Difference bettween the Paradigm and Avenue models.

[MichealWhelan]

We are presently Rving in a Tiffin MH considering switching to a Fiver or maybe a trailer. Of interest has been the Paradigm and the Avenue. What are the meaningful differences? Any thoughts as to which is more suitable for living in 2 or 3 months at a time? We prefer a unit between 30 and 35 foot as they tend to fit into many of the parks we like.

 

[Lantley]

• Alliance Paradigm – This is a luxury brand with plenty of upscale features. It’s also the most popular fifth-wheel camper in the Alliance lineup. As of 2024, the Paradigm brand has eight floor plans. The shortest model is 33 feet long, but most are 40+ feet long. According to Alliance, this brand has 100 features that provide the absolute best customer experience.
• Alliance Avenue – It’s a more affordable mid-profile fifth wheel compared to the Paradigm. Although it has fewer high-end appointments, it’s still feature-rich and offers RVers lots of value and quality. In fact, it has 75 customer-driven features. There are 10 Avenue fifth wheel floor plans in 2024. They measure between 27 and 39 feet long, making them easier to tow.

 

[SKYSKIOC]

as a couple living full-time in our fifth wheel travel trailer, we purchased the Alliance Avenue 32 RLS with the custom paint. it measures in at just under 35 ft and will fit in all state parks as there is a limit to 35 ft in full length. we thought this out for 2 years looking at the paradigm and the Avenue and decided that the Avenue was best for us for our budget. The paradigm is a very nice unit. definitely upscale but when you walk into either one of them everything starts to look the same. if you go into the forums here and read a lot about the paradigm and the issues they have had not saying Avenue doesn't have any issues but it just seems like there are less problems with the Avenue. when we took delivery of ours back in September, we only had a few minor things. after our first road trip we noticed a couple other things that were simple to fix. otherwise everything is great so far. can't go wrong with the alliance in my opinion. they stand behind their work. their customer service is second to none and they are very easy to get a hold of if you need some sort of help from them. Hope this helps. good luck on whichever brand you choose.

 

[Lantley]

I think the difference come down to size more so than features.
Avenue is mid profile vs. Paradigm full size Although I believe Paradigm has hydraulic leveling jacks and Avenue has electric. Not sure if that difference applies to slides?

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Drop frame in Paradigm offers a lot more storage in the passthrough compartment.

 

[justdee]

We went with the Paradigm over the Avenue. The fit n finish on the Paradigm, for our eyes, was more appealing. But the real tell, in my opinion, are the numbers. Look at the weights of the two lines. Similar sized units and the Paradigm will be the heavier of the two, by quite a bit.
Compare the Paradigm 295MK & the 310RL, to the Avenue 29RL, 30BH, 32RLS, and the 33RKS. The Dry Weight and the Hitch Weight.
What does that mean? I'm not an engineer, but I guess it would be like a base model GMC compared to my Denali.

 

[Midnight Rider]

We sold our Newmar Mt Aire and went to a 5’er to get into smaller areas NP’s and smaller camp sites, not have to tow a car behind. We knew we needed a nice 5er but lots of the luxury 5ers are bigger than we wanted Defeating the reason for trading rigs?
We Decided the 295MK Paradigm was the right choice. We got full body paint and double pain windows and a generator as upgrades. It is the Smallest Luxury 5er we could find. It has been fantastic, we love it! We pull it with a Chevy 3500 HD SRW and have no issues with weight or handling. It is like the truck and trailer are perfectly made for each other. We looked at the Avenue, but coming from the Newmar or like you the Tiffin I recommend you go with the Paradigm. It was the nicest small 5er we could find.
good luck
MR

 

[MichealWhelan]

All, thanks for the input. If you could chime in on another question we have. In my searches, I have come across New and Like New (bought but never used) Solitude 5ers. New is a 24 and Like New is the 23. I also found a 22 that had a couple of short trips. All are priced accordingly. My question is there any real difference between the model years that impact how they travel or the amenities? I read their specs and failed to see a discernible difference.

