RV review: Alliance Avenue 29RL—Why the details matter

Today’s RV review is of the new 2025 Alliance Avenue 29RL. This is a fifth wheel design that is the most popular or common floor plan. If you’re new here, it’s one I recommend you start with if you’re looking for a fifth wheel. The reason I share this recommendation is that everybody and their brother/sister make this floor plan. 

So, with that, you can see the decisions the builders make to create a better or unique product—or not. But having this basis for comparison is a great way to start your shopping adventure. So what did we find here? Let’s start underneath. 

How the Alliance Avenue 29RL is built

Typically, many RVs, especially towables, are 96” wide (or eight feet). To start with, know that this fifth wheel is 101 inches wide. I spent a bunch of time earlier this year in travel trailers. The few that I went in that were five inches wider really, really felt bigger and more spacious. That is compounded by the fact that fifth wheels already feel roomier with the high ceilings, of course. 

Further, if you look at the slide rooms on the camp side, the windows are quite large and the slide boxes themselves seem taller. Incidentally, since we’re looking at build, know that the slide rooms on both sides are rack-and-pinion slides that end up floor-flush when they’re extended. 

Underneath you’ll see that, like most fifth wheels, this is an enclosed underbelly that’s also heated. This time of year I see a lot of posts on social media where people are surprised by how much propane they go through. They don’t really consider that the furnace is also heating the underbelly so the tanks don’t freeze. That takes gas. 

Speaking of gas (hehe) know that all the holding tanks are plumbed into one connection point so no having to run a bunch of sewer hose connections. There are two gray tanks, but Alliance has managed to get them to work together. Nice. 

Tires and suspension on the Alliance Avenue 29RL

I also like that this rides on Goodyear tires. However, this is a simple leaf spring suspension. Even though it has the upgraded MORryde CRE 3000 suspension dampening system, after my ride around in fifth wheels, I’m no longer really impressed with this system. 

Give me coil springs and a slipper roller suspension. It makes a big difference. And, while you’re at it, how about anti-lock brakes, too? 

But something Alliance is doing, which is really under the skin, is using a frame with more substance to it. So I guess I’d almost rather have something built solidly than something with great features… although I’d mostly like to have both!

Something about Alliance that I truly think should be an industry standard is how they do their plumbing. Not only do they choose connectors that are right for their spots, but they also put a shut-off valve at each fixture—including one for hot and cold. 

If you haven’t been obsessing about this as I have, know that it’s common in the RV industry to use PEX clamps on flexible hoses. While flexible/braided hoses are required in some places, such as attached to the water pump, that doesn’t mean they have to use an inappropriate connector. These connections invariably leak, but Alliance is using the appropriate connector and putting in shut-off valves. 

If your RV doesn’t have shut-off valves, I would strongly suggest going out now and buying a PEX clamp crimping and removal tool. Trust me. You’ll need it. Ask me how I know. 

Lastly, the wiring on these is intentional. That means Alliance uses specific wire colors for specific items such that, if there is an issue, it’s easier for a service tech to diagnose. But my experience with RV companies that do this is that there are far fewer issues. 

Alliance Avenue 29RL - 2025

1 of 11

What’s inside the Alliance Avenue 29RL?

As mentioned, this is a very common floor plan but that doesn’t mean that everything inside here has to be common. And it’s not. 

Starting at the back, Alliance uses a standard-width couch, but then there are cabinets on either side that flip up for more storage. 

There’s the obligatory huge TV, which swings out to make viewing easier. But that’s also when you’ll see the nice storage behind there, as well. Of course, theater seats are opposite the TV. As mentioned, there are very large windows in the slide and these have blackout shades over them. 

The dining table is mounted to the wall and features two freestanding chairs on one side and a bench on the other. This bench can move out of position and is really an ottoman. Sort of like Clark Kent stepping out of a phone booth and being Superman. (I hope I didn’t spoil it for you.) And you can use the ottoman as a footrest for the couch or for whatever you like. I don’t know what you do with your ottoman—you do you. 

Kitchen in the Alliance Avenue 29RL

This kitchen is well designed with the three-burner stove and 21” oven, having a good-sized counter on either side. The microwave above the stove is a 30” residential-sized unit. 

I was surprised that the fridge is just a 10-cubic-foot model, although this is plenty of space for a couple’s camper. Some RV companies seem to be going out of their way to include ridiculously enormous fridges. But this size is more energy-efficient, which would be appreciated if boondocking is something you do. 

Something Alliance is known for is their use of drawer and cabinet space plus their cabinet designs. This fifth wheel is a good example of that. The drawers are all nicely finished inside, and there’s a sliding wooden silverware organizer in the drawer by the stove, which is nice. Overall, the cabinetry and interior have a high-quality feel. 

Of course, there’s a pantry at the front of the main living space that has a small adjacent surface where you could put pictures of your loved ones or, perhaps, a coffee maker. Or, better yet, a Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker. Now we’re talking!

More things to like about the Alliance Avenue 29RL

I had already mentioned the wiring and plumbing details that I like. Alliance is also putting switches in the front baggage compartment for things like awnings and slide rooms and such. So if you’re outside, you don’t have to go back inside to operate these things, which makes sense. I also appreciate the covers Alliance is putting on these switches so they don’t get tripped by moving cargo. Smart. 

Speaking of switches, there was a trend for a while in the RV space for companies to put more elaborate control systems that you could monitor with your phone and all of that. I’m seeing that going away. I guess people don’t like these and Alliance has stuck with just traditional switches and controls. 

My personal favorite is what I have in my new trailer. It has lighted buttons that can also work with the phone. But I’m a nerd and embrace my nerdiness wholeheartedly. 

Boondocking and travel access

For the most part, I’ve given up on being able to access the lower deck on any fifth wheel with the slides in. But the lack of a slide upstairs means you have the bathroom and the bedroom and that may be sufficient.

Theoretically, you can open the fridge with the slides in, but not in the example shown in the video I’ve attached here. I think that might have just been a manufacturing goof but, if that’s important to you, then I’d ask to see any example with the slides in before making a final decision.

Conclusions about the Alliance Avenue 29RL

This is actually part of Alliance’s “All Access” family, a subset of the Avenue line. What that means is that this is a more affordable series, so some of the fancy features may not be here. For example, this rig comes with 200 watts of solar rather than 400. Things like that. 

I got to tour the Alliance factory a few months ago. One of the things that I appreciated was a giant shaker floor where each fifth wheel that rolls off the assembly line gets parked on this shaker and that shaker literally shakes the stink out of the fifth wheel. The idea is that they’re looking for issues or loose parts. 

I know some of you are going to wonder what that does to a trailer, but they have further inspection after the shaker platform so I hope that they would catch anything that might have shaken loose. 

Overall, I like this trailer’s proportions, the plumbing, and wiring. As always, I’m curious what your take is and if my priorities are different than some of what you’re looking for. 

My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the video in this article. 

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 Peggy. 

##RVT1186