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What to ask before you buy a motor home.
So you've fallen in love with the motor home lifestyle and you're narrowing down your choices. At this point, answering just four basic questions can help you identify your ideal motor home - and protect you from buying one that's badly designed or poorly built.
To find the answers to these questions, Download the PDF. 
1. Will it meet my needs?
As you've no doubt discovered, motor homes come in a variety of sizes, shapes and floorplans - how the living space is laid out.
To make sure you end up with the motor home that best meets your needs, it's important to think a little bit about how you'll use it:
- How many people will typically be aboard?
- How many days a year will you use it?
- Will you use it more for weekend trips or extended stays?
- Will you spend more time in parks designed for RVs, or in places you won't have access to power and water hookups?
- How much entertaining will you do?
- Will you use it as a base at sporting and other events?
Your answers, plus the guidelines that follow, will help ensure that you end up in the perfect motor home for you!
Floorplans, Floorplans
The first key to a great motor home experience is finding the right floorplan. At Winnebago Industries, we offer floorplans that range from ultra-efficient 24-foot compact coaches to 42-foot super-luxurious, double-bath diesel pushers - and everything in between.
We consistently deliver many of the most innovative floorplans on the market found on the Winnebago Tour and Itasca Ellipse. This premium floorplan offers unprecedented features, including large slideouts, our extendable sectional sofa, a half-bath mid-coach and a private master bathroom with an incredibly spacious shower.
Packing it all in: The story behind all that storage.
Abundant, accessible storage makes motor home travel even more enjoyable. But there can be significant differences in storage even when two coaches are the same size.
Our engineers have several advantages when it comes to conjuring up every last cubic inch of storage in our floorplans.
We work closely with chassis manufacturers as we develop new models and floorplans; this partnership provides us with the opportunity to have a chassis tailored to our specific requirements.
Our engineers use a Unigraphics/NX Computer-Aided Design (CAD) system to ensure a precise fit for all components and reduce wasted space.
We manufacture our own holding tanks, so we can size and shape them to fit precisely into the space allotted (impossible to do with the off-the-shelf rectangular tanks other manufacturers use). That frees up surrounding space for additional storage.
As part of our SmartSpace design approach, we focus on how well things are "packaged" in our coaches. A sofa arm may actually hold a table, or if you pull on a knob in the galley, a spice rack may appear. The space we save adds to your living or storage space.
All of these factors allow us to provide more (and more useful) storage than similarly sized competitive motor homes. For example, our 36V floorplan offers a whopping 160 cubic feet of exterior storage - equivalent to more than 1,100 U.S. gallons in storage space - in a 36-foot motor home!
Motor homes designed around you.
Our innovative products are the direct result of input from the people who use them. We continuously gather data from surveys, focus groups and market analyses, as well as feedback from our District Sales Managers and Service Managers who work with dealers and their customers on a daily basis.
Listening to customers led us to invent a whole new category of coach with our innovative Winnebago View and Itasca Navion, the first North American motor homes built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, as well as the Itasca Reyo and Winnebago Via, the only Sprinter-based North American Class A motor homes. Today, we build significantly more motor homes on this fuel-efficient chassis than anyone else in the industry.
Continuous innovation
From the time the first RVs rolled out of our doors in 1959, Winnebago Industries has pioneered hundreds of industry firsts that have enhanced the lives of RVers. Here are just a few:
- Thermo-Panel - our sophisticated coach wall construction method.
- OnePlace - combines frequently used system monitors and controls in one central location.
- TrueLevel - advanced, highly accurate holding tank monitoring system.
- RV Radio - the first integrated in-dash audio system expressly designed for ease of use by RVers.
- Maxum Chassis - developed with Freightliner, this "lowered-rail" chassis offers enhanced ride and cavernous exterior storage.
- View and Navion - the first Class C motor homes built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
- Via and Reyo - the first Class A motor homes built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
- Extendable Sectional Sofa - provides comfortable seating for up to seven, instantly!
- BIG Shower - a 36" x 36" shower that lives up to its name.
- StudioLoft - a large drop-down bed that converts the cab into an additional bedroom.
- BenchMark Dinette - residential comfort (thanks to true innerspring seat construction), accessible storage and additional sleeping space in one attractive dinette.
- BenchMark Extendable Dinette - lets you change seating from four to six, provides extra storage, and even converts to an additional sleeping space.
You'll find much more evidence of our innovation - in how we design, manufacture, and even test our motor homes - in the following pages.
But the story doesn't end here. Just as important is how well your motor home is put together, and how well it works.
