this was all WITH Redwood assigning an Expeditor from their factory. They were absolutely worthless. We took this issue to Redwood executives and to Camping World execs - all worthless and no help. Camping World sub contracts out all service. they fired all 400 General Managers. they have no Quality Control personnel on their staff. the coach just had some basic cosmetic issues, real leaky shower all the way down into living space, 2 bad batteries, cabinet doors to replace, spare tie stolen, paint scratches on the $13,000 paint job, doors that didn't fit blah blah blah. nothing major.
Camping World it terrible.
I total agree with you folks, their is no real service center out there for after the fact purchases , i believe the real issue is parts and their suppliers well my conclusion on the battery issue is the master shut off is in the wrong location , need to be placed just after battery pack before entering converter and after the fuse able link there for shutting down the couch total , if your not going to use it for awhile or if you have know excess to shore power at your camper location to keep battery charged .
I had my batteries go dead on my unit after owning it for less than 90 days. I found the batteries were dry and plates sulfated over badly. I tried to refill with water and charge but no use. They even drained my TV dual batteries to nothing overnight.
Took to Lazy Days they stated batteries were wasted.They told me that Selling/installing Dealer responsible. They were closed for Holidays so I had no choice and $490 later new Batteries. Called my selling Deler after they returned from Holiday. They State that Redwood supplies the Batteries in there units from the factory. I naver heard of that by any Manufacture. Any body know if that is true??
I called Redwood Customer Assistance and the girl told me , NO they do not supply batteries. Can anyone comment on this for me?
The next area is the terrible battery storage boxes that it darn near impossible to service the batteries. Cables run thru the top covers and big clumps of silicon all around holes.
They did not design this to be able to service the batteries once a month as they suggest!
Any suggestions and a better battery container for servicing the batteries.
:angry:
David,
My understanding is Redwood supplies a single cheap battery for the delivery to the dealer. When we bought our coach the dealer intended to supply a single type 24 lead/acid battery. I negotiated they supply 2 identical batteries.
Getting new batteries in is a real challenge. I replace the screws when installing the top covers, but certainly don't add silicone.
Dealers may or may not supply batteries when purchasing new. There might be some good dealers that treat you right. Ours did by supplying (2) Interstate 12V batteries brand new (among a few other things). They are 4 years old and still going.
You are right about battery maintenance. But just like everything else related to RV's, there are no regulations or real industry best practices (except providing bad engineering).
You may want to consider adding a battery tray. Make sure it can lock down. If you get into a front end collision, you won't want the batteries to come flying out.
You might also consider a quality battery box such as this:
And then, consider upgrading to at least (2) Golf Cart batteries for longer life while boondocking.
http://rvtravel.com/rv-travel-newsletter-issue-786/
And finally, consider adding the self-watering kit to cut down dramatically on maintenance.
This project is on my list of to-do's...
When I ordered my "16" Redwood, this was an option ** -
Residential Appliance Package (N/A 31SL) - - -$2,007.00
Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator w/ Ice maker & water Dispenser, 1000w Pure Sine Inverter, Group 31 Battery Upgrade (2)
Now with that said, I ASSUMED since the factory was charging me, they were supplying the batteries.. That assumption came true when I replaced them last summer, the upgraded batteries were no name batteries, Dead no name batteries that I assume were supplied by the factory? .. Now I have 2 of the Lifeline Group 31 AGM batteries and they are truly an upgrade.
I had my batteries go dead on my unit after owning it for less than 90 days. I found the batteries were dry and plates sulfated over badly. I tried to refill with water and charge but no use. They even drained my TV dual batteries to nothing overnight.
Took to Lazy Days they stated batteries were wasted.They told me that Selling/installing Dealer responsible. They were closed for Holidays so I had no choice and $490 later new Batteries. Called my selling Deler after they returned from Holiday. They State that Redwood supplies the Batteries in there units from the factory. I naver heard of that by any Manufacture. Any body know if that is true??
I called Redwood Customer Assistance and the girl told me , NO they do not supply batteries. Can anyone comment on this for me?
The next area is the terrible battery storage boxes that it darn near impossible to service the batteries. Cables run thru the top covers and big clumps of silicon all around holes.
They did not design this to be able to service the batteries once a month as they suggest!
Any suggestions and a better battery container for servicing the batteries.
:angry:
Our 2012 36RL (built in Sept. 2011) came with a no name battery from Redwood and I had the dealer install a second battery. In 2014, I installed a Mor/Ryde battery tray which makes the batteries a lot easier to check and service. Those original two batteries lasted until fall of 2016 with service of the batteries once per year. I replaced the originals with 2 Interstate, Marine/RV, Deep Cycle, Group 29 batteries.
I had my batteries go dead on my unit after owning it for less than 90 days. I found the batteries were dry and plates sulfated over badly. I tried to refill with water and charge but no use. They even drained my TV dual batteries to nothing overnight.
Took to Lazy Days they stated batteries were wasted.They told me that Selling/installing Dealer responsible. They were closed for Holidays so I had no choice and $490 later new Batteries. Called my selling Deler after they returned from Holiday. They State that Redwood supplies the Batteries in there units from the factory. I naver heard of that by any Manufacture. Any body know if that is true??
I called Redwood Customer Assistance and the girl told me , NO they do not supply batteries. Can anyone comment on this for me?
The next area is the terrible battery storage boxes that it darn near impossible to service the batteries. Cables run thru the top covers and big clumps of silicon all around holes.
They did not design this to be able to service the batteries once a month as they suggest!
Any suggestions and a better battery container for servicing the batteries.
:angry:
Not exactly sure what's going on, but if the batteries were dry it sounds like they were either bad ones supplied by your dealer or the convertor is bad, supplying a high charge voltage or boost voltage to the batteries continuously. I've had this problem on an older RV, and since we go "plug to Plug" when RVing I disconnect the batteries when parked for any length of time in a campground by throwing the disconnect switch to off(after I rewired to ensure that no phantom loads bypass the disconnect switch). The batteries are 4 years old and still in good shape and I've only needed to add water once during that time. Your dealer did the silicone mess, our battery cases have only 4 screws to undo to service the batteries.
Definitely check for other loads attached to the batteries that are not on the main battery disconnect. Imagine how surprised I was when I switched the main battery disconnect off only to see that my residential refrigerator was still on! The dedicated refrigerator inverter is wired directly to the batteries and bypasses the main disconnect. The only reason I can think of on why Redwood did this is to ensure no other parasitic loads were pilling down the battery and everything went to the refrigerator while you were towing?? I think I am going to put that inverter on it's own disconnect.
