Winnebago has developed and manufactured a new Ability Equipped design for the fuel-efficient ERA Class B motor home.

EDITORS NOTE:  RV Buddies helped with the remodel of Sandy Olivers' RV so she could continue RVing. CLICK HERE or search the site for all of her story. The link at the bottom of this article connects you to great ability-equipped resources at Winnebago - their commitment has always been their for those with special needs. Like Sandy, we want to see you RVing for years to come!

Perfect for those wishing to downsize, enjoy weekend travel or anyone looking for a full service recreation vehicle in a compact size, the ERA now has an additional new floorplan available for those with special physical needs. Winnebago Industries has added the new Ability Equipped floorplan to its ERA line to meet the needs of those customers who face physical challenges. While Winnebago Industries is well known as a leader in the sale of traditional Class A and C motor homes, the Company is also an experienced leader in the design and manufacture of vehicles that enable individuals with special mobility concerns to travel freely and comfortably.

Special Ability Equipped ERA features:

• Ricon KlearVue™ lift in the rear of the motor home. This lift provides easy access into the ERA while its low profile design allows an unobstructed view out the windows of the rear entrance door.
• Wider aisle-way for easier navigation inside the motor home
• Wheelchair lock-downs are provided on the driver’s side of the vehicle behind the front cab seats.
• Bath doors swing out for easy access into the bathroom
• Assist bar and second shower head holder in the wet bath
• Custom galley with sink, stovetop, microwave mounted under stovetop for easy access, and Waeco refrigerator which extends on a sliding tray from the end of the galley cabinet
• Built on an 8,550-lb. GVWR Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis with a fuel efficient 3L 6-cylinder turbo-diesel Mercedes-Benz engine, the ERA features an aerodynamic design with smooth lines and striking full body paint. The exterior is further enhanced with stylized, 16-inch aluminum wheels and full-length running boards. A 5,000-lb. hitch and optional patio awning are additional highlights of this coach. In addition to the rear door with the wheelchair lift, the Ability Equipped ERA also has front cab doors and a large sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle for easy entry for additional occupants.

The ERA also features Winnebago Industries’ RV Radio that combines an AM/FM radio, CD and weatherband in one and includes an iPod/MP3 jack and hand held remote. The radio is also combined with a rearview monitor system with a touch screen, displaying weather alerts and song type, in addition to a clear picture of the exterior behind the motor home for use when backing up. The rearview monitor system also features one-way audio that is helpful when a person outside can help the driver navigate in and out of tight spots. Sirius satellite radio is also available. The ERA has plush, UltraLeather furnishings, solid-surface countertops and a 15-inch pivoting TV with DVD player. A rear dinette pedestal table and bench seats easily convert to a comfortable 40” x 69” sleeping area. The front cab seats swivel fully to face the rear of the motor home for easy access from a wheelchair. A removable pedestal table by the cab seats also provides a second dining area or a convenient spot for playing games. The ERA has a ceiling height of 6 feet, 3 inches and an exterior length just over 24 feet. The ERA also offers a 5,000-lb. trailer hitch.

For further information about the Ability Equipped ERA, contact Winnebago Industries Commercial and Specialty Vehicle Department at 1-800-492-9135 or the authorized ERA dealer near you.

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 Industries’ dealers retailed more Class A and Class C motor homes combined than any other manufacturer’s dealer group in calendar 2009, achieving 19.2 percent market share versus 18.3 percent market share for calendar 2008.

“Achieving the top-selling position again is a tribute to the teamwork of our dealer partners and our employees,” said Winnebago Industries Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin. “We were extremely pleased with our market share performance in calendar 2009, particularly in the Class A diesel motor home market segment, due in part to the success of our new 2010 lineup. Winnebago Industries had the largest Class A diesel market share gain in the industry with 11.3 percent of this market segment in 2009 versus 8.1 percent in calendar 2008; an amazing gain of nearly 40 percent for the year.”

Winnebago Industries also led the Class A Gas market segment and the Class C market segment, both with 22.9 percent market share in calendar 2009. Winnebago Industries’ ERA was also the top-selling Class B motor home model in calendar 2009 with 17.9 percent market share.

With recent trade show attendance breaking records 2010 should bring with it an even better year.

For the record, here are the actual numbers as provided by Statistical Surveys, the key source for numbers to the RV industry:

Top 5 Class A & C Combined Manufacturers
1 Winnebago  (3,622)
2 Thor  (3,065)
3 Fleetwood  (3,011)
4 Monaco  (2,044)
5 Tiffin  (1,401)

Top 5 Class A Manufacturers - Gas & Diesel
1 Fleetwood  (2,031)
2 Winnebago  (1,831)
3 Monaco  (1,733)
4 Thor  (1,591)
5 Tiffin  (1,401)

Top 5 Diesel Class C Manufacturers
1 Winnebago  (1,791)
2 Thor  (1,474)
3 Fleetwood  (980)
4 Coachmen  (830)
5 Jayco  (813)

Grab some "Dough to Go" with the Era – Winnebago's hot new program for the ERA Class B motor home.

