Winnebago Industries announced its Circle of Excellence dealerships for 2010. Winnebago Industries established the industry’s first dealer excellence program in 1986 in order to recognize select dealers for excellence in customer satisfaction. This year, 109 dealers were honored with the Circle of Excellence award in recognition of their excellence in customer satisfaction as it relates to the customers’ sales and service experience with the dealer.

“Winnebago Industries is pleased to recognize 109 outstanding dealers with this year’s Circle of Excellence award,” said Winnebago Industries Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin. “Dealerships earning this award have proven their commitment to providing customers with a total RV experience – knowledgeable sales personnel, qualified service technicians and quality warranty and aftermarket service support. For RVers, that attention to detail and care is important and is key to establishing the highest levels of customer satisfaction.” Circle of Excellence scoring is determined by rating dealers in four categories:

• A Purchase and Delivery Satisfaction Study which is direct customer feedback after the purchase of a motor home;

• A Customer Satisfaction Study which surveys customers six months after their purchase;

• A Sales and Marketing Assessment that evaluates a dealership’s sales, market share, stocking levels and participation in product training and the Winnebago Itasca Travelers Club (WIT); and

• A Service Parts Assessment that evaluates a dealership’s warranty/parts inventory, service training and certified technicians, and traveling customer care. Dealerships earning the coveted Circle of Excellence status receive an award featuring three concentric circles that symbolize the interconnected relationship between the customer, dealer and Winnebago Industries. Since its inception 25 years ago, four dealerships have achieved Circle of Excellence status each year the award has been presented. They are: (the Winnebago Industries’ brand the dealership represents is listed in parenthesis.)

• Altman’s Winnebago, Carson, California (Winnebago)

• Lazy Days, Seffner, Florida (Winnebago/Itasca)

• McClain’s RV Superstore OKC West, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Winnebago/Itasca)

• PleasureLand, Inc., St. Cloud, Minnesota (Winnebago/Itasca)

Following is the complete list of the 2010 Circle of Excellence award winners, including 10 first-time award winners (indicated with an “*”).

