Considering a 385FL

[johnm]

Appreciate any help with these questions. My wife and I are considering a new 5er. Currently have a Fuzion toy hauler and are thinking of trading up to a 380 FL and getting away from the toy hauler.
First, we are wondering if our Lectric e bikes will fit in the rear slide. Does anyone know the dimensions, particularly the height of the rear storage entry?
Secondly, what is the flooring g made of, not the linoleum/vinyl, but the wood underneath - is it treated plywood throughout throughout the rig? Water is all but unavoidable and treated flooring gives us more time to discover any problem, without seriou repair expenses.
Third, does it have a spare tire? Where is it located?
Finally, what is the typical wait time for an ordered unit?
Appreciate any insights that are offered.

 

[2 Allies]

Johnm,

The model number for Alliance is the 385FL. We have a 2024 model and have absolutely loved it.
We have (2) 3.0 Lectric bikes folded in 50 gal tote on the tray, stores perfectly. It does have a spare tire mounted underneath midway and has a rod to turn to lower it when needed. Depending on the amount of orders and their specific production runs will determine the wait time. Ours was 6-8 weeks in late 2023. We ordered with 8,000 lb axles to get the 19000 lb over as you can add weight up fast with all the storage available. We are running fully loaded between 17.5k and 18k water dependent. If we had to do it over, we would opt for the disc brakes as well or the Moryde IS. As far as the subfloor, I am not sure, during the factory tour it looked like an engineered board.
Hooe thus helps,
Bruce

 

[2 Allies]

johnm

Each bike fits in one 50 gal tote, so there are 2 of them.

Bruce

 

[johnm]

Johnm,

The model number for Alliance is the 385FL. We have a 2024 model and have absolutely loved it.
We have (2) 3.0 Lectric bikes folded in 50 gal tote on the tray, stores perfectly. It does have a spare tire mounted underneath midway and has a rod to turn to lower it when needed. Depending on the amount of orders and their specific production runs will determine the wait time. Ours was 6-8 weeks in late 2023. We ordered with 8,000 lb axles to get the 19000 lb over as you can add weight up fast with all the storage available. We are running fully loaded between 17.5k and 18k water dependent. If we had to do it over, we would opt for the disc brakes as well or the Moryde IS. As far as the subfloor, I am not sure, during the factory tour it looked like an engineered board.
Hooe thus helps,
Bruce

Thank you Bruce. This helps considerably! We are attending the Tampa RV show next week and hopefully Alliance will have reps at this show.
John

 

[2 Allies]

They will definitely be there and you should take the time to meet the owners Coley and Ryan Brady and the rest of their team. They are all awesome and can answer all your questions.
Scout, Chandler, Joe, Ab, Jeremiah and the rest will make you feel a part of the FamAlly.
Enjoy you trip and your purchasing experience.
Bruce

 

[johnm]

Johnm,

The model number for Alliance is the 385FL. We have a 2024 model and have absolutely loved it.
We have (2) 3.0 Lectric bikes folded in 50 gal tote on the tray, stores perfectly. It does have a spare tire mounted underneath midway and has a rod to turn to lower it when needed. Depending on the amount of orders and their specific production runs will determine the wait time. Ours was 6-8 weeks in late 2023. We ordered with 8,000 lb axles to get the 19000 lb over as you can add weight up fast with all the storage available. We are running fully loaded between 17.5k and 18k water dependent. If we had to do it over, we would opt for the disc brakes as well or the Moryde IS. As far as the subfloor, I am not sure, during the factory tour it looked like an engineered board.
Hooe thus helps,
Bruce

Yes, I meant the 385FL! We are also looking at a 380 Solitude.....with age comes brain farts!

 

[johnm]

johnm

Each bike fits in one 50 gal tote, so there are 2 of them.

Bruce

They will definitely be there and you should take the time to meet the owners Coley and Ryan Brady and the rest of their team. They are all awesome and can answer all your questions.
Scout, Chandler, Joe, Ab, Jeremiah and the rest will make you feel a part of the FamAlly.
Enjoy you trip and your purchasing experience.
Bruce

What brand of tote do you have?

 

[2 Allies]

We also looked at the 380FL but really found a home at Alliance. All brands have issues but how they handle those issues makes a difference. Alliance has been awesome to work with and hopefully Bill Martin will be there too as he is the VP of Customer Service.

We bought the tote at Lowes, black bottom and Yellow top. If you are going to move them in an out of the unit, store somewhere else when not traveling, you may want to consider a tote with the wheels built in.

Good luck and have fun. We bought at the Hershey show in '23 and had the unit we ordered delivered to the dealer closet to us. (General)I di nit know which dealer will be representing them in Tampa.

Bruce

 

[2 Allies]

We also ordered with factory installed washer and dryer, wife absolutely loves having them on board.

 

[2 Allies]

Johnm,

On the website the 385fl is mow rated at 19000 lb gvw.
That is good news for you as it appears the 8000 lb axles are still. now.
Good luck,
Bruce

 

[johnm]

Well, I was about ready to pull the trigger on the 385FL. Now I have received conflicting statements about the flooring. One via email and the other via a message. Truboard is apparently used on the flooring, but marine grade is conflicting. Which is it? Or are we in the middle of a changeover?
Maybe someone can give me a third answer here?

 

[2 Allies]

They are using Trueboard, which is 5/8 inch thick in one piece for each section of the rig. It is wrapped in a polyvinyl material to protect the floor.
This is from a regional sales manager with Alliance.

How was your time at the Tampa show?

Hope this helps,

 

[johnm]

They are using Trueboard, which is 5/8 inch thick in one piece for each section of the rig. It is wrapped in a polyvinyl material to protect the floor.
This is from a regional sales manager with Alliance.

How was your time at the Tampa show?

Hope this helps,

Thank you 2 Allies.
I am not familiar with a wrapping process - or are you talking about the actual flooring - ie linoleum? I would gladly pay the extra for treated lumber for the flooring.
The show was nice, but very cold... (funny sounding coming from a Michigander!) Saw the 385 - but disappointed in the amount of manufacturing debris that was not cleaned up for the show model. I do understand that its common for a new rig, but one for public inspection should be clean, you'd think!
Anyway, still interested in the 385, but I am still looking for some answers from the factory on adding some more counterspace to the island, via a flip up countertop on the island that would add some 20 inches or so of counter space. We're getting close to pulling the trigger on an order and that would likely tip the scale immediately.
Thanks for the insight!