Winnebago is putting some extra cash in RVers pockets! Consumers that purchase a new 2009 model year ERA and earn $7,000 cash back, while a 2010 model year ERA earns $6,000 cash back.

The cash back can be taken as a rebate or applied to the down payment.

According to Statistical Surveys, Inc., a retail reporting service in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the ERA is the best selling Class B motor home in the industry calendar year-to-date through October.

“The ERA is an impressive Class B motor home that’s perfect for downsizers, weekend warriors or anyone looking for a full service RV in a compact package,” said Winnebago Industries Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin. “We are pleased to offer this new ‘Dough to Go’ promotion to consumers looking for a compact motor home that is maneuverable, sleek and fuel efficient.”

Built on an 8,550-lb. GVWR Dodge/Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis with a fuel-efficient 3L 6-cylinder turbo-diesel Mercedes-Benz engine, the ERA features an aerodynamic design with smooth lines and a striking exterior design. In addition to the front cab doors, on the passenger side, a large sliding door opens easily for entry into the coach, while the rear double doors open up to 270 degrees for great access to the back of the coach.

The ERA features two models - the 170X and 170R. Both models offer a rear 60-inch x 80-inch sofa/bed, as well as a full-featured galley and bathroom. Stunning curved cabinetry with hidden hinges and plush, UltraLeather seating are additional highlights of the ERA. The 170X features two companion chairs that make for a prime seating area, while the 170R has a single chair behind the cab seats. All models have a moveable pedestal table that can be easily positioned by the sofa in the rear of the coach or up front. The cab seats swivel fully to face the companion seats and, with the table in place, create the perfect seating area for playing games or dining. Both floorplans feature a 15-inch LCD TV in the back of the coach that swivels for prime viewing throughout the coach.

The ‘Dough to Go’ program is not available at all ERA dealers. Only dealers that have chosen to participate in the program are eligible. Visit a participating dealer by March 31, 2010, and grab some ‘Dough to Go’ with your new ERA. For more information on this special promotion, CLICK HERE.

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!

The Dodge (Mercedes) Sprinter might have marked the beginning of these explorations into the basic foundation of RV chassis', but as the RV industry readies for 2010 and the next decade – there are lot of great new things happening for you under the coach that rides above the chassis below.

FRED, the FRont Engine Diesel chassis also revolutionized the ability for a typical Class A to upgrade to diesel without committing to the full "bus" price, size or look. Workhorse jumped into the fray with the UFO offering gas or diesel as a pusher option on the same frame.

But it's this year that marks some really great innovation. If you CLICK HERE and read the RV Buddies article on the Tiffin chassis – you will see what we are talking about. Things like front disc brakes on an air-brake equipped diesel chassis will become the norm. Chassis makers are also incorporating more of the up-front technical work to make it easier for the RV builder to make coach building faster, easier and of higher quality. One of the things that is becoming commonplace is multi-plexed electrical systems – complicated to engineer, but these simplify production for the coach builder.

Let's take a look at some of the highlights from the major companies and see what they are up to…

Spartan NGP

Spartan has introduced a new breed of chassis. It's a fairly complete chassis that the coach builder can specify with standard or custom front and rear caps. It's a turn-key approach to allow the RV builder to focus on the layout and features for their customers, while having a dependable platform that is ready-to-go with minimal prep.

One of the other great things about this platform is the fully included and integrated automotive style dashboard. This will minimally stimulate a lot of coach builders to look at this very important area of coach design.

The initial chassis specs seem to be best suited to the 35' range of coach design. Standard diesel pusher engine is the Cummins ISB 6.7 turbo with 340 Hp and 660 lb-ft of torque. The 2500 Allison 6-speed handles the shifting. Air suspension and brakes mate the 22.5 Michelins to the frame. The specs do not specify if the front brakes are discs. This RV chassis is the result of some of Spartan's work on their fire engine chassis. The fire engine is available with discs – but that doesn't mean that these will be standard or optional. GCWR is rated at a healthy 33,000 pounds.

Workhorse W-20

The Workhorse W-20 is the big brother to the W-16 with increases in horsepower, torque and GCWR. It's also the standard chassis on the Thor Four Winds Serrano – a coach RV Buddies names as one of four best of show this year in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Horsepower is up to 230, torque is 620 lb-ft, and GCWR is 26,000 pounds. That's a significant upgrade over the W-16 model.

ecoFRED from Freightliner

ecoFRED from Freightliner, the RV industry’s first hybrid-electric Class A motorhome chassis, is now available for RV manufacturers to order and build coaches on it.

