Alice, Your face was saying this might be the right RV for you. Larry, You zoomed past us at the Tampa RV Show. You may have some health problems, but you sure can move quickly. Good health to you.
John, Sorry we didn’t get a chance to say hi. Larry has limited spouts of energy and must use them widely 😉 I was impressed by a lot in this floorplan, Alice
@DownsizingMakesCents not very long. I am still in the process of moving from my Lance truck camper into the G3500. There is plenty of space for storage. My truck camper has very little storage, so there's not much to transfer. The quality of Brinkley is simply amazing. I've been inside many RVs, and none impressed me as much as the G3500. I really like the versatility of the garage. The kitchen is one of the selling points for me as I can create and test pizzas. I have a wood-fired pizza concession trailer business. The G3500 is the perfect support solution for my business. Plus, my grandchildren have a place for sleepovers.
@@BuellXB12SDucati1198 thats a major transition from a truck camper. Love that it helps with your unique business - would love to have a pizza right now 😁 - AND is fun for the grandkids. So awesome. Thanks for sharing your unique story 🤗 Alice
I noticed at the last show the most of the spring hangers are reinforced now, but I think the I-beam needs to be reinforced at the spring hanger connection and the entire length between Spring hangers, when we buy a new rig, I’m gonna take it to Texas trailers and ham, reinforce spring hanger to Spring hanger. Larry
@@DownsizingMakesCents Probably a good idea to reinforce the frame ! Whatever you end up buying . Would be money well spent in my opinion! Thanks for the reply ! 😁👍🇺🇸
@@ralphp3057Ralph, it’s funny how experience shapes future choices. Frames, clearance and suspension are real concerns. And we try to get back to everyone. One issue is UA-cam doesn’t notify us if there are comments on comments. 🤗 Alice
This is a nice Rv fifth wheel. I was wondering if you liked it yourselves. It looked like you were ready to buy! The looks on your faces looked like you thinking yes finally! You looked happy. I loved the collapsible dog bowls. I like Brinkley. I love the colors inside. Thank you for showing this model. Hope you find a great Rv that fits you perfect. Have a great week. See you soon!
Rosie and I traded from a Solitude by Grand Design to a Z-3100 by Brinkley. Our first road trip after buying last year in May was a summer trip to Alaska. After returning we did a few upgrades (another solar panel, and a 3000-watt inverter). Then we headed for the LTVA just outside of Yuma, Az. where we lived off grid for the winter. It is a great unit backed by the best people! Burlington Bill busking on the road and here on You-Tube.
Glad to hear you are happy with your Brinkley. And a trip to Alaska keeps getting put off, sadly. Sounds like you have off gridding down. Safe travels 🤗 Alice
We purchased our Z3100 and love it!! Lots of storage and the decor is very attractive. We have given private tours because other campers want to see for themselves and they walk away impressed each time.
@@DownsizingMakesCents hey Alice, we sold our house and bought the Brinkley in Sept of last year. We live in our RV full time and we are first timers. We travel within our own state for now so we give ourselves a chance to learn this lifestyle. This has all been well worth it! We did 2 years of research to arrive on our choice of 5th wheels and have no regrets.
@@karlapeck1358Karla, That’s awesome. And our first year was just in Florida because Larry was still working - except for the 3 months in Canada. 🇨🇦 Good luck. Hope you continue to enjoy it, Alice
The Brinkley is my fav. This is the second year they are out. Our friends ordered the 3100 and will take delivery shortly. We are waiting for their travel trailer models to come out. We’ve never owned a 5th wheel,
We were very impressed with the Brinkleys....we were looking at the 2 toy haulers. From the solid wood drawers & cabinets to there pull out pantry , Wendy was impressed. The bath room & bed room did not disappoint either. With great lighting many drawers and closet space. Again solid wood. Window trim & no carlet also impressed the wife. For me the tie down system to collapsing bathroom in garage was cool, with 4 season doors awning , lighting, and speakers & TV that can be used from the ramp/deck area with 17 1/2 inch tires to boot. Also had 3 ...yes 3 slide out trays for tools & accessories Solar installed with 900 Amp hr batteries. Not cheap...but we thought it was fair to decent for quality & options we could see. They are at the top of our list Curious to see what you think & get.
I love all the windows Alice,and the pantey....yes please! When we were in South Dakota last year,we saw one going down the road. It's indeed a looker!!!
@DownsizingMakesCents totally understand. We got a Grand Design Imagine 22 reb. It has just what we need and nothing more. We are not fulltime. But we got a seasonal site this year from May 1st to Oct 16th. We will only come home for special events and to check on the house every couple of weeks and mow the lawn. I figured it would be a good way to see if we could handle more than a month in our tiny home. We are located where we can take day trips to see new things without towing which will save us money. Like you, we have a tifht budget. Living off social security means you have to think smart when it comes to our money.
@@debyarger3084Sorry for late reply- UA-cam doesn’t notify about comments on comments 😁 Smart thinking to test it out like you are. Looks like our home port is going to have to wait - which might be good - will land prices go down? Looks like RV prices are. Glad you found a rig right for you, too, hug😊 Alice
I have heard great stuff about Brinkley, but have also seen and heard they are very proud of them in the price. lol They for sure seem to have some thing better than others, but as Larry pointed out still went cheap on some things like the pin box which in the end is a massive deal. Overall very nice though. Good luck on your search.
