Solitude or Paradigm, can't decide yet!

[efstewart]

We have been researching and looking at these two 5th wheels (Solitude 310GK, Paradigm 310RL) for about a month now, and these are the finalists for us. If you bought one of these brands, or considered them before making your choice, what did you like or did not like about each?

I know all about the specs and history and quality of each, but so far in my mind the Solitude is a little better than the Paradigm. But then again, on a different day, I think the Paradigm is better. My shopping shows that the Paradigm is priced a little lower than the Solitude. The best quotes that I have are low 80K for the Paradigm vs high 80K for the Solitude.

I would like to hear how you made your choice of a recent and newer 5th wheel in the 35 foot category. I also looked at the other popular brands (Northwood, Outdoors, Jayco, KZ, and Keystone) and for different minor reasons they are no longer contenders for us!

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by efstewart

We have been researching and looking at these two 5th wheels (Solitude 310GK, Paradigm 310RL) for about a month now, and these are the finalists for us. If you bought one of these brands, or considered them before making your choice, what did you like or did not like about each?

I know all about the specs and history and quality of each, but so far in my mind the Solitude is a little better than the Paradigm. But then again, on a different day, I think the Paradigm is better. My shopping shows that the Paradigm is priced a little lower than the Solitude. The best quotes that I have are low 80K for the Paradigm vs high 80K for the Solitude.

I would like to hear how you made your choice of a recent and newer 5th wheel in the 35 foot category. I also looked at the other popular brands (Northwood, Outdoors, Jayco, KZ, and Keystone) and for different minor reasons they are no longer contenders for us!

It’s a tough decision for sure. I only looked at a couple used Solitudes and a couple new Paradigms. I also looked at a few new and used Montana’s, a Cameo and a few others.

I can’t recall the Solitude model but it was around 34’ long. It was a beautiful unit but seemed a little dark to me overall. There didn’t seem to be much natural light, the wood was dark, etc. It did have an amazing bathroom, though; almost too big.

We walked into a Paradigm 310RL and immediately fell in love. It has a lot of windows and natural light, two different wood colors, a great bathroom, etc. It also has three 15k A/C’s, two of which can be run on 30 amp service. We looked at the one we ended up buying and then another unit at a second location. The second one didn’t seem to have been built as well as ours, but ours has been excellent. I just dropped it off for some warranty work - nothing major but a few issues.

Overall, I’d buy another Paradigm in a heartbeat.

Edit: I looked at a Solitude 2930RL

[efstewart]

OK, I like your review! One up for the Paradigm! I like the fact that the company is pretty new, lots of unique extras, and has great customer service. My wife is fine with either brand!

[beerdude]

Both great RVs for sure. Recommend you physically step into both makes if you haven't already.

I looked at both, and many other makes, before RV Shows mostly shut down due to COVID in early 2020, and I would've compared the Paradigm more with a Reflection (not a Solitude) at that time.

Solitude had (still has?) a flat roof from what I recall; really opens up the back area. An added bonus if the living area is in the back.

All depends on what floorplan/space you desire, of course!

[r3842id]

We came from a Grand Design Momentum in January and wanting to downsize so the Solitude 310 was our first choice. We had excellent customer service with Grand Design - was always able to get somebody on the phone and only had minor issues with our toy hauler. We knew what to expect from Grand Design and liked their product.

We were hearing so many good things about Alliance that we decided to look at the 310. We did a plant tour and highly impressed with the Alliance community and the customer support. I am not sure there is better customer support in that first year especially with Bill Martin and the A Team being directly involved within the Facebook community.

With that said we ended up going with the same floor plan from Vanleigh. We worked pricing on the Vilano 320 GK vs Solitude 310 and Paradigm 310. Likely the biggest reason was the solid wood cabinets however there is a list that pressed us in that direction. I dont think you can go wrong with Grand Design or Alliance a difficult choice for sure and one likely only made with spending time in both of the like units.

[CAMPER70]

We just finished going through the same thing you are now. We have owned a GD travel trailer for 2 years and have travelled all over with it and love it. We decided we wanted to move to a Fifth wheel. My DW wanted the residential size stove and a bigger fridge. I wanted more outside storage. We looked at both brands multiple times. We passed on a new 2021 GD 310 in May because we did not have a truck to tow it at the time. My wife liked the Alliance better and you know the story about a happy wife. The final decision was the price. It would have cost us 28,000 more for the GD 310.The price increases on the GD's have been crazy this year. We decided the GD was not 28,000 better than the Alliance 310. We ordered our Alliance in late September and are waiting on delivery. Good luck with your decision.

[Nomadic23]

We have a 2021 GD Reflection 5th wheel that we've been full time in for over 7 months. We've had some minor issues along the way like some trim sagging and outlets popping out that we've fixed ourselves. We have a bigger issue with the Schwintek slide not coming in. We had a mobile tech come out and he said the fix involves getting it on a fork lift so we've scheduled some warranty work for January. We have another possible alignment issue because we have significant wear on on the inside of one tire. We've also driven 7k+ miles and on some pretty crappy bumpy roads so not unexpected because trailer axels aren't great.

