Alliance RV Valor 42V13

Rather than label this new entry a toy hauler, the manufacturer calls it a multifunctional vehicle, since its potential uses go well beyond transporting recreational equipment.

By Mark Quasius, F333630
October 2021

The Valor represents Alliance RV’s second entry into the luxury fifth-wheel market. Based upon their wildly successful Paradigm fifth-wheel, the Valor is a toy hauler design that opens new avenues for RVers looking for the benefits of such a floor plan.

Alliance refers to the Valor line as “multifunctional vehicles,” which is an apt description, because rear garage floor plans have evolved and aren’t used just to transport ATVs, golf carts, motorcycles, kayaks, or other toys. Some also serve as large bedrooms, workshops, hobby rooms, offices, and so on. Alliance RV officials take pride in having some of the largest full-width garages, with lengths varying from 11 feet to 15 feet. We reviewed a unit with the 42V13 floor plan, a 44-foot vehicle with a 13-foot-long garage and a side patio.

Construction

The Valor is built on Alliance RV’s exclusive Benchmark chassis, which begins with 10-inch steel I-beam main rails. This design incorporates a flush upper deck and a unique running gear subframe consisting of 2-inch torsion tubes welded to the frame rails, eliminating the twist common to spring hangers that are welded directly to the I-beam flanges on the frame rails. These torque tubes allow the springs to function in perfect geometry, affording a smoother ride when towing.

Dexter 7,000-pound axles are fitted with springs rated at 4,000 pounds versus the 3,500-pound springs common to most fifth-wheels. Oversized, G-rated 14-ply tires give an extra bit of capacity. The cushioned MORryde CRE3000 suspension system upgrade is fitted with upsized ½-inch-thick spring shackles to prevent the shackle pin holes from wearing over time. In addition, the wet shackle bolts are equipped with grease fittings to prevent seizing and wear compared to the typical dry bolt and bushing design. The result is that the Valor tows effortlessly on the highway.

The Benchmark chassis also utilizes a drop-frame design that increases the volume of the basement storage space. The large holding tanks are encased in a heavy-duty steel cage that supports them if full when traveling. The black-water and gray-water holding tanks are molded to rest on full-length steel Z rails and are secured with straps to prevent shifting when in transit. The upper deck is built to be strong and flat to eliminate extra steps typically found in this space. The chassis also is equipped with a 2-inch rear accessory hitch for towing boats or other trailers.

The floor’s lightweight aluminum welded frame is fitted with fiberglass insulation and a reflective foil barrier. A durable woven poly-stranded material wraps the bottom of the floor, while a huge sheet of 5/8-inch Trubord covers the top. This engineered wood board is seamless and does not contain urea-formaldehyde resins that would outgas. It comes with a 25-year warranty.

Exterior

The Valor is built to high standards and is suitable for full-time use. The sidewall, rear wall, and slideout faces begin with a welded aluminum frame filled with block-foam insulation. This is sandwiched between the high-gloss fiberglass exterior and the Azdel composite substrate interior. Azdel is impervious to water and temperature changes. It is 50 percent lighter and has double the insulation value of lauan. The entire assembly is laminated and cured.

The roof structure is filled with fiberglass-batten insulation as well as a reflective Mylar layer. It is topped with a layer of Tufflex PVC seamless roof material that has a 15-year limited lifetime warranty. PVC is more puncture resistant than TPO roofs and is also bright white and reflective to help keep the RV cool.

The patio awnings feature dark material to block out more sunlight. They incorporate a friction and gas-strut system that works as a shock absorber for wind gusts and provides easy one-hand pitch adjustments.

A quick connection in the patio area makes it possible to use the onboard propane cylinders to fuel a gas grill or a patio heater. A pair of 30-pound propane cylinders is located near the front and equipped with an auto-changeover valve. An outside shower near the entry door makes it easy to clean up muddy feet before entering the RV.

Interior

The Valor features large flush-mounted atrium windows that provide plenty of natural light and a spectacular view. MCD roller shades supply privacy and sun blocking throughout the RV. LED lighting is used exclusively in the Valor.

Wood-plank-look Shaw-brand vinyl covers the floor throughout the RV. The kitchen slideout features a flush-floor design with no raised areas on which to stub your toes. All heat ducts are brought up inside cabinets and terminated in registers built into the cabinet’s toe space, eliminating floor vents to step on or drop things into.

All fascia, trim, and cabinetry are hardwood, and cabinet doors and drawers feature soft-close hardware. End tables, bedroom seats, and dressers include flip-up tops for additional storage space. The Kensington furniture is covered with a high-quality polyurethane-based fabric that is a nonbonded material and resistant to the cracking and peeling that can happen with bonded fabrics.