ALASKA Great Alaskan Holidays, Inc., Anchorage (Winnebago/Itasca)
ARIZONA Affinity RV Service, Sales & Rentals, Prescott (Winnebago) La Mesa RV Center, Inc., Mesa (Winnebago/Itasca) La Mesa RV Center, Inc., Tucson (Winnebago/Itasca)
CALIFORNIA Altman’s Winnebago, Carson, California (Winnebago) Altman's Winnebago, Colton (Winnebago) La Mesa RV Center, Inc., San Diego (Winnebago/Itasca) Pan Pacific RV Centers, Inc., French Camp (Winnebago) Pan Pacific RV Centers, Inc., Roseville (Winnebago)* R. E. Barber Recreation Vehicles, Inc., Ventura (Winnebago) Stier’s RV Center, LLC, Bakersfield (Winnebago)* Village RV, Roseville (Itasca)
COLORADO Camping World RV SuperCenter, Fountain (Winnebago)
CONNECTICUT Crowley RV Center, Bristol (Winnebago)
DELAWARE Parkview Auto & Trailer Sales, Inc., Smyrna (Winnebago)
FLORIDA Camping World RV Sales, Midway (Itasca) Carpenter's Campers, Inc., Pensacola (Winnebago) Harberson RV - Pasco, LLC, Holiday (Winnebago/Itasca) Lazy Days, Seffner, Florida (Winnebago/Itasca) R.V. World of Nokomis, Inc., Nokomis (Winnebago) Suncoast RV, Inc., Cocoa (Winnebago/Itasca) Suncoast RV, Inc., Jacksonville (Winnebago/Itasca) Suncoast RV, Inc., Ocala (Winnebago/Itasca) Suncoast RV, Inc., Winter Garden (Winnebago)
GEORGIA Suncoast RV, Inc., Lake Park (Winnebago)
IDAHO Camping World RV Sales, Meridian (Winnebago)
ILLINOIS Barrington Motor Sales, Bartlett (Itasca) Camping World RV Sales, Island Lake (Winnebago) J & J Camper Sales, Inc., East Moline (Winnebago) Winnebago Motor Homes & Trailer Sales, Inc., Rockford (Winnebago/Itasca)
INDIANA Camp-Land, Inc., Burns Harbor (Winnebago)
IOWA Harrison RV, Inc., Jefferson (Winnebago) Lichtsinn Motors, Inc., Forest City (Winnebago/Itasca) US Adventure RV, Davenport (Winnebago/Itasca)
KANSAS Four Seasons RV Acres, Inc., Abilene (Winnebago) Olathe Ford R.V. Ctr., Gardner (Itasca)
LOUISIANA Miller's RV Center, Baton Rouge (Winnebago) Stevens RV Center, Inc., Lafayette (Winnebago)
MARYLAND Beckley's Camping Center, Thurmont (Winnebago)
MICHIGAN General RV Center, Inc., Birch Run (Winnebago) General RV Center, Inc., Mt. Clemens (Winnebago/Itasca) General RV Center, Inc., Wayland (Winnebago/Itasca) General RV Center, Inc., Wixom (Winnebago/Itasca)
MINNESOTA Bullyan Trailer Sales, Inc., Duluth (Winnebago) Pleasureland RV Center – North Metro, Ramsey (Winnebago) Pleasureland, Inc., St. Cloud, Minnesota (Winnebago/Itasca)
MISSISSIPPI Johnny Bishop, Inc., Columbus (Winnebago) Reliable RV Sales, Biloxi (Winnebago)
MISSOURI Trailside Campers RV Sales, Inc., Grain Valley (Winnebago)
NEBRASKA Leach Camper Sales of Lincoln, Inc., Lincoln (Itasca)
NEVADA Findlay RV, Las Vegas (Winnebago) Michael Hohl RV Center, Carson City (Winnebago)
NEW HAMPSHIRE Camping World RV Sales, Chichester (Itasca)* Hill's RVs, Center Conway (Winnebago)
NEW JERSEY Cedar Ridge RV Center, Branchville (Winnebago) Colonial Itasca, Lakewood (Itasca) White Horse RV Center, Williamstown (Winnebago)
NEW MEXICO Rocky Mountain RV World, Inc., Albuquerque (Winnebago) Sunland RV, Las Cruces (Winnebago)
NEW YORK Alpin Haus RV, Amsterdam (Winnebago) Meyer's RV Centers, LLC, Syracuse (Itasca)
NORTH CAROLINA Bill Plemmons RV World, Rural Hall (Winnebago) Bill Plemmons RV World, Raleigh (Winnebago) Tom Johnson Camping Center Charlotte, Inc., Concord (Winnebago) Tom Johnson Camping Center, Inc., Marion (Winnebago)
OHIO Colerain Trailer Center, Inc., Cincinnati (Winnebago) Dave Arbogast RV and Boat Depot, Troy (Winnebago)* General RV Center, Inc., North Canton (Winnebago/Itasca)* Lewis Auto Sales, Inc., Dayton (Itasca) Shafer Truck and RV Sales, LLC, Delta (Itasca) Town and Country RV Center, Inc., Clyde (Winnebago)
OKLAHOMA Dean’s RV Superstore, Inc., Tulsa (Winnebago) McClain’s RV Superstore OKC West, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Winnebago/Itasca)
OREGON All Seasons RV & Marine, Bend (Winnebago) Guaranty RV Centers, Junction City (Itasca) Olinger Travel Homes, Portland (Winnebago/Itasca) The RV Corral, Inc., Eugene (Winnebago) Triple A RV Center, Inc., Medford (Winnebago)
PENNSYLVANIA Car Care & RV Center, North East (Winnebago)* Harold’s RV Center, Inc., Bath (Itasca) Joe's Marine, Inc., Sayre (Winnebago) Media Camping Center, Inc., Fairless Hills (Winnebago) Tom Schaeffer's Camping & Travel Center, Inc., Shoemakersville (Winnebago)
RHODE ISLAND Arlington R.V. Supercenter, Inc., East Greenwich (Winnebago) Flagg RV Rhode Island, North Smithfield (Itasca)
SOUTH CAROLINA Camper Country, Myrtle Beach (Winnebago)
SOUTH DAKOTA Spader Camper Center, Sioux Falls (Winnebago)
TENNESSEE Cullum & Maxey Camping Center, Inc., Nashville (Winnebago)
TEXAS Billy Sims Trailer Town – Lubbock, Lubbock (Winnebago) Crestview RV Center, Buda (Winnebago/Itasca) Crestview RV Georgetown, Georgetown (Itasca)* Jack Sisemore Traveland, Amarillo (Winnebago) McClain's RV Superstore N. Dallas, Inc., Lake Dallas (Winnebago) Shady Pines RV Center, Inc., Texarkana (Winnebago)
UTAH Motor Sportsland, Inc., Salt Lake City (Winnebago)
VIRGINIA Reines R.V. Center, Inc., Manassas (Winnebago) Snyder’s RV, Virginia Beach (Winnebago)
WASHINGTON Poulsbo RV, Inc., Kent (Winnebago) R 'N' R RV Center, Liberty Lake (Winnebago/Itasca) Roy Robinson Chevrolet-Subaru & Motorhomes, Marysville (Winnebago/Itasca) Russ Dean Family RV, Pasco (Winnebago)
WISCONSIN Horn’s Sales & Service, Inc., Sheboygan (Itasca) King’s Campers, Wausau (Winnebago)
CANADA BRITISH COLUMBIA Fraserway RV Limited Partnership, Abbotsford, BC* Okanagan Travel Land, Summerland, BC
ONTARIO Forest City Motor Homes, Ltd., Thorndale (Itasca) Sicard Holiday Campers, Ltd., Smithville (Winnebago)
QUEBEC VR St-Cyr Ltee, St-Mathieu de Beloeil (Winnebago)* V.R. Daniel Emond, St-Nicolas (Itasca)*

