Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Alliance Paradigm 395DS fifth wheel. This is not a new model for the company but it is one that reflects the changes they are making moving forward with regard to interiors and just their branding.
While the company is relatively new, they have really benchmarked themselves as a high-quality brand that is very customer-focused. I’ve actually been to one of their rallies briefly. It was well-attended, especially for as new a company as they are. But they also had a full complement of factory service people on-hand—which is one of the reasons you attend these rallies.
Start at the bottom
Alliance started their company after having surveyed thousands of RV owners to see what they did, and did not, like about their RVs. I’m sure every RV owner would like to have been in on that survey!
But starting at the bottom, Alliance uses G-rated tires and a MORryde CRE4000 suspension system. The spring hangers are beefed-up, as well. This can be a major failure point on a lot of RVs.
The company also has a chassis that they claim is more rigid and less likely to fail (know that many of the decision-makers came from Grand Design). That means that the upper deck on these has a completely flat floor rather than the major tripping hazard step that so many fifth wheels have.
Road-tested with full holding tanks
As part of the design, all of the holding tanks have steel supports. The company even takes their finished trailers on a tour with full holding tanks to make sure everything is as it should be.
I know of no other company that does this test, although there are a few whose RVs can support their water tanks in transit.
Further, the plumbing in these rigs is all PEX with the exception of the braided line from the water pump into the system, which is actually part of the code that defines RV building. Further, every fixture has its own shutoff—which is so smart. If there is a failure, rather than shutting down the whole system you just shut off where the problem is. Boy, I would have loved if my own RV had been built like this.
On the roof, one of the pieces I like is a port that goes down to the storage compartment. This is great if you’re running solar panels or a Starlink cable or whatever. Rather than drilling a hole and figuring out how to fish wire, this is a direct line for those things. This kind of attention to detail is so rare—but something I really like about Alliance.
I have also been impressed when I go to some rallies and the only rep from an RV company is the Alliance rep. Again, not the biggest deal—but certainly something to keep in mind.
What is the Alliance Paradigm 395DS
Make no mistake—this is a big fifth wheel. Big. But that pays off in that this has two complete bedrooms and two complete bathrooms. These bedrooms and bathrooms are situated at either end of the trailer.
Both of those bedrooms have at least a proper queen with the upper bedroom being available with a king-sized bed.
While many two-bedroom trailers have a good bedroom and a bedroom the in-laws are going to complain about, this is quite different. I could see either bedroom being the one the owners choose for different reasons.
Both bedrooms have a lot of storage cabinetry with space for hanging and lots of drawers. Both have beds with nightstands on each side, although if you choose the king-sized bed then that’s lessened.
The upstairs bedroom does have a big closet in the nose of the RV. That closet is plumbed so you could put a washer-dryer combo or individual units—your choice. Or none. Also your choice.
The upstairs bedroom has direct access to the bathroom, where you’ll find a huge residential-sized shower that has a teak seat that folds down. But, hang on before your decision.
The bedroom downstairs has direct access to a bathroom that has almost basketball player ceiling height because the ceiling in the lower deck is high enough to accommodate a deck off the main living space. The ceiling goes the full height in the bathroom, whereas the bedroom’s ceiling is lower to accommodate that loft. I don’t know what the ceiling height is in the bathroom, but it’s tall!
Main living space in the Alliance Paradigm 395DS
The main living space in this trailer is also very well-organized.
Something the company is rather proud of is a table that can rotate on the camp side under the glow of some large windows. You can rotate the table one way and now have two chairs on either side. But you can also rotate it 90° and now you’re sitting at a desk, of sorts, looking out those big windows.
Now, my vote would be to just make the table freestanding so you could also use it over on the couch or theater seats—but this is better than nothing.
And the couch is a hide-a-bed, as you would expect to find in an RV. There are theater seats that directly face the mammoth smart TV, one of three smart TVs in this rig. And you thought you went camping to see the sights. Ha!
