Winnebago is pleased to announce the promotion of Steve Dummett to design engineering manager.

In his new role, Dummett is responsible for design engineering of the Company’s motor home product lines. Dummett oversees all design engineering functions at Winnebago, including body construction, cabinetry, plumbing and interior softgoods.

Dummett brings more than 29 years of extensive design experience to his new position. Most recently, he worked as a project engineer where he managed the design development of the Company’s Winnebago Tour and Itasca Ellipse, from concept to production. Prior to that, he held positions as a product designer, and numerous drafting positions with the Company.

Dummett earned an associate of arts degree in industrial education from Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa, and continued his education studying industrial technology at Winona State University, Winona, Minn. He lives in Forest City, Iowa.

Winnebago will be showing off their new products at the Florida RV SuperShow next week. They've pretty much redesigned their entire product line-up for 2010 while creating the new Via/Reyo to boot!

In the past, our contact at Winnebago and RV Buddies compare favorite models. The Journey 34Y was one of our favorites last year. But this time around, there is so much new in so many different categories that it's impossible to pick just one.

Whatever you're looking for in an RV, make sure you check out the Winnebago display. Here's a sampling of some favorites:

The Winnebago Via/Itasca Reya 25T were introduced first, but the new 25R plan is now on display with a full wall slide and a residential-size full queen bed. This is pretty incredible for a such an efficient-size that gets 15 - 18 MPG!

Jumping into the larger market with their first tag axle model, the 42AD known as the Winnebago Tour/Itasca Ellipse is a stunner with its expandable sofa and fireplace under the HDTV. The kitchen has plenty of room to cook. And the rest of the coach is rampant in comfort as well. If you swore you would never own a long coach - this one will test your will power!

The new Winnebago Sightseer/Itasca Sunstar 30W debuts in Florida. This coach offers great features and quality at a reasonable price. The new dash layout is impressive and this floorplan even offers an option that allows for a 40" HDTV.

We'll have a lot more live from the show next week - so make sure to refresh RV Buddies on your computer often!

In a year where literally every manufacturer is introducing smaller coaches, including Winnebago with their Via - Winnebago is also expanding their line in the other direction.

This is a first for the company as their Maxum chassis now takes the leap into the 42' range with a tag axle. We first saw this coach in Hershey and it continues to be the talk of the town. The Ellipse by Itasca / Tour by Winnebago series made our best of show in Hershey for good reason - innovation.

The use of space and unique floor plans are totally new. If you are ever in the market for a larger coach - you will be impressed by the detailing in this coach - quality components, finishes and more. Oh, and lest we forget - This highest end of models from Winnebago is very price competitive for all they offer.

During the Hershey show the RV Buddies crew managed to take a few breaks on that sofa with feet up, the fireplace blazing and TV playing a good DVD. It would not be a hard life to get used to.

RV Buddies Online names four RVs from the PRVCA show in Hershey, Pennsylvania "Best of Show".

With 59 manufacturers represented, there were many impressive RVs on display at the 41st annual PA RV & Camping Show. The event, which always creates a lot of expectation as people flock to see the new models, didn’t disappoint this year as a record crowd of 31,700 was on hand to check out the brand new 2010 models.

"The manufacturers delivered some exciting products for the 2010 model year," commented Host and Producer Mark Summers adding, "After walking the show and filming for nearly a week, several coaches simply stood out to us."

For the 2009 PRVCA show in Hershey, RV Buddies is proud to name the following "Best of Show":

(Click on images for larger view)

Winnebago VIA

Winnebago has delivered a great coach that will be a standard-setter for the next decade. It is for this generation what the View was for the last. It offers a sleek package and good mileage. On our test drive, the coach impressed with a stable, secure ride.

Four Winds Serrano

Four Winds is associated with value. The Serrano offers great styling, storage, floor plans and diesel at a great price. It's a great combination in a nicely sized package.

Winnebago Tour

This "Best of Show" is for the entire Tour line-up, as well as the sister-coach, the Itasca Ellipse. Winnebago re-invented their top-of-the-line Class A diesel pusher with some truly innovative layouts. They have even jumped into the fray with a 42' tag axle model.

JMS Galileo

The all-new Galileo is a 21' trailer. The custom-molded front cap is euro-aerodynamic. Inside, the fit, finish, materials and equipment are without compromise. If you are looking for an efficient-sized, high end towable, the Galileo should be on your short list.

Following the success of the PRVCA show, RV Buddies will continue to film next month at the California RV Show in Pomona, California, with plans to shoot at the Florida RV Super Show in January. After attending these major debut shows, RV Buddies plans to name their "RV(s) of the Year".