Decisions
- Thread starter Jprtugs
- Start date
John,
You are looking at the 310RL, not the 385FL, that is what I chose. And yes I have a 2022 RAM 3500 dually.
Side by side the Alliance 310RL compared to the Montana is a better deal. Look at all the standard features Alliance is going to give you compared to the Montana.
You are looking at the 310RL, not the 385FL, that is what I chose. And yes I have a 2022 RAM 3500 dually.
Side by side the Alliance 310RL compared to the Montana is a better deal. Look at all the standard features Alliance is going to give you compared to the Montana.
Yes I agree. I spent a good part of today looking more closely at each. The 2025 310RL has an upgraded suspension that supposedly compares to the Morryde. There are other standard features we liked as well. We really liked the Montana 3531RE entertainment area but other than that, the 310 is just fine.
Midnight Rider
Well-known member
Go with Alliance. You will be better off all the way around.
I wish I could agree with "Go with Alliance. You will be better off all the way around." But I know better.
THis is not a shot at Alliance but a shot at all new RV companies. AS long as Alliance remains and independent company managed by its founders we are in good shape, but if and when a buyout takes place all bets are off.
I experience this phenomenon with my prior Open Range unit.
The founding company was bought and the resulting company was a shell of its former self.
Buy outs in the RV industry are only good for stock holders. They are not beneficial to owners.
Unfortunately the trend is for start ups to succeed for 5 years or so, develop a loyal following and then get bought by Thor or one of the major players. Gran Design went through a buyout and are now struggling to overcome a major frame Flex issue.
Montana has been around for years and are not likely to be purchased. What you see is what you get, ownership is stable and not likely to change.
Alliance has not been around long enough to avoid being purchased by a Goliath RV group.
Alliance as we know it today is overall a decent company , however be very aware the Alliance we know today may not be the same Alliance we know tomorrow. BTDT!
THis is not a shot at Alliance but a shot at all new RV companies. AS long as Alliance remains and independent company managed by its founders we are in good shape, but if and when a buyout takes place all bets are off.
I experience this phenomenon with my prior Open Range unit.
The founding company was bought and the resulting company was a shell of its former self.
Buy outs in the RV industry are only good for stock holders. They are not beneficial to owners.
Unfortunately the trend is for start ups to succeed for 5 years or so, develop a loyal following and then get bought by Thor or one of the major players. Gran Design went through a buyout and are now struggling to overcome a major frame Flex issue.
Montana has been around for years and are not likely to be purchased. What you see is what you get, ownership is stable and not likely to change.
Alliance has not been around long enough to avoid being purchased by a Goliath RV group.
Alliance as we know it today is overall a decent company , however be very aware the Alliance we know today may not be the same Alliance we know tomorrow. BTDT!
2 Allies
Well-known member
I respectfully disagree. Coley and Ryan Brady moved away from their former RV employer for this very reason, Thor took over and the corporate philosophy took over. This did not sit well with them and they started a company(Alliance) to focus on the consumer. IMHO they have done a wonderful job in doing just that. Sure they have had growing pains but they have maintained their focus on the Customer experience and satisfaction, we have been more than satisfied as their Customer Service is fantastic! I may be wrong but I do not see them selling out to the "Big Guys" anytime soon as they are on a mission to create something very special.
I say "Go with Alliance' you will be glad you did!
Bruce
I say "Go with Alliance' you will be glad you did!
Bruce
They all leave big guys. RV start up founders just don't come from nowhere they leave big guys to do their own thing
Randy Graber the founder of Open Range left a big guy to start Open Range.
Coley and Ryan are no different they will maintain their independence as long as their cash flow holds out.
What tends to happen is there is eventually a cash crunch. The start ups require cash to keep up with their success. More models are introduced, production increases, more capital is required to keep up with it all.
Open Range, and Gran Design were once startups determined to build a better mouse trap...and they did.
But eventually the cash crunch came along and a Goliath gobbled them up.
Brinkley and Alliance are now the new kids on the block. They are building that better mouse trap.
Let's hope there capital can keep up with their production.
I was sort of blind sided when my start up RV company was gobbled up. But I am aware this time.
I knew I was taking a chance buying a RV from a relatively new company, because I have experienced the saga of owning an orphaned RV.
You are correct there is no guarantee Alliance will be purchased, but I won't be shocked if it happens. There are simply not many stand alone RV companies, they are all part of a conglomerate.
Randy Graber the founder of Open Range left a big guy to start Open Range.
Coley and Ryan are no different they will maintain their independence as long as their cash flow holds out.
What tends to happen is there is eventually a cash crunch. The start ups require cash to keep up with their success. More models are introduced, production increases, more capital is required to keep up with it all.
Open Range, and Gran Design were once startups determined to build a better mouse trap...and they did.
But eventually the cash crunch came along and a Goliath gobbled them up.
Brinkley and Alliance are now the new kids on the block. They are building that better mouse trap.
Let's hope there capital can keep up with their production.
I was sort of blind sided when my start up RV company was gobbled up. But I am aware this time.
I knew I was taking a chance buying a RV from a relatively new company, because I have experienced the saga of owning an orphaned RV.
You are correct there is no guarantee Alliance will be purchased, but I won't be shocked if it happens. There are simply not many stand alone RV companies, they are all part of a conglomerate.
- Thor Industries: Thor has acquired many RV companies, including:
- Airstream: Purchased in 1980
K-Z Inc.Purchased in 2014
Cruiser RV and DRV: Purchased in 2015
Postle Aluminum: Purchased in 2015
Jayco: Purchased in 2016
Hymer: Purchased in 2019
Tiffin Motorhomes: Purchased in 2020
Airxcel: Purchased in 2021
Goshen Coach: Acquired to expand its holdings in the small and mid-size bus industry - Winnebago Industries: Acquired Newmar and Grand Design
Forest River: Acquired Coachmen, Dynamax, and Flagstaff
Berkshire Hathaway: Acquired Forest River
- Winnebago Industries: Acquired Newmar and Grand Design
- Airstream: Purchased in 1980