The Winnebago Journey 34Y was introduced in 2009 with subtle, but welcomed, improvements for 2010. RV Buddies got a chance to put the 34Y through its paces on a four-day road test from Ventura to Bakersfield, California. The trip took the coach through a wide variety of road conditions, starting from sea level, traveling along Southern California freeways to up and over the California “Grapevine” in the Tehachapi Mountains, which reaches its peak at the 4,160-foot Tejon Pass.

When we picked up the coach, the first thing we noticed is the full body paint – it is beautiful and the fit and finish are especially nice. Exterior compartments are fitted nicely and open and close with precision.

Other exterior 34Y niceties include the flashy Alcoa wheels, stylish front cap and overall clean lines. Given the basement air and shorter length, basement storage, is less than a typical gasser of the same size. But the pass-through capability is a welcome diesel-pusher feature. It was more than sufficient for our needs for a four-day trip, as even with all our gear, we still didn't fill all the compartment space.

Inside the 34Y, we were delighted with the unusual layout of the forward living space. The TV is on the driver's side, centered with the eating table and buffet cabinet. It faces directly across to the sofa at the perfect viewing height. Speakers are hidden so no unsightly grilles break the beautiful lines of the interior. From the sofa or lounge chair, we can imagine hours of TV viewing without a sore neck. Simply brilliant! At the table, the view is to the left or right depending on the chair, nice while eating or working on a laptop.

The dining table has a very nice feature - a simple pull extending it to seat four. The latch is firm, no need to worry about it flying out on a turn. The additional chairs are stowed easily in the bedroom closet. The slide-out is carpeted so there is a height difference, albeit a slight one, between that area and the coach floor, which is noticeable but not bothersome when using all four chairs. Our coach had the nicely appointed optional UltraLeather sofa and Euro chair. (The standard upscale fabrics are very nice as well.)

Just aft is a very efficient kitchen space, featuring a full-size convection microwave over a gas range. The counter and backsplash are made of Corian – a classy alternative to laminate counters. The sink and stove feature flush Corian covers. We made full use of the four-door refrigerator and there was plenty of space. In the Bakersfield heat, everything stayed refreshingly icy-cold. While not a huge space, the kitchen has ample counter space, nice storage, a large slide-out dual pantry and filtered fresh water. Making a meal here will be a joy.

Behind the lounge chair and opposite the refrigerator is a real bathroom. The ample sink counter, bright lighting, excellent ventilation and multiple towel racks are really impressive. The newly introduced shower with curved doors is very spacious. At just over 7 feet, headroom is excellent and did not require a skylight. The porcelain toilet is a drop-through model with a sprayer. This bathroom had a very private feel with the side entry, and made exceptional use of space. (If you can only open slides on one side of the coach, open the driver's side so you can open the bathroom door all the way. When the slide is closed, entry to the bathroom can be restrictive.)

All the coach systems are controlled in the hall opposite the refrigerator at Winnebago's One Place - and there are many of them. The 34Y is not the priciest model that Winnebago offers – but all the amenities are there, including a 2000-watt inverter.