There’s also a solidly designed kitchen that’s shaped in a U with a counter sort of overlooking the main living space. This is a better kitchen than in my house, quite frankly. There’s also a backsplash along the two walls and even a trash chute.
This also has a larger refrigerator than my house—with two freezer drawers and French refrigerator doors. Fan-see!!!
Not that I’m thinking about that moving into this would actually be an upgrade over our house in New Mexico in many ways. If our house mysteriously burns down while I’m here in Sedona… well, that’s just a coincidence.
Oh, wait. This doesn’t have a dishwasher. Never mind. Whew!
Boondocking and travel access
As with most large fifth wheels, they just aren’t well-designed for mid-journey access. There are so many slide rooms in this that it’s just meant to be parked somewhere to be useful.
However, with as much holding tank capacity as this has and the ability to wire this made easier by that port in the roof, you might park it somewhere pretty that isn’t necessarily surrounded by concrete and other humans.
This comes with 320 watts of solar along with a 20-amp controller. You can also upgrade with two additional panels and a 60-amp charge controller along with a 3,000-watt inverter.
Conclusions
There is a lot I like about what Alliance is doing: testing their trailers with full tanks on the road, the way they plumb and intentionally wire them, and even how they handle their social media. They are very responsive to customers.
Check out the video I embedded here from Josh with the new look of these. The photos I have are current production, but Josh is showing the newer look of things.
It’s funny how there are so many choices of RVs and then I go on the forums and read tales of woe from owners of some brands that are clearly indications that what they bought wasn’t thoroughly thought-through. And, that also goes back to shopping for your RV by starting underneath the rig and also starting the shopping process by choosing your dealership first.
Fancy cabinets and pretty light fixtures are easy to change—a bad design isn’t. While this enormous rig with two nice bathrooms and bedrooms might not be what you’re looking for, this brand does a good job.
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the video.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
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Wow, 43′ long, 8.5′ wide, and 13.5′ high! I certainly hope no one ever tries to tow this fifth wheel from Ouray to Silvetton on the Million Dollar Highway, with its sharp curves, narrow lanes, no guardrails with a 300′ sheer drop, and a 13.5″ high tunnel. But it would certainly make a great mountain “cabin” sitting on a vacant lot in Silverton if you towed it in from the Durango end of US 550. Even those two sewer dump outlets might only be a problem when the owners have family/guests in the second bedroom. But, since this huge beast will most likely live only in a seasonal FHU RV “resort” and use a sewer hose “Y” connection, even that scenario would be an unlikely problem.
I’ll be a newbie in Jan. and will be driving a small, cozy 25 ft Class C. I simply don’t understand the need for such huge big rigs. It’s Ike they’re trying to keep the lifestyle of their sticks ‘n bricks. Plus, the fact of all the travel limitations, such as the 1st post. Oh well, each to his/her own.🙂🙏
Know that there are a lot of people who buy an RV and have it dropped off at a spot and just leave it there. I suspect that that’s where this will be popular and would work-out for two couples or, perhaps, someone bringing in-laws (or outlaws!) along. 😆
Did you see the review of the AEONrv I wrote the other day? What a great example of a well-thought-through B+.
If you want something smaller check out the Embassy RV. Another great design.
If you’re looking used you can’t get much better than a Lazy Daze. The company closed last year but they’re still great choices.
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 This certainly is a long RV. 🤔😯 Sounds and looks very nice. Thank you for the honest review! 🙂 Have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I always appreciate your reading and commenting, Neal. Thank you!
You are very welcome, Tony! 🙂 I rarely have anything to add because we have only had two RVs and both were driveablez. But, I am learning lots from your reviews. But, perhaps even more so is that I enjoy your writing style and, especially, your humor. It must get tiresome to write so many revuews and so often, but there is never any sign of that in your writing. 🙂 Have a great weekend, Tony, and a great time in Sedona! 🙂