5) Do you want a Generator? There will be a lot of opinions here but we're opting for the 8000W Diesel unit. There are weight considerations but Propane units think it is an open tab at the bar. By installing a 109 gallon tank in your truck, you can buy Diesel in one state cheap to use to cross the country our fuel up the generator.

I have the 8000W diesel Onan. Water cooled, variable speed pure sine wave, nice unit, but also enormous, and heavy (420lbs empty). I really thing trying to jamb one of those into a Redwood is an exercise in futility for not a lot of gain. By the time you brace for it, add the weight, and all that fuel in the truck, I doubt you would still be in dually territory. Our 5500 Propane unit served the Redwood just perfect and it fit like a glove (plug-n-play). Portable tanks are easy to get refilled.

Another thing...

For this price point, there are only a hand full of brands to choose from. In no particular order:

Redwood (Thor/Crossroads)

Cardinal (Forest River)

Landmark 365 (Heartland)

Lifestyle (Independent that went out of business last year?)

Montana Big Sky (Keystone)

Big Horn (Heartland)

Trilogy (Dynamax)

Excel (Peterson Industries)

Cedar Creek (Forest River)

There may be one or two more since its subjective on price point and amenities.

There are a couple of upper end models such as DVR/Mobile Suites and Horizon.

Going back to this price point, we went back and forth until we found the Redwood. Its all a matter of preference but the GK had a lot more galley space.

I also reviewed all kinds of construction data, R-values and the like.

Finally, I researched "Recall" data.

For the price, Redwood had fit the full-timing requirements. Short of all of the things I've had to do (that I should not have had to do), its still our choice at the moment. There has been a lot to learn about this lifestyle but so far, neither of us are looking back. We still go to every RV show to see whats new and out there. So far, "we" would consider Redwood and Landmark 365 very comparable. Each offer 1 or 2 things that the other one does not. If price and a whole new truck was not required (i.e. a 4500 or 5500 Ram), then we would have definitely gone DRV Mobile Suites for a bunch of reasons. They just weigh too much and cost another 35-50% more.

GipCtravelers, Dont forget about Riverstone by Forest River. Lots of standard features that Redwood owners were asking about for the last few years. Heavy too...
http://www.forestriverinc.com/brochures/2017/2017riverstonebrochure.pdf

But you have to go with a unit that fits your budget, and hopefully you don't need a bigger truck to pull it with either.

Chris

For what is worth, I agree with GipCtravlers almost 100%. If you want a very clear and to the point and very Factual review on the Redwood then read what he has to say. I have a 2015 GK and have found everything he says to be exactly as he list it. No surprises. I have found that the 5500 Onan to serve my GK well. Now I do not use it often and certainly not for days. Mainly for cooling it off about hour before I get to my site and when I stop for lunch. Fits perfect.

Just curious to know if you landed on a particular brand/unit? If you should have any further questions regarding the Redwood please don't hesitate to call Redwood and ask to speak to the Regional Manager local to your market for the most up to date product information.

We bought our 2015 31SL a year ago brand new. After a rough start with the Redwood in the shop for a month getting all the discovered issues fixed, we are happy to report a flawless experience now! We just returned from 3 weeks in St. George UT and loved the comfort and features of this 5th wheel. It is the perfect size for us. No new issues discovered since June of last year so think we are good. I would advise a thorough walk thru PRIOR to signing and paying for a Redwood. We did the opposite only to find out that our pre-purchase punch list had not been touched. So, we waited all day for those items to be fixed and discover many more issues on our first trip out. Also, make the first trip close to home! We went north to Alberta Canada, should have stayed within a couple of hours of home since there were some major difficulties including a roof leak and slide out ceiling falling down, oh and old batteries that had not charged since they had no water in them.

It is the best rv though, after everything is fixed 🙂