Our bedroom featured a king-size Sleep Number bed. After our first night's sleep, we were sold on the comfort of this mattress system. It is nice to have the 26" LCD HDTV nearby and available while relaxing before bed. The closet is roomy with mirrored doors that dramatically increase the feeling of space. The corner closet is set up for an optional washer-dryer. The bedroom is carpeted, which is nice for the tootsies at night. The rest of the coach (with the exception of the sliders) features upscale tile-look vinyl flooring. Very practical and easy to keep clean.

Road Test

When we hit the road in the 34Y we tested the steering, brakes, handling, heating and cooling systems, the color side and rear cameras and everything else we could sit on, sleep on, turn on and open and close. The coach passed all our tests with flying colors.

The 34Y has a surprising turning radius and performed several tidy U-turns for us, a nice surprise from a Freightliner chassis with 55-degree wheel cut.

On the road, it drove effortlessly and handled well. We encountered some wind along the way, which is typical for the area we were driving through, and the coach tracked steady and true. As we headed up over the grapevine, the 350 HP diesel showed its breeding with enough torque to get us to the top at 55 mpg. Going down the other side was pleasantly uneventful with the standard exhaust brake – a device that should be required by law. The Allison 3000 transmission stepped up no matter what the conditions, smooth and sure.

The UltraLeather Captain's chairs are uber-comfortable and easy to position. The steering wheel is fully adjustable, and all switches and gauges easy to see and use. The center stack is clean and functional. The radio is the standard 1.8 din RV style unit. Our coach had the GPS mounted on the dash along with color side and rear view cameras and they helped us maneuver through lane changes, turnoffs and parking. The LCD color screen is a great upgrade over the older-style CRT displays. The one-piece windshield is just the right distance away from the seating position.

On our first stop for gas, a quick glance at the fuel gauge made us wonder if it was inaccurate and the kind that teases until a half tank and then drops like a rock. We soon discovered that our drive along Hwy 101 and up over the Grapevine hadn't dented the 90 gallon tank, even with the generator running to operate the basement air conditioning. Despite the mountain pass, winds and freeway speeds, we averaged just under 10 mpg with this Freightliner chassis over our four-day adventure.

Not only did the 34Y handle well while we drove it, it was a dream during our dry-camping experience. We had plenty of power, air conditioning and heating to enjoy the entire time. The Winnebago 34Y passed all our tests with flying colors. It is a real treat - we loved it so much that turning it back in after our trip was a very difficult thing to do.

So would RV Buddies recommend the 34Y? Absolutely.

Now that the 2010 models have come out, how does the 2009 compare? Our video shows the 2009 model in incredible detail and it’s good reference material for the 2010 as the changes to the 2010 model are both minimal and subtle. Winnebago knows a winner when they have one on their hands and didn’t stray from what works so well. The floor plan remains the same – but there are a few changes - like the name. It's now the "Journey Express".

The 2010 coach is now available with a dinette or buffet with free-standing chairs. The dinette adds additional seat-belted positions – handy if you travel with a big crew! If you opt for the buffet, the HDTV is now 40" and on a "lift," which frees up the window behind it to be full-sized. In the 2009 model, the TV was 37" with small windows flanking it on either side. A terrific upgrade!

The galley adds a great touch to the coach. A subtle and tasteful Corian backsplash surrounds the counter completely and is very nice! Corian is a great product that will keep the galley looking new for a long, long time.

Most folks won't notice the change in the bathroom in the 2010 model, but the curved shower has been replaced with a rectangular model. In doing this, Winnebago made access to this bathroom much better when the full wall slide is in – an excellent upgrade to what we thought was one of the few weaknesses in the 2009 model. While the bath door still doesn't open fully, it's a smart and functional change that gives easy access without having to open the slide.

Everything else about the coach still holds true for 2010 – the Freightliner Maxum chassis and Winnebago's top key features are standard as is the 32" LCD HDTV in the front overhead. A few key options include an 8000-watt generator upgrade, new and wonderful powered front shades with solar blackout, and IdealRest memory foam mattresses that come in either queen or king. Note that the convection/microwave is now an option.

After its first two years the 34Y remains one of our favorite coaches. It's a great-sized RV that will take you pretty much anywhere you want to go without leaving behind any of the comforts of home. Would we still recommend it? Absolutely!

The 34Y video is the last production that Mark Summers' dog Toby was filmed
in before he passed away.  This episode is dedicated in his memory.

Winnebago Industries received a safety award from the Iowa-Illinois Safety Council during their 57th Annual Professional Development Conference and Expo held in Dubuque, Iowa, April 23-24. The award was presented for outstanding achievement in accident prevention both as a corporation and for the Forest City campus during the 2009 calendar year.

