Redwood or Solitude?

[Tinnys_Rig]

Hey folks, we are looking at upgrading to a new 5er and have narrowed our decision down to two rigs, a Solitude and a Redwood. Both are about the same price and are both new. The Redwood is a 36RL and the Solitude is the same floor plan. The Redwood has more features and seems higher end. Which is the better buy??

[Mile_High]

The wood vs aluminum argument is almost as old as the aluminum vs fiberglass siding or steel vs alloy wheels and just as boring. Both technologies work. I certainly have never had any condensate issues with my aluminum framed rigs any more or less than my wood framed ones before that.

And yes, Falcon FIT is 100% Lippert components from axles to frame to pin box to stairs to hitch.

Good or bad, Redwood cuurently does not use any Dometic products for some reason.

[2008Wildcat]

Oh, and Falcon Technology is a fancy name for LIPPERT.

[2008Wildcat]

Mile High wrote:
If you already have metal studs in the walls, I don't think those advantages to wood trusses would mean much.

Except they are laminated walls, and there is no space to make moisture condensate.

Your roof structure is a whole lot more of empty space with fiberglass batts filling voids.

I just wouldn't think it is an upgrade to have metal roof trusses, not saying one is definitively better than the other.

[Merry]

We are snowbirds and had a 2011 Redwood 36RE. It was absolutely gorgeous and we loved it. Didn't even come close to using all the available storage. We traded down to a B but I really miss that kitchen, the washer/dryer, and that master closet!!

[topjimmy]

I have 2 friends with Solitudes they are nice units but compared to a Redwood?? nope the Redwood is just built with better components ,Redwood uses Falcon technology for Everything ,level up, 12 inch frame,axle,suspention and NO wood truses in roof, better tires, better electronics etc.....they are a step up from Solitudes AND my Montana ,I have looked at ALOT of Redwoods and have never seen one the same price as my Montana OR my friends Solitude(60-65K)

[Mile_High]

If you already have metal studs in the walls, I don't think those advantages to wood trusses would mean much.

[2008Wildcat]

Wood trusses are actually better than the metal.

Wood does not transfer heat and cold as much as metal, and decreases the chance of condensation forming in the roof cavity.

We all know that moisture in an RV is not good....

[Blue_dogs]

We just looked at both of these and chose the redwood. One thing that concerned me on the Gand Design was the old style wood truss roofs. If you go to their web page you will notice you don't see much info on construction. The same dealer sold both when ask they said the high end Solitude used metal but would check, called the factory and said they were wrong wood trusses. I think both brands are good quality. We thought fit and finish was a touch better on the Redwood but liked both very well. The better warranty was better. All our research said Redwood has been awesome about standing behind their products. You can say the same with grand design, seems like they back their trailers well.
The tire issue has nothing to do with the trailer, every manufacture uses some brand of tire, some Chinese, some good year, some Japanese .... Don't see how that topic has anything to do with the quality of the trailer.

[Mile_High]

Bird chaser wrote:
The founders are the same folks that started Keystone, only they are taking all their experience and doing it even better.

:h I'm still trying to figure out the positive of this part.

Just kidding - I did like my Keystone products, but isn't it amazing how all of these start up companies brag about their backgrounds in other companies 🙂 Heartland were Keystone, Lifestyle were Carriage. I guess its better than a start up company from a bunch of bicycle mechanics, but it would be nice to hear of some new blood in the industry given the overall industry continues to be plagued with quality issues.

[Bird_chaser]

I don't know Redwood, but, I do know that the Solitude is made by Grand Design. We own a Reflection, the smaller brother to the Solitude. We have been on two trips so far one of three states, 2000 miles with no major or minor issues. T one point our landing gear would not retract all the way, I called the factory support they helped me to where I could complete our trip. When I got home I called and explained the situation, I had a new follow leg in two days no questions asked. These guys stand behind their product like no other manufacturer. The founders are the same folks that started Keystone, only they are taking all their experience and doing it even better. I would not hesitate for a minute to buy their product again.

[B_Sjulestad]

Wise choice OP, signing off since this turned into another tire bashing. Good luck in your choice and happy camping.

[Tinnys_Rig]

Thank you all for your valuable opinions and advice. We will most certainly concider all of the replies before making our decision. Happy camping and RVing to all!!!

[kakampers]

randeez2001 wrote:
OF COURSE I kept the tires. They're still in my garage. All I got from anybody was..."Gee, sorry to hear that. You know, tires can be under-inflated, over-inflated, or over-loaded. Have a nice day". Any other questions?

Goodyear gas a dedicated claim department. File a claim by taking the carcass to your local Goodyear dealer...they will send it to Akron, and if determined defective Goodyear will replace and pay all damages. Happen to us will with 2 year old G614's...we found them very easy to deal with.

[ixsna]

I agree on goodyear i had many of these come apart and it was always the same thing under inflated or overinflated. I will never own another good pop tire again they never made good on a single tire !!