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BobGed · 01-09-2023, 10:14 AM

In a letter to employees today (Jan. 9), Tiffin Motorhomes President Leigh Tiffin announced that the Red Bay, Ala.-based RV builder is discontinuing the operations for its Vanleigh RV towable division in Burnsville, MS.

Story HERE

BirchyBoy · 01-09-2023, 10:40 AM

I wonder what the driver was. Not profitable, competes with other Thor business, etc.

CecilD · 01-09-2023, 11:00 AM

That's too bad. I own an orphan fifth wheel (Carriage) which hasn't been a huge problem as they used mostly standard OTC parts and the bones of the trailer are solid. I had to fabricate a slide bearing and am concerned when the slide mechanisms will invariably take a dump. The current Vanleigh owners will probably take a resale value hit.

I bought the Bigfoot trailer used when Bigfoot was out of business. That helped me negotiate a better price then sold when they got back into the business. Hopefully, someone will pick up Vanleigh's operations.

TandW · 01-09-2023, 12:07 PM

No results found for story link.

BobGed · 01-09-2023, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TandW

No results found for story link.

Interesting. Looks like the article was taken down.

Attached is a photo of Leigh Tiffin's announcement.

lllkrob · 01-09-2023, 12:19 PM

Tried the link also, would not connect.

This is only the start. Thor will roll the Vanleigh name into one of their existing 5th wheel operations. Next will be the Wayfarer class C Tiffin factory. It too will be rolled into one of their class C operations.

TandW · 01-09-2023, 12:27 PM

Hate to see Americans lose their jobs. And the lost investment of years of loyalty. So sad.

Garyp4951 · 01-09-2023, 04:02 PM

Yes thats sad news for the local jobs, but its good that the warranty and repair division is going to remain open.

n2zon · 01-09-2023, 05:34 PM

Try this link: https://rvbusiness.com/tiffin-focuse...ized-segments/

TXiceman · 01-09-2023, 05:37 PM

and you have to remember that Tiffin was bought last year by Thor. They have the habit of running companies in the ground with poor service and quality control.

Ken

traveldawg · 01-10-2023, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BirchyBoy

I wonder what the driver was. Not profitable, competes with other Thor business, etc.

No doubt folks will continue to bash Thor. I think you'd find the real answer is low sales of a higher end, pricy 5th wheel. It can be pretty hard to keep something like that afloat in the current economic times not to mention supply chain issues.

Just like back in the mid 2000's - we should expect to others follow suit. Remember Carriage (already mentioned), Teton, Hitchhiker - all top names and dependable rigs; they just couldn't last out the recession back then.

Same goes for motorhomes - Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Beaver, Country Coach. All crashed with the times back them.

MevetS · 01-10-2023, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

and you have to remember that Tiffin was bought last year by Thor. They have the habit of running companies in the ground with poor service and quality control.

Ken

https://www.al.com/news/2020/12/tiff...ndustries.html

FlNewmarBob · 01-15-2023, 03:26 PM

Don't blame Thor. "Issues" have existed in Red Bay for at least 10 years. Why do you think the guy who's name was on the sign had to come back out of retirement in his 70s..... There's an age old expression related to family owned businesses...."Ashes to Ashes in three generations or less".... Just look at another big name in northern Indiana....

QUOTE=TXiceman;6397228]and you have to remember that Tiffin was bought last year by Thor. They have the habit of running companies in the ground with poor service and quality control.

Ken[/QUOTE]