Did I hear you say "Schwintek controller"? My understanding was that Brinkley does not use Schwintek, at least that's what one of their inside sales folks said. The two big slides are hydraulic, and the closet slide is a Lippert Slim Rack.
Michael, That’s great to read. We do wish they had something smaller and lighter - this one is pretty close to our current GD. So not much downsizing 😉 Alice
i moved the spare tire and added another spare , i placed then in between the2 axles , the reason is most of the time placing the spare tire on the rear you may bottom out the rear and i have seen were people have ripped off the spare from its mounts, . placing in bettween the 2 axles protects the tires , . i also installed a propane tank under the trailer instead of in a locked compartment 30 gal unit , and is filler is on the right side of the trailer.
That’s cool I’d love to see how you mounted that tire between the axles, it may be more difficult to get to it, but definitely better protected from bottoming out. Larry
Love Brinkley's.. they where on the short list for our fifth wheel purchase. Sadly, they haven't come out with either a front living room or a rear kitchen floorplan yet.. when they do.. it's going to be really hard not to upgrade from our Sanibel!
Love watching your videos! If the slides are in (road mode), can I get access to the bedroom/toilet, and fridge?? You left that out and I was hoping you could let me know. Your honesty is appreciated. I think if there is no access, you folks will not get this unit, that, and the pin box.
There’s two entrances to bathroom I mentioned in video - from hallway and from bedroom. The bedroom entrance would be blocked. If you look at the floor plan, you can still get to the fridge but not pantry / much line our current rig. Maybe there’s a video out there of all slides in? We did that for our GD, Alice
I really like that unit.. I like it so much I'll go in on it 50/50.. You can use it October to March then I'll use it the remainder of the year... Sounds good ? Thanks DMC
8:40 I have been watching Brinkley for some time via their videos and a young couple on the UA-cam app. I would make sure the frame is up to the task, however. Did Lippert make the frame for them? Is it a beefy frame, up to the task? It is sensational looking (Z 2900). I can vouch for Lippert hydraulic slides, of which I have four. To date they have not failed even once. Wishing you wisdom in your choice! Best regards, John J
It seems like all the fifth wheel manufacturers use lippert frames that they have added their own tweaks and touches too but they all have weaknesses on the frame where the spring hangers attach, this area should be reinforced with some extra steel to stiffen it up. Larry
I’ve seen a lot of videos on Brinkleys. Nice upgrades. But my biggest questions would be about customer service and accountability. There’s just too many problems that stem from production, but don’t show up until later…usually right after the warranty runs out. Look at all the frame flexing, which is a quality or production issue, and not from customer use. I think people are tired of getting the run-around every time something comes up, and then having to pay exorbitant extra amounts of money to fix or replace something that is not an issue of their making. Sorry for the rant, but it’s true. I think you’d be happy with a Brinkley, but I’d give Alliance another look, too. Good luck! 😊
Dawn, I get it completely. It’s such a new company - but Alliance is pretty new, too - who knows how the rigs will last or what customer service will be like once they are bigger. Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents It’s so true. But when they’re new, they try harder because they have a reputation to build. Perfect time to find every flaw and see what they do about it, and how long it takes. It’s just my opinion, but I’d take advantage of their current status. Of course, price is a big driver, and they’re pricey. Anyway, I’m excited to see what you guys choose to do. You make this situation actually a bit of fun. I love the positivity!
Yes and no. This Brinkley reminds me of our Solitude with some tweaks. I’m just wary of any RV labeled “luxury” I’d rather they spend the money on things like better frame and suspension than pretty gadgets, Alice
Couple of points: it appears to be a Lippert frame assembly / construction. Is the metal the same diameter as is on Grand Designs, which are cracking / breaking? As I recall, Lippert dropped thickness from 1/4” to 3/8”. Secondly $100K - are you serious that is the smaller version price of their lineup? Sorry, but for that price, I’d wait a few production runs more to see how these things really hold up over time.
Michael, Excellent points. Hope people read your comment- I would pin it, but we need ours pinned 😉 People jump on new companies but they have no history? And the frame is a huge issue. Lippert products across the board seem to be losing quality? Because they practically have a monopoly so why improve? Alice
Very nice floorpan. Compared to the GD S2930RL, the extra window in the bedroom allowing cross ventilation is great. Surprised the windows only open 6 inches. I am a fan of the traditional windows that either slide left-right or up-down allowing full breeze flow. Downside is if it is raining ... then water can come in if left open. The storage without the drop frame makes it harder to do work on the mechanical systems underneath ... wish they had a drop frame. Also noticed Grand Design is no longer offering a drop frame on their new Influence lineup. The frame reinforcement with the V-channel in the leaf spring hangers is something many manufacturers started in 2020. Glad Brinkley is using brass fittings in their Pex and hopefully not using the flex hose with Pex connections like GD and Alliance have been using. Looks like someone is selling a used 2022 GD S2930 in Tampa ... still up on Facebook Marketplace for $60K - might be able to negotiate some more off of that one.
