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When you see a Tiffin motorhome go down the interstate, it’s a thing of beauty. The shiny paint scheme and beautiful details have a wow factor.
But did you know that Tiffin has its own fifth-wheel lineup? Vanleigh RV hasn’t been around as long as its parent company, but it’s turning heads with its production of luxurious and stylish towables.
Let’s take a closer look at Vanleigh RV and its three fifth-wheel lineups!
About Vanleigh RV
Founded in 2014, Vanleigh RV might not have the decades of experience in the fifth wheel industry like other brands. But as a subdivision of Tiffin, its ownership has years of experience manufacturing motorhomes.
After more than 40 years of producing top-quality motorhomes, the Tiffin family decided that many RVers were being left out. So they began Vanleigh RV with hopes of creating a top-quality fifth wheel for travelers who didn’t want a motorized RV.
Vanleigh RV has three brands in its lineup: the Vilano, the Beacon, and the Ambition. The Ambition is Vanleigh’s toy hauler model.
Even though all three fifth wheels vary in floorplans, price, and size, they feature luxurious amenities and quality construction synonymous with the Tiffin brand.
Read More: Who Owns Tiffin Motorhomes? Learn more about this RV manufacturer!
How Long Has Vanleigh RV Been in Business?
Vanleigh RV is a third-generation family-run business. In 2014, Leigh Tiffin, Bob Tiffin’s grandson and Van Tiffin’s son, wanted to start a division that produced fifth wheels.
Today Leigh works as the general manager of Vanleigh RV. Bob serves as a chairman and strategic advisor, with Van Tiffin as the vice president and product development manager.
Who Owns Vanleigh RV?
As mentioned earlier, Tiffin Motorhomes Inc. owns Vanleigh RV, but they operate as separate entities. Additionally, the manufacturing facilities aren’t even in the same location.
Bob Tiffin founded Tiffin Motorhomes in 1972. By the 2000s, Bob’s sons had all joined the management team, making Tiffin truly a family-operated business.
In 2020, Thor purchased Tiffin, thus also acquiring Vanleigh RV. The purchase was for $300 million. Thor Industries is an RV empire, owning 17 manufacturing brands like Keystone, Airstream, and Jayco.
Where Are Vanleigh RVs Made?
Tiffin Motorhomes has a manufacturing plant in Red Bay, Ala., but Vanleigh RV makes fifth in Burnsville, Miss.
You can take a factory tour on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. by appointment only.
Visitors can walk through the 100,000-square-foot assembly plant and 75,000-square-foot cabinet shop. Vanleigh RV doesn’t just assemble RVs; they build them.
What Makes Vanleigh RV Unique?
When you walk into a Vanleigh RV, you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a custom-built home. The real wood cabinetry is stunning. The smart technology multiplex 12 Volt electrical system by Spyder Controls comes standard in every unit.
Additionally, the slide walls and floors are framed, insulated, and laminated. Plus, Vanleigh RV offers customers 24/7 customer support. The details, quality, and customer care make Vanleigh RV stand out among its competitors.
Vanleigh Is Good for Full-Time RVers
While you can’t live in most RVs full-time, Vanleigh’s fifth wheels come with full-time travelers in mind. The models have features that make full-time living easier.
Luxurious amenities like full-size refrigerators, spacious wardrobes, and king-sized beds help make the transition from a sticks-and-bricks lifestyle to life on the road.
Plus, the quality and craftsmanship of a Vanleigh fifth wheel mean fewer repairs.
The Vanleigh RV Lineup
The three Vanleigh RV brands are all fifth wheels designed with different types of travelers in mind.
The Vilano works best for part-time RVers who want comfort, and the Beacon is luxury at its finest. Finally, the Ambition is Vanleigh’s toy hauler model.
Vilano
The Vilano is Vanleigh’s flagship product. It offers multiple floorplans and weight variations to meet the needs of different travelers. It has nine floorplans ranging from front-living, two-bedroom, and rear-kitchen options.
Additionally, these models feature soft-close cabinetry, smart TVs, a Winegard Air 360+ antenna, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, and dual 15,000 BTU air conditioning units.
