So, I will update my ownership of this 5th wheel. First of all, I love this 5th wheel. I recently started using it again as I didn't go out much with Covid. Now, however, I am back in the traveling world. Over the last several years, I have made a few changes. One that I did was for safety; I added disk brakes. I had never driven a trailer with disk brakes before so I really didn't know what to expect. Man, what a difference. I have never felt safer driving since installing the brake kit. I used an outfit that actually came to my house. This husband and wife team took about 5 hours to install on all 4 wheels. It is an amazing upgrade and costs around $2800.00. One thing I noticed while traveling was the air conditioning just didn't seem to work very well. I just couldn't get the coach down below 80 on a hot day. This is after the installation of the extra awning and sunshades. So, I ordered a third air conditioner unit and had it installed. But, even this could not keep the coach cool on a hot day. I recently went to Las Vegas and it was really hot there. The coach was just uncomfortable as it would not cool down. I have never had issues in any other RV I have had so I started looking into what was wrong. I finally found a fix and made a detailed step-by-step explanation of what I did. You can find it here: www.irv2.com/forums/f44/2020-vilano-320gk-a-c-issue-546533.html Overall, this coach is just awesome. I have recently looked at other brands to see if it was time for an upgrade. There was nothing on the market that even tempted me to get rid of my 5th wheel. There have been some small issues (shower handle falling off) but overall, I still believe this is one of the best 5th wheels on the market.
I looked at a vanleigh at a local rv show. When my wifes friend went to step in it, it took her breath away! Told me i ought not come into the coach! Very very well made. Got a lot out of your video.
I honestly think these are the best quality, amenity packed RVs. They are a high end 5th wheel in mid range price category. Thank you for your honest consumer review. Cheers!
Really nice thorough review. It's nice to hear the opinion of a knowledgeable owner and not a salesperson. We currently have a toy hauler and although we like it, it does have limitations. It certainly isn't up to the quality of that coach
Great advise Steve! We're new to rv's but when we looked at the 32 Vilano we knew it was the best we had seen. Most of what you mentioned were not things we would notice. When we go back we'll look into everything you listed and make a MUCH better choice. I think ordering from the factory is the only way to go having listened to you. What a great vid!!!
Hi Steve. We were able to order a Vilano 365rl from the dealer, and expect delivery around the first of March. Your video was very thorough, and we appreciate all of your comments and descriptions. We ordered ours with the double pane windows and the day, or solar, shades, plus the 2nd awning. The steps are a little troublesome, as my wife is only 5' tall. We agree it's the best built coach we've seen, plus it's beautiful inside especially with the lighter wood. We ordered the Amber glaze finish. Thanks again for your very informative video.
I've heard double pane for rv is just 2 pieces of glass. Nothing thermal. However, being 2 pieces, it's better for sound reduction? Can you guys confirm? Also, I've seen static cling thermal sheets for windows sale. Put them on for summer, off for winter. I came across a company which makes replacement dual pane with the thermal plastic in the middle....much like a car glass. Hopefully, I'll be in a Vilano or Beacon in a few months!
Thanks Steve for your review. Last year, after heavily researching fivers for about 3 years for full timing, my candidates were Jayco Pinnacle, Montana, and VanLeigh. Without getting into the details of why, I went with the Jayco and am very pleased with it. I really loved the Vilano and the decision was tough. But to the point, I agree that the best way to get what you want is to make the decision about the brand and order it with the options that you want.
Great review, I love Van Leigh also! Didn’t know about them until I bought my 2018 Cardinal 3250 rl, 34’11” long. Mine was ordered by DDRV with all the options except for 3rd air, disc brakes, and dual windows. All rack and pinion slides (big plus, not a fan of Swintek junk!) cable junk or slimrack junk! I talk to many campers and they hate all those, except rack and pinion! Enjoy that beautiful rig!
Steve, thank very much for making this video. My wife and I are looking into a 2019 and your insight on the add on items is very helpful. One of my best friends is an RV mechanic and had him with me while checking out one of these units. He’s been to their factory and was very impressed with the woodworking shop they have plus quality of the Vanleigh. Tiffin makes an awesome product But is good to hear it from an owner. Thanks man
Hi Steve!! Thanks for the review. I really like getting an unvarnished, no BS review from a real owner!! My wife and I just looked at a Beacon and several Vilanos at a local dealer. We were incredibly impressed with the floor plans and the quality that Vanleigh is offering. As a "construction guy," I was impressed with the fit and finish of the coach, and i thought the cabinetry was some of the best I had seen in the RV world. The model we are drawn to is the 385RD, I think it is a new model for 2020. It has a ton of counter/cabinet space in the kitchen, as well as an amazing 220CF of basement storage under the elevated rear living room!! We aren't old enough to retire, but are looking to do some career changes and potentially work from the road. I've looked at Luxe and DRV, and they are crazy expensive. I think we could have as nice a coach for almost half the $$$ by going with Vanleigh. We think we will most likely spec one out and order it, instead of buying a dealer lot model. All that being said, have you done any cold weather camping (below freezing temps)? If so, how did you all do? Comments? Things you would do different? We full-timed for awhile in a Class A, and will NEVER do that again. Also, I'm going back and forth between an F-350 dually and an F-450 dually. The 385RD is 42'4", grosses at 18,500 lbs., with a pin weight of 3,500 lbs. What are your thoughts? One final question. Any word on the hydraulic/spring assist for the Solid Steps? I'm good now, but I have MS and don't want my wife to bear the burden of putting the steps away, should I be down for a bit. We are doing our research now, and hope to buy in the next couple of years, and then be able to hit the road!! Thanks again, man!! Great review. Now I'm gonna go find the rest of your videos!
