I had the opportunity to walk through a 2022 Alliance Paradigm 310RL at the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV show and actually speak with the only RV manufacturer’s rep on the property, Max Villa. Previously I saw one of these rigs at the FMCA Convention in Gillette, Wyoming, but this model was heavily optioned and was the updated 2022 model.
Walking through the rig itself really opens your eyes to the textures and feel of a unit. I’ve written before that this is a common floor plan for a fifth wheel, so a company really has to make things different in order to stand out. I believe Alliance has done that. But first, who is Alliance, again?
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Alliance RV
Alliance started with several long-time players in the RV industry who sought to make different rigs than were already out there.
The entire Paradigm line was developed after polling some 3,000 fifth wheel owners to see what they prefer in a floor plan and what features and components are important to them. As a result ,you see some of that voicing in things like a fold-down wooden seat in the absolutely huge shower in this trailer and a true residential-sized oven (3.73 cubic feet), where you actually can cook an entire Thanksgiving turkey.
You see, I’m not the only one who thinks a real oven is a real deal in an RV. There are at least 3,000 others who prioritize this.
But in setting themselves apart, Alliance road tests every one of the units that rolls off the line in a set course so that the first person to do so isn’t the delivery driver bringing the rig to your dealer. That way they can address things that might shake loose. Of course, the company builds things so they don’t shake loose in the first place. Alliance actually fills the holding tanks and then takes the fifth wheels for a drive on a test course to make sure everything does what it’s designed to do. When it returns to the factory, the unit is thoroughly tested once again. If anyone else is this thorough in their pre-delivery inspection (PDI), I have yet to hear of it.
The Paradigm 310RL is a very livable fifth wheel floor plan that measures just under 35 feet in total length. In fact, the company itself recognizes that the unit is so livable the warranty covers use as a full-time unit.
Build quality
On the subject of construction, the walls are fully vacuum laminated using Azdel substrate and framed in aluminum.
The roof itself is a PVC product which requires zero maintenance but can be repaired with PVC cement from the local hardware store. It’s also warrantied for 15 years. There are valves in the plumbing system that let you isolate sections of the trailer if there is a plumbing issue, rather than having to shut off the entire unit.
The tank valves are in the heated underbelly of the rig rather than exposed to the elements. But the levers for the tank are located centrally in the water center so you don’t have to be a contortionist to dump your tanks.
I also like that these units are wired like an automobile, so a specific wire in this unit is the same as the one in another unit. That’s not always true in the RV industry.
As I’ve mentioned in other reviews, I’m a big fan of traditional buttons to control everything. Alliance seems to agree with that by having actual buttons to open the slides and awnings and turn on the lights. Booyeah! And while this unit shines with the three slide rooms fully extended, it is still possible to access the refrigerator and bathroom and a few cabinets with those slide rooms in for those mid-journey potty and beverage stops.
But, again, what I think is most impressive is how the company tests each unit before it is delivered to the customer. And quality is something you hear associated with the products in many ways.
Details
The surfaces and cabinetry in this rig also set it apart. Somehow so many RVs have cabinet designs that can best be described as “flat.” The cabinets and even upholstery have a depth to them more like what you’d put into your house, or at least what I’d put into mine. There was really a quality feel to everything.
Further, the slide rooms are carpetless, and the flooring that the company has used works nicely.
Inside the coach there are storage cubbies where others might not have them. Those include the side tables by the couch and even a storage area behind the electric fireplace. It seems large enough to hold the bedding if someone’s sleeping on the couch. Many of the interior lights are on dimmers. This will be much appreciated as modern RVs are well lit but sometimes a bit too bright.
There are three Coleman AC units that use about 10.3 amps apiece. That means on a 50-amp service all three of the AC units can run at full speed. Furthermore, you can actually use two of the Coleman units on a 30-amp service if you happen to have a site like that. The AC in the bedroom is not ducted into the main body of the coach, so those who like to sleep cooler or hotter can do so.
I also liked the Epoxy counters throughout the coach—they add a nice touch. In fact, all the components seemed like they were chosen by someone who was actually going to use the rig.