A sofa with recliners is located opposite the entertainment center, which is angled to allow viewing from the galley as well. The two outside seats feature power reclining, while the center section operates manually. The entertainment center hosts a 50-inch smart TV set in cabinetry that includes an electric fireplace. The fireplace is mounted on drawer slides and contains a large pull-out storage area.

The legless dinette table is made of hardwood and features a live-edge top. The four dinette chairs have flip-up seats to provide storage room for placemats or magazines. Two of the chairs fold and can be stowed underneath the bed.

The galley has the feel of a residential kitchen. A 1.7-cubic-foot convection-microwave oven is trimmed in stainless steel and mounted over the three-burner stove and stainless-steel oven. The bottom of the oven has a drawer capable of storing cookie sheets and shallow pans. The 17-cubic-foot stainless-steel French-door refrigerator runs on 12 volts, part of the “Master of 12 Volts Package.”

The galley countertops are made from a high-tech epoxy material that is lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. The island holds a stainless-steel farm sink with a roll-up dish dryer. Flip-up ends on the island provide additional workspace when needed. A MaxxFan with a rain sensor removes cooking odors or heat from the galley. A large pantry, filled with motion-sensor lighting, stands next to the refrigerator.

Two steps lead to the upper deck, where the front bedroom and main bath are located. The king bed is equipped with gas struts to allow easy access to the storage area underneath. Buyers can opt for a queen bed with larger nightstands if desired. Windows above the padded headboard and over the dresser provide plenty of cross-flow ventilation. The bedroom is CPAP ready. A 12-volt LED TV is placed over the dresser, which has a flip-up epoxy top that reveals a hidden storage area. Hardwood sliding barn doors separate the bedroom from the main living area and from the master bath.

The master bath contains a porcelain toilet with a soft-close lid. A 48-inch-by-30-inch shower with a one-piece enclosure has glass sliding doors and a molded seat. Another ceiling-mounted MaxxFan with a rain sensor vents odors and moisture from the master bath. The vanity has ample drawers and storage cabinets and is equipped with a stainless-steel sink set in an epoxy countertop. The LED-backlit mirror is a nice touch and can be used as a night light or accent lighting.

A large walk-in wardrobe occupies the front of the bedroom. It contains a clothespole that spans the width of the RV, as well as numerous storage cubbyholes for shoes or similar-sized objects. The mirrored sliding wardrobe doors can be opened for easy access to the main wardrobe area but also can be slid to the center to allow up-front access to the side wardrobe compartments. The middle of the wardrobe is prepped for a washer-dryer.

Garage

Of course, the heart of any multifunctional RV is the garage area, and this is where the Valor really excels. As noted, the 42V13 features a 13-foot-long garage. Many toy hauler garages have storage areas or other equipment that encroaches upon the width of the garage, but in the Valor, the full-width of the garage is accessible along its entire length. An overhead loft provides additional storage space, and a half-bath is forward of the garage area. The garage floor is insulated to keep it comfortable in cold or hot conditions and to add sound deadening. An L-track aluminum cargo tie-down system provides infinite places to insert D-ring tie-downs, and the garage is prepped for a washer-dryer, giving owners another option to install these appliances.

Comfortable HappiJac roll-over sofas convert to two layers of 60-inch-by-80-inch mattresses. A power-lift mechanism raises everything to the ceiling when you want the garage area open.

The rear ramp folds down for loading and unloading of cargo, but it also can be deployed horizontally and used as a 60-square-foot patio. An optional railing setup and steps provide safe access to this deck, which can be separated from the garage by opting for the folding three-season glass patio doors in place of a pull-down screen. A power awning can be extended over the rear patio to provide shade.

The 42V13 floor plan adds a side patio. This patio folds down from the curb side of the RV to provide a great space to entertain or enjoy the view, and it can be a benefit when camped on unlevel terrain or on sandy beach soil. Safety rails surround the patio, and steps can be deployed to gain access from the outside, while dual doors allow patio access from either the garage or main living area. A power awning can be used to shade this patio as well as the 40-inch LED TV and sound system.

Utilities

The garage is set up to handle the needs of most toys. A 12-volt basement air compressor provides an air hose connection on each side of the garage. A 30-gallon fuel tank and pump supply gasoline for refueling ATVs or other equipment. A second 30-gallon fuel tank provides gasoline for the optional 5.5-kw Onan generator.

The standard Off the Grid package provides 640 watts of solar power via two roof-mounted solar panels and includes a 40-amp MPPT charge controller, a 100-amp-hour lithium-iron-phosphate battery, a battery monitor system, and a generator
start module. The test unit contained the optional Solar Package Plus package, which ups the solar capacity to 960 watts with three 320-watt roof-top solar panels; this package also features a 3,000-watt true sine wave inverter, a 40-to-60-amp charge controller, a power shedding device, and 300 watts of lithium batteries.