I don’t know much about the influence brand at gd, we should have checked out gd at the show but Alice is done with gd! Haha. I like the storage with the drop frame but not the reduced clearance, it’s one of the classic tradeoffs in fifth wheels. Larry
I think the lack of a drop frame may increase frame durability because the drop frame is usually of a smaller size and many of the recent frame failures are in the front part of the fifth wheel (except for yours … that was the main frame rails). Fully understand the sentiment towards GD with your failure … saw a similar issue years back with Open Range/Highland Ridge. A new company like Brinkley or Alliance will definitely stand behind their product more (Open Range did so for us back in 2014 replacing our slide wall on our prior 2010 5th wheel at no cost to us). I think the quality is similar across the industry - so whatever we can do to reinforce, bullet-proof whatever we get is important. And finding a company that will provide service without forcing you through hoops is helpful too. Or better yet - find a used model in great shape with an overall good reputation and enjoy.
John, It seems that Lippert has close to a monopoly? But each manufacturer chooses what parts to put in their rig and with what specs. If I could afford to custom build a fifth wheel, Lippert would not be involved, Alice
Personally, i don't like a 5th wheel or a bumper pull. They are just too light and flimsy for my taste. We LOVE our 45,600 pound class A! It feels rugged and secure. We have a 2009 Revolution LE 42K. I really do like the floor plan you are showing. Even though I would prefer no island, I do like features! Best wishes and good luck in finding your next RV.
Kathy, That’s a beast - 45,600 pounds? Wow. Kind of reminds me of driving our dually after driving my kids Prius 😁 Glad you found the set up that’s right for you. We are still looking- and appreciate the support. 🤗 Alice
Hi there, That suspension/frame is slightly enforced, however there is much more to be done if you plan on towing it a lot- I know you do 😎 I’ve done a lot of research and I have some suggestions that will help with the longevity of the frame, some areas of enforcement needed and crossmembers added. I plan to do this to my own camper and make a few UA-cam videos about it in the coming months. I’d be happy to share with you or talk live sometime. Let me know if you’d like to connect, I may have some UA-cam questions for you too. Happy searching for your new camper. Thanks for the channel.
The 2024 G3500 is $225000 dollars up here in Canada. And that doesn’t include any tax. Which is some provinces is around 12 percent when you have provincial and gst. That brings it up to over a quarter million dollars. That’s insane for a travel trailer. Guess I’ll stick with my 2019 GD.
If only it was a bit smaller overall 😁 Windows open more than our GD, but 2 windows don’t open at all in slide? It’s very heavy, too. It would be like buying an upgraded version of what we have with less storage. If we could only “ Frankenstein” what we love on all the rigs we saw 😄 Alice
I would still recommend the Alliance Avenue over the Brinkley. Like Larry said Brinkley uses a cheap pin box which you would have to swap out. Also the exterior steps are awkward to use. I feel the pantry shelves are not near deep enough for full time use. I agree with you that the toilet placement is awkward. Good luck with your search!
Then he says they came from Grand Deception............. now I'm worried. The only thing I want to flex is my wilting muscles. 😂😂 I hope they left GD to make things better.
The true power it change this industry is with consumers. Demand better quality- be willing to pay for it. The industry won’t change until they lose money, Alice
Well no matter what travel trailer or 5th wheel trailer you buy the frames are junk a equipment trailer is made for heavy use there strongly built i have seen it done alot texas trailer has nice ones you could get one couple yrs old good luck hope everything works out for you
An attractive looking unit, by its weight i wd think its built stronger than the other same size more delicate ones ie the lippert framed ones oh my. good that it has crossbreeze in the bdrm. i hope those lr windows open more than the demonstrated 6 inch crack space. theres a vid on yt explaining how to make those type windows open a LOT wider. the guy used a fairly thin peice of metal, like a cheap nail file item but made of metal, same thickness though, and about 12 to 16 inches long. he drilled holes in the ends, and attached one end to the existing lever, and was then able to push the window open almost 90 degrees! let in a LOT more air!! larry shd easily be able to replicate what this guy did, its not hard. when closed, it then folds close to the original small level, near the window. great idea. no washer dryer hookup in this model i see. oh well, a lot of rvers just store a portable spinner washer in the shower stall, and use it IN the shower stall to prevent any leaks onto the floor. good idea. so much easier than the expense and treks to the laundromat, which may b closed AND u never know what pple have put in a commercial washer before YOU get to it. dog blankets, horse blankets, oily mechanic clothes/rags, sheets with bed bugs, oh my! more convenient to hook up the washer, throw the clothes in whenever u want, then go do kitchen chores or watch tv etc. so much easier, cheaper, faster.
Lauren, A lot of great points. I’m sure Larry could figure out a way to fix the windows. But why don’t the windows in the living room slide open at all ? Strange. Whatever we buy will be used so we don’t feel bad when we started customizing it, Alice
Did I miss it? I don’t see the price anywhere? Even read through the whole thing. I personally like this unit. But yes; you will have to get rid of more stuff to fit in here-- I don’t know where Larry’s tool shed is going to fit!