Overall we're pretty happy with the GD and looking to upgrade to either a Class A or another 5th wheel with a king bed and w/d and we'd definitely look at GD again. Their customer service has been helpful and sent us parts when requested. That said, I've also looked online at Alliance in the past and we've been parked next to one and they look really nice and I'd consider them.

[cpale031]

Originally Posted by efstewart

We have been researching and looking at these two 5th wheels (Solitude 310GK, Paradigm 310RL) for about a month now, and these are the finalists for us. If you bought one of these brands, or considered them before making your choice, what did you like or did not like about each?

I know all about the specs and history and quality of each, but so far in my mind the Solitude is a little better than the Paradigm. But then again, on a different day, I think the Paradigm is better. My shopping shows that the Paradigm is priced a little lower than the Solitude. The best quotes that I have are low 80K for the Paradigm vs high 80K for the Solitude.

I would like to hear how you made your choice of a recent and newer 5th wheel in the 35 foot category. I also looked at the other popular brands (Northwood, Outdoors, Jayco, KZ, and Keystone) and for different minor reasons they are no longer contenders for us!

We originally purchased a Montana (our 3rd RV) over the Solitude and were pleased. Unfortunately the Montana spent 6-months in the shop for a multitude of reasons that never were resolved.

We stumbled across Alliance during the beginning of Covid and I drove to their factory in Indiana and physically toured the factory and their production line. Honestly, you never really want to see how the sausage is made but ultimately we special ordered one with disc brakes and a few other things and have now had it for 15 months. Wouldn't trade it for anything and while we have had a few problems, it hasn't been in the shop because of the Alliance Service culture which doesn't involve the dealer. They also have a special owners Face Book group and monitor and resolve all posted problems. They have sent techs to our location twice (Colorado & Louisiana) and have sent me parts. If you are handy this is the way to go and I avoid the dealer as much as possible. We love the layout and have over 20k miles on it. Just put on new tires (Saluns). Its been a great RV and I didn't fully appreciate all the windows and wide body until we began camping for long periods. This year we have spent ~170 nights in the Alliance and never felt cramped. They still are a new company and have not worked out all the bugs but their service program more than compensates for any problems we have encountered

[efstewart]

Thanks to all for your input. I have recently priced both brands locally here in Colorado, and I have some reductions in their pricing (averaging about 21% for the Paradigm to 28% for the Solitude) from their build sheet MSRP.

I plan to go test the Paradigm in the next few days (have it plugged into power at the dealer) and see.

The Paradigm has a very slight lead due to lower price (not by much though) and some of its unique features. I love the shut off valves at each fixture for quick repairs, and the extra storage around every corner. Also, they are still new and want to please the customer, and not part of a large conglomerate, yet! But the Solitude is equally as good also, and responds quickly to customers and questions from me!

Future Solitude builds will cost 10% more after this weekend, so once the existing units and pre-orders are sold, that will price me out of that model for now! Either one will be a good choice for me!

I will let you know what I decide.

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by efstewart

Thanks to all for your input. I have recently priced both brands locally here in Colorado, and I have some reductions in their pricing (averaging about 21% for the Paradigm to 28% for the Solitude) from their build sheet MSRP.

I plan to go test the Paradigm in the next few days (have it plugged into power at the dealer) and see.

The Paradigm has a very slight lead due to lower price (not by much though) and some of its unique features. I love the shut off valves at each fixture for quick repairs, and the extra storage around every corner. Also, they are still new and want to please the customer, and not part of a large conglomerate, yet! But the Solitude is equally as good also, and responds quickly to customers and questions from me!

Future Solitude builds will cost 10% more after this weekend, so once the existing units and pre-orders are sold, that will price me out of that model for now! Either one will be a good choice for me!

I will let you know what I decide.

What dealer are you working with?

[efstewart]

For the Paradigm, it is Cousins Rv in Wheatridge. For the Solitude, Cousins RV in Colorado Springs, and Windish RV in Lakewood.

I don't know if the Paradigm price is the best, as there are no other dealers in the state for that brand that I know of. Windish RV has a slightly better price compared to Cousins Rv for the Solitude.

[Jerry Burks]

Originally Posted by efstewart

....I don't know if the Paradigm price is the best, as there are no other dealers in the state for that brand that I know of....

Not in Colorado but we bought our Alliance at Bish's RV in Cheyenne, WY, not that far for us. They had better pricing than Cousins and just made an overall more competent impression. The drive was not much further for us (Fort Collins) and way less traffic than the Denver direction.

We have been dealing with a number of minor warranty niggles and Bish's service department was always super quick to turn the repairs around. Sometimes same day while we hung out in town or within few days of receiving required materials.

[r3842id]

Originally Posted by efstewart

I don't know if the Paradigm price is the best, as there are no other dealers in the state for that brand that I know of.

Alliance is so good with their support you an call them and they will tell you all of the dealerships that have a 310 close to you (with options and VIN) or what other dealers there are. We dealt with Scout many times looking for units in this manner.

Good luck - Alliance is a great choice and direction.

[SGhost]

Hope you have your tow vehicle lined up as people are freeking out over lack of availability/choice.