Your eyes, ears and hands can tell you a lot. Does everything look square? Does that door sound solid when you close it? Are there large gaps where you'd expect a tight fit?
At Winnebago Industries, we draw on our decades of experience, plus research (with customers, prospects and even our own employees) and extensive testing to create fully functional homes on wheels that are lasting sources of enjoyment for our customers.
SmartSpace Design
Our engineers spend a lot of time packaging systems and components in the most efficient manner possible. We call it our SmartSpace design philosophy, and it's one reason our motor homes seem to "live" much bigger than comparably sized competitive units. A good example of this approach is the full-depth drawers in our pull-out islands. Some other manufacturers actually put non-functioning drawer fronts on their islands.
Your safety is no accident
While we are confident you won't find a safer recreational vehicle on the road today, we never take safety for granted. It's the number-one reason we go through such extensive testing and put such care into our construction process. In addition to meeting or exceeding all Federal and industry standards, we employ a multitude of other safety features:
- Our SuperStructure cab design surrounds the cab area with a sturdy steel framework.
- Driver and passenger seats and seatbelts are bolted to steel.
- Three-point safety harnesses are used in all driver and co-pilot seat applications.
- Exterior mirror locations are designed and tested to ensure optimal viewing angles.
- Side view cameras (available on most models) offer added comfort in backing and maneuvering by eliminating blind spots.
Computer-Aided Design
Our engineers use a Unigraphics/NX Computer-Aided Design (CAD) system (the same system used by General Electric) to design our motor homes and components. This system allows us to model each part in 3D and simulate its full range of motion, test stress levels and specify clearances.
Clay Modeling
To bring large-scale designs to life, skilled modelers create full-sized clay mockups, which are electronically scanned to create production molds. Although standard in the auto industry, we know of no other RV manufacturer using this unique blend of old-world craftsmanship and modern technology.
Multi-Axis Milling
Sophisticated multi-axis milling machines turn CAD designs directly into exact prototypes and production molds and fixtures, resulting in better fitting parts, less waste and faster design cycles. Other manufacturers haven't invested in this precision technology.
2. Is it built to last?
Here in our Forest City, Iowa, manufacturing facilities, we build our motor homes start to finish, and manufacture many of our own components. Here's why.
- We can specify the finest raw materials. (We don't buy trim made from unknown or inferior metal, we buy specific aluminum alloy billets for each application.) Then we build components that meet our rigorous quality standards.
- We can engineer precisely what we need. Instead of bolting an off-the-shelf holding tank onto a chassis, we design and rotocast our own tank to fit precisely into its chassis. That precise fit frees up space for other things - like more storage. It also lets us distribute weight more evenly, which makes your motor home handle better. An added benefit: if a part is needed years later, we can simply make one if it's not in stock. Try that after a supplier changes tooling - or a manufacturer changes suppliers.
- We control quality more stringently by taking a "big-picture" approach. Training, certification and testing - of materials, prototypes, systems and motor homes - are just some of the tools we use to ensure that every coach we build deserves to wear that Winnebago Industries badge.
We don't just build motor homes, we build expertise.
At Winnebago Industries, we offer ongoing training to build the skills of the men and women who build our motor homes.
- All welders, plumbers and electrical technicians are fully trained and certified.
- Our Customer Service facility has dozens of Certified and Master Certified Technicians on staff.
- The rigorous training and testing our employees must complete to earn certifications means your motor home is built to last and meets our high standards.
Don't use wood where you need steel.
Using inferior materials is an easy way to cut costs, but we believe the reduction in strength, durability - even safety - is simply too high a price to pay.
Because we use metal so extensively in our motor homes, we have made it a priority over the years to develop our metalworking capabilities. Today, no other RV company can begin to match our capabilities, nor the expertise of our hundreds of employees devoted to manufacturing critical aluminum and steel components.
Aluminum
Our Creative Aluminum Products Company (CAPCO) division is a complete aluminum extrusion facility capable of producing nearly 600,000 pounds of finished aluminum products a week. We stock a variety of aluminum alloy cylinders (called billets) and select the best alloy for each application.
CAPCO also provides products like water heater tubes and powder-coated door latches to outside suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. (You’ll even find CAPCO-produced components in competitors' products.)
Metal Protection
To help minimize corrosion, metal parts and components can feature one of several protective coating processes.
Critical steel structural components are processed through a multi-stage full immersion electroÂcoating (e-coating) system. E-coating is also used by leading automotive companies to protect their vehicles from corrosion.
