Another Tiffin Factory Tour - 2018

One of the fun things to do in Red Bay is to go on the factory tour and see the motorhomes in various stages of production.

I'm not sure how many times I have done the tour, but it never gets old for me.  I learn something every time.

It begins every day (Mon-Fri) at 9:30 AM from the Visitor's Center.

Two people take the group on the tour through different buildings and they do an excellent job.

The tour takes you past the headquarters/main office building with Bob Tiffin and his three sons work.  At the other end of the inconspicuous warehouse-looking building is the entrance to the cabinet shop.

Tiffin uses mainly alder wood or cherry wood with different stains.

When we got into the main area, we saw planers, sanders and lots of saws cutting all kinds of wood to length.  They have a state of the art air filtration system to remove the sawdust.  What struck me was size of the woodworking area.

It seemed to me that it had double in size from six months ago when we were last there.  It was pretty amazing.  It always is.

We went past the sold surface area where the counter tops, sinks and shower units are put together.

Large computer-driven cutting tools make precise pieces for subsection unit of the motorhome.  I was thinking a study in systems management would be interesting to sort out how they tag each component of the motor home and assemble it during the build process.  It is a wonder!

There are 18 stations during the motorhome build process and showers, cabinets, or drawers show up on a cart for the unit that is being built.  It all runs like a well oiled machine.

Plumbing and wiring harnesses are tagged and threaded through the frame of the motorhome before the floor is attached.  The young man I watched wasted no motions and was working vigorously pulling this piece and stuffing that piece along its prescribed route through the frame.  Another interesting phase.

A thirty foot motorhome takes about two miles of wiring.  A 44 foot motorhome takes about three miles.

 The wiring harness area is another section of the plant that seems to have doubled.  Tiffin uses the concept of continuous process improvement and are not shy about expanding areas or moving work area to more efficient places.

A few years about we saw the Tiffin-produced Powerglide chassis being built in the area where some of the solid surface work is being done.  Since then, the chassis building process has moved to a build all its own that was erected on the north end of the plant property.

The tour ends at the punch list and cleaning station where each coach is checked over before delivery.   While walking by a 2019 unit, the cargo bay doors were open.

The first one had a slide tray with an automatic switch just in case you need some help pulling out the tray.

The other thing that was new were motion-sensor lights.  If the door are open the lights come on when motion is detected.  Nice touch!

That's a brief recap of the tour of the factory.  Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!~

Van Leigh 5th Wheel Factory Tour

Posted from Bakersfield CA

Back in February Pam and I visited the Ocala RV show.  We like to see what's new in the RV world and possibly pick up a new idea or see a new product.

Toward the end of our visit, we saw VanLeigh 5th wheels for the first time.  A new 5th wheel company.  Who are these folks?  Never heard of them...

We came to find out that this new company was part of the Tiffin family.  Bob Tiffin serves as the Chairman (and probably Chief Financial Backer?).  The company is headed up by one of his sons - Van - and his grandson Leigh  (VanLeigh).  The company is located in Burnside MS about 40 minutes from Red Bay AL.

We found the large warehouse that is the hub of the operation.  It also has the main offices and assembly plant.  We met Don K in Ocala and he gave us a tour of a couple of their RVs.  Interestly enough, he was on a visit to the factory and he showed us around that facility.  He remembered us and had some time, so we got a detailed explanation of what was going on at each of the stations and production lines.

VanLeigh is currently building 10 5th wheels a week and can not keep up with production needs.  They are signing up new dealers every week and are slowly expanding their network to the midwest and northeast.

The factory looks like a typical RV production facility and is brand new.

Lots of materials and supplies and equipment in the factory waiting to get moved into place and part of a new 5th wheel.

Frames/chassis arrive a few times a week.  The production could fluctuate a little so they have the supplier 'on call'.

One upgrade for 2017 is the new brake system that is one of the first things that are installed.

The floor is one piece and done before any of the units are moved down the production line.

This station is where the aluminum supports for the roof gets put together.

The rubber roof is built over here.

It is a little different seeing the 5th wheel at a station with no motor in place to drive it along to each station.

Here are a couple of front end caps with out the covering on them.

The interior of the endcaps is the bedroom entertainment suite and cabinetry.

In one of the kitchen slideouts, a new microwave is installed over the counter and backsplash.

The slideouts and front cap is moved into position.

The decals are being applied in this station.

Our guide Tom and a woman who is checking for leaks are describing the process.

Inside at the final inspection station, the high ceiling and new furniture make for a comfy living room next to the island and kitchen area.

Large TVs and in-cabinet fireplaces are the norm these days.

This Vilano has a light system with a ceiling box and lots of LED lighting.

We loved being able to see the Tiffin Facility and take a look at the new VanLeigh 5th wheels being built.  It was a bit of a drive from Red Bay, but worth the trip and it was fascinating.

Thanks for joining us on the Roadrunner Chronicles!

Monument Valley

After a few days in beautiful Cortez, Colorado we headed south and west toward Monument Valley, Utah.  We were headed for one of those "we-are-so-close-we-have-to-stop" places and spent a few minutes at Four Corners where the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah touch.

 It reminded me a little bit of Key West "the Most Southern Point of the Continental U.S." where people wait in line to have their picture take "at the spot".

About an hour down the road we arrived at our campground and got all set up.  We looked at the weather and it was supposed to rain the next day.  We had booked a 3 1/2 hour tour through the valley but had plenty of time and changed the tour to later that afternoon.  We left at 3:30 PM from the campground and it worked out great.

We picked up some folks at the Goulding Lodge and then went over to a hogan where our driver and guide, Don, gave some history of the Navajo traditions.

He also introduced Lucy who gave a demonstration (with one of our fellow tourists) on the ladies hair bun.  After she gave a demo on spinning wool and explained the loom where she makes blankets and rugs, she offered to sit for pictures and Pam took her up on it.

Next we headed into the valley and it was the "Wow" factor at every turn.  These mountains in the distance all have names: El Capitan, Eagle Rock, the Setting Hen, Brigham's tomb, Left Mitten, Right Mitten, etc

There is no way we could keep them all straight we were just started out on the tour...

This is the road where John Wayne was in "Stagecoach" - the movie that launched his career.

We stopped along the way and our guide indicated the hill was a good vantage point to see up the valley.  

I thought is was ironic that a 'No Hiking' sign was posted nearby...

Good shot of "Left Mitten" and "Right Mitten".

 Totem Pole on the left in the distance.

 About an hour into it, we stopped near John Ford's Point where a local Indian is on his horse and getting ready to let a girl from Belgium (who was with us), sit on the horse for a unique photo.

While she was doing that we had some authentic frybread.  It was tasty and reminded me of soapapillas.

We were not the only open wagon tour mobile on the property and we all got quite dusty.  It was part of the experience and not a lot we could do about it.  Good thing it wasn't blowing hard or raining.  That would have been tough...

We went along and rounded Rain God Mesa and Thunderbird Mesa

 Moccasin Arch

 North Window

 As you can imagine I took hundreds of photos during our tour and only have a few here.  It was worth the time and effort to book the tour and one of those memories we will enjoy for a long time.

This whole area defies description.
Awesome.
Beautiful.
Desolate.
Mysterious.
Ancient.
Different.

Have you been?  What word would you use?

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!