Equipped with the Eaton hybrid-electric system, ecoFRED is powered by the Cummins ISB 6.7-liter engine with up to 300 hp and an Eaton automated manual transmission.

ecoFRED offers reduced exhaust emissions, leading toward a cleaner environment, requires less fuel to operate and has an improved brake life, all of which contribute to better overall performance and a reduced operational costs.

ecoFRED offers significantly less brake wear due to regenerative braking, leading to lower replacement costs. The chassis also boasts of better acceleration and increased towing capacity, operating similar to driving an automatic transmission. (Note the "automated manual transmission reference here!)

This last summer, Brad and Amy Herzog, spokespeople for the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, decided to use a Winnebago motorhome with the innovative ecoFRED RV chassis for its 10th annual travel tour.

RV Buddies will be following this chassis as it goes into production. Coach electrical systems and generators are different on this hybrid, and we're anxious to experience an "automated manual" transmission!

MC-L from Freightliner

Designed with a durable frame and updated driver station configuration, the MC-L Class A diesel motorhome chassis boasts greater fuel economy, enables more aerodynamic body designs and offers superior ride quality.

Powered by a Cummins ISB 6.7-liter electronic diesel engine with up to 200 hp and 520 ft. lbs. of torque with an Allison automatic six-speed transmission, the MC-L offers outstanding power and performance. An up to 50-degree wheel cut allows for superior maneuverability, assisting RV owners as they traverse through urban settings and tight spaces.

Coaches sit lower to the ground with the MC-L’s low-profile frame rail, increasing aerodynamics and ride quality. Also, the quieter front-engine diesel allows for a more comfortable ride for passengers.

Damon Motor Coach is building its new Avanti motorcoach on the FCCC MC-L chassis. According to independent testing results by Damon, the Avanti is 70 percent more fuel-efficient than any other Class A gas model.

XC and Powerliner III from Freightliner

To provide RV owners with enhanced safety and improved ride and handling, Freightliner Custom Chassis announced that all rear-engine motorhome chassis models will offer front air disc brakes as a standard feature.

Bendix ADB22X air disc brakes increase the safety of passengers because they improve stopping distance, while also easily coming to a straight, stable stop without steering correction. The air disc brakes also contribute to a passenger car-like feel, a positive for those operating a large motorhome.

FCCC rear-engine chassis include the entire FCCC XC product lineup, as well as the Powerliner III.

A few more Spartan NGP Pictures...

Itasca not only showed their largest coach ever - the 42' Ellipse, but their small new REYO Class A in the newest floorplan, the 25R.  Literally, this coach is hot off the assembly line and features a full-wall slide with residential-sized 60 x 80 queen bed.

The new print ads feature the headline "Maybe it should be called the new class 'Hey'."  Just like its 25T brother, it's based on the F50 Sprinter chassis - so handling will be nimble and mileage will be equally high. Here are some great pictures straight from the trade show floor. Enjoy.

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 takes a close look at the new VIA from Winnebago

In so many industries, competitors buy each other's products and “reverse engineer” them to find out their best-kept secrets. The Winnebago Via is a coach that competitors should buy and take apart to learn what makes it so special. If anything is to be learned from the VIA, it is the wonderful blend of the past and the future in its design.

Back when 27' was considered big for an RV, layouts were efficient. The VIA recalls just that. From the hide-a-way loft bed that creates Class C convenience to the twins in the back, this coach makes incredible use of space.

As for the future, the F50 chassis delivers some of the best fuel economy ever seen in an RV. But that's only part of the picture when it comes to the chassis – more on that later.

As we set out to review the Via, the weather in Hershey, Pennsylvania was a wonderful mix of sun and cleansing showers. The air was clean and the sky shone bright. The green countryside was picturesque and painted a perfect backdrop for every RV lifestyle lover.

The exterior of the VIA 25T is distinctive at first glance. The coach is a svelte 7'6" wide. And at just 25'5" in length, navigating is about as easy as a large SUV. The aerodynamic automotive styled front and rear caps are clean in both line and design.

Beneath the VIAs attractive skin lie a number of features. Up front is a totally new entry door influenced by the airline industry. It features dual seals, dual latches and hidden hinges. It feels secure and tight like a fine automobile, and it truly delivers a quiet, wind noise-free ride.

The exterior is fitted with scratch-resistant dual-pane acrylic windows, which are lightweight and fit flush with the coach. Inside, the blinds rise from the window base. This allows privacy to be maintained without losing a fresh breeze.