The 313RL is the smallest of the Vilano units at 31 feet 3 inches with a GVWR of 16,000 pounds. And the 394RK is the largest at 42 feet 6 inches with a GVWR of 18,500 pounds.
Finally, they all come with a 90-gallon gray water tank and a 70-gallon fresh water tank. The black tank capacity ranges from 45 to 90 gallons.
Beacon
The Beacon is Vanleigh RV’s upscale, luxurious fifth-wheel line. For full-time travelers or those who hit the road for several months, the Beacon offers every comfort of home.
It also has nine floorplans, including two-bedroom, front living, and rear kitchen options like the Vilano. The Beacon comes with full body paint in seven different colors.
Additionally, the living areas feature full-profile ceilings, full overlay hardwood cabinetry, and 8-foot main floor slide-outs. You also get solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, and full-sized wardrobes. And some floorplans come prewired for a third 15,000 BTU air conditioning unit.
Furthermore, the 32RLB is the smallest of the Beacon units at 31 feet 3 inches with a GVWR of 16,000 pounds. And the 41FLB, 41LKB, 42RDB, and 42RKB models are the largest at 42 feet 6 inches with a GVWR of 18,500 pounds.
Finally, the 34RLB has the largest cargo-carrying capacity at 4,480 pounds. All the Beacon fifth wheels have a 70-gallon fresh water tank, 90-gallon gray water tank, and a 45 to 90-gallon black water tank.
Ambition
The newest addition to Vanleigh RV’s lineup is the Ambition, a toy hauler with a 13-foot garage. The two floorplans include the 399TH and 399THX. However, both of these floor plans are identical.
They feature a HappiJac bed and half-bath in the garage, a loft accessible from the living area, a 120-inch super sofa, and a kitchen island. Additionally, it comes with a 50-inch smart TV above the electric fireplace and a standard king bed in the front bedroom.
The Ambition has Road Armor suspension and triple 7K axles with Cooper H-rated tires and disc brakes.
Two 15,000 BTU air conditioning units come standard and prewiring for a third A/C. The Ambition comes with a Truma on-demand water heater, 12-Volt electric tank heaters, and full body paint to make it look luxurious inside and out.
The 399TH measures 43 feet 7 inches long, while the 399THX is 45 feet 7 inches. The 399TH has a GVWR of 21,000 pounds, though the GVWR of the 399THX has yet to be determined.
How Much Does a Vanleigh Fifth Wheel Cost?
Even the Vilano models will have an MSRP of over $120,000. So these Vanleigh RV fifth wheels aren’t designed for first-time RVers who don’t know if they’ll like the camping lifestyle.
Usually, RVers will start with a travel trailer, upgrade to a fifth wheel, and then consider a Vanleigh after they’ve learned the lifestyle and plan on continuing their travels for years.
The Vilano units will range from $100,000 to $160,000. The Beacon units range from $150,000 to $200,000. The Ambition toy haulers will range from $190,000 to $220,000.
Does Vanleigh Make a Bunkhouse?
None of the Vilano, Beacon, or Ambition lines feature a bunkhouse. But you can get two-bedroom options.
The Vilano 393GS and Beacon 39GSB feature a front bedroom with a king bed and a smaller rear bedroom with a full bed. The Ambition toy hauler has a separate loft, the queen bed HappiJac configuration in the garage, and the king bed in the main bedroom.
Keep in Mind: If you’re interested in a bunkhouse option, then you need to see these Bunkhouse Travel Trailers!
A Vanleigh RV Is a Luxury Condo on Wheels
Vanleigh RV may not have the years of production that other RV brands have, but the company is firmly rooted in the vision and purpose shared by Tiffin motorhomes.
The same quality craftsmanship and attention to detail are present in Vanleigh’s fifth wheels. These homes on wheels are luxurious accommodations for travelers wanting a weekend getaway or year-long road trip.
Is a Vanleigh RV model in your future?
Kinda late on this one – Vanleigh has announced they are shutting down.
Just an FYI…it was just announced that Vanleigh is closing down the factory by March 10. No more new Vanleigh 5th wheels. Sad.
I had read that the company has closed and no longer making fifth wheels. They are butting everything into the motor coach division.