For sixty years, the name Winnebago has been virtually synonymous with motorhomes. Their first build rolled off the company’s Iowa assembly line in 1966. Winnebago has since expanded its offerings to include popular towables, fifth wheels, and specialty vehicles manufactured in four states - Iowa, Indiana, Oregon, and Minnesota. As the company enters 2019, it’s positioning itself as a leading U.S. manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products, including not only the flagship Winnebago line but Grand Design RVs, and boats from recently acquired Chris-Craft. The company is looking expectantly to 2019, re-energizing its motorhome division with new offerings, capitalizing on growth in the towables market, and pursuing new opportunities in the commercial sector. Chief Executive Officer Michael Happe says, “We have...elevated our level of competitiveness within the North American RV market as a stronger full-line OEM. Our RV businesses introduced many new models, to favorable reviews, at the recent Open House event in September and indications from the early fall RV retail shows confirm the momentum of our dual-brand, full-line RV portfolio.”
New Motor Homes
New Motor Homes Key to Winnebago’s strategy entering 2019 was introducing several new products in the motorhome division. Michael Happe noted in a recent press release, “Our motorhome business continues to make sequential progress in improving its product line vitality and profitability." Additions to the company’s motorhome lineup include the Class C Vita and Porto models, and Class A Adventurer.
Vita and Porto
These two affordably-priced compact class C diesels are built upon the Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis. Russ Garfin, product manager says, “At under 25 feet, the Vita and Porto allow you the freedom to explore everything from a major metropolitan area to a remote forest.” He says that Winnebago has focused on providing high quality, innovative, yet easy to drive vehicles that are perfect for today’s active lifestyles. Two available floor plans are equipped with best-in-class galleys, superior storage, and carrying capacity, and are outfitted for modern technology.
Adventurer
The new edition Class A Adventurer continues the luxury, gasoline-powered line built with Winnebago’s legendary SuperStructure. The Adventurer is offered in five floorplans that meet a variety of preferences. Director of Sales Niles Whitehouse says, “The family-friendly floor plans offer spacious living, and ample storage space to provide all the comforts of home.” The Adventurer has amenities typically found only in diesel pushers - like Versa driver’s seats, Corian countertops, Primera-covered furnishings, and solar/blackout roller shades.
Towables
In late 2018, Winnebago introduced exciting new towables taking advantage of market opportunities. Michael Happe noted the company’s increased market share is being driven “primarily on the strength of our sustained Towables segment growth.” Both our Winnebago and Grand Design-branded towables business have material momentum, with new products and superlative quality driving increased business with dealers and end customers, Happe explains. The new offerings include the award-winning Micro Minnie 5th Wheel and the Spyder series of toy haulers.
Micro Minnie Fifth Wheel
Capitalizing on the growth of the seven-foot-wide RV market, Winnebago introduced the Micro Minnie trailer, a fifth wheel weighing in at only 5,000 pounds. Adam Christoffersen, Product Manager, told The Buzz, “The industry promotes 7,000, 8,000, and even 9,000-pound fifth wheels as half-ton towables.” However, many buyers have reservations about those units because of the large tow vehicles required. “The new Micro Minnie fifth wheel in the 5,000-pound category will not only be best-in-class but also works with the rapidly growing midsize truck category like the Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma,” he said.
The Micro Minnie not only provides an attractive option for customers who are looking for ease of towing, but pricing and creature comforts make it even more appealing. Base MSRP is only $34,503 and the Micro Minnie’s five available floorplans are equipped with upgrades generally associated with more premium towables. These include features like flush-mount cooktop with glass cover, solid surface countertops, stainless steel sinks, and plenty of large windows that add a sense of spaciousness to the compact fifth wheel. The industry is taking note. After debuting at this year’s Open House in Elkhart, Indiana, the editors of Robustness Magazine recognized the Micro Minnie as a Top 5 finalist for RV of the Year and a 2019 Top Debut. RV Pro Magazine named the new fifth wheel a 2019 Best of Show RV.
Spyder Toy Hauler
Winnebago re-entered the toy hauler market in late 2018 with the launch of the new Spyder product line. The Spyder line consists of four travel trailers and two fifth wheels. All floorplans include a private bedroom with king bed and kitchen area with top-notch appliances. Large windows provide increased ventilation and an in-ceiling ducted air conditioning system provides cooling. A key element to the various floorplans is the absence of wheel wells, which allows for greater vehicle storage. Overhead cabinetry extends to the ceiling and the garage area is equipped with tie-downs bolted to the frame, a rarity in the industry. “The end user was our main focus. We included several functional features that will be appreciated long after the thrill of the purchase,” said Ron Brown, Engineering Manager.
Specialty Vehicles
Winnebago also announced the launch of an all-electric/zero-emission commercial vehicle platform through the company’s Specialty Vehicles Division. Winnebago will be partnering with Motiv Power Systems, Inc., a leading supplier of electric-powered chassis to produce these. The 33’ and 38’ class A commercial shells will have a range of 85-125 miles, perfect for applications like mobile medical untis, blood-mobiles, mobile classrooms, and event marketing.
