love your new coach.

[Tobys Home]

We too looked at the top brands for years. Some are now gone or going out of business. We went to a many shows and the last, not expecting to see a Redwood. Well we went in one and bang! We felt at home. Looked at more vehicles and put alot of miles on the car and many hours on the computer but still kept coming back to the Redwood. Yes we have had issues but most taken care of by myself or a quick call or email to the factory. Wether your stationary or on the road we all have something in common…the Redwood makes you feel At HOME.

[timmytfl]

We have to second all of the great positive comments. Currently, our 34SK sits at a campground in MI until we start to travel next summer. We took delivery this last April & haven't had any problems that needed to be fixed. We love layout of the 34SK, the huge basement storage, the size of the black, grey & fresh water tanks, the large double door frig, all of the interior storage, the quantity of the construction, the beautiful wood, furniture - the list goes on!! We toured the Redwood factory last January, went to four different dealers, RV shows, researched Internet etc., and are thrilled with our decision! The only thing we changed was to replace the recliner chairs with leather Lazy Boy chairs because for us, the recliner chairs weren't very comfortable.

[lillyputz]

Originally Posted by timmytfl

We have to second all of the great positive comments. Currently, our 34SK sits at a campground in MI until we start to travel next summer. We took delivery this last April &amp; haven't had any problems that needed to be fixed. We love layout of the 34SK, the huge basement storage, the size of the black, grey &amp; fresh water tanks, the large double door frig, all of the interior storage, the quantity of the construction, the beautiful wood, furniture - the list goes on!! We toured the Redwood factory last January, went to four different dealers, RV shows, researched Internet etc., and are thrilled with our decision! The only thing we changed was to replace the recliner chairs with leather Lazy Boy chairs because for us, the recliner chairs weren't very comfortable.

Feel your self lucky.

Lillyputz

[Dan]

We too looked and looked did on lineresearchover the las few years and just keept coming back to redwood and one of the key factors for me was what support you would receive while out on the road a dealership for us was just some place to pick our unit up from as the odds ofretuningthere was slim. Anyway good hunting and enjoy