In the Heartland

Luxury and large scale often walk the same path. Rare are the times that you’ll find an
exceptionally well-appointed home or automobile that is proportioned similarly to its
less-flamboyant counterparts. Indeed, with a higher price tag comes the expectation that
you’ll be getting more for your money — in every possible respect. In the RV industry,
however, there are some exceptions. While luxury is always welcome, it loses some appeal if
that additional elbowroom comes at the expense of maneuverability. Heartland Recreational
Vehicles has found a way to deliver both benefits with its new Landmark Shenandoah — a
33-foot fifth-wheel that is not only luxurious, but extremely maneuverable as well. “It’s
no secret that shortbed pickups are more popular than longbeds, but these trucks,
especially the extended-cab variety without specialized hitch equipment, may limit turning
radius when used with a fifth-wheel trailer,” explains Scott Tuttle, vice president of
marketing for Heartland. “When we designed the Shenandoah, we went outside the box with our
thinking and developed a product that has a 30 percent improved turning radius over
comparable products.” The design, which incorporates patent-pending engineering to the
frame and front cap, allows up to an 88-degree turn before there is any interference
between trailer and cab. Other examples of Heartland’s outside-the-box design are its
Universal Docking Center, which groups everything needed to hook up in one lighted
compartment, and its “Texas Storage,” which boasts more than 141 cubic feet of pass-through
space with no exposed wiring, plumbing or ducting. Inside the Shenandoah, quality and
amenities are top-notch. For example, most luxury fivers have solid-surface countertops,
but the Shenandoah uses genuine Corian with a waterfall edge. The furniture is Flexsteel,
the cabinets and slideout faces are solid-maple, and the flooring is Armstrong laminate.
All of the brushed-nickel light fixtures are custom, and the appliances are brand-name. The
Shenandoah’s floorplan incorporates two opposing slideouts, with a sofa bed located all the
way aft. The curbside slide houses a four-place dinette and a recliner that is situated for
enjoying the entertainment center in the streetside slide. Also in this location is the
kitchen, which is equipped with an Amana sealed three-burner cooktop, a microwave
convection, a pantry, a double-bowl stainless-steel sink and generous cabinet storage.
Located forward of the streetside slideout is a Dometic Royale eight-cubic-foot
refrigerator with maple door inserts. In the bath area, the luxurious feel continues.
There’s a large neo-angle shower with radius glass-door enclosure, and a solid-maple
lavatory. The commode room features a china toilet, and an adjacent linen closet is prepped
for an optional washer/dryer. Separated from the bath by an accordion door is the master
suite, which houses a queen-size bed in a streetside slideout. Other details include a
curbside vanity, a television in an overhead cabinet and a large wardrobe with built-in
storage. Heartland Recreational Vehicles LLC, (574) 262-5992, www.heartlandrvs.com.