Seize One of America's Most Luxurious Fifth Wheel Campers: Ready the Life Savings

Folks, since 1996, the name CrossRoads has been roaming around the United States. Over the years, this crew has grown to be responsible for 600 jobs and countless RVs found in driveways, in trailer parks, in the middle of nowhere, or parked on the side of some road, and while I've covered this crew before, this has to be the most impressive lineup I've come across from CrossRoads.

Now, if you've never met a CrossRoads RV, then this article on the Redwood should be more than enough to have you sending e-mails and making phone calls. But, for now, have a look at the images in the gallery to really get a feel for what's in store. Don't skip over this stage, as it's essential to the remainder of this piece of literature.

If what you saw appeals to you, there are a few things you need to consider before shooting the proverbial gun for this one, and the most important one is the way these babies are designed. First and foremost, the Redwoods will require that you add a fifth-wheel hitch to your truck or vehicle, which is clearly going to cost you a little extra to achieve, assuming your ride can handle up to 16,212 lbs (7,354 kg) of dry weight of the largest available floorplan.

Next up, you need to be aware that these babies all include slide-outs. This means that when you finally arrive at your destination, you'll need to ensure you've rented enough space to unfurl your home. I use the term 'home' to describe this behemoth because, at the end of the day, it'll be just that: your home away from home.

As for the rest of the story, it's extremely difficult to pick a particular unit and run through its features without leaving out the other seven plans. Instead, I'll just run through some essential features available to all or most units. This is where we hop into our trucks and hit the road, only to look back once vacations are over.

Once you've made it to that X on your map, stabilize your unit, unhitch and let your beast of burden rest, and then start unfurling those slide-outs I mentioned. From here, it's time to unload all your outdoor dining gear from the countless storage bays tattered all over the Redwood's exterior and even turn on the sound system. Make sure to set up the awnings.

At this stage, most folks would be putting up the finishing touches on their mobile home, but we're just getting started. As you step inside the Redwood, you may get the same impression I did; these mobile homes aren't just about luxurious features, appliances, and living but also about space, a whole ton of it. I particularly enjoy the amount of open space the interiors offer.

Why is this such a big deal? Think about it. You and your family are out in the middle of nowhere, each doing their own thing. Some are chilling in the living room, others running in and out of the kitchen looking for snacks while dinner is being prepared. The island kitchens we see in the floorplans are a simple solution to such a hubbub.

Another variation of the galley finds it at the very rear of the Redwoods. Here, a U-shaped layout ensures that one or two people can tend to means while the rest can grab drinks from the fridge and snacks from the pantry. Heading toward the rest of the unit, living rooms typically include a tri-fold sofa and/or dinettes, and depending on the floorplan, up to six people can rest in one of these beasts.

Oh, and those six guests won't be sleeping in any bunks or anything like that. No, no, no; full-blown queen and king beds for everyone! To achieve this, some units' living rooms include two modular sofas sitting across from one another. In short, there's more than enough space for you and your family. Heck, if someone tags along for the ride, tell them to bring a sleeping bag, and the floor is theirs.

Honestly, you can have me sleeping in some of the bathrooms we see in the Redwoods, yet another space I want to shed light on. Some floorplans place the bathroom near the bedroom and are only accessible to owners, while others consider larger groups, placing the porcelain thrones more towards living spaces and accessible via multiple entry points. Be sure to check out the double-bathroom options, too.

Now, I haven't touched up much on the comfort features found in these units, and that's because the lists are so long that we'd be here until the cows come home. Still, it's my pleasure to point out that you'll be living it up with dimmable lights, hardwood stiles, solid surface countertops, soundbars, heating and cooling, and even access to a washer/dryer combo. If you're outside, an array of entertainment options will be there, too.

Regarding off-grid systems, again, the Redwood lineup is more than ready to handle all your wildest plans. Roofs are ready for solar panels, and a sidewall is ready with a hookup if you need some extra juice. Prep for a generator is also in place. Oh, and I haven't even gotten to the extras; I leave that all to you.

Now, for the question on everyone's minds. Regarding the price for a Redwood, it depends on a whole lot of factors such as model year, features inside, the floorplan, and even the dealership from where you get your unit.

With that in mind, expect these babies to be found all over the board, but 2023 and 2024 units start at around $125K (€116K at current exchange rates) and go beyond that. Unused 2022 units can be spotted at around the $80K to $90K range, sometimes more. Units directly from CrossRoads are advertised as starting at $146K. This is just a little something-something to consider if you're looking to get a head start on next year's glamping and on-road living season.