Legacy
I had mentioned that the Brady family is sort of RV royalty. Brian Brady, best known for helping to launch both Damon Corp. and Heartland Recreational Vehicles LLC prior to his 2012 retirement as president and CEO of Heartland, and his sons—both former Heartland executives—say the idea for their new company emerged over a Christmas dinner. They realized that they shared a collective urge to start a company that would enable them to do things their own way, as so many industry entrepreneurs have done before.
To me it also speaks volumes that Alliance was the only manufacturer to send one of their factory representatives to Quartzsite. While I know a lot of folks were in Tampa, there were also a lot of folks buying rigs in Quartzsite. Speaking with Curt Curtis of RV Country, sales were on a tear with a lot of people from all over the U.S. there shopping, many of whom were existing full-timers and some soon-to-be full-timers.
Options
I have attached the MSRP sticker here because it was sitting there on the counter. You can see that this rig has a competitive base price with other higher-end fifth wheels. But the one in particular I was wandering through had more than $28,000 in options. Essentially, it was absolutely loaded to the gills with the choices that could be made.
And, by the end of the Quartzsite RV show, someone had chosen this rig to go on the road with them. I don’t know who this person is, but they’ve made a good choice in a very nice fifth wheel.
*****
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Tony comes to RVTravel having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. You can find his writing here and at StressLessCamping where he also has a podcast about the RV life with his wife.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. 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.
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It’s become the practice for some RV manufacturers to offer both a touch screen multiplex and an antiquated cardboard button checker board in the cabin the of their rigs. Coachmen is utilizing this practice as well as Grand Design. When I asked customer relations at Alliance why it refused to offer a solid state multiplex,they explained to me that their “wealthy customers” thought the touch panel was too complicated to learn. Hogwash. Everyone in America has a cell phone that is no less complicated than a touch screen. Every car, truck or van has a touch screen. I smell a rat at Alliance that’s hypocritical not to mention cheap and chintzy. Every employee and each owner at Alliance works all day, every day at a lap top or an even more sophisticated water cooled 3D design computer. Tony calls the Bradys “RV royalty.” If so, they must be like the Romanovs whose inbreeding helped foment the Bolshevic Revolution. My hard earned scratch goes elsewhere until they step into the 21st century.
I wish the floor plans of all slide out RV’s would include one of showing it with the slides in.
You know how they say “I wish that million dollar idea were mine?” Well this is yours and I would love to see this!
Hmmm, IMHO a great looking 5th wheel but, and this is a big BUT, it “only” has 2,750 lbs. of cargo capacity. I like my 35′ Monty with 4,000 lbs. capacity. I probably max out at around 2,500 lbs., however best to have a certain amount of buffer as the suspension and other components will appreciate it!
Got to love inflation. First one I saw in late 2019 early 2020 with a sticker just like this was mid 80’s with a discount that took it down to an affordable 70k range. I do love this RV though and will be my next RV but not until that becomes affordable again. If inflation continues as is probably will wait for a while, I will continue to enjoy my current 5er which is working just fine.
How come they charge you $150 for an RVIA sticker? I don’t need no stinking sticker! Let me keep my $150. Don makes a good point about pricing too.
You’ll see that on lots of RVs as a separate line item.
Essentially you’re paying the RV industry to lobby against consumer-facing legislation like lemon laws and such.
Here are places that money goes: Read this editorial by our publisher, Chuck Woodbury.
If you want further evidence of the value of your $150, you can see this editorial as well about the lemon law.
A great review of a very impressive 5th wheel, it almost sounds to good to be true, and as Don says it is. It sounds like they’re committed to a quality unit and you pay for what you get. If I play the lottery AND win it they’ll be the first place I’ll visit. The size is very close to the ‘99 Carrilite I had that I was very comfortable in, but It didn’t have nearly what this has. Of course I only paid $968 per foot for that one, compared to $3572 per foot for this one.
Totally agree with the review, Tony. BUT – the list price of this rig is certainly NOT $91k. Look closely at the “options”. Virtually everything you love about it, and many things that have to be included in ANY complete trailer, are listed as options and priced accordingly. What do you think you’d get if you ordered the “un-optioned” basic unit for $91k. I’m pretty sure you’d be laughed out of the room. It’s a very nice rig, and it’s list price is $125k!