Sandra, We tried to talk to their “media” person, but I don’t like any RV manufacturer will “work with us.” We may be just a bit to outspoken about what we like and don’t like 😉 Alice
I don’t get it you want a good quality RV but don’t want to pay for it ? You bought cheap with Grand Design and want to pay that for a supposedly better quality product… I just don’t understand that thinking !
Remember Brinkley is only a few years old, problems may start to show up. I will say their quality of build truly amazed me at the Tampa rv super show, although it was hard to check them out because so many lookers were there. I plan to find a small dealer and go look at them again..
@@TonyBenton0728Tony, When we bought a GD Solitude, it was supposedly high quality. We are willing to pay if it’s what we want. Common sense. Brinkley is a new shiny penny with no track record and just a lot of bells and whistles If we find the floor plan we like, we are willing to pay for it. We just won’t pay extra because it’s “a shiny new toy” Alice
@@walterrafolski5662Walter, Excellent point. No real track record. For that price point, I was disappointed by some build issues. Let me know what you think after better inspection, Alice
Just a bit worried they will be just like GD. Start out great, listening to customers, strong customer service/support, and then they get bought out and it all goes to hell.
I have never seen a schwintek slide on a brinkley per your comment. Perhaps similar motors but they have always used slim rack a better design in my opinion. This unit and any unit at 30-32 feet is NOT going to have any space to hold everything you want to carry.....not now not ever. I also see the rhino box to work just fine with the Brinkley front cap....I see no reason to change it and it has a good weight rating and is not cheap as you say it is. It will have the same service life or longer than a moveable shock system that only offers a slight advantage and service life trumps repair any day of the week. We have enjoyed watchng you both but your journey for a new rv is a bit confusing. If I did not know what length of 5th wheel you wanted and just listened to your statements I would have to assume you are looking in the 35 to 40 foot length. Look forward to you next video.
plenty of full time rvers have the 32 or 33 ft 5th wheels; going longer than that strongly limits the spots you can get into and harder to tow in traffic for sure.
Donald, Sorry that we aren’t more clear in what we want. We thought in our “ins and outs” Who Won video we were clear we wanted smaller than our 35’ Solitude. There are plenty of full time RV travelers that are in a way smaller RV than we are even looking at. Brinkley just doesn’t have a track record and are too big and too expensive. But we think we found one. Stay tuned, Alice
![[ (NEW) Model! ] 2021 Montana 3231CK | New Montana Fifth Wheel Tour with Team Montana](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uprrq1WO6IM/mqdefault.jpg)
![[ (NEW) Model! ] 2021 Montana 3231CK | New Montana Fifth Wheel Tour with Team Montana](/img/tr.png)
Why do we NEED a new RV?
See in our playlist
ua-cam.com/play/PLTSSVhr0HOzigidMBV0lijdrVE3UsTilv.html&si=d8OQASJBhaPZdTNQ
Alice,
Your face was saying this might be the right RV for you.
Larry,
You zoomed past us at the Tampa RV Show. You may have some health problems, but you sure can move quickly. Good health to you.
John,
Sorry we didn’t get a chance to say hi. Larry has limited spouts of energy and must use them widely 😉
I was impressed by a lot in this floorplan,
Alice
I purchased the Brinkley G3500 and can't be happier. Love it.
How long have you had it?
@DownsizingMakesCents not very long. I am still in the process of moving from my Lance truck camper into the G3500. There is plenty of space for storage. My truck camper has very little storage, so there's not much to transfer. The quality of Brinkley is simply amazing. I've been inside many RVs, and none impressed me as much as the G3500. I really like the versatility of the garage. The kitchen is one of the selling points for me as I can create and test pizzas. I have a wood-fired pizza concession trailer business. The G3500 is the perfect support solution for my business. Plus, my grandchildren have a place for sleepovers.
@@BuellXB12SDucati1198 thats a major transition from a truck camper.
Love that it helps with your unique business - would love to have a pizza right now 😁 - AND is fun for the grandkids.
So awesome. Thanks for sharing your unique story 🤗
Alice
Good tour of that unit ! I noticed how some companies are not beefing up the frames in failure areas ! How about that ? Thanks for sharing! 👍😁
I noticed at the last show the most of the spring hangers are reinforced now, but I think the I-beam needs to be reinforced at the spring hanger connection and the entire length between Spring hangers, when we buy a new rig, I’m gonna take it to Texas trailers and ham, reinforce spring hanger to Spring hanger. Larry
@@DownsizingMakesCents Probably a good idea to reinforce the frame ! Whatever you end up buying . Would be money well spent in my opinion! Thanks for the reply ! 😁👍🇺🇸
@@ralphp3057Ralph, it’s funny how experience shapes future choices. Frames, clearance and suspension are real concerns.
And we try to get back to everyone.
One issue is UA-cam doesn’t notify us if there are comments on comments. 🤗
Alice
This is a nice Rv fifth wheel. I was wondering if you liked it yourselves. It looked like you were ready to buy! The looks on your faces looked like you thinking yes finally! You looked happy. I loved the collapsible dog bowls. I like Brinkley. I love the colors inside. Thank you for showing this model. Hope you find a great Rv that fits you perfect. Have a great week. See you soon!