The process involves charging each part with an electrical charge which attracts the protective coating, causing it to be "plated" onto the part. The result is a uniform thickness of the protective coating.
Components like screen doors are painted with a powder-coating process. A positive electric charge is applied to the part, which attracts the negatively charged powder particles. The coating is then baked on in heat chambers for an attractive, extremely durable finish.
Many of our competitors apply a simple spray-on paint that doesn't reach or protect nooks and crannies.
Larger than two full-size football fields, our dedicated steelworking facility processes sheet, tube, and roll-stock steel. We use a vast array of computer-controlled lasers, turret punching machines and presses to manufacture parts to close tolerances not readily achievable with other methods.
The inside story on our motor home walls.
We revolutionized the industry with Thermo-Panel construction, which sandwiches metal framework, ducting and insulation between the interior and exterior walls. We've continued to advance our technology even as others try to copy it.
Rubber tires? Great. Rubber roof? Not so much
All of our coaches are topped by a strong, durable fiberglass roof, backed by a 10-year limited parts-and-labor roof skin warranty.
Unlike residential house furniture, or even the furniture used in other RVs such as trailers, motor home furniture must meet a unique set of automotive, fire, crash and other safety standards.
And no one knows more about motor home furniture than Winnebago Industries. The craftsmen in our Stitchcraft division have been building motor home furnishings for more than 50 years. In that time, we've produced more than one million pieces of furniture, including seats, sofas and loungers.
Designing and manufacturing furniture specifically for our motor homes not only helps us utilize space more efficiently, it has led to innovations such as our Rest Easy sofa, our BenchMark full-comfort dinette, and our new Extendable Sectional Sofa.
And like the many other components we build ourselves, manufacturing much of our own furniture allows us to provide replacement parts long after the original date of manufacture, something that third-party vendors typically can't match.
We also don't cut corners when it comes to what goes into our furniture. Like every other component, Stitchcraft furniture must pass our rigid quality standards before being sent to the assembly line.
To cover our sofas, chairs and dinettes, we use high-quality fabrics that must stand up to a variety of tests including abrasion resistance and colorfastness compliance to ensure durability.
Our passion for excellence doesn't stop with furniture; Stitchcraft also produces soft goods such as window treatments, bedspreads, pillows and comforters that perfectly accent each motor home interior. Others may have to settle for what's available on the open market.
From traditional to contemporary, the custom hardwood cabinets that grace many of our models provide a stylish accent to each coach's interior, and feature beautiful and durable stile-and-rail construction similar to that found in fine residential cabinetry.
These well-built hardwood cabinets are created by our own skilled artisans for the same reason we build our own furniture: motor home cabinets are subject to a unique set of challenges and requirements, and most "off-the-shelf" cabinetry simply doesn't cut it.
We use genuine select hardwoods like cherry and maple, so when we say "cherry," you know you're getting the real thing. Some manufacturers take cheaper softwood like alder, put a cherry stain on it and call it "cherry."
Our cabinets are finished with hand-rubbed stains and durable catalyzed finishes to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.
Rotocast
We manufacture components like water tanks, luggage compartments, heat ducts and wheel wells in our rotational molding (rotocast) facility. Here, polyethylene powder is placed into specially shaped molds. These molds are heated, changing the powder to liquid, rotated to distribute the liquid evenly, and cooled to produce the hardened seamless parts.
We produce more than 3.5 million pounds of rotocast goods annually, each component designed to precisely fit its specific application. And because we own the molds, we know parts will be available for years to come.
Thermoform
Shower stalls, dashes, bumpers, trim pieces and compartment doors are created with highly efficient thermoform processes in our 72,000 square-foot plastics facility.
We start with high-impact ABS plastic that can stand up to the rigors of life on the road and maintain its original luster for years to come. Thermo-forming machines heat the plastic sheets and place them on molds while applying a vacuum to shape the part.
Other manufacturers use low-grade and less expensive styrene material that's less impact-resistant than ABS plastic, and trim by hand to less-precise tolerances.
When it comes to wiring, nobody is more current.
Resettable Breakers
We use resettable breakers for 12-volt circuit protection whenever possible. They cost a bit more, but since they don't require one-use fuses, end up being far more convenient for you.
12-Volt Wiring
We follow automotive standards for secure and reliable 12-volt connections. Wires are clearly labeled for easy identification, and crimped and spliced using an advanced solderless welding process and heat-shrink covering that virtually eliminates failure.
