While staying at our current location, we noticed three fifth wheels with a name we never remember seeing before. Each was a beauty from the outside. I found there was a dealer about 90 miles away near Lafayette, LA. So we took a ride to check out the Redwood line.
We fell in love! They offered a generous trade-in on our Montana but we would still need $50,000. We have the funds but just can not justify getting a different rig as our Montana is suitable for our needs and paid for.
But wondering - does anyone here have /knowledge/experience with the Redwood brand? They've only been making them since 2010.
Just dreaming! (Not buying)
Gone in a flash said
06:20 AM May 29, 2013
We looked at then and though they where pretty. But decided to pass on them. I can't put a finger on it when or why we decided not to. Just seemed like the quality wasn't there to us. Also we have a friend that sells RV MT they sold a bumper pull brand Thor bought after a couple of years the quality dropped off, he advised not to buy one
any thing from Thor. I also know any RV can have problems so this is just my thoughts.
-- Edited by Gone in a flash on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 06:22:39 AM
Bill and Linda said
01:40 PM May 29, 2013
In the “opinion” department only:We noticed the Redwood a couple / three years ago at various RV shows.I think the first time we saw it was in Tampa.After a couple of walk-throughs and “look unders” at different shows both of us were non-plussed.Lots of glitter, not too much steel.No offence to anyone who owns and loves a Redwood.If it works for you then it’s a great rig. But I would be careful of rigs that are really big, nice looking inside with colorful drapes, a great looking paint job and lite in weight.Now, if you’re not going to travel and it will be more of a parked rig, well, that may be different set of criteria.But I’m always thinking about the rig on the road.Just our view and our criteria. Yours may be different.
Safe travels
Terry and Jo said
02:14 PM May 29, 2013
My biggest issue when looking at the Redwood was the frame. Even in their brochures, they speak of a 12" main frame with a "10 inch drop frame." The drop frame is that part of the coach where the basement is located, so the drop frame is between the framework of the nose and the rear "main" frame. It seems wrong to me to have a smaller frame between two larger frames. Now, maybe I don't know all about the framework that may "reinforce" the drop frame, but that arrangement still concerns me.
Terry
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
02:35 AM May 30, 2013
If I remember correctly, they- Redwood/Thor bought the Carriage name and rights. But, its not a Carriage by a long shot. There are alot of nice amenities, but their lacking in the base structure as Terry mentioned. Lifestyle is closer to being a Carriage then any.
PD CFK said
03:19 AM May 30, 2013
What Terry and Jim said...
travlingman said
05:46 PM May 30, 2013
Terry and Jo wrote:
My biggest issue when looking at the Redwood was the frame. Even in their brochures, they speak of a 12" main frame with a "10 inch drop frame." The drop frame is that part of the coach where the basement is located, so the drop frame is between the framework of the nose and the rear "main" frame. It seems wrong to me to have a smaller frame between two larger frames. Now, maybe I don't know all about the framework that may "reinforce" the drop frame, but that arrangement still concerns me.
Terry
The 10" drop is the same that DRV uses on the Tradition, so I guess they are no good either? Also, I notice the mighty DRV doesn't use the 15" frame on the Suites but to the drop down and goes with a smaller frame the rest of the way. You can look at the 2014 brochure to see the frame. Does this mean they are no good either? Here is a link to the brochure. http://www.rollingretreats.com/14brochure
PD CFK said
07:41 PM May 30, 2013
A couple of things about this wonderful forum: There are so many nice folks who are willing to share experience and opinions to help others make an educated guess. And then folks are mostly always considerate of each others thoughts and if not, tend to take them with a grain of salt. Haven't witnessed too many hissing matches, and that's a good thing, don't 'ya think?
Lucky Mike said
07:46 PM May 30, 2013
Who we Talk'in Bout Willis !!!!!!!!
phyllen said
12:50 AM May 31, 2013
After reading some replies, I became curious about Thor Industries. I see they own Airstream, Keystone (our Montana is made by Keystone), Heartland, and several other RV brands in addition to Redwood. Learn something new all the time. I had no idea that one company actually owns so many different brands.