Sherri,
We were initially very impressed by some of the features.
But overall? It’s not right for us. Plus we can’t afford it 😁
Alice
Rosie and I traded from a Solitude by Grand Design to a Z-3100 by Brinkley. Our first road trip after buying last year in May was a summer trip to Alaska. After returning we did a few upgrades (another solar panel, and a 3000-watt inverter). Then we headed for the LTVA just outside of Yuma, Az. where we lived off grid for the winter. It is a great unit backed by the best people! Burlington Bill busking on the road and here on You-Tube.
Glad to hear you are happy with your Brinkley. And a trip to Alaska keeps getting put off, sadly.
Sounds like you have off gridding down.
Safe travels 🤗
Alice
We purchased our Z3100 and love it!! Lots of storage and the decor is very attractive. We have given private tours because other campers want to see for themselves and they walk away impressed each time.
Karla,
How long have you had it and how often do you use it? Ever take it “off road”
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents hey Alice, we sold our house and bought the Brinkley in Sept of last year. We live in our RV full time and we are first timers. We travel within our own state for now so we give ourselves a chance to learn this lifestyle. This has all been well worth it! We did 2 years of research to arrive on our choice of 5th wheels and have no regrets.
@@karlapeck1358Karla,
That’s awesome. And our first year was just in Florida because Larry was still working - except for the 3 months in Canada. 🇨🇦
Good luck. Hope you continue to enjoy it,
Alice
The Brinkley is my fav. This is the second year they are out. Our friends ordered the 3100 and will take delivery shortly. We are waiting for their travel trailer models to come out. We’ve never owned a 5th wheel,
They have some interesting upgrades.
Alice
We were very impressed with the Brinkleys....we were looking at the 2 toy haulers.
From the solid wood drawers & cabinets to there pull out pantry , Wendy was impressed.
The bath room & bed room did not disappoint either. With great lighting many drawers and closet space. Again solid wood.
Window trim & no carlet also impressed the wife.
For me the tie down system to collapsing bathroom in garage was cool, with 4 season doors awning , lighting, and speakers & TV that can be used from the ramp/deck area with 17 1/2 inch tires to boot. Also had 3 ...yes 3 slide out trays for tools & accessories
Solar installed with 900 Amp hr batteries.
Not cheap...but we thought it was fair to decent for quality & options we could see.
They are at the top of our list
Curious to see what you think & get.
Rob,
You sound like a Brinkley salesman 😉
That do have some impressive features.
We are still looking,
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents 🙂🙂‼️
That rig looks good on you two.👍🏼😎
Rick, the price tag doesn’t 😁
Alice
I love all the windows Alice,and the pantey....yes please! When we were in South Dakota last year,we saw one going down the road. It's indeed a looker!!!
Deb,
It definitely looks pretty inside and out.
But we won’t be fooled by tags like “luxury” again.
We want practical. Not pretty 😉
Alice
@DownsizingMakesCents totally understand. We got a Grand Design Imagine 22 reb. It has just what we need and nothing more. We are not fulltime. But we got a seasonal site this year from May 1st to Oct 16th. We will only come home for special events and to check on the house every couple of weeks and mow the lawn. I figured it would be a good way to see if we could handle more than a month in our tiny home. We are located where we can take day trips to see new things without towing which will save us money. Like you, we have a tifht budget. Living off social security means you have to think smart when it comes to our money.
@@debyarger3084Sorry for late reply- UA-cam doesn’t notify about comments on comments 😁
Smart thinking to test it out like you are.
Looks like our home port is going to have to wait - which might be good - will land prices go down? Looks like RV prices are.
Glad you found a rig right for you, too, hug😊
Alice
Our friends purchased the one you're looking at and Love it
Kent,
Glad they found a rig that works for them,
Alice
this will be our next new rig we love Brinkley
Richard,
Which model?
Congratulations
Alice
the 2900@@DownsizingMakesCents
@@richardsmith-io2islet us know how you like it after you get some time in it,
Alice
I have heard great stuff about Brinkley, but have also seen and heard they are very proud of them in the price. lol They for sure seem to have some thing better than others, but as Larry pointed out still went cheap on some things like the pin box which in the end is a massive deal. Overall very nice though. Good luck on your search.
William, you hit it. Spent money on looks instead of things like pin box,
Alice
Did I hear you say "Schwintek controller"? My understanding was that Brinkley does not use Schwintek, at least that's what one of their inside sales folks said. The two big slides are hydraulic, and the closet slide is a Lippert Slim Rack.
I think that Brinkley had a shwintec but I understand the are using a new brand. Larry
We traded our Grand Design Reflection 337RLS for the Brinkley Z3100 7 months ago. We have just over 6K miles on Z and is hands down better the GD!!
Michael,
That’s great to read. We do wish they had something smaller and lighter - this one is pretty close to our current GD. So not much downsizing 😉
Alice
i moved the spare tire and added another spare , i placed then in between the2 axles , the reason is most of the time placing the spare tire on the rear you may bottom out the rear and i have seen were people have ripped off the spare from its mounts, . placing in bettween the 2 axles protects the tires , . i also installed a propane tank under the trailer instead of in a locked compartment 30 gal unit , and is filler is on the right side of the trailer.