 

[Lantley]

Gran Design which overall is a decent brand went through a spell of units with frame flex.
The frame flex fiasco was damaging to their once stellar reputation. Gran Design changed/extended their warranty in an attempt instill confidence in their units.
I'm not saying avoid Gran Design. I am saying they had a major frame flex issue beware

 

[Midnight Rider]

Grand Design was a great 5er when it was “Small Batch” like Alliance. Then it sold to Winabego and in my opinion it went down hill quickly. They flooded the market with mass produced campers and the quality is not good. Winabego is mid range in every line they have except Newmar and the Grand Design sadly has become no different. I would Stay in the Alliance family and all though they are not perfect and all RV’s can have issues I recommend Paradigm.
MR

 

[justdee]

We looked long and hard for our 35' 5th wheel, focusing primarily on the Grand Design, Alliance, and Brinkley, as all three have comparable models in that size.
While Grand Design and Brinkley had some great options that Alliance didn't offer, in the end, Alliance did have the features that were important to us.

 

[Todd F]

Grand Design was a great 5er when it was “Small Batch” like Alliance. Then it sold to THOR and in my opinion it went down hill quickly. They flooded the market with mass produced campers and the quality is not good. THOR is low end in every line they have and the Grand Design sadly has become no different. I would Stay in the Alliance family and all though they are not perfect and all RV’s can have issues I recommend Paradigm.
MR

I learned on our factory tour not long ago that Alliance moved from paying hourly to a piece rate system. So I believe it won't be much longer before you start seeing the after effects of mass produced rvs just like all the others. All my years in construction, piece rate work never had the same quality as paying someone by the hour to do it right.

 

[MichealWhelan]

I learned on our factory tour not long ago that Alliance moved from paying hourly to a piece rate system. So I believe it won't be much longer before you start seeing the after effects of mass produced rvs just like all the others. All my years in construction, piece rate work never had the same quality as paying someone by the hour to do it right.

You are correct. What set Alliance apart was their dedication to a quality build. With a move to piece work that goes out the window. There is no incentive to do a job properly but to do as many pieces as you can to earn more money. Quality be damned.

 

[Bricknhank]

Grand Design was a great 5er when it was “Small Batch” like Alliance. Then it sold to THOR and in my opinion it went down hill quickly. They flooded the market with mass produced campers and the quality is not good. THOR is low end in every line they have and the Grand Design sadly has become no different. I would Stay in the Alliance family and all though they are not perfect and all RV’s can have issues I recommend Paradigm.
MR

I believe that grand Design was purchased by the Winnebago group not Thor.

 

[7426TRISS]

This is my third RV, first 2010 Keystone 276 Travel Trailer, one problem in 8 years. Second RV Forest River 34WB Fifth Wheel, spent 8 months at the dealer. Problems continued over the next 5 years.

Started looking at a better 5th wheel. She what'd the Montana, but at the end of day I went with the Alliance 385FL.

Same price but Alliance added all the extras

Out the door 1800 miles and no Problems.

To me a much better product than any others

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Socal-Paul]

We went from 22 years in a 28 foot Safari Trek motor home to the All Access 22ML. The primary reason was weight and length, we were buying both the truck and the 5er and I wanted to get it done with a 3/4 ton truck. The only regret is we are wishing we had waited for the 23ML fell in love with the floor plan, being able to access all living areas with the slide in. This could get expensive anyone want to purchase a 2023 22ML?

 

[treecatt]

as a couple living full-time in our fifth wheel travel trailer, we purchased the Alliance Avenue 32 RLS with the custom paint. it measures in at just under 35 ft and will fit in all state parks as there is a limit to 35 ft in full length. we thought this out for 2 years looking at the paradigm and the Avenue and decided that the Avenue was best for us for our budget. The paradigm is a very nice unit. definitely upscale but when you walk into either one of them everything starts to look the same. if you go into the forums here and read a lot about the paradigm and the issues they have had not saying Avenue doesn't have any issues but it just seems like there are less problems with the Avenue. when we took delivery of ours back in September, we only had a few minor things. after our first road trip we noticed a couple other things that were simple to fix. otherwise everything is great so far. can't go wrong with the alliance in my opinion. they stand behind their work. their customer service is second to none and they are very easy to get a hold of if you need some sort of help from them. Hope this helps. good luck on whichever brand you choose.

I looked at both before deciding on the Paradigm. Being full profile the interior roof is just a bit higher. For me, the higher roof made it seem more like a small apartment than a trailer, especially in the living room. Just my two cents worth.

 

[Midnight Rider]

I believe that grand Design was purchased by the Winnebago group not Thor.

You are correct. I miss spoke.
That said I still would not buy GD.