Three months ago, we traded our 44-foot Alliance Valor toy hauler for a 40-foot 2026 Alliance Paradigm 370FB fifth wheel.
The question everyone keeps asking: Did we make a mistake?
Today, we’re giving you the complete, unfiltered truth about living and working full-time in this new rig.
Why Switch from Toy Hauler to Fifth Wheel?
Simple answer: We wanted more living space and less hauling space.
With a toy hauler garage, you fill it. We had a boat motor, punching bag, multiple grills, fire pits – everything. But we realized we were spending hours setting up equipment we rarely used.
The question: “If we didn’t have this, would we miss it?”
Answer: “Not really.”
The work situation changed too. When we started full-time RVing, we were both working corporate jobs Monday through Friday, 8 to 5. We thought we needed the separation that the toy hauler garage provided – Barry had his office in the garage, completely separate from the living space.
But now that Barry left his corporate job just two months ago and we’re both working full-time on our YouTube channel together, we can be more flexible and work in the same room. We don’t need that physical separation anymore, which opened up the possibility of a fifth wheel layout.
⚠️ Special Black Friday Offer: Save 30% on Harvest Hosts
Quick interruption for an amazing deal! One of our best decisions these past three months has been WHERE we’ve been parking the Paradigm.
Instead of crowded RV parks or Walmart parking lots, we stay at Harvest Hosts locations – over 9,500 unique spots including wineries, farms, breweries, and museums.
The deal: No camping fee. You support the host with about a $30 purchase (and get local wine, produce, or craft beer). Many offer up to four nights and some have hookups.
Black Friday Special: Get 30% off with code TOMORROW30 – their highest discount all year. Ends December 7th at midnight. Get your discount here
Pro tip: Harvest Hosts now integrates with RV Life Trip Wizard!
The Tour: What We Love & What Drives Us Crazy
Living Area
Pros:
- Four opposing slides create genuine living space
- Massive windows with incredible views
- Custom desk replaced the standard couch (essential for our work)
- Even Hugo noticed – he now does “zoomies” around the space
Cons:
- Narrower couch than before (Hugo’s complaint)
Kitchen: The Biggest Win
What We Love:
- Island with tons of counter space
- Reliable stove (our toy hauler stove was problematic)
- Multiple drawers vs. deep cabinets
- Walk-in pantry with room for everything
- Spacious 12V Furrion refrigerator
What We’re Figuring Out:
Spice rack labels aren’t visible. We added stickers to jar tops, but we’re considering adhesive door racks. Solutions welcome in the comments!
Bedroom & Bathroom
Bedroom Wins:
- Mini slide + full slide = room to do yoga
- Better quality drawers than toy hauler
- Perfect guitar practice space for Barry
- Clever charging cubby above bed
Bathroom Highlights:
- Massive shower with bench
- Water-efficient showerhead (great for boondocking)
- More storage than we need
Bathroom Issues:
- Glass doors accumulate water in track (doesn’t drain well – looking for solutions!)
- Sliding door needed hardware replacement
The Washer/Dryer Decision
We have space but chose NOT to install one.
Why:
- We boondock extensively (water usage concern)
- Battery power draw
- Value storage space more
We use a collapsible hamper for laundromat trips. Works great for us, but this is totally personal preference.
Technical Features
What We Love
Kurt Helix Pin Box & Suspension: Standard on Paradigm. Can’t feel the difference driving, but it reduces wear and tear on chassis and truck. Trust the science.
Electric Tank Valves: Push-button instead of manual pulls. Game-changer.
Manifold System: Turn off individual fixtures for plumbing work without shutting off all water.
What Drives Us Crazy
Missing Freshwater Fill: Biggest complaint. No external port – you access it from inside underbelly storage. For full-timers using freshwater regularly, this is genuinely frustrating. Alliance, please fix this!
Pass-Through Storage Doors: Open upward instead of outward. Constant head-hitting at 5’10”. We’re looking into Lippert conversion kits.
Built-in Water Filter: Too small for full-time use. We prefer Clear Source housing with off-brand filters.
Setup & Teardown: Massively Easier
Unexpected win: We’re completely set up or torn down in 15-20 minutes now. In the toy hauler, it took hours. When you move frequently, this changes everything.
Safety Addition: Water Leak Sensors
After watching Wild RV Life lose their rig to an overnight water leak, we added YoLink water sensors everywhere. Small pucks that alert you via app immediately. Peace of mind is worth the cost. Available on Amazon
Why Alliance Again?
Simple answer: Customer service and build quality.
Alliance has been consistently responsive and helpful. Multiple RV techs have told us Alliance ranks among the better manufacturers. Perfect? No. But they stand behind their product.
The Verdict: Was This the Right Move?
Absolutely, 100% yes.
What we gained:
- Significantly more livable space
- Better kitchen functionality
- Improved storage
- Faster setup/teardown
- A home that truly feels like home
What we gave up:
- Toy storage we weren’t using
- Wider couch
- Four feet of length
Reality check: Every RV has pros and cons. But the pros massively outweigh the cons for our lifestyle.
Three-Month Issues (Being Honest)
- Pantry door/slide collision: User error, but bent the door
- Closet rod incident: Item shifted during travel, broke a fishing rod
- Door hardware failure: Foot pedal fell off, scratched floor (Alliance fixed under warranty)
- Both bedroom Doors broke: rough roads took the toll but we think the door design could be better.
- Oven light never worked
- Slide rubber guide (under the flap) came off.
None are dealbreakers, but they’re real experiences to know about.
Final Thoughts
Three months in, we’re confident this was the right call.
Here’s what we’ve learned in four years of full-timing: Your needs evolve. What works in year one might not fit year three. That’s okay.
The “perfect” rig fits your current lifestyle, supports your work, and makes you excited to explore.
For us right now, that’s the 2026 Alliance Paradigm 370FB.
Questions?
Drop them in the comments! We read and respond to every one.
Own a Paradigm? Share your experiences, modifications, or solutions!
Resources & Links
Products:
- Our Amazon RV Store – All our favorite gear
- YoLink Water Sensors
- Spice Jar Labels
- Air Mattress
Services:
About Us
We’re Barry and Darlene, full-time RVers for four years documenting our unfiltered journey. Barry recently left corporate to work full-time on our channel.
Subscribe for honest RV reviews, destination guides, upgrade tutorials, and real talk about this lifestyle.
Connect:
- YouTube: @liketheresnotomorrow
- Facebook: /liketheresnotomorrow2022
- Instagram: @_liketheresnotomorrow
Disclaimer: Some links are affiliates. We may receive compensation for recommendations, helping us create more content at no extra cost to you. Opinions are always honest and based on real experiences.
