Maiden voyage disasters

[snail]

We have been living in our 2025 Paradigm 385RK since November. No major issues in 7 months while stationary. In May we retired and started traveling: a dream come true!

So far every stop we have discovered something new has broken.
First stop: refrigerator doors opened, shelves came out, food everywhere. Refrigerator doors shelves all broke.
Second stop: noticed trim around living room slides separating
Third stop: one side of bedroom slide not working: sounds like stripped motor gears.
This is on top of dealer installed items being done incorrectly such as generator tailpipe falling off, Starlink cable being partially broken during installation, and washer/dryer stack falling over due to inadequate bracing. Today after arriving at the campground we found a broken shower door retaining brace and one of the kitchen cabinet drawers had fallen down because the slide mechanism had pulled out of the wall.
Sorry for the long rant but we have yet to find the joy in rv travel. Every stop means a trip to the hardware store and a day of repairs.

 

[BryanValRox]

Sorry your issues are surfacing while traveling. You didn't list your purchase date, but have you contacted Alliance directly to report the issues and determine if they might be under the warranty coverage period?

Bedroom slides are certainly an issue, and BAL has released an update kit to improve their reliability.

Dealer installed options should be discussed /addressed by the dealer.

Not defending anyone here, just trying to see if your issues have been reported to the responsible parties.

 

[Jwtsg]

There is a thread in Paradigm forum regarding traveling concerns w the 382RK. Good points to consider.
May ask if the different problem areas need separate issue #s for tracking. Agree w Bryan’s responsibility advice above But recommend you request an Alliance advocate to usher the various issues through the responsible parties so you do not get caught in a one solution at a time w those parties? Contact Alliance Service Dept. send them the following: have had good luck getting responses w in 48 hrs. Good luck👍🍀🤞

1. Your first and last name
2. Your phone number
3. The last 6 digits of your VIN
4. A detailed description of the issue(s)
5. Clear photos of the problem (if applicable

 

[M and E]

and one of the kitchen cabinet drawers had fallen down because the slide mechanism had pulled out of the wall.

I had to build a subframe behind the cabinets to take care of this same issue. I don't have pics of it but what you need to do becomes clear when you pull the drawer.

That sucks you are having these issues. But look at it this way, not much more could go wrong so it's behind you now! And sometimes it helps to rant. These are large investments (i think so at least) that Alliance really promotes as built better...and in my opinion I'll give them that on the frame but little else...but they really aren't. But, they do get things fixed quickly and it has been rare to hear anyone say they are having a problem with Alliance covering anything. I think they are very reasonable...customer service process is not that great but better than most too.

 

[Bozo]

We have been living in our 2025 Paradigm 385RK since November. No major issues in 7 months while stationary. In May we retired and started traveling: a dream come true!

So far every stop we have discovered something new has broken.
First stop: refrigerator doors opened, shelves came out, food everywhere. Refrigerator doors shelves all broke.
Second stop: noticed trim around living room slides separating
Third stop: one side of bedroom slide not working: sounds like stripped motor gears.
This is on top of dealer installed items being done incorrectly such as generator tailpipe falling off, Starlink cable being partially broken during installation, and washer/dryer stack falling over due to inadequate bracing. Today after arriving at the campground we found a broken shower door retaining brace and one of the kitchen cabinet drawers had fallen down because the slide mechanism had pulled out of the wall.
Sorry for the long rant but we have yet to find the joy in rv travel. Every stop means a trip to the hardware store and a day of repairs.

I am there with you but hopefully, once these issues are fixed, they become less frequent. I have regretted buying new since my first trip back to dealer for warranty claims. Now, I fix all the “crap” myself. All, and yesI said all, rv’s built today are not worth the inflated prices they charge. Our horrible roads in this country do not help the situation either. The plus I see in rv travel is that you get to experience an area before deciding to “retire” there. I also hate hotels/motels and like to sleep in my own bed. Probably cheaper, in the long run, than the rv though.

 

[Lantley]

I am there with you but hopefully, once these issues are fixed, they become less frequent. I have regretted buying new since my first trip back to dealer for warranty claims. Now, I fix all the “crap” myself. All, and yesI said all, rv’s built today are not worth the inflated prices they charge. Our horrible roads in this country do not help the situation either. The plus I see in rv travel is that you get to experience an area before deciding to “retire” there. I also hate hotels/motels and like to sleep in my own bed. Probably cheaper, in the long run, than the rv though.

I'm right there with you Bozo . I have been RV'ing a long time now and I realize pulling a house down the road will always be a challenge and mechanical things will always break.
The frustrating part is the poor choice of materials, and all too often the poor workmanship that goes along with it.
Paying RV assembly workers by the piece is a huge part of the problem.
Nevertheless as owners and consumers, as soon as we understand the numerous shortcomings of the RV industry the quicker we realize we're sort of on our own to fix our RV's ourselves . We need to quickly learn to beware of the shady and poor practices that permeate the industry.
Here is where we get ourselves into trouble, despite all the pitfalls presented by the RV industry you can still have an enjoyable experience once you learn how the game is played.
Trusting the RV industry to do the right thing and believing that the industry is trustworthy is the first mistake many new RV'ers make.
The sooner the consumer realizes they are essentially on their own with all repairs and maintenance the better off they will be.

 

[Bozo]

I'm right there with you Bozo . I have been RV'ing a long time now and I realize pulling a house down the road will always be a challenge and mechanical things will always break.
The frustrating part is the poor choice of materials, and all too often the poor workmanship that goes along with it.
Paying RV assembly workers by the piece is a huge part of the problem.
Nevertheless as owners and consumers, as soon as we understand the numerous shortcomings of the RV industry the quicker we realize we're sort of on our own to fix our RV's ourselves . We need to quickly learn to beware of the shady and poor practices that permeate the industry.
Here is where we get ourselves into trouble, despite all the pitfalls presented by the RV industry you can still have an enjoyable experience once you learn how the game is played.
Trusting the RV industry to do the right thing and believing that the industry is trustworthy is the first mistake many new RV'ers make.
The sooner the consumer realizes they are essentially on their own with all repairs and maintenance the better off they will be.

Spot on! Also, I am not afraid to tell people the honest truth about products I have purchased, good or bad. When asked, I sugarcoat nothing. It is not all negative, more realistic than anything.

 

[Lantley]

Spot on! Also, I am not afraid to tell people the honest truth about products I have purchased, good or bad. When asked, I sugarcoat nothing. It is not all negative, more realistic than anything.

Yes a touch of realism is what I try to interject. I hope I don't come off as just a Debbie Downer constantly criticizing the RV industry.
My intention is to keep it real and inform others not to cry over spilled milk.
The industry has spilled a lot of milk. But understanding the shortcomings out of the gate is the quickest path to finding solutions that often bypass the industry suggested solution.

 

[M and E]

Yup. The industry is kind of a mess and favors the manufacturers on quality matters for sure.

That aside, RVing is a total blast! The problems our rig has had are faded memories after the next trip. I love pretty much everything about the lifestyle…except the manufacturer BS.