Solitude 310GK vs. Paradigm 310RL?

[RVwino]

Hi All,
We’re spending about 8-9 months/year in our motorhome. Since we both like to cook, we are still thinking of switching to a 5er to get more counter space and more kitchen storage. The rear living room is really appealing to us, as well.

On the surface, both 310’s appear to be twins. For those of you who looked at both, what factors caused you to choose the Solitude? Any buyers remorse?
Thanks,
Cliff

 

[Calbar]

Hi All,
We’re spending about 8-9 months/year in our motorhome. Since we both like to cook, we are still thinking of switching to a 5er to get more counter space and more kitchen storage. The rear living room is really appealing to us, as well.

On the surface, both 310’s appear to be twins. For those of you who looked at both, what factors caused you to choose the Solitude? Any buyers remorse?
Thanks,
Cliff

We looked at both the Solitude and an Alliance Paradigm. There were some things about the Paradigm that we really liked such as the Azdel construction and the PVC roofing. The problem was that the fit and finish in the model of Paradigm that we looked at was terrible. Cabinet drawers that didn't close properly, floors that squeaked so bad that I thought the trailer was 10 years old or more. DW also didn't like the very "white" walls in the Paradigm either. When we looked at the Solitude there were things that needed som TLC from the dealer but overall fit and finish was considerably better. No buyers remorse so far. We did have first and second trip issues that the dealer fixed but so far so good.

Rob

 

[Second Chance]

We have not looked at the Paradigm RVs - but we've lived in a Solitude 310GK-R for 4-1/2 years. Absolutely no buyers remorse. We moved up from a Reflection 337RLS and the driving factors for us were:

1) The kitchen - absolutely fantastic (and so is the 18 cu. ft. residential refrigerator). Laura has done everything in this kitchen from make tamales (yes, from scratch) to panettone for the holidays.

2) The amount of glass to let light in and the fact that we ordered dual pane windows. Much more comfortable in both the summer and winter - and quieter, too.

3) We stuck with Grand Design because we were happy with the quality of our Reflection and we were treated well by GD and our dealership.

We didn't know it when we ordered it, but our unit has the quietest furnace I've ever heard in an RV, too. We can barely hear it cycle.

If you have specific questions, ask away.

(another) Rob

 

[traveldawg]

We don't regret getting our 310GK-R. We've lived in it while traveling for up to 7 months. Plenty of room for us. And, like you, came from a Class A (36' pusher).

Things that come to mind (we've only looked at Alliance, but seem to still favor GD; but it mostly comes from interior ascetics).

GD puts washer dryer closet into one space. Paradigm puts them in a closet on opposite sides (yuk).

GD ducted AC - seems a better solution than Paradigm's dump system.

Look at the kitchen island - seems to me that GD's is larger

GD has a small rear window (gosh I wish that was bigger; not sure why they don't change it)

Prefer the fireplace cabinetry in the GD over the Paradigm. The Paradigm's looks like an old style, cheap camper cabinet vs GD's furniture look (aren't I a fickle person).

Not a fan of that new high tech sink in the Solitude.

Are the Paradigm heat vents in the floors or hidden in the kitchen island like in the GD? Love that there are no floor registers in the GD.

Is the front compartment door taller on the Paradigm? Not sure. Will it open if hitched to truck.

Not a fan of an onboard generator (little use for it, the maintenance or cost).

Must haves: disc brakes (non ABS); MorRyde IS; 8000k axels; 3 Acs; double pane windows.

There ya have it - happy hunting... Safe travels....

 

[huntr70]

We looked at the Alliance brand when they first came out.

One thing that kept us from bringing them onto our lot was that the founders of the company are also the same people that had Heartland RV. Heartland RV is one of the worst companies on the planet for warranty coverage and payment (at a dealer level).

We had gone down that road with Heartland previously, and didn't really see much of a difference with Alliance...

 

[RVwino]

That’s exactly the kind of detail I was hoping to get, as we’re pretty critical people. We know that no unit will be perfect. We just want to be educated consumers.