Particularly noteworthy is the development of the first all-electric Mobile Lung Unit (eMLU) powered by a Ford F-53-based electric chassis from MotivPower Systems. The specialty vehicle will feature the world’s first portable, full-body CT scanner. Winnebago is also one of the very few RV manufacturers building units specially tailored for those with physical disabilities. The company is manufacturing vehicles with wheelchair lifts, roll-in showers, and conveniently located controls and fixtures.
New Motor Homes
New Motor Homes Key to Winnebago’s strategy entering 2019 was introducing several new products in the motorhome division. Michael Happe noted in a recent press release, “Our motorhome business continues to make sequential progress in improving its product line vitality and profitability." Additions to the company’s motorhome lineup include the Class C Vita and Porto models, and Class A Adventurer.
Vita and Porto
These two affordably-priced compact class C diesels are built upon the Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis. Russ Garfin, product manager says, “At under 25 feet, the Vita and Porto allow you the freedom to explore everything from a major metropolitan area to a remote forest.” He says that Winnebago has focused on providing high quality, innovative, yet easy to drive vehicles that are perfect for today’s active lifestyles. Two available floor plans are equipped with best-in-class galleys, superior storage, and carrying capacity, and are outfitted for modern technology.
Adventurer
The new edition Class A Adventurer continues the luxury, gasoline-powered line built with Winnebago’s legendary SuperStructure. The Adventurer is offered in five floorplans that meet a variety of preferences. Director of Sales Niles Whitehouse says, “The family-friendly floor plans offer spacious living, and ample storage space to provide all the comforts of home.” The Adventurer has amenities typically found only in diesel pushers - like Versa driver’s seats, Corian countertops, Primera-covered furnishings, and solar/blackout roller shades.
Towables
In late 2018, Winnebago introduced exciting new towables taking advantage of market opportunities. Michael Happe noted the company’s increased market share is being driven “primarily on the strength of our sustained Towables segment growth.” Both our Winnebago and Grand Design-branded towables business have material momentum, with new products and superlative quality driving increased business with dealers and end customers, Happe explains. The new offerings include the award-winning Micro Minnie 5th Wheel and the Spyder series of toy haulers.
Micro Minnie Fifth Wheel
Capitalizing on the growth of the seven-foot-wide RV market, Winnebago introduced the Micro Minnie trailer, a fifth wheel weighing in at only 5,000 pounds. Adam Christoffersen, Product Manager, told The Buzz, “The industry promotes 7,000, 8,000, and even 9,000-pound fifth wheels as half-ton towables.” However, many buyers have reservations about those units because of the large tow vehicles required. “The new Micro Minnie fifth wheel in the 5,000-pound category will not only be best-in-class but also works with the rapidly growing midsize truck category like the Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma,” he said.
The Micro Minnie not only provides an attractive option for customers who are looking for ease of towing, but pricing and creature comforts make it even more appealing. Base MSRP is only $34,503 and the Micro Minnie’s five available floorplans are equipped with upgrades generally associated with more premium towables. These include features like flush-mount cooktop with glass cover, solid surface countertops, stainless steel sinks, and plenty of large windows that add a sense of spaciousness to the compact fifth wheel. The industry is taking note. After debuting at this year’s Open House in Elkhart, Indiana, the editors of Robustness Magazine recognized the Micro Minnie as a Top 5 finalist for RV of the Year and a 2019 Top Debut. RV Pro Magazine named the new fifth wheel a 2019 Best of Show RV.
Spyder Toy Hauler
Winnebago re-entered the toy hauler market in late 2018 with the launch of the new Spyder product line. The Spyder line consists of four travel trailers and two fifth wheels. All floorplans include a private bedroom with king bed and kitchen area with top-notch appliances. Large windows provide increased ventilation and an in-ceiling ducted air conditioning system provides cooling. A key element to the various floorplans is the absence of wheel wells, which allows for greater vehicle storage. Overhead cabinetry extends to the ceiling and the garage area is equipped with tie-downs bolted to the frame, a rarity in the industry. “The end user was our main focus. We included several functional features that will be appreciated long after the thrill of the purchase,” said Ron Brown, Engineering Manager.
Specialty Vehicles
Winnebago also announced the launch of an all-electric/zero-emission commercial vehicle platform through the company’s Specialty Vehicles Division. Winnebago will be partnering with Motiv Power Systems, Inc., a leading supplier of electric-powered chassis to produce these. The 33’ and 38’ class A commercial shells will have a range of 85-125 miles, perfect for applications like mobile medical untis, blood-mobiles, mobile classrooms, and event marketing.
Particularly noteworthy is the development of the first all-electric Mobile Lung Unit (eMLU) powered by a Ford F-53-based electric chassis from MotivPower Systems. The specialty vehicle will feature the world’s first portable, full-body CT scanner. Winnebago is also one of the very few RV manufacturers building units specially tailored for those with physical disabilities. The company is manufacturing vehicles with wheelchair lifts, roll-in showers, and conveniently located controls and fixtures.