That’s cool I’d love to see how you mounted that tire between the axles, it may be more difficult to get to it, but definitely better protected from bottoming out. Larry
Love Brinkley's.. they where on the short list for our fifth wheel purchase. Sadly, they haven't come out with either a front living room or a rear kitchen floorplan yet.. when they do.. it's going to be really hard not to upgrade from our Sanibel!
Kris,
I know what you mean.
I wish they had a 30’ not as tall
Alice
Love watching your videos! If the slides are in (road mode), can I get access to the bedroom/toilet, and fridge?? You left that out and I was hoping you could let me know. Your honesty is appreciated. I think if there is no access, you folks will not get this unit, that, and the pin box.
There’s two entrances to bathroom I mentioned in video - from hallway and from bedroom. The bedroom entrance would be blocked.
If you look at the floor plan, you can still get to the fridge but not pantry / much line our current rig.
Maybe there’s a video out there of all slides in? We did that for our GD,
Alice
The idea guys took note of campers reflectix in the windows to keep out blazing Summer heat. Bubble wrap and hairdryer plastic in Winter. Very nice
We were impressed with some of the ideas - like the one you mention,
Alice
Nice floor pan and extras!
Barb,
It is nice to look at 😉
Alice
I really like that unit.. I like it so much I'll go in on it 50/50.. You can use it October to March then I'll use it the remainder of the year... Sounds good ? Thanks DMC
About the only way we could afford it 😉
8:40 I have been watching Brinkley for some time via their videos and a young couple on the UA-cam app. I would make sure the frame is up to the task, however. Did Lippert make the frame for them? Is it a beefy frame, up to the task? It is sensational looking (Z 2900). I can vouch for Lippert hydraulic slides, of which I have four. To date they have not failed even once. Wishing you wisdom in your choice!
Best regards, John J
It seems like all the fifth wheel manufacturers use lippert frames that they have added their own tweaks and touches too but they all have weaknesses on the frame where the spring hangers attach, this area should be reinforced with some extra steel to stiffen it up. Larry
I’ve seen a lot of videos on Brinkleys. Nice upgrades. But my biggest questions would be about customer service and accountability. There’s just too many problems that stem from production, but don’t show up until later…usually right after the warranty runs out. Look at all the frame flexing, which is a quality or production issue, and not from customer use. I think people are tired of getting the run-around every time something comes up, and then having to pay exorbitant extra amounts of money to fix or replace something that is not an issue of their making.
Sorry for the rant, but it’s true. I think you’d be happy with a Brinkley, but I’d give Alliance another look, too. Good luck! 😊
Dawn,
I get it completely.
It’s such a new company - but Alliance is pretty new, too - who knows how the rigs will last or what customer service will be like once they are bigger.
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents It’s so true. But when they’re new, they try harder because they have a reputation to build. Perfect time to find every flaw and see what they do about it, and how long it takes.
It’s just my opinion, but I’d take advantage of their current status. Of course, price is a big driver, and they’re pricey.
Anyway, I’m excited to see what you guys choose to do. You make this situation actually a bit of fun. I love the positivity!
@@dawnklein3158 more great points I didn’t think of about a new company.
And thanks - we try to be informative but not in a boring way 😉
Alice
Does it give you pause that the guys in charge of Brinkley are the same quys that were in charge of Grand Design????
Yes and no.
This Brinkley reminds me of our Solitude with some tweaks.
I’m just wary of any RV labeled “luxury”
I’d rather they spend the money on things like better frame and suspension than pretty gadgets,
Alice
one of the rigs we have been looking at also Alliance good looking rigs
Allan,
We checked them out - many fifth wheel plans block the bedroom and or bathroom?
Alice
Couple of points: it appears to be a Lippert frame assembly / construction. Is the metal the same diameter as is on Grand Designs, which are cracking / breaking? As I recall, Lippert dropped thickness from 1/4” to 3/8”. Secondly $100K - are you serious that is the smaller version price of their lineup? Sorry, but for that price, I’d wait a few production runs more to see how these things really hold up over time.
Michael,
Excellent points. Hope people read your comment- I would pin it, but we need ours pinned 😉
People jump on new companies but they have no history?
And the frame is a huge issue. Lippert products across the board seem to be losing quality? Because they practically have a monopoly so why improve?
Alice
Grand Design started out the same way then got gobbled up and now look at them.
That’s a definite issue - they are so new, what will they be like in a couple of years?
Alice
Very nice floorpan. Compared to the GD S2930RL, the extra window in the bedroom allowing cross ventilation is great. Surprised the windows only open 6 inches. I am a fan of the traditional windows that either slide left-right or up-down allowing full breeze flow. Downside is if it is raining ... then water can come in if left open. The storage without the drop frame makes it harder to do work on the mechanical systems underneath ... wish they had a drop frame. Also noticed Grand Design is no longer offering a drop frame on their new Influence lineup. The frame reinforcement with the V-channel in the leaf spring hangers is something many manufacturers started in 2020. Glad Brinkley is using brass fittings in their Pex and hopefully not using the flex hose with Pex connections like GD and Alliance have been using.
