Winnebago Industries was reborn out of a failing travel trailer company in 1960 in Forest City, IA. In 1966, they built their first Motorhome, and in 1977 they became the first motorhome manufacturer to reach the 100,000 unit mark, and in 1986 they became the first motorhome builder to reach the 200,00th unit.
Winnebago has had a long relationship with Chrysler Corp. and has built their motorhomes on dodge truck chassis almost exclusively. When Chrysler Corp. absorbed Freightliner, Winnebago began using Freightliner chassis also.
For a time, the “Winnies” were considered a bit old school, but these days the Winnebago is resuming its position as an industry leader. Winnebago Industries has never presumed to challenge the no holds barred luxury class of Class A motorhome with marble floors and butlers in the slide-outs. On the other hand the Winnebago products have always been a solid vehicle with good road handling characteristics, and longevity of service.
Winnebago Industries does not manufacture any trailers or fifth wheelers. Beside their two primary lines of Winnebago and Itasca, they do manufacture three specialty lines of vehicles. These are the Ability Equipped line of Disabled Accessible Motor Homes; the Protector line of Command Center vehicles for Law Enforcement and Emergency Applications, and; the Med One line of mobile Medical Clinics.
As RVs become more popular and available, many are appearing in other roles. The Romney campaign “bus” is very obviously a Class A motorhome. Before the campaign is over you can expect to see a “tour” of the inside that goes beyond the glimpses already seen.
Winnebago RV’s have always been known for their comfort, and spaciousness, but they have never been on the gaudy side of the Class A wars. They do produce Class A motorhomes with slide-outs and with all the latest features such as rear monitoring television cameras, however. They are also among the leaders in the industry in bold graphics as a company graphics statement. Surely they will paint your RV however you would like it, but the company standard graphic package is a bold but mellow swirl or swirls.
Related Information: Winnebago Recreational Vehicles
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