Steve Switz , first of all thanks for your unbiased video and review. I trust your still a big fan. , I tried finding the hydraulic system but no luck. Have you heard any news Steve?
Sorry if it was too long but I tried to be as informative as I could. You will love this coach and the communication with Vanleigh after my purchase has been incredible. I have no regrets about this purchase.
Just a thought on the balancing of heat issue, if there is access to the space where the air ducts run, and there should be, a balancing damper could be installed on the worst, or all individual duct lines. This is really the best way the units could be effectively Balanced even at the factory and likely never touched again. A cheap easy solution to happy customers with no affect on the grille. This would be less than $100 parts and labor at the factory. One day someone in the industry will get it right and then hopefully they will all follow. Thanks for your video, very helpful. Your willingness to share must have taken time in thought to sort out.
Thanks for the comments Scott. I don't know if one could use a damper on the lines as they are really, really flimsy and almost seem like aluminum foil wrapped wire. What is interesting is this is a high-end coach maker and it doesn't take a scientist to go through the coach and realize that it is 90 degrees in the bathroom and 70 degrees in other areas of the coach. Homes have had adjustable registers for eons and I agree with you that for $100 it could be fixed either way. Thanks for looking.
Hi Steve, Fantastic review. You installed the dinette side/slide awning over the single pane windows. Would you happen to have a picture or two of the finished install that I could see?
Steve - I agree w/ u about quality & superiority of this Brand. Just purchased 17’ from individual widow knew nothing operationally other than basics. With that said I’m having trouble getting electrical hot water & see no identifiable selector switches for gas/electric. Are they fully automated? I can heat w/ gas but not sure electrically heating. I’m presently on house 110 w/ 30 amp plug to adapter. Is this enough juice to heat electrically. I see all the sophisticated circuit board panels w/ their little led lights & no light signal on that circuit & it talks about some plug u plug in for testing? IDK? I’ve the fridge on about it.
Regarding my comments on the Solid Step from Lippert (LCI). I spoke with Lippert today for another issue and asked about the Solid Step. I was told they are coming out with a kit to retrofit some sort of hydraulic system that can be added to existing steps. This is great news and would change my opinion from a one star to five star review on the steps. It should be available in around 6 months. UPDATE: I just got off the phone with Lippert and was given bad news. The retrofit kit is only available for gen 3 steps, not the gen 2 steps I have. I am pretty frustrated with this news as the steps are dangerous in my opinion. So, I am SOL on upgrading my steps. The way to tell if you have gen 2 or gen 3 is to look at the sides of the framework on the steps. If there are diamond shaped cut-outs, it is a gen 2. If it is solid, a gen 3.
Really liked the video, very informative. We have a 41' Diesel pusher now and thinking of going to a 5th wheel. We say the exact model you own at an RV show today and are very impressed. Our concern that the slide outs don't have slide out toppers. Also think there should be more awnings, a tv outside. The windows as you pointed out are of some concern and the heater vents also, but we like solution on the vents. Something else I noticed that I didn't care for was the dinette was very tight on one side, would be better free standing so it could be adjusted. LOL... unless you are very skinny. Thanks again!
We went from a Monaco pusher to a 5th wheel and then upgraded to this Vanleigh 5th wheel. We have never regretted this decision. I agree with you on the slide toppers as they are an option from the factory that I believe should be standard equipment. With that said, Camping World will install them if they were not ordered from the factory. I Just ordered (and received) the second awning that will go on the big dinette slide out. This should dramatically cut down on the heat in the summer. As far as a TV outside goes, there is a connection in the storage bay for one. Personally, I have never been one to watch TV outside so I don't anticipate ever using it. Finally, great eye on the location of the dinette. Vanleigh centered it on the window (more for looks and not function) where one side has more room than it needs and the other doesn't have quite as much that is needed). Is there a perfect coach that meets all ones needs? Probably not. This one comes damn close and we simply love it.
Love the fit and finish of that Vilano. That might be my next coach. How's their customer service for warranty issues? Also I've heard great things about ceramic film for window heat issues.
I have been so impressed with VanLeigh as a company as well as their employees. I needed them for numerous items (no warranty items) and they could not have been more supportive. I even got the cell number of the on-duty technician for after-hours calls. It is very evident that the employees love their job and believe in the product.
Update: AS of today, we are trading in the Vanleigh and going with the new Brinkley Z3100. I was looking to get a new coach and looked for months realizing that nothing was going to be better than the Vanleigh. Then, we walked into a Brinkley. Holy crap! The workmanship, design and attention to detail were everything we wanted. It is on order and we expect it to be in sometime mid-September 2023. I will be sad to see the Vanleigh go but it is time to move on. Also sad to see Vanleigh shutting down their 5th wheel business. They really had a great product.
Steve we have 2017 Vanleigh Vilano and I communicated with you on this thread earlier. We have had two ruptures on hydraulic hoses going to the leveling jacks. The hoses that came with coach seemed pretty cheap compared to what I purchased as a replacement. Have you had any problems with your hydraulic system or experience any popping noises from the front jacks. We noticed this at night while sleeping. It's not loud but consistent. I asked Lippert about this and they suggested fork oil (1 Quart could resolve the problem. Also the unit comes with automatic transmission fluid rather than hydraulic fluid and Lippert gave me a list of recommended fluids that can be used.
@@switz11 Thanks Steve we tried the fork oil and it relieved the popping noise in the system. We haven't had any other ruptures of hoses since the two we had. I make sure now that the hydraulic oil level is right where it should be. To get a true indication of level you need to have all levelers up (example when your on the truck and then check level).If all the levelers aren't up you won't get true indication because fluid is being used in the system. I keep it right at the fill line because when ours blew the level was somewhat low. Not sure if that was the cause but like I say we haven't had another issue since I started doing it. If you ever have an intermittent popping noise I would recommend the fork oil. The popping noise I think is caused by air being trapped inside the system. Our microwave recently died and I have to figure out how it comes out so I can get a replacement. It looks a little complicated.