Looks like someone is selling a used 2022 GD S2930 in Tampa ... still up on Facebook Marketplace for $60K - might be able to negotiate some more off of that one.
I don’t know much about the influence brand at gd, we should have checked out gd at the show but Alice is done with gd! Haha. I like the storage with the drop frame but not the reduced clearance, it’s one of the classic tradeoffs in fifth wheels. Larry
I think the lack of a drop frame may increase frame durability because the drop frame is usually of a smaller size and many of the recent frame failures are in the front part of the fifth wheel (except for yours … that was the main frame rails). Fully understand the sentiment towards GD with your failure … saw a similar issue years back with Open Range/Highland Ridge.
A new company like Brinkley or Alliance will definitely stand behind their product more (Open Range did so for us back in 2014 replacing our slide wall on our prior 2010 5th wheel at no cost to us).
I think the quality is similar across the industry - so whatever we can do to reinforce, bullet-proof whatever we get is important. And finding a company that will provide service without forcing you through hoops is helpful too.
Or better yet - find a used model in great shape with an overall good reputation and enjoy.
Who built the trailer, same as grand design?
John,
It seems that Lippert has close to a monopoly?
But each manufacturer chooses what parts to put in their rig and with what specs.
If I could afford to custom build a fifth wheel, Lippert would not be involved,
Alice
Personally, i don't like a 5th wheel or a bumper pull. They are just too light and flimsy for my taste. We LOVE our 45,600 pound class A! It feels rugged and secure. We have a 2009 Revolution LE 42K.
I really do like the floor plan you are showing. Even though I would prefer no island, I do like features!
Best wishes and good luck in finding your next RV.
Kathy,
That’s a beast - 45,600 pounds? Wow.
Kind of reminds me of driving our dually after driving my kids Prius 😁
Glad you found the set up that’s right for you.
We are still looking- and appreciate the support. 🤗
Alice
I like it!
Brad,
Want to buy it for us 😉
Alice
Beautiful camper.
Mark,
It is pretty 😁
Alice
Hi there,
That suspension/frame is slightly enforced, however there is much more to be done if you plan on towing it a lot- I know you do 😎
I’ve done a lot of research and I have some suggestions that will help with the longevity of the frame, some areas of enforcement needed and crossmembers added.
I plan to do this to my own camper and make a few UA-cam videos about it in the coming months. I’d be happy to share with you or talk live sometime. Let me know if you’d like to connect, I may have some UA-cam questions for you too. Happy searching for your new camper. Thanks for the channel.
Email us. We definitely want a “stronger” RV
Alice
Hi there,
I went to your website and sent a “contact us” message.
@@HawtSawz86We never got it. Sorry.
Email alice@downsizingmakescents.com
The 2024 G3500 is $225000 dollars up here in Canada. And that doesn’t include any tax. Which is some provinces is around 12 percent when you have provincial and gst. That brings it up to over a quarter million dollars. That’s insane for a travel trailer. Guess I’ll stick with my 2019 GD.
The bigger they are the more expensive
We kind of see Brinkley as a Grand Design with more “bells and whistles”
Alice
Yeah a dropped frame would be nice👍🇺🇲
Agreed
Looks like your gonna have to increase your budget lol. This fits everything you want. $$$
If only it was a bit smaller overall 😁
Windows open more than our GD, but 2 windows don’t open at all in slide?
It’s very heavy, too.
It would be like buying an upgraded version of what we have with less storage.
If we could only “ Frankenstein” what we love on all the rigs we saw 😄
Alice
I would still recommend the Alliance Avenue over the Brinkley. Like Larry said Brinkley uses a cheap pin box which you would have to swap out. Also the exterior steps are awkward to use. I feel the pantry shelves are not near deep enough for full time use. I agree with you that the toilet placement is awkward. Good luck with your search!
@@robertburns5145Robert, thanks.
We think we found our floor plan. Stay tuned 😉
Alice
I'm sure it's been asked dozens of times, but what about the price?
Sorry. Prices weren’t out the day we filmed because it wasn’t a public day.
But it’s around $100,000 sticker
Certainly not a New Horizons, but also less than half the price. Much better than Grand Designs or other like RVs.
Rodger, it’s a good looking rig. We didn’t want another heavy rig that’s so wide and tall like our Solitude
Alice
Brinkley, please save the RV industry!!!!!!!
Then he says they came from Grand Deception............. now I'm worried. The only thing I want to flex is my wilting muscles. 😂😂 I hope they left GD to make things better.
The true power it change this industry is with consumers. Demand better quality- be willing to pay for it.