In addition, the test unit included the Masters of 12 Volt package. Most everything in the RV operates via 12-volt electricity, including the tank heater pads, power recliners, bedroom and garage TVs, the garage bed lift, the fuel tank pump, and

the air compressor. The lithium-iron-phosphate batteries are the equivalent of two traditional RV batteries but at 1/5 the weight. The batteries and additional solar capacity, coupled with a very efficient refrigerator that runs virtually forever with minimal power consumption, lend themselves to extended boondocking times.

A 50-amp electrical service provides shore power to the RV, while three 13,500-Btu air conditioners, one of which is dedicated to the garage area, keep the RV comfortable in warm weather. These are high-efficiency, ultra-quiet units, and you can run two of them on a 30-amp service or all three on 50 amps. Alliance RV officials note that the company does not use ducted air conditioners, because the ducting takes up valuable insulation space, and the ducts absorb much of the cool air, resulting in poor efficiency. Instead, these Coleman Mach Q series units are said to be 35 percent more efficient. A 42,000-Btu propane furnace provides heat for the RV, and three separate thermostats ensure that each zone gets the desired amount of cooling.

If the RV is so equipped, the optional inverter provides 120-volt AC power to the receptacles and entertainment center when shore power is not available.

The underbelly is fully enclosed and warmed via a heat return duct to allow usage in even the coldest temperatures. All the electrical wiring is run in looms, with each conductor labeled and numbered. Plumbing and electrical runs are enclosed in the finished basement storage area, which is equipped with motion-sensor LED lighting. The exterior utility center is heated and includes an 8-foot spray hose. Holding tank capacity is generous, with a 98-gallon fresh-water tank, a 106-gallon black-water tank, and a 106-gallon gray-water tank.

The six-point hydraulic leveling system allows for easy, fast, and accurate leveling via a control panel near the front of the RV in an off-door side compartment.

Final Impressions

The Valor checks off a lot of boxes for anyone looking for a multifunctional fifth-wheel. If you’re the kind of RV owner who wants to hang out at the beach or sand dunes, the side patio of the 42V13 makes the vehicle a great choice. With two patios, the 42V13 is perfect for entertaining or just sitting back and relaxing while watching the sun go down. Or, other Valor floor plans are available, with different overall lengths and garage lengths.

The interior of the Valor rivals any high-end fifth wheel and is well appointed with everything you need to RV in comfort. The 101-inch-wide body affords plenty of interior room and, when combined with the upgraded suspension of the Benchmark chassis, facilitates towing.

One area where the Valor really stands out is in its extended boondocking capabilities. The Masters of 12 Volt package places most loads on energy-efficient, low-power-consumption 12-volt circuits. Coupled with a powerful lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack and a large solar panel array, the Valor can rack up quite a few hours of dry camping before the generator is required for recharging.

Every Valor goes through a Camp Ready Performance Audit before delivery. This includes a 15-minute road test with full holding tanks over rough roads and train tracks, and through twisty turns and rapid stops. The unit also is set up and tested as though being used in a campground. Once everything passes inspection, the Valor can be shipped to the dealer, and the customer can begin to enjoy their adventures.

SPECIFICATIONS | ALLIANCE RV VALOR

MANUFACTURER
Alliance RV, 301 Benchmark Drive, Elkhart, IN 46516; (574) 218-7165; www.alliancerv.com

MODEL
Valor

FLOOR PLAN
42V13

EXTERIOR LENGTH
44 feet 1 inch

EXTERIOR WIDTH
101 inches

EXTERIOR HEIGHT
13 feet 4 inches

INTERIOR HEIGHT
main floor — 8 feet 8 inches;
upper deck — 6 feet 4 inches

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
20,000 pounds

SHIPPING WEIGHT (DRY WEIGHT)
16,064 pounds

HITCH WEIGHT
3,005 pounds

CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (CCC)
3,936 pounds

TIRES
LT235/85R16 load range G

WHEELS
aluminum, 16 inches

BRAKES
drum brakes, standard;
disc brakes optional

FRESH WATER CAPACITY
98 gallons

HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 106 gallons;
black water — 106 gallons

PROPANE CAPACITY
60 pounds (2 30-pound cylinders)

WATER HEATER
12.6 gallons, gas/electric

HEATING SYSTEM
42,000-Btu furnace

AIR CONDITIONING
(3) 13,500-Btu units

REFRIGERATOR
17-cubic-foot, 12-volt

TOILET
porcelain

WARRANTY
1 year bumper to bumper;
3 years structural

MANUFACTURER’S BASE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$121,000

AS-TESTED MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$132,585