Hey Steve, on our 2017 Vilano 325RL our rear furnace will not come on but the front will. I think this is on 12 volt not 110 and am wondering if it might be a blown fuse. In our breaker box I notice we have 5 (25 volt) fuses but I don't have any info on what they are for. The 12volt light below our breaker panel are a mystery to me. Do you know anything about the fuses or the reset buttons below the panel? I would include a picture but I can't on here.
I know what you mean about your furnace. I have discovered that sometimes rv manufactures sometimes use too many branches off of a line of vent tubing. If the furnace has enuf places to attach the vent tubing to.....they need to run more lines of better size tubing....and not many branches splitting off....and stop dropping the size of the to smaller size. It actually is restricting the flow of heat. Allows more heat in one space closest to the furnace...ergo one room gets intense heat flow and others get restricted heat flow.
Hi Steve, You installed an awning over the dinette slide of your Vilano 325rl. Would you mind sharing how much the hardware and materials cost and where you purchased the hardware (VanLeigh?) and the awning material (Carefree of Colorado?). Any part numbers or suggestions concerning what to ask for and from whom would really help. Thank you.
Hey Thomas, I purchased the awning directly from Vanleigh. The service department gave me the exact location of where the wires were. One thing, the wires were attached in a way that I could not determine if they were being fed from the top or the bottom of the slide; they are being fed from the bottom. If I can remember correctly, it was around $800.00. The awning is not a standard dimension, that is why I ordered it from the factory and it comes with everything you will need. Make sure they send you the rail that the fabric attaches to the coach. Also, make sure you attach the awning down enough so a slide topper can go on in the future if needed. I didn't realize this and now can't attach a slide topper. All-in-all, it was a pretty easy install.
It will have to be ordered as an option. The factory said they would take the single panes out and put in dual pane but it would cost around $4k. And, I don't know if they are truly "thermopane" windows or "dual pane" windows.
Thx for your vid. I just came from a rv show. Spoke to a dealer from the toy hauler section. We were not familiar with Vanleigh Vilano line. We took a walk and stepped into one. Dead silence. His eyes became huge and glazed, as were mine. Then we saw the LOW LOW price...$20,000 lower than a Montana Legacy? Even had a dish washer & wine cooler? I was sold. However, this heating thing with the windows has me concerned. My TT didn't have this issue while living in the 100+ desert. So, is it an insulation thing, too, or just the window manufacturer? I noticed a comment that they have dual pane, but still have the same issue with hot windows? Single or dual @85 degrees, shouldn't radiate like that? Thanks. Hope to get mine ordered in a few months.
Once I installed the second awning it took care of the heat from the windows. This is not a Vanleigh thing, it is an industry-wide thing as everyone has moved to this style of window. If the unit you want doesn't have the second awning, no big deal. Have your dealer install one or do as I did, install it yourself. I can't tell you how much we love our Vanleigh and it is a great bang-for-the-buck too! Good luck.
Have you come up with a solution for the windows? Talking about the high temperatures. Great video, thank you!! We just bought a 2016 Vilano 365rl and was wondering about those single pane windows and heat.
I put the second awning over the living room slide. This should make a big difference for heat transfer. It hasn't been hot enough to see the actual results. I did it myself and it wasn't too big of a job.
Residential refer usage for my Cardinal 3250rl: 200 watt solar, 4 large Trojan batteries , and a 2k gen that goes straight to the converter. My second inverter :That way I can use any appliance,tv, microwave, Cpat, satellite tv, without having a giant noisy 5500 watt Onan buzzing just to top batteries. If I need to run an AC I’m in a 30-50 amp campsite. Refer on the road: I can drive all day and not lose my batteries (solar and truck keeps up).
Great video. We are looking at the at the same model and wondering when traveling and the slides are in can you access the fridge? Most rv's this isn't possible. Thanks again for the informative video.
Good question as we stop often at rest stops. It is really tight in there. You can access the right hand side of the refer but not the freezer or left hand side. We usually put out the slide a little to gai access to the refer and the rear of the coach.
We had to take the window out of the cabinet that houses the tv receiver as it would heat up and shut off if you closed the door while receiver was plugged in.
Hi Steve...all RV’s have a few break in issues. Could you tell me how this unit compares to others you have had in regards to that? We are looking at purchasing a new 5th wheel and have been really drawn to the Vilano 365rl. Now that you have owned it for a while are you still as high on it as you were in the video?
Hello Ray! Yes we still love this unit. I have been to several RV shows since owning my Vilano and I don't see anything that comes close. I have made some upgrades, such as removing the pin box and putting a Reese Goose Box on, and I will be doing an update video on this and the other upgrades that I have done. I can't recommend this brand high enough. As with any unit, there are going to be some items that you feel can be improved upon but this comes damn close to perfect. All the best on your hunt for a new 5th wheel. Regards, Steve
Thanks so much for the quick reply. If don’t mind, one more quick question. Are you still having issues with the two a/c units not cooling well? That is a major concern for us.
The nice thing about the Vilano is it comes pre-wired and is framed out for the third air. After contacting Vanleigh, I was given the precise measurements for the third air. It was easy for my technician to cut the roof, hook up the wires and install the air conditioner. Once installed, all I had to do was go into the computer and click the button adding the third air. The entire job cost me around $1000. I got a close out deal from the manufacture on the air conditioner. It is now just getting warm enough to test. I feel between the added awning and third air we should be fine.
Hello Rick. Interesting about the windows. Do you have the second awning that covers the dinette slide windows? I originally didn't and added it after I purchased. This cut down on the radiant heat considerably. Also, do you have the 3rd air conditioner? I added this too after purchasing and this helps a lot.