The industry won’t change until they lose money,
Alice
Take the buyout buy a tri axle equipment trailer put your trailer on top of it bolt it to new trailer lots of people have them on youtube
Sounds expensive
Well no matter what travel trailer or 5th wheel trailer you buy the frames are junk a equipment trailer is made for heavy use there strongly built i have seen it done alot texas trailer has nice ones you could get one couple yrs old good luck hope everything works out for you
@@daveallison1888Thank you
An attractive looking unit, by its weight i wd think its built stronger than the other same size more delicate ones ie the lippert framed ones oh my. good that it has crossbreeze in the bdrm. i hope those lr windows open more than the demonstrated 6 inch crack space. theres a vid on yt explaining how to make those type windows open a LOT wider. the guy used a fairly thin peice of metal, like a cheap nail file item but made of metal, same thickness though, and about 12 to 16 inches long. he drilled holes in the ends, and attached one end to the existing lever, and was then able to push the window open almost 90 degrees! let in a LOT more air!! larry shd easily be able to replicate what this guy did, its not hard. when closed, it then folds close to the original small level, near the window. great idea.
no washer dryer hookup in this model i see. oh well, a lot of rvers just store a portable spinner washer in the shower stall, and use it IN the shower stall to prevent any leaks onto the floor. good idea. so much easier than the expense and treks to the laundromat, which may b closed AND u never know what pple have put in a commercial washer before YOU get to it. dog blankets, horse blankets, oily mechanic clothes/rags, sheets with bed bugs, oh my! more convenient to hook up the washer, throw the clothes in whenever u want, then go do kitchen chores or watch tv etc. so much easier, cheaper, faster.
Lauren,
A lot of great points. I’m sure Larry could figure out a way to fix the windows.
But why don’t the windows in the living room slide open at all ? Strange.
Whatever we buy will be used so we don’t feel bad when we started customizing it,
Alice
It is a very nice rig, but yes, I'd rather have all the kinks worked out before considering a "new on the market" rig.
Agree
Did I miss it? I don’t see the price anywhere? Even read through the whole thing.
I personally like this unit.
But yes; you will have to get rid of more stuff to fit in here-- I don’t know where Larry’s tool shed is going to fit!
Tool shed 🤣 Prices were not out yet - we went on Industry Day.
But sticker is around $100,000 MSRP
Alice
Would Brinkley be willing to work with you on some of the concerns you mentioned and on the price? This one seems to fit more of your check boxes.
Sandra,
We tried to talk to their “media” person, but I don’t like any RV manufacturer will “work with us.” We may be just a bit to outspoken about what we like and don’t like 😉
Alice
I don’t get it you want a good quality RV but don’t want to pay for it ? You bought cheap with Grand Design and want to pay that for a supposedly better quality product… I just don’t understand that thinking !
Remember Brinkley is only a few years old, problems may start to show up. I will say their quality of build truly amazed me at the Tampa rv super show, although it was hard to check them out because so many lookers were there. I plan to find a small dealer and go look at them again..
@@TonyBenton0728Tony,
When we bought a GD Solitude, it was supposedly high quality.
We are willing to pay if it’s what we want. Common sense.
Brinkley is a new shiny penny with no track record and just a lot of bells and whistles
If we find the floor plan we like, we are willing to pay for it.
We just won’t pay extra because it’s “a shiny new toy”
Alice
@@walterrafolski5662Walter,
Excellent point. No real track record.
For that price point, I was disappointed by some build issues.
Let me know what you think after better inspection,
Alice
Hope your finding what you are looking.
Mazie,
Thank you. We are still looking,
Alice
You’re not going to find a perfect camper. Pick the one better quality, more features you like and best warranty.
Theo,
Thanks. We actually plan on compromising and converting,
Alice
Just a bit worried they will be just like GD. Start out great, listening to customers, strong customer service/support, and then they get bought out and it all goes to hell.
I was thinking the same thing.
Alice
👍🇺🇲
🤗
Alice
I'm not sure you like having an island.
Stephen,
I would prefer not to have an island. We are still looking,
Alice
I have never seen a schwintek slide on a brinkley per your comment. Perhaps similar motors but they have always used slim rack a better design in my opinion. This unit and any unit at 30-32 feet is NOT going to have any space to hold everything you want to carry.....not now not ever. I also see the rhino box to work just fine with the Brinkley front cap....I see no reason to change it and it has a good weight rating and is not cheap as you say it is. It will have the same service life or longer than a moveable shock system that only offers a slight advantage and service life trumps repair any day of the week. We have enjoyed watchng you both but your journey for a new rv is a bit confusing. If I did not know what length of 5th wheel you wanted and just listened to your statements I would have to assume you are looking in the 35 to 40 foot length. Look forward to you next video.
plenty of full time rvers have the 32 or 33 ft 5th wheels; going longer than that strongly limits the spots you can get into and harder to tow in traffic for sure.
@@Lauren-vd4qeGreat points 🤗
Donald,
Sorry that we aren’t more clear in what we want.
We thought in our “ins and outs” Who Won video we were clear we wanted smaller than our 35’ Solitude.
There are plenty of full time RV travelers that are in a way smaller RV than we are even looking at.
Brinkley just doesn’t have a track record and are too big and too expensive.
But we think we found one. Stay tuned,
Alice
its fun to look at all different types! @@DownsizingMakesCents
Get your dog off the furniture, you don’t own it, how disrespectful
We asked the Brinkley rep
My dog was more respectful of the rig than the thousands of people trampling through.
Alice
👍👍👍
Glad you like it,
Alice