Plumbing
We use PEX residential-quality tubing in all of our water supply systems. Quick-disconnect and compression connectors at key locations ensure sturdy, leakproof connections, and - in the unlikely event service is ever necessary - make reconnecting or replacement a snap.
Few companies go to the lengths we do to test our products. None go to the heights.
We test raw materials. We test prototypes. We test finished parts. We test completed motor homes. Heck, we even test our testers. All to ensure that every motor home that rolls out the door meets our standards for quality, performance, durability and safety.
3. What happens down the road?
We put our motor homes through the most demanding set of tests in the industry, and we're equally careful in choosing our supplier and dealer partners. As a result, every Winnebago Industries motor home is engineered to stand up to the rigors of the road, and backed by a company and dealer network that have stood the test of time.
And while many of our dealer relationships go back decades, we work hard to ensure our dealer network continues to be the best in the industry.
We support our more than 200 U.S. and Canada dealers with the comprehensive training, information, tools and programs they need to keep your Winnebago Industries motor home ready for your next adventure.
Circle of Excellence
Our Circle of Excellence program recognizes those dealers whose performance has distinguished them from our outstanding body of dealers.
Got Parts?
Lichtsinn Motors parts department has access to the most advanced parts supply systems in the industry, including online directories, electronic ordering, expedited delivery and a factory staff of experts. Our main warehouse is the largest building in our Forest City complex at 400,000 square feet - well over eight football fields under one roof! - and processes between $3.5 to $4 million in parts (most of which we manufacture) every week. Need a holding tank for an '89 Chieftain - we can do that!
The first program of its kind, our TripSaver Fast Track Warranty Program guarantees 24-hour delivery for in-stock emergency warranty parts. Parts are shipped directly to your dealer overnight so in the unlikely event of trouble, you can get back on the road as quickly as possible.
We partner with the best chassis builders in the business, including Freightliner, Ford and Mercedes-Benz. Each of these trusted partners invests hundreds of millions of dollars developing powertrains, suspensions, braking systems and other systems. We work closely with them to make sure the chassis under our motor homes deliver the power, strength, durability, safety and space required for each specific application. These manufacturers also support your motor home with hundreds of servicing dealers.
Case in point: The Maxum Chassis.
We worked with Freightliner to develop their XCL chassis, then incorporated our SuperStructure framework to transform the XCL into our exclusive Maxum chassis. With its lowered-rail midsection, the Maxum is far stronger than a comparable raised-rail chassis. Because chassis flex is minimized and the center of gravity is low, the Maxum delivers a smooth, stable ride that must be experienced to be believed. As an added bonus, the Maxum provides up to 220 cubic feet of easy-access storage, nearly 50 cubic feet more than previous models.
Roadside Assistance
Every new Winnebago Industries coach comes with a complimentary one-year membership in our Premium Roadside Assistance 24/7 program, administered by Coach-Net RV Membership Plans. Coverage includes free tire changing, lockout assistance, emergency fuel delivery, trip routing and more.
Warranty
Every coach we produce is backed by our rock-solid reputation and our extensive warranty coverage.
- 12-month/15,000-mile basic limited warranty
- 36-month/36,000-mile limited warranty on structure
- 10-year limited parts-and-labor roof skin warranty
Chassis warranties are also provided by the chassis manufacturer. Coach warranty service is available from Itasca or Winnebago dealers across the country.
Operator's Manual
We believe the more informed you are about your motor home, the more you'll enjoy it. So we include a comprehensive Operator's Manual that features key safety, operating and service information, along with helpful photos and illustrations. Then we go a step further.
We include a custom-printed Operator's Manual Supplement specifically for each coach that includes the information and operating instructions for all the components and accessories in that motor home - everything from the refrigerator to the water pump. Better yet, the Supplement is cross-referenced to the Operator's Manual, making it easy to find exactly the information you need.
We are the only manufacturer in the RV industry that organizes and prints this information specifically for each coach. And you'll be happy to know that should your unique Operator's Manual or Supplement ever need replacing, it can simply be ordered like any other part. Now that's service!
Like to "Do It Yourself" or just like to stay informed? As a Winnebago Industries owner, you'll have access to extensive online libraries of product information, including paint codes, wiring diagrams, plumbing diagrams, parts catalogs, product brochures and operator's manuals - all available free online, anytime. Other manufacturers offer limited to no online support, provide "send us a picture" parts support, or even charge for wiring diagrams - if they're available at all. Who would you rather partner with?