We don't have the dinette awning, how much did it cost to add that? Where we usually go they only have 30 amp breakers and we can only run 1 air cond at a time without tripping the breaker so in our situation the 3rd air cond is impractical. I wonder if there are covers that cover the opening where the slideouts open to prevent material collecting there when they are open. It would help with not having to blow leaves dirt and twigs off of them before closing the slideouts after several days. The debris could cause problems if not removed I would think.
One other thing I agree on the bathroom heat register, it gets way too much heat. Looks like you used very thin sheet metal to block it. Did you have to attach it with something or was it thin enough to slide it in the cracks?
Hey Rick, The dinette awning was around $800 and I purchased it directly thru Vanleigh; I did this because of the precise measurement for it. They will also give you the measurements to locate the wiring for the awning and light. These are conveniently waiting for you inside the slideout. I did it myself and it took several hours to do. I highly recommend this as it will remove the heat-transfer from the dinette windows. As far as the slide toppers go, if you order directly from the factory, you can get them. I would just go to Camping World and have them put them on. I would recommend putting them on prior to installing the awning as the hardware might get in the way. All the best!
Its crazy how much these trailers depreciate. You mention that this one came in just under 100K, and i just looked at a few 2018 model year "old inventory" that are in the 51K-68K range, and its only been a year since this video dropped.
Oh yea, they depreciate; but so does anything else on wheels, The deals are out there. Our rig listed at $100,000 but we got it at a show for $68,000. That was for a new 2018 in 2017. If you can pick one up for $51k, I would say you are doing very well. Hell, we just sold our 2015 Jeep Renegade that MSRP'd for $31k for $18k...ouch. If it moves, you are going to lose money for sure. Buy it, use it, enjoy it! All the best.
We bought ours right when they came out for 68k. I thought it was a pretty good deal at the time. Unfortunately, this is standard for the entire industry. If you pay anything close to MSRP, you are going to eat it in the end.
Absolutely beautiful video of a beautiful unit! Getting ready to order a new one (2019 320GK) but the only thing holding us up is choosing the wood stain. Could you please tell us which wood stain is on your unit? We prefer the lighter tones and have it narrowed down to the Amber Glaze and English Chestnut. The wood on your unit is exactly the wood tone we want! Please let us know which wood you have. Thank you.
Hello Gabriel, We also prefer the lighter toned wood and the unit we bought has English Chestnut. We love the custom cabinet look to it. Good luck with your new VanLeigh!
Hi Steve,,, Did you replace the Tires ??? (If yes, with what brand???)... Is it Prepted for Solar ie example "Zamp Solar" plug in models... We don't like the Huge Stairway,,, us being Old, in our 70's... We'd live with the standard steps... Is the 3rd A/C and the bedroom A/C ducted into the Ceiling A/C Duct Run OR are these 2 just Dump Down A/C's ??? We, my wife, Hate's the"Grab your pants/shorts Pockets" Cabinet Spike Hardware that grab your Pockets of Clothes and wrips them to schreds... They would be replaced... Over All it looks like a keeper...
Hey Jackson! It is pre-wired for solar and has a jack in the front next to the front access door. No, I haven't replaced the tires yet. I'll wait until they start cracking (as they always do) and then put a set of new tires on. All the air conditioners are run via ducts in the ceiling making it very quiet when in operation. So far, no problems with the door hardware either. Cheers.
Hey Steve, the Vilano's are also prewired for a second awning on your dinette slide. That may cut the heat down coming off the windows during the summer time. For more information e-mail me at shawn.cole@vanleighrv.com.
Hey Shawn! Thanks for the information. I have been in touch with Bryan and Allison and received my second awning a few weeks ago. It is scheduled to be installed today. You guys have made the best 5th wheel (in my humble opinion) on the market for any price. Keep up the good work.
I didn't make the awning install as scheduled as my installer had a bad shoulder. So, I watched a couple of youtube videos and decided to tackle it myself. Bryon told me the exact measurements where the wiring was for the awning and light; sure enough, he was spot on. It took me longer than it probably should have but everything came out great. Can't wait to see what this does for my heat issue.
You are correct. The front cap is painted and the sides are colored with the typical RV swirls that are stickers. I actually thought it was painted until a branch hit the side. Vanleigh's new Beacon series has full body paint.
So, I will update my ownership of this 5th wheel. First of all, I love this 5th wheel. I recently started using it again as I didn't go out much with Covid. Now, however, I am back in the traveling world. Over the last several years, I have made a few changes. One that I did was for safety; I added disk brakes. I had never driven a trailer with disk brakes before so I really didn't know what to expect. Man, what a difference. I have never felt safer driving since installing the brake kit. I used an outfit that actually came to my house. This husband and wife team took about 5 hours to install on all 4 wheels. It is an amazing upgrade and costs around $2800.00.
One thing I noticed while traveling was the air conditioning just didn't seem to work very well. I just couldn't get the coach down below 80 on a hot day. This is after the installation of the extra awning and sunshades. So, I ordered a third air conditioner unit and had it installed. But, even this could not keep the coach cool on a hot day. I recently went to Las Vegas and it was really hot there. The coach was just uncomfortable as it would not cool down. I have never had issues in any other RV I have had so I started looking into what was wrong. I finally found a fix and made a detailed step-by-step explanation of what I did. You can find it here: www.irv2.com/forums/f44/2020-vilano-320gk-a-c-issue-546533.html
Overall, this coach is just awesome. I have recently looked at other brands to see if it was time for an upgrade. There was nothing on the market that even tempted me to get rid of my 5th wheel. There have been some small issues (shower handle falling off) but overall, I still believe this is one of the best 5th wheels on the market.
