What a week this has been – from temporarily homeless to exclusive 2026 NEW RV Tours! After announcing we’re selling our Alliance toy hauler, we had to deal with the reality of being displaced full-timers while our rig gets repairs. But here’s where it gets exciting – we got access to new 2026 RV tours that aren’t available at most dealerships yet! Join us for these 2026 NEW RV Tours as we explore the newest Alliance Paradigms and Avenues, and help us choose our next home on wheels.
The Reality of Being Displaced Full-Timers
When your full-time home has wheels and needs repairs, the logistics get complicated really fast. Storage units, packing essentials, and figuring out where to sleep – it’s a lot more than just dropping your car off at a shop. We experienced this firsthand when our Alliance toy hauler needed some much-needed TLC at the Alliance factory.
But here’s where our story gets interesting. While our rig was getting repairs, we decided to start looking at what’s next. We drove over three hours from our hometown of Evansville, Indiana to Newcastle, Indiana to visit Walnut Ridge RV Center – one of the top 50 dealerships in the nation since 2014.
Planning for Our RV Transition with etrailer.com
etrailer.com – Your One-Stop Shop for RV Parts & Upgrades! As we are working on our shopping list of needs for the new RV, we discovered just how much etrailer.com has to offer.
From hitches and electrical to awnings and storage solutions, etrailer has everything you need to upgrade your RV life. As we transition from our toy hauler to a fifth wheel, we’re exploring etrailer’s extensive selection for additional storage solutions, bike racks for our new foldable e-bikes, and stabilization equipment. What we love most about etrailer is their customer service – you can actually call and talk to a person during business hours, plus their detailed installation videos make DIY projects actually doable! Visit etrailer.com
Our 2026 Alliance RV Tours: The Models We Explored
Alliance Paradigm 385FL – Front Living Layout
Specifications:
- Length: 41′ 4″
- Height: 31′ 6″
- Dry Weight: 15,487 lbs
- GVWR: 19,000 lbs
- Hitch Weight: 2,957 lbs
- Fresh Water: 98 gallons
- Gray Water: 106 gallons
- Black Water: 53 gallons
View the Paradigm 385FL on Alliance RV’s website
This front living model caught our attention with its unique storage solutions. The rear storage bay features a massive slide-out tray that can easily accommodate folding e-bikes or other gear. However, we noticed it only has one black tank, which is a concern for our boondocking lifestyle. The upgraded Kurt Helix pin box and suspension system with those massive springs is definitely appealing for our off-road adventures.
The interior feels incredibly spacious with opposing slides in the bedroom area. The kitchen island and coffee bar setup provide excellent workspace, though the front living configuration might not be ideal for our work-from-home setup.
Alliance Paradigm 382RK – Rear Kitchen Layout
Specifications:
- Length: 41′ 6″
- Dry Weight: 14,577 lbs
- GVWR: 18,000 lbs
- Hitch Weight: 2,951 lbs
- Fresh Water: 98 gallons
- Gray Water: 106 gallons
- Black Water: 106 gallons
View the Paradigm 382RK on Alliance RV’s website
The rear kitchen layout is stunning with incredible counter space and that convenient island setup. We love how the sink is positioned close to the stove for easy cooking flow. The trash chute feature is clever – you drop trash down and retrieve it from an exterior door.
However, we have concerns about having the kitchen in the back of the RV. The rear takes the most bounce during travel, and having heavy items like the refrigerator positioned away from the axles isn’t ideal for weight distribution. We’d love to hear from owners about their real-world experience with this layout.
Alliance Avenue 38DBL – Double Bedroom Layout
This Avenue model impressed us with its value proposition. While it’s more basic than the Paradigms, it offers everything you need for RV living. The double bedroom configuration (loft and main bed) makes it perfect for families or those who want extra space for guests.
View Alliance Avenue models on their website
We appreciated the solid drawer construction with soft-close mechanisms – no more worries about drawers sagging over time. The bathroom is surprisingly spacious, and we were pleased to see quality finishes throughout despite the lower price point.
Alliance Paradigm 310RL – Rear Living Layout
Key Features:
- Rear living configuration
- Large kitchen island
- Tons of storage
- Dual pantry storage
- Coffee bar with fold-out storage compartment
View the Paradigm 310RL on Alliance RV’s website
This layout really caught our attention! The rear living room feels incredibly residential with that large island and dual counter surfaces. The coffee bar area includes a genius fold-out storage compartment with electrical outlet – perfect for storing tall items like vacuums and brooms.
We’re seriously considering removing one of the couches and installing a desk along the back window wall. The kitchen table can rotate to face different directions, which adds versatility to the space.
What We’re Looking For in Our Next RV
As full-time boondockers, we have specific needs:
Must-Haves:
- Two black tanks for extended off-grid stays
- Solid suspension system for rough roads
- Quality drawer construction
- Adequate workspace for our remote work
- Easy tank access for dumping
- Ability to reach fridge and bath with slides in
Nice-to-Haves:
- Residential-style kitchen with full-size appliances
- Opposing bedroom slides for maximum space
- Convenient exterior controls for slides
- Ample storage throughout
The Paradigm vs Avenue Decision
After touring both lines, we’re leaning toward the Paradigm series. While the Avenues offer excellent value and would work well for weekend or occasional use, the Paradigms provide the quality finishes and features we want for full-time living.
The upgraded suspension system, Kurt Helix pin box, and overall build quality justify the price difference for our lifestyle. The fit and finish in the Paradigms is noticeably superior, and small details like the lighting packages and surface materials make a difference when you live in the space 24/7.
Help Us Choose!
We’re narrowing down our choices but would love your input! Based on your experience or research, which Alliance model do you think would work best for full-time boondockers like us?
The front runners are:
- Paradigm 370FB (not toured but interested in the dual bathroom layout)
- Paradigm 310RL (rear living configuration we saw)
- Paradigm 382RK (rear kitchen, if the bounce concerns aren’t deal-breakers)
Have you owned any of these models? What’s been your experience with rear kitchens versus front living layouts? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
What’s Next
This RV shopping adventure is just beginning. We plan to visit more dealerships and tour additional models before making our final decision. Being temporarily displaced isn’t fun, but it’s given us the motivation to find our perfect next home on wheels.
Stay tuned as we continue this journey from toy hauler to fifth wheel, and help us make this important decision. After all, choosing your home is never a decision you should make alone!
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2 Responses
We have the 382RK and love it. Yes the kitchen does bounce you just have to be wise with how you pack the fridge and pantry…we did minor adjustments. We love the layout and won’t trade it for another floor plan. Love the extra 1/2 bath. We don’t use the garbage shoot for garbage but use it for the storage of hoses, cords, and the power cord when traveling. Truly the kitchen is what sold us.
That’s great feedback. Appreciate you commenting:-)