WIT Club
Winnebago Industries owners are invited to join legions of other enthusiasts in the Winnebago-Itasca Travelers Club. The WIT Club currently boasts more than 12,000 members who enjoy rallies, special events, member services and a common bond with other members. And every year, thousands of them get together here in Forest City to celebrate at our Grand National Rally.
4. What kind of company stands behind it?
The history of the motor home industry is dotted with manufacturers that have come and gone (sometimes more than once), leaving their customers standing by the side of the road when it comes to warranty claims, parts or service.
We believe it's more important than ever to consider not just the motor home, but the company that stands behind it. Few RV companies can match our heritage, and none can match our record of continuous recognition by dealers as a trusted and reliable partner that stands behind its products.
Since our founding more than 50 years ago, we have produced more than 400,000 motor homes that have logged millions of miles - and put even more smiles on the faces of their owners. No wonder our name is synonymous with motor home!
We build more efficient motor homes - more efficiently.
Besides producing the best motor homes possible, our goal in manufacturing and production is to eliminate waste and conserve resources, materials and time. Vertical integration helps us control product flow, manage processes for efficiency, and significantly reduce packaging waste compared to companies that have all of their parts shipped in.
We also enhance efficiency and reduce waste with Lean Manufacturing and Just-in-Time Receiving.
Lean Manufacturing
Lean Manufacturing is a system of organization that drives efficiency and quality by focusing on processes and continuous improvement. The basic principles include:
- No product is built until it is needed.
- Employees are an integral part of the business, not extensions of machines.
- Quality is designed into the product or process, not inspected in.
- There is a relentless commitment to banish waste and strive for perfection.
The result is reduced waste, improved production processes, and quality that is built in from the beginning. We have trained more than 80 percent of our employees in Lean Manufacturing, and we implement it in all of our facilities.
Just-in-Time (JIT) Receiving
Just-in-Time Receiving is the art and science of supplying parts to the manufacturing line precisely when they are needed, saving warehouse space, reducing transportation and handling costs, and improving delivery times.
Externally supplied parts are ordered for delivery on an as-needed basis, many delivered directly to the manufacturing facility where they are used.
Similarly, internal components are built and delivered as needed, eliminating the waste of building excess parts that may never be used, and ensuring that each part is manufactured to the most current standard.
RVDA Awards
We are proud to have earned the RV Dealers Association Quality Circle award every year since its inception in 1996. We are the only RV manufacturer to have done so.
Ford QVM Program
Winnebago Industries is a Ford Motor Company Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) participant in good standing, and has met the Ford requirements for engineering capability, design and build process controls, management commitment and quality control procedures.
Green is the new black
Reduce, reuse, recycle: Today's environmental mantra is nothing new at Winnebago Industries. Our long-term focus on delivering value for our customers led us to adopt many of today's green practices years - even decades - ago. A few examples...
Minimizing Materials through Computer-Aided Design
Our Unigraphics CAD system allows us to maximize the strength of a component while minimizing the amount of material used. Virtual and actual stress tests are then used to validate the component's design.
Hardwood Optimization
We use a lot of hardwood for our cabinets and wood trim. But we'd use a lot more if we didn't use sophisticated computers to evaluate each piece to maximize the useful yield. Even the sawdust is collected and used for animal bedding by local farmers!
Entrance Side Door Panels
We don't recycle the panels where doors are cut out from sidewalls, we reuse those panels -they go back into the same coach as part of the actual door, saving material, reducing cost, and ensuring a perfect color match.
Plastics
Our plastics facility uses a low-speed granulator to grind excess trim material into reusable granules. Some 1.5 million pounds of plastic are recycled this way every year.
Packaging and More
We also reuse and recycle pallets and other shipping containers. In fact, we pioneered returnable packaging with such key vendors as Sharp (microwaves), Onan (generators) and the Sprinter chassis. We also reuse scrap fiberfill from our Stitchcraft facility (for use in archery targets!), and recycle batteries, printer cartridges, light bulbs, even cans, bottles and food containers.
A Greener Vacation
People who love motor homes tend to love the outdoors as well. Like them, we want to preserve the earth for future generations to enjoy.
In fact, a vacation in a Winnebago Industries motor home is a greener alternative to other common types of vacations. According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, RV vacations have lower carbon emissions and less of an adverse environmental impact than flying, renting a car and staying in a hotel or motel.
Advanced materials, advanced engine technology and advanced aerodynamic designs have all helped today's motor homes break new ground in energy efficiency - a number of our models are more fuel-efficient than many SUVs.
Visit Us:
826 Highway 69 North
Forest City,
Iowa 15668
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