I looked at a vanleigh at a local rv show. When my wifes friend went to step in it, it took her breath away! Told me i ought not come into the coach! Very very well made. Got a lot out of your video.
I honestly think these are the best quality, amenity packed RVs. They are a high end 5th wheel in mid range price category.
Thank you for your honest consumer review.
Cheers!
Really nice thorough review. It's nice to hear the opinion of a knowledgeable owner and not a salesperson. We currently have a toy hauler and although we like it, it does have limitations. It certainly isn't up to the quality of that coach
Great advise Steve! We're new to rv's but when we looked at the 32 Vilano we knew it was the best we had seen. Most of what you mentioned were not things we would notice. When we go back we'll look into everything you listed and make a MUCH better choice. I think ordering from the factory is the only way to go having listened to you. What a great vid!!!
Hi Steve. We were able to order a Vilano 365rl from the dealer, and expect delivery around the first of March. Your video was very thorough, and we appreciate all of your comments and descriptions. We ordered ours with the double pane windows and the day, or solar, shades, plus the 2nd awning. The steps are a little troublesome, as my wife is only 5' tall. We agree it's the best built coach we've seen, plus it's beautiful inside especially with the lighter wood. We ordered the Amber glaze finish. Thanks again for your very informative video.
Congratulations! I believe you made the right decisions regarding the options. Let me know when you get it. All the best, Steve
I've heard double pane for rv is just 2 pieces of glass. Nothing thermal. However, being 2 pieces, it's better for sound reduction? Can you guys confirm?
Also, I've seen static cling thermal sheets for windows sale. Put them on for summer, off for winter.
I came across a company which makes replacement dual pane with the thermal plastic in the middle....much like a car glass.
Hopefully, I'll be in a Vilano or Beacon in a few months!
Thanks Steve for your review. Last year, after heavily researching fivers for about 3 years for full timing, my candidates were Jayco Pinnacle, Montana, and VanLeigh. Without getting into the details of why, I went with the Jayco and am very pleased with it. I really loved the Vilano and the decision was tough. But to the point, I agree that the best way to get what you want is to make the decision about the brand and order it with the options that you want.
Thanks for this review. Very rare to get an owner's view on this
Great review, I love Van Leigh also! Didn’t know about them until I bought my 2018 Cardinal 3250 rl, 34’11” long. Mine was ordered by DDRV with all the options except for 3rd air, disc brakes, and dual windows. All rack and pinion slides (big plus, not a fan of Swintek junk!) cable junk or slimrack junk! I talk to many campers and they hate all those, except rack and pinion! Enjoy that beautiful rig!
Steve, thank very much for making this video. My wife and I are looking into a 2019 and your insight on the add on items is very helpful. One of my best friends is an RV mechanic and had him with me while checking out one of these units. He’s been to their factory and was very impressed with the woodworking shop they have plus quality of the Vanleigh. Tiffin makes an awesome product But is good to hear it from an owner. Thanks man
My pleasure. We absolutely love our Vanleigh! Make sure you get a good deal.
Not sure if it’s a good deal but looking to order a 2020 369FB for 89,000. Any thoughts on that would definitely be helpful?
Hi Steve!!
Thanks for the review. I really like getting an unvarnished, no BS review from a real owner!!
My wife and I just looked at a Beacon and several Vilanos at a local dealer. We were incredibly impressed with the floor plans and the quality that Vanleigh is offering. As a "construction guy," I was impressed with the fit and finish of the coach, and i thought the cabinetry was some of the best I had seen in the RV world. The model we are drawn to is the 385RD, I think it is a new model for 2020. It has a ton of counter/cabinet space in the kitchen, as well as an amazing 220CF of basement storage under the elevated rear living room!!
We aren't old enough to retire, but are looking to do some career changes and potentially work from the road. I've looked at Luxe and DRV, and they are crazy expensive. I think we could have as nice a coach for almost half the $$$ by going with Vanleigh. We think we will most likely spec one out and order it, instead of buying a dealer lot model. All that being said, have you done any cold weather camping (below freezing temps)? If so, how did you all do? Comments? Things you would do different? We full-timed for awhile in a Class A, and will NEVER do that again.
Also, I'm going back and forth between an F-350 dually and an F-450 dually. The 385RD is 42'4", grosses at 18,500 lbs., with a pin weight of 3,500 lbs. What are your thoughts?
One final question. Any word on the hydraulic/spring assist for the Solid Steps? I'm good now, but I have MS and don't want my wife to bear the burden of putting the steps away, should I be down for a bit. We are doing our research now, and hope to buy in the next couple of years, and then be able to hit the road!!
Thanks again, man!! Great review. Now I'm gonna go find the rest of your videos!
this video was so helpful .I bought the exact same one yesterday. super excited. thank you
Wow! Congratulations Dustin.
Hey Dustin, did your unit come with a hydraulic system for the Solid Step entry step?
Steve Switz , first of all thanks for your unbiased video and review. I trust your still a big fan. , I tried finding the hydraulic system but no luck. Have you heard any news Steve?
We are in the market for a fifth-wheeler. The 325 Vilano caught our eye. Your video was VERY informative. Thank you very much!
Sorry if it was too long but I tried to be as informative as I could. You will love this coach and the communication with Vanleigh after my purchase has been incredible. I have no regrets about this purchase.
Thanks for the review. 2 things, as I understand a second pained window adds 500 lbs to the coach, and the fire place is 7200 BTU rated.
good luck
Steve, excellent video, thanks for your honesty and tips.
Just a thought on the balancing of heat issue, if there is access to the space where the air ducts run, and there should be, a balancing damper could be installed on the worst, or all individual duct lines. This is really the best way the units could be effectively Balanced even at the factory and likely never touched again. A cheap easy solution to happy customers with no affect on the grille. This would be less than $100 parts and labor at the factory. One day someone in the industry will get it right and then hopefully they will all follow.
