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Our coach is a 2013, built in September of 2012. One of the reasons we bought it was when we walked in the door, we just stopped and said "wow". At that time, the only other fifth wheel that did that to us was a DRV Mobile Suites for about $30k more.
We are now fulltime for almost 2 years and still have cabinets that aren't full. It actually has a bit too much storage as you really forget where you put something and then have way to many places to look ... lol. From 2010 until about March of 2014, Redwood was started and managed by Tom Montague who had been the GM of Carriage until the economic downturn put them out of business. His idea was to have a line of coaches that could rival DRV but by making almost everything standard, come in at a somewhat more affordable price. Unfortunately, the corporate bean counters were not happy with the fact that three model years into it, they were still in the red. Tom was replaced. The mandate of the new President, and then the one after him, was to make it profitable as soon as possible.
Each year since the 2016 model year, I have watched as the coach has progressively gotten more and more like a slightly upscale Montana. Less storage, less custom cabinetry, more "bling" and very little done to improve structure or suspension. It's all about how fast to crank them out and how cheaply. We were in new ones in Tampa at the big show last year and I really didn't recognize the brand. Truly a shame. Our 2013 still looks almost new, we constantly get comments on it. Those of us that have the coaches built from 2011- mid 2014 refer to ours as "Tom coaches". There is a difference. Do the early ones have some issues - yes. Suspension is/was crap. If you buy a Redwood that hasn't had suspension upgrades done, budget that immediately. If you're not going to tow extensively, then add the MorRyde equalizer, a shock system, wet bolts and make sure it has G or preferably H rated tires. If you're planning on towing extensively like a lot of us, budget the money and the time and go to MorRyde to have the IS and disc brakes installed. The difference will astound you and you no longer have any issues with springs and shackles. The early ones also can have some frame issues. The Z kick up for the front section wasn't as strong as it should be and also the framework wasn't attached with hardware as robust as it should have been. If it was towed a lot and especially if pin heavy, a crack will develop below the bedroom slide. If all it does is remain a hairline crack, then you're ok, it's just a skin stress crack. Grind it out a bit, seal with silicone and cover with molding. If however, the crack widens, or if you look in the mirror of truck at the hitch while pulling and can see movement of the pinbox into the cap, things are much more serious. It can be fixed, but is a major repair as the skin must be cut on both sides and the front skin around and behind pinbox dropped. Then the framework welds will need to be redone and all of the framework reattached to the main frame with larger hardware. Luckily mine was done under warranty but I'm fairly certain it would have been a many thousands $$$ job otherwise.
At this point in time, my council to anyone wanting a Redwood is pick the layout you want and go looking for a nice 2015 or earlier coach. Get it inspected by a qualified person, get a good extended warranty, do the mods and drive off happy.
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 Vaughan & Tracy 2013 RW 36RL, 2013 F350 DRW CC, 2016 Focus. MorRyde IS, MorRyde pinbox, disc brakes, Comfort Ride Hitch. "Life is to be embraced, Grab it with both arms ! "
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