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395DS Recommendations

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sawendland

New member
I grew up Rving with parents, grandparents.. .LOVED IT. I've had a pop up camper and a travel trailer over the past 20 years. Looking to retire here in about 5 years. I've always looked at RV's.. have been a (member then by invitation a) life member of Good Sam Club for 30+ years. At retirement time I'm looking to sell our home, put that $ away and move to back home to our South Dakota Family Farm...... winter down south (we're looking into camp hosting during the southern "trips"), I've got be doing something, most of the time. I think we'll take trips pretty much around the country to visit family, our kids etc. ... Anyway, because we're selling our 5 bedroom ranch home, I like the idea of having a 2 bed/2 bathroom. Have been looking at a LOT of on line stuff, gone to a few RV Shows (have yet to see a 395DS in person). I've watched the Paradigm videos, etc. .... etc. ... etc ... So far my absolute favorite is the 395DS. After looking at the GRVW, etc. .... I'm looking at going with a Ford F350 SRW, Supercrew, longbed, Diesel. 4x4 to couple with this RV. I can't find any threads dedicated to this model with Q & A. For those of you who are running a heavier rig such as this, do I have a good match with the vehicle (I think the F250 is on the light end, don't see too many F450's with SRW, only DRW, which I'm not too sure I really need (other than for stability). I have an older FSuperDuty Flatbed with duals, which we load up for work, but other than that I don't care for having to buy a couple of extra tires, just to have a wide rear end. How about the 395DS? I've been reviewing pricing.. I also see a few "carry over models" around the country for quite a bit LESS $$ than I see some used ones for the same year. I'm fortunate to currently live in South Bend, IN, so I'm only about 30 minutes or so from the factory....thinking about calling them up and see if they offer factory tours sometime. Anyway, I'm looking for what other with this model have liked, I don't know ... what else?
 
BryanValRox

BryanValRox

Elite Member
sawendland said:
I grew up Rving with parents, grandparents.. .LOVED IT. I've had a pop up camper and a travel trailer over the past 20 years. Looking to retire here in about 5 years. I've always looked at RV's.. have been a (member then by invitation a) life member of Good Sam Club for 30+ years. At retirement time I'm looking to sell our home, put that $ away and move to back home to our South Dakota Family Farm...... winter down south (we're looking into camp hosting during the southern "trips"), I've got be doing something, most of the time. I think we'll take trips pretty much around the country to visit family, our kids etc. ... Anyway, because we're selling our 5 bedroom ranch home, I like the idea of having a 2 bed/2 bathroom. Have been looking at a LOT of on line stuff, gone to a few RV Shows (have yet to see a 395DS in person). I've watched the Paradigm videos, etc. .... etc. ... etc ... So far my absolute favorite is the 395DS. After looking at the GRVW, etc. .... I'm looking at going with a Ford F350 SRW, Supercrew, longbed, Diesel. 4x4 to couple with this RV. I can't find any threads dedicated to this model with Q & A. For those of you who are running a heavier rig such as this, do I have a good match with the vehicle (I think the F250 is on the light end, don't see too many F450's with SRW, only DRW, which I'm not too sure I really need (other than for stability). I have an older FSuperDuty Flatbed with duals, which we load up for work, but other than that I don't care for having to buy a couple of extra tires, just to have a wide rear end. How about the 395DS? I've been reviewing pricing.. I also see a few "carry over models" around the country for quite a bit LESS $$ than I see some used ones for the same year. I'm fortunate to currently live in South Bend, IN, so I'm only about 30 minutes or so from the factory....thinking about calling them up and see if they offer factory tours sometime. Anyway, I'm looking for what other with this model have liked, I don't know ... what else?
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum !
Good for you on your extensive research.
Just two quick comments.
One Alliance does offer factory tours, you can schedule one online at the bottom of their corporate website.

Two, I would counsel you to rethink your truck decision, without knowing the actual ratings of your desired truck spec. , I do not believe a SRW would have enough payload/cargo/GVWR/axle capacity to carry that rig safely.

Can it pull it down the road, sure and it will have plenty of power to do so, BUT the question that really needs to be asked when specing a truck is, CAN IT CARRY IT Properly with enough safety margin, after you add you hitch, family, camping supplies and stock the rig.

Also, consider what options you will be specing on your coach, all options add to the published weights. These options can quickly erode any margin you thought you had with capacity.(Don’t ask me how I know). Big impacters are generators, washer dry. Dual pane windows, slide toppers and other option add up as well.


Not trying to be Debbie Downer here(Saturday Night Live Reference), just trying to get you to investigate your decision more throughly and avoid the regret of purchasing a potentially under capacity tow vehicle and financial impact.

Just offering my opinion, I am sure others will chime in on this topic, truck specing is usually a lively topic on the forum.

Deep breath, pause and more research to ensure you make the best decisions.

Good Luck
 
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Jwtsg

Jwtsg

Active member
Welcome,& I agree with Bryan’s & the other’s comments above. If you are planning to travel w a rig that size strongly recommend A DRW,instead of the SRW. Granted if you are camp hosting much of the time you will be parked,,,when you are traveling I would recommend you discuss the points you mention combined with the points Bryan mentions. The SRW can tow the rig but believe you will find the majority of folks w rigs that size use the DRW version for safety, control, stability & comfort.
Love your plan,,we are getting A 382RK, but will be living in ini full time in a stationary situation on our property Having it delivered & set up on our pad. We use a smaller tow behind for our snowbirding. If we were going to be Mobil believe that is the route we would pursue. Am sure other members will have good advice and opinions for your consideration as well!, Good luck, enjoy, & safe travels ! 👍🌞🍀 !
 
F

Fishfnatic

Well-known member
We are full time with 310 rl at 15000 gross. Pull with F350 dually. After towing rig all over the country I am glad I went with the dually. I know SRW would pull it but have safety factor. If you live In It you will probably load up to gross. Truck topics will always be controversial.
 
2 Allies

2 Allies

Well-known member
I too agree with Bryan's statements. We bought a '24 385FL and towed it with a Chevy 3500hd SRW for a year and a half without issue. we had it weighed at the Rally 2 years in a row and met all the safety numbers. With a GVWR of 19000lbs on the rig, we always had to be sure not to overload as the truck would be overloaded just past 17,500lbs. We recently upgraded the truck to a '26 F-450 DRW and will no longer need to worry about those few extra pounds. In the SRW we could feel the strong cross winds while towing, I do think the wider stance will make a difference in the wind. I was against a dually because of the shear size, but now I know the saying about 'you can never have too much truck' is right. Unless you have smaller/lighter rigs.

Welcome and good luck (from a dually convert)
 
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