Thanks for your video, very helpful. Your willingness to share must have taken time in thought to sort out.
Thanks for the comments Scott. I don't know if one could use a damper on the lines as they are really, really flimsy and almost seem like aluminum foil wrapped wire. What is interesting is this is a high-end coach maker and it doesn't take a scientist to go through the coach and realize that it is 90 degrees in the bathroom and 70 degrees in other areas of the coach. Homes have had adjustable registers for eons and I agree with you that for $100 it could be fixed either way. Thanks for looking.
Hi Steve,
Fantastic review. You installed the dinette side/slide awning over the single pane windows. Would you happen to have a picture or two of the finished install that I could see?
do u still own it? would u buy another today knowing what u do? any warranty/cust svc issues?
Steve - I agree w/ u about quality & superiority of this Brand. Just purchased 17’ from individual widow knew nothing operationally other than basics. With that said I’m having trouble getting electrical hot water & see no identifiable selector switches for gas/electric. Are they fully automated? I can heat w/ gas but not sure electrically heating. I’m presently on house 110 w/ 30 amp plug to adapter. Is this enough juice to heat electrically. I see all the sophisticated circuit board panels w/ their little led lights & no light signal on that circuit & it talks about some plug u plug in for testing? IDK? I’ve the fridge on about it.
Regarding my comments on the Solid Step from Lippert (LCI). I spoke with Lippert today for another issue and asked about the Solid Step. I was told they are coming out with a kit to retrofit some sort of hydraulic system that can be added to existing steps. This is great news and would change my opinion from a one star to five star review on the steps. It should be available in around 6 months.
UPDATE: I just got off the phone with Lippert and was given bad news. The retrofit kit is only available for gen 3 steps, not the gen 2 steps I have. I am pretty frustrated with this news as the steps are dangerous in my opinion. So, I am SOL on upgrading my steps. The way to tell if you have gen 2 or gen 3 is to look at the sides of the framework on the steps. If there are diamond shaped cut-outs, it is a gen 2. If it is solid, a gen 3.
Are on the step, we have them on our 325, if our neighbor at the storage unit is a little of center, i can’t access the RV
@@mikebeatty5263 Sometimes change for change sake is not preferred. I would rather have the old pull-out steps for just the reason you stated.
Really liked the video, very informative. We have a 41' Diesel pusher now and thinking of going to a 5th wheel. We say the exact model you own at an RV show today and are very impressed. Our concern that the slide outs don't have slide out toppers. Also think there should be more awnings, a tv outside. The windows as you pointed out are of some concern and the heater vents also, but we like solution on the vents. Something else I noticed that I didn't care for was the dinette was very tight on one side, would be better free standing so it could be adjusted. LOL... unless you are very skinny. Thanks again!
We went from a Monaco pusher to a 5th wheel and then upgraded to this Vanleigh 5th wheel. We have never regretted this decision. I agree with you on the slide toppers as they are an option from the factory that I believe should be standard equipment. With that said, Camping World will install them if they were not ordered from the factory. I Just ordered (and received) the second awning that will go on the big dinette slide out. This should dramatically cut down on the heat in the summer. As far as a TV outside goes, there is a connection in the storage bay for one. Personally, I have never been one to watch TV outside so I don't anticipate ever using it. Finally, great eye on the location of the dinette. Vanleigh centered it on the window (more for looks and not function) where one side has more room than it needs and the other doesn't have quite as much that is needed). Is there a perfect coach that meets all ones needs? Probably not. This one comes damn close and we simply love it.
Love the fit and finish of that Vilano. That might be my next coach. How's their customer service for warranty issues? Also I've heard great things about ceramic film for window heat issues.
I have been so impressed with VanLeigh as a company as well as their employees. I needed them for numerous items (no warranty items) and they could not have been more supportive. I even got the cell number of the on-duty technician for after-hours calls. It is very evident that the employees love their job and believe in the product.
Update: AS of today, we are trading in the Vanleigh and going with the new Brinkley Z3100. I was looking to get a new coach and looked for months realizing that nothing was going to be better than the Vanleigh. Then, we walked into a Brinkley. Holy crap! The workmanship, design and attention to detail were everything we wanted. It is on order and we expect it to be in sometime mid-September 2023. I will be sad to see the Vanleigh go but it is time to move on. Also sad to see Vanleigh shutting down their 5th wheel business. They really had a great product.
You can purchase steel heat registers with damper in an array of colors. I found mine on eBay for $8 a piece. Cheers!
Thanks, I'll take a look.
Dear; good review!!! Do you know how thick your side walls are?
How about an occasional update on your 5th wheel!
How has it held up over the years
Steve we have 2017 Vanleigh Vilano and I communicated with you on this thread earlier. We have had two ruptures on hydraulic hoses going to the leveling jacks. The hoses that came with coach seemed pretty cheap compared to what I purchased as a replacement. Have you had any problems with your hydraulic system or experience any popping noises from the front jacks. We noticed this at night while sleeping. It's not loud but consistent. I asked Lippert about this and they suggested fork oil (1 Quart could resolve the problem. Also the unit comes with automatic transmission fluid rather than hydraulic fluid and Lippert gave me a list of recommended fluids that can be used.
We are in it as I write this. Thankfully, no hose issues.
@@switz11 Thanks Steve we tried the fork oil and it relieved the popping noise in the system. We haven't had any other ruptures of hoses since the two we had. I make sure now that the hydraulic oil level is right where it should be. To get a true indication of level you need to have all levelers up (example when your on the truck and then check level).If all the levelers aren't up you won't get true indication because fluid is being used in the system. I keep it right at the fill line because when ours blew the level was somewhat low. Not sure if that was the cause but like I say we haven't had another issue since I started doing it. If you ever have an intermittent popping noise I would recommend the fork oil. The popping noise I think is caused by air being trapped inside the system. Our microwave recently died and I have to figure out how it comes out so I can get a replacement. It looks a little complicated.
