RWANDA Newbie

[John317]

Hi everyone, we are N. Calif newbies to the forum, although I have been lurking for about six months. We are downsizing from a 40' Beaver MH due to not being able to go to all the places we would like to visit because of it's size and maneuverability. We started looking at 5th Wheels about 10 months ago and could not find the quality to match our Beaver, that is until we found the Redwood Line. We have sold the Beaver and are now shopping for a RW 31SL. We just recently purchased a 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax. Now after seeing some of the comments on this forum I'm wondering if I have enough truck. We do not plan to go FT but want to spend 5 to 6 months out of the year on the road, at least that's the plan for now as we are both retired. The rest of the time will be spent with kids and gk's. Once again hi from the Johnston's.

[Dave&Ginny]

Welcome Johnston's to our growing family.

[RollsRoyce]

Go to your Chevy dealership and talk to service manager....ask him who is the most knowledgable on his service staffor service tech about your tow capabilities and if they are as good as Ford about this they should have a Tow brochure and should be able to steer you right...Also ask about adding suspension air bags

[John317]

The tow rating on my truck is 17,800 according to GM sales propaganda. It should be ok with the RW 31SL, I hope.

[KR2011]

Well the dry weight is 11930 and the gvwr 16000 depending on what your gcwr is on your truck is you should be fine.

[KR2011]

Oh ya I forgot welcome to the forum we hope to see ya around someday on the trail.

[John317]

Yeah, somewhere down the trail. Maybe at the first Redwood National Rally.

[KR2011]

That would be great!

[sinder]

Welcome John317. I have the RW 31sl and I'm towing it with a 6.4l F250 diesel with no problems. You will really like how easy they are to tow. Although the 31sl is their smallest 5th wheel it is a very nice layout, and will fit into 35ft sites.

[John317]

Sinder, I see from your profile that you are from Calif. also. What part? Where did you buy your unit? Did you get the disc brakes, and if not how is the stopping power with regular brakes? Did you install a washer/dryer yet? If so what unit and how's the fit? I apologize for all the questions but you are the only one I know of so far with the 31sl.

[sinder]

Hi Rwanda - we live in El Dorado Hills, outside of Sacramento. We purchased our 31sl at Toscano RV located in Los Banos. We really liked the dealership, very low key and a great maintenance staff. This dealer just happens to be the #1 Airstream dealer in the US. I do not have the disc brakes and have not found any problems stopping quickly with the brakes in the unit. I also did not get the washer and dryer. We may consider it sometime in the future, but for now storage is our top priority.
On the 31sl the washer/dryer unit is installed in the front closet on the right hand side. We have the king size bed which eliminates the little side tables next to the bed, so I hung a couple of small shelves next to the bed. We also have the dual AC. I'm planning to take the unit in for the Trident body protection, so I do not have to wax it two times a year and I can protect it from the California sun. I also did not get the factory generator as I already have a Honda unit and I'm planning in the future to put an array of solar panels on top. I did have the dealer install a second battery, which they did for no additional cost. I currently have a small 50W solar panel just to keep the batteries fresh. As suggested in this forum, I would not go with the E rated Marathon tires. I have them and the side walls are warping. I'm working with the Dealer and Redwood to get the G rated tires/rims. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[John317]

Sinder, we are right up the road from you in Redding. My wife's sister lives in Rocklin and we visit several time a year, maybe the next time we come down I'll let you know and we can get together for a cup of Starbucks coffee. I guess we are the Northern Calif. chapter of the Redwood RV Club. Chuckle.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by John317

Sinder, we are right up the road from you in Redding. My wife's sister lives in Rocklin and we visit several time a year, maybe the next time we come down I'll let you know and we can get together for a cup of Starbucks coffee. I guess we are the Northern Calif. chapter of the Redwood RV Club. Chuckle.

Hell you folks are already putting chapters together...that's GREAT

[KR2011]

I sure wish the central chapter would get it's act together!

[sinder]

John317 it would be great to meet up sometime. Certainly in our newly formed Northern California Chapter. I don't know what is taking the Central owners so long to get their act together.

[John317]

I like the way you think! If the Central guys don't get their act together soon they'll miss the National Rally. Chuckle, snort, wheeze.Edited by: John317

[KR2011]

National rally? I think their has been some planning going on in the background.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by KR2011

I sure wish the central chapter would get it's act together!

Hey...waite a minute ..that's US isn't?

[Dave&Ginny]

We could get our act together AFTER we get our trailers...Have you heard anymore about your's?

[KR2011]

No not a word.