The rear of the coach boasts a cavernous 87 cubic feet of storage space. This is as large, if not larger, than some Class A units of much greater length. It will fit lots of camping toys in there - from bikes to BBQ's.

One of the more impressive new features, standard on this coach, is an emergency LP shut-off switch. Hopefully this will set a trend for the entire industry. As an important note – all manufacturers are required to install a fire extinguisher. But more is always better. There’s no such thing as “too safe!”

The VIA also comes with full body paint standard. The finish of the paint is flawless. The colors blend smoothly with a mirror-like finish. With a little TLC, this coach will look great for years to come. The patterns and colors are also timeless. Finding a favorite could be tricky because they’re all terrific.

Side view cameras are standard, and Alcoa has finally created a beautiful stylized aluminum wheel for Sprinters. The alloy wheels provide many safety and performance benefits. They look really great and they make lost hubcaps are a thing of the past!

The driver's area is one of the nicest features of this coach. The dash is straight from the Sprinter – with the convenience of all the familiar ergonomics of a car, plus the added features of an RV. A new feature on this model is the Jensen 6.5" LCD display that doubles as a radio/CD player and acts as the monitor for the rearview and side cameras – slick!

The dash also has an available appliqué. Unlike some, this one is really nice – not too flashy – just a nice accent that fits this beautiful dash.

Our favorite driver’s area feature is the seat swivel swings completely around to integrate it into the living area. This kind of flex-space design makes a lot of sense and is becoming a trend in more efficiently designed coaches.

The VIA is sort of “Class A meets Class C” with the loft bed over the driver’s area that hides away until you need it. Just unlatch two hooks and it lowers slowly and safely. It's designed nicely into the headliner of the "cab" area. It’s barely notice until dropped into place. This is a perfect place for a few kids to play fort. And it has a perfect view of the TV as well.

The living area has some great features. The sofa in the 25T is in a slide-out. It has storage overhead. A pedestal table can be installed either in front of the sofa or the two cab seats. This makes lounging with your feet up while watching TV, or settling in for a game of canasta. Nice.

One smart piece of design work is how the TV is set into the aft wall. With so many coaches you can't watch TV unless the slide-out is open. On the VIA, the curved edge by the TV hinges out and the TV slides into the coach area so you can watch if you're dry-camping somewhere you don't want to open the slide. It's this kind of practical design that is evident throughout the coach.

Just opposite the living room is the galley space. An Apollo convection/microwave is in the overhead. Both the sink and 2 burner gas range are under glass covers which increase usable counter space. And the single door refrigerator has an usual feature. The freezer compartment can be removed as needed for extra space for cold beverages. Whoever thought of that idea knows how to throw a good tailgate party!

Amidships on the driver's side is a full dry bath. The compact space has a full shower, ample toilet area and vanity with mirror. Its size defies the fact that it's in a coach barely over 25'. Winnebago has also been using the SHUB shower door, a retractable screen that wipes itself clean each time it is opened or closed. Besides the maintenance benefit, when opened the shower adds to the spacious feel of what might otherwise feel like a small compartment. Also, unlike a shower curtain water on the floor can be all but eliminated.

The rear of the coach features two opposing single beds. Between them, a floating cabinet is mounted to the wall. The area has the feel of an upscale loft. You would never guess looking at the space that a huge storage area is underneath.

Each bed is comfortable in its own right, but optionally, can be ordered with the flex-bed kit and the twins can be joined together to make a 59" x 87" sleeping surface. That's enough room for a basketball player, the kids after a scary campfire story, or your favorite furry friend at the foot of your bed!

The VIA is also available in a 25R floorplan which has a larger slide and permanent 60" x 80" queen size bed and aft bath arrangement.

After filming the coach inside and out, we went for a spin. The VIA is built on the all-new F50 Sprinter chassis. The first thing we noticed is how easily the coach accelerates. It's fast off the line. In fact, it's faster than some cars. And we didn’t even notice the transmission. It's smooth and seamless.

If this is beginning to sound like a car review – it very well could be. Steering was predictable. There was no wander. Granted it did not have the precision of a German car on the autobahn, but who wants a twitchy response in a large vehicle like an RV. The four-wheel disc brakes with ABS all around brought this coach to impressive stops.

Keep in mind our test drive was in the rain, and there were many sweeping curves as we circled the Hershey center trying to get back in – each lap getting speedier than the last. In spite of the increased velocity, the coach felt solid and sure on the road. There was no sense of being top-heavy at all. RV Buddies looks forward to putting a few hundred miles on this coach as this short tease was nothing but pure pleasure.

The VIA is a great coach. It's a great size for dry-camping or pulling into a luxury resort. Have snacks ready as everyone is going to want a tour. Add to that, great diesel mileage and good handling, and you will be spending more time on the road – which is what RVing is all about.

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".