Love it, now someone please mentor me so that I can also have the beautiful toys 👍🏽 great video!
Hey Steve, on our 2017 Vilano 325RL our rear furnace will not come on but the front will. I think this is on 12 volt not 110 and am wondering if it might be a blown fuse. In our breaker box I notice we have 5 (25 volt) fuses but I don't have any info on what they are for. The 12volt light below our breaker panel are a mystery to me. Do you know anything about the fuses or the reset buttons below the panel? I would include a picture but I can't on here.
Hello Rick. I suggest calling them. They have been very responsive every time I have needed any technical support.
@@switz11 I will do that thanks Steve.
Love the Vanleigh and your video was very helpful.
Thanks!
I know what you mean about your furnace. I have discovered that sometimes rv manufactures sometimes use too many branches off of a line of vent tubing. If the furnace has enuf places to attach the vent tubing to.....they need to run more lines of better size tubing....and not many branches splitting off....and stop dropping the size of the to smaller size. It actually is restricting the flow of heat. Allows more heat in one space closest to the furnace...ergo one room gets intense heat flow and others get restricted heat flow.
Do you need a Dully to pull this RV?
Hi Steve, You installed an awning over the dinette slide of your Vilano 325rl. Would you mind sharing how much the hardware and materials cost and where you purchased the hardware (VanLeigh?) and the awning material (Carefree of Colorado?). Any part numbers or suggestions concerning what to ask for and from whom would really help. Thank you.
Hey Thomas, I purchased the awning directly from Vanleigh. The service department gave me the exact location of where the wires were. One thing, the wires were attached in a way that I could not determine if they were being fed from the top or the bottom of the slide; they are being fed from the bottom. If I can remember correctly, it was around $800.00. The awning is not a standard dimension, that is why I ordered it from the factory and it comes with everything you will need. Make sure they send you the rail that the fabric attaches to the coach. Also, make sure you attach the awning down enough so a slide topper can go on in the future if needed. I didn't realize this and now can't attach a slide topper. All-in-all, it was a pretty easy install.
Thanks for a very informative video. I'll make sure I get thermopane windows.
It will have to be ordered as an option. The factory said they would take the single panes out and put in dual pane but it would cost around $4k. And, I don't know if they are truly "thermopane" windows or "dual pane" windows.
Steve what kind of roof is up there?
Thanks for the video. Enjoyed it.
Thx for your vid. I just came from a rv show. Spoke to a dealer from the toy hauler section. We were not familiar with Vanleigh Vilano line. We took a walk and stepped into one.
Dead silence.
His eyes became huge and glazed, as were mine. Then we saw the LOW LOW price...$20,000 lower than a Montana Legacy? Even had a dish washer & wine cooler?
I was sold. However, this heating thing with the windows has me concerned. My TT didn't have this issue while living in the 100+ desert.
So, is it an insulation thing, too, or just the window manufacturer? I noticed a comment that they have dual pane, but still have the same issue with hot windows? Single or dual @85 degrees, shouldn't radiate like that?
Thanks. Hope to get mine ordered in a few months.
Once I installed the second awning it took care of the heat from the windows. This is not a Vanleigh thing, it is an industry-wide thing as everyone has moved to this style of window. If the unit you want doesn't have the second awning, no big deal. Have your dealer install one or do as I did, install it yourself. I can't tell you how much we love our Vanleigh and it is a great bang-for-the-buck too! Good luck.
Have you come up with a solution for the windows? Talking about the high temperatures. Great video, thank you!! We just bought a 2016 Vilano 365rl and was wondering about those single pane windows and heat.
I put the second awning over the living room slide. This should make a big difference for heat transfer. It hasn't been hot enough to see the actual results. I did it myself and it wasn't too big of a job.
Steve Switz Thank you!!
Residential refer usage for my Cardinal 3250rl: 200 watt solar, 4 large Trojan batteries , and a 2k gen that goes straight to the converter. My second inverter :That way I can use any appliance,tv, microwave, Cpat, satellite tv, without having a giant noisy 5500 watt Onan buzzing just to top batteries. If I need to run an AC I’m in a 30-50 amp campsite. Refer on the road: I can drive all day and not lose my batteries (solar and truck keeps up).
Great video. We are looking at the at the same model and wondering when traveling and the slides are in can you access the fridge? Most rv's this isn't possible. Thanks again for the informative video.
Good question as we stop often at rest stops. It is really tight in there. You can access the right hand side of the refer but not the freezer or left hand side. We usually put out the slide a little to gai access to the refer and the rear of the coach.
Get a ice chest 😀
We had to take the window out of the cabinet that houses the tv receiver as it would heat up and shut off if you closed the door while receiver was plugged in.
Hi Steve...all RV’s have a few break in issues. Could you tell me how this unit compares to others you have had in regards to that? We are looking at purchasing a new 5th wheel and have been really drawn to the Vilano 365rl. Now that you have owned it for a while are you still as high on it as you were in the video?
Hello Ray! Yes we still love this unit. I have been to several RV shows since owning my Vilano and I don't see anything that comes close. I have made some upgrades, such as removing the pin box and putting a Reese Goose Box on, and I will be doing an update video on this and the other upgrades that I have done. I can't recommend this brand high enough. As with any unit, there are going to be some items that you feel can be improved upon but this comes damn close to perfect. All the best on your hunt for a new 5th wheel. Regards, Steve
Thanks so much for the quick reply. If don’t mind, one more quick question. Are you still having issues with the two a/c units not cooling well? That is a major concern for us.
