This year, Tiffin Motorhomes celebrates its 45th anniversary of producing upscale RVs. Its founder, Bob Tiffin, is being honored at the RV Industry Association’s National Trade Show this month with the Titan Award for his individual, pioneering mindset. What better time to fully unveil the Beacon – Vanleigh’s most luxurious fifth wheel.
Scroll down for interior photos.
Vanleigh RV, the towable segment of Tiffin Motorhomes, features Bob Tiffin as a chairman and strategic advisor, his son Van Tiffin as a VP and product development manager, and his grandson Leigh Tiffin as general manager. Together, they conceived the Beacon to outshine other fifth wheels in the marketplace.
“There’s a lot of great interior amenities in it that set it apart from the Vilano,” said Leigh, “taking the level of luxury up another notch for our customers that want a little bit more.”
The Beacon stacks up nicely.
It’s immediately visible in the high gloss wood finish on the cabinetry and hardwood valances, millwork décor produced in-house. Continuing that luxe character is the full body paint, sleek back cab, dual pane windows, upgraded countertops and backsplashes, tile plank floor instead of linoleum, and new Thomas Payne furniture.
A multiplex wiring system by Spyder Controls uses a 7-inch color screen to control the entire electrical system. An 18-cubic-foot Whirlpool refrigerator comes with ice and water in the French-style doors, and the trailer is prepped for a dishwasher and satellite dish.
Overall, said Leigh, the Beacon is “plush.”
“We’ve always focused on putting together beautiful interiors that feel very residential and appeal to our full-time owner,” said Leigh. “This unit does a really great job of that. The customer that wants to make a long-term investment and takes great pride in their product will find a little extra satisfaction in (the Beacon).”
The Beacon has an expected MSRP of $115,000 with a limited production following its debut in Louisville, Ky., during the National Trade Show.
Experienced RVers are the targeted demographic. That’s mainly because Vanleigh prided itself in its customers, and listened to what they wanted, said Leigh. Like many manufacturers are starting to embrace, Vanleigh performs a full PDI on each unit.
“The first and foremost value we hold dear is taking care of our customer because we know we’re not perfect; and when things don’t go perfectly we want to be there to back them up and do the right thing by our customers,” said Leigh. “That’s a big deal for the experienced customer that’s going to be looking at a Beacon. We’ve always taken a lot of pride in our craftsmanship.”