Thanks for the input.
rvingft said
01:21 PM May 31, 2013
Both Thor and Forest River buy out other companies. Neither are known for good quality full time units. the Redwood sure is flashy though ....offers an amazing kitchen
WestWardHo said
02:50 PM May 31, 2013
We looked at a new Redwood about a year and a half ago but like others above, seemed pretty nice at first glance but not much quality in finishes. Just our opinion.
Sherry
Howard said
06:55 PM May 31, 2013
Thor is a good company and Redwood is a good brand. The rig has some very nice features for a full-timing type rig. However, in our last inspection of one at a show (over a year ago) I believe that, for the price, they left off some safety features (better suspension, tires, etc.) that, in my opinion, should be standard equipment on a rig that size, in that price range, designed for full-time use. Though they are designed for full-time use, I think they are built more for full-time use sitting still ... as Bill suggested. With that said, they are nice, and I would probably include them in a top ten list of full-timing fifth wheels to look at.
Judy said
06:01 AM Jun 21, 2013
Looked at the Redwoods also. Quality is just not there for us anyway. No storage underneath and hubby was concerned about the lowness of it. Classy on the outside but pricey. There are 2 of them sitting here next to us in our campground.
While staying at our current location, we noticed three fifth wheels with a name we never remember seeing before. Each was a beauty from the outside. I found there was a dealer about 90 miles away near Lafayette, LA. So we took a ride to check out the Redwood line.
We fell in love! They offered a generous trade-in on our Montana but we would still need $50,000. We have the funds but just can not justify getting a different rig as our Montana is suitable for our needs and paid for.
But wondering - does anyone here have /knowledge/experience with the Redwood brand? They've only been making them since 2010.
Just dreaming! (Not buying)
We looked at then and though they where pretty.
But decided to pass on them. I can't put a finger on it
when or why we decided not to. Just seemed like the quality
wasn't there to us.
Also we have a friend that sells RV MT they sold a
bumper pull brand Thor bought after a couple of
years the quality dropped off, he advised not to buy one
any thing from Thor.
I also know any RV can have problems so this is just my
thoughts.
-- Edited by Gone in a flash on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 06:22:39 AM
In the “opinion” department only: We noticed the Redwood a couple / three years ago at various RV shows. I think the first time we saw it was in Tampa. After a couple of walk-throughs and “look unders” at different shows both of us were non-plussed. Lots of glitter, not too much steel. No offence to anyone who owns and loves a Redwood. If it works for you then it’s a great rig. But I would be careful of rigs that are really big, nice looking inside with colorful drapes, a great looking paint job and lite in weight. Now, if you’re not going to travel and it will be more of a parked rig, well, that may be different set of criteria. But I’m always thinking about the rig on the road. Just our view and our criteria. Yours may be different.
Safe travels
My biggest issue when looking at the Redwood was the frame. Even in their brochures, they speak of a 12" main frame with a "10 inch drop frame." The drop frame is that part of the coach where the basement is located, so the drop frame is between the framework of the nose and the rear "main" frame. It seems wrong to me to have a smaller frame between two larger frames. Now, maybe I don't know all about the framework that may "reinforce" the drop frame, but that arrangement still concerns me.
Terry
But, its not a Carriage by a long shot. There are alot of nice amenities, but their lacking in the base structure as Terry mentioned.
Lifestyle is closer to being a Carriage then any.
The 10" drop is the same that DRV uses on the Tradition, so I guess they are no good either? Also, I notice the mighty DRV doesn't use the 15" frame on the Suites but to the drop down and goes with a smaller frame the rest of the way. You can look at the 2014 brochure to see the frame. Does this mean they are no good either? Here is a link to the brochure. http://www.rollingretreats.com/14brochure
Thanks for the input.
Sherry
Thor is a good company and Redwood is a good brand. The rig has some very nice features for a full-timing type rig. However, in our last inspection of one at a show (over a year ago) I believe that, for the price, they left off some safety features (better suspension, tires, etc.) that, in my opinion, should be standard equipment on a rig that size, in that price range, designed for full-time use. Though they are designed for full-time use, I think they are built more for full-time use sitting still ... as Bill suggested. With that said, they are nice, and I would probably include them in a top ten list of full-timing fifth wheels to look at.