The nice thing about the Vilano is it comes pre-wired and is framed out for the third air. After contacting Vanleigh, I was given the precise measurements for the third air. It was easy for my technician to cut the roof, hook up the wires and install the air conditioner. Once installed, all I had to do was go into the computer and click the button adding the third air. The entire job cost me around $1000. I got a close out deal from the manufacture on the air conditioner.
It is now just getting warm enough to test. I feel between the added awning and third air we should be fine.
Thanks
Do more videos about your truck and rv please
Thanks man,,x
I also wanted to add that ours has dual pane windows and it still is very hard to cool, so I think your right they are not thermal windows.
Hello Rick. Interesting about the windows. Do you have the second awning that covers the dinette slide windows? I originally didn't and added it after I purchased. This cut down on the radiant heat considerably. Also, do you have the 3rd air conditioner? I added this too after purchasing and this helps a lot.
We don't have the dinette awning, how much did it cost to add that? Where we usually go they only have 30 amp breakers and we can only run 1 air cond at a time without tripping the breaker so in our situation the 3rd air cond is impractical. I wonder if there are covers that cover the opening where the slideouts open to prevent material collecting there when they are open. It would help with not having to blow leaves dirt and twigs off of them before closing the slideouts after several days. The debris could cause problems if not removed I would think.
One other thing I agree on the bathroom heat register, it gets way too much heat. Looks like you used very thin sheet metal to block it. Did you have to attach it with something or was it thin enough to slide it in the cracks?
I used a thin piece of metal with thin double-sided tape. Still has too much heat but it is better.
Hey Rick, The dinette awning was around $800 and I purchased it directly thru Vanleigh; I did this because of the precise measurement for it. They will also give you the measurements to locate the wiring for the awning and light. These are conveniently waiting for you inside the slideout. I did it myself and it took several hours to do. I highly recommend this as it will remove the heat-transfer from the dinette windows. As far as the slide toppers go, if you order directly from the factory, you can get them. I would just go to Camping World and have them put them on. I would recommend putting them on prior to installing the awning as the hardware might get in the way. All the best!
Its crazy how much these trailers depreciate. You mention that this one came in just under 100K, and i just looked at a few 2018 model year "old inventory" that are in the 51K-68K range, and its only been a year since this video dropped.
Oh yea, they depreciate; but so does anything else on wheels, The deals are out there. Our rig listed at $100,000 but we got it at a show for $68,000. That was for a new 2018 in 2017. If you can pick one up for $51k, I would say you are doing very well. Hell, we just sold our 2015 Jeep Renegade that MSRP'd for $31k for $18k...ouch. If it moves, you are going to lose money for sure. Buy it, use it, enjoy it! All the best.
We bought ours right when they came out for 68k. I thought it was a pretty good deal at the time. Unfortunately, this is standard for the entire industry. If you pay anything close to MSRP, you are going to eat it in the end.
Absolutely beautiful video of a beautiful unit! Getting ready to order a new one (2019 320GK) but the only thing holding us up is choosing the wood stain. Could you please tell us which wood stain is on your unit? We prefer the lighter tones and have it narrowed down to the Amber Glaze and English Chestnut. The wood on your unit is exactly the wood tone we want! Please let us know which wood you have.
Thank you.
Hello Gabriel,
We also prefer the lighter toned wood and the unit we bought has English Chestnut. We love the custom cabinet look to it. Good luck with your new VanLeigh!
Hi Steve,,, Did you replace the Tires ??? (If yes, with what brand???)... Is it Prepted for Solar ie example "Zamp Solar" plug in models... We don't like the Huge Stairway,,, us being Old, in our 70's... We'd live with the standard steps... Is the 3rd A/C and the bedroom A/C ducted into the Ceiling A/C Duct Run OR are these 2 just Dump Down A/C's ??? We, my wife, Hate's the"Grab your pants/shorts Pockets" Cabinet Spike Hardware that grab your Pockets of Clothes and wrips them to schreds... They would be replaced... Over All it looks like a keeper...
Hey Jackson! It is pre-wired for solar and has a jack in the front next to the front access door. No, I haven't replaced the tires yet. I'll wait until they start cracking (as they always do) and then put a set of new tires on. All the air conditioners are run via ducts in the ceiling making it very quiet when in operation. So far, no problems with the door hardware either. Cheers.
Can I ask how about how much?
Sure, we paid $68k. I thought it was a pretty good deal.
What truck do you have? Thanks
2017 F350 Dually Platinum. I'll be doing a video soon about the stuff I have added to it for the 5th wheel.
Hey Steve, the Vilano's are also prewired for a second awning on your dinette slide. That may cut the heat down coming off the windows during the summer time. For more information e-mail me at shawn.cole@vanleighrv.com.
Hey Shawn! Thanks for the information. I have been in touch with Bryan and Allison and received my second awning a few weeks ago. It is scheduled to be installed today. You guys have made the best 5th wheel (in my humble opinion) on the market for any price. Keep up the good work.
I didn't make the awning install as scheduled as my installer had a bad shoulder. So, I watched a couple of youtube videos and decided to tackle it myself. Bryon told me the exact measurements where the wiring was for the awning and light; sure enough, he was spot on. It took me longer than it probably should have but everything came out great. Can't wait to see what this does for my heat issue.
These do NOT have full body paint!
You are correct. The front cap is painted and the sides are colored with the typical RV swirls that are stickers. I actually thought it was painted until a branch hit the side. Vanleigh's new Beacon series has full body paint.
The Beacon if full body paint
for your window issue..you need to stop the heat before it gets to the windows.
ua-cam.com/video/rB_mVlZEBYE/v-deo.html
The cameraman is the first time, no good film.