Winnebago Industries was one of only 170 businesses, industries and government agencies in Iowa and Illinois to receive an award for promoting active safety programs and reducing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable injuries among their employees.

“Winnebago Industries is honored to receive this award from the Iowa-Illinois Safety Council,” said Winnebago Industries Chairman, CEO and President Bob Olson. “For the third consecutive year, our company and safety department has been recognized for ensuring a safe work environment for our employees, as well as providing the training necessary for continued employee safety. Employee safety continues to be foremost in our minds as we manufacture the highest quality and most recognized motor homes in the industry.”

Consider it a celebration of a lifestyle.

Winnebago Industries of Forest City invited community members to help the company celebrate the 100th anniversary of the recreational vehicle industry on April 6.

“It's a lifestyle,” Winnebago chief executive officer Bob Olson said. “It's the freedom to roam the country.”

Winnebago has been part of that lifestyle for 52 years and is a leader in the RV industry.

“Winnebago has been a main employer for a number of years,” Olson said of the company's presence in the region.

Olson said the company wanted to acknowledge that presence as well as the contributions made by founders John and Luise Hanson when it invited the community to Tuesday's event which included tours of some of the company's facilities 20.

Olson hoped many local residents attended to learn “what Winnebago is all about.”

Doug and Liz Alms were not at Tuesday's event but they know a lot about the RV lifestyle.

The Alms have a 2004 Itasca, a brand also made by Winnebago. They ordered the RV to their specifications. The couple has been living in the RV since June of 2006.

“Since we about the motor home, we've traveled over 70,00 miles,” Doug Alms said.

The couple has put on about 50,000 of those miles as full-time motor home residents, he said.

The Alms were in Texas last week where they worked at a rally.

The biggest transition was moving from vacation mode to lifestyle mode, Liz Alms said.

“We are not playing tourists,” Liz Alms said. “We pay bills, do laundry, get groceries, things anybody would do at their home.”

While they don't play tourists, they still take in the local activities at campgrounds or RV sites and within the community.

“We take in small town activities, if a fair is going on, a parade...,” Doug Alms said.

The Alms are in their mid-50s and they were able to retire early because of careers. The couple may be at one end of the RV lifestyle, but they said there are others like them traveling the highways and interstates.

Thousands of others use their motor homes on weekends or vacations.

Tuesday, visitors had a chance to learn more about how those Winnebagos and Itasca motor homes they see on the road are built.

“We are proud of our facility. We are proud of our people,” Olson said. “We are leading the industry in technology. We are by far the most technologically advanced facility in the industry bar none.”

Olson said the company will continue to be a leader after 52 years in a 100-year-old industry.

“This is a culture,” Olson said of RV use. “You won't take that lifestyle away from people.”

From the Forest City Summit, by Rae Yost for the News-Tribune

As featured on such hit television shows as National Geographic’s “Ultimate Factories” and the Discovery Channel’s “How It’s Made,” Winnebago  is offering free tours of its Forest City manufacturing facilities beginning April 5. Tours are offered twice daily from April 5 through October 29, and once daily in November.

Each tour starts at the Winnebago Visitors Center. The behind the scenes look into the building of an RV starts with a 20-minute video that offers a preview of the manufacturing process. After the video, the tour bus (constructed on a Winnebago Commercial Vehicle shell) departs for a drive-through tour of the grounds, and a walk-in tour of the Chassis Weld facility and the main production area aptly named Big Bertha since it is equivalent in size to eight football fields. From a mezzanine overlooking the production lines, visitors are able to get a bird’s eye view of the magnitude of the motor home manufacturing process. Each tour lasts approximately ninety minutes.

Before or after the tour, visitors can also tour the Winnebago  Museum which is located in the upper level of the Visitors Center. The museum chronicles the Company’s 52 year history, as well as the design and construction of the Company’s motor homes. Last year, nearly 10,000 people stopped at the Visitors Center to tour the factory and the museum.

During the spring and summer months, the Visitors Center also features some of the latest models of the Company’s Winnebago, Itasca and Era brand motor homes right off the assembly lines. Visitors can also see one of the first motor homes built by Winnebago, the classic 1967 Winnebago D22, as well as a 1959 Aljo trailer also manufactured by Winnebago Industries.

All tours of Winnebago are free, and all ages are welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The Visitors Center is accessible to those with disabilities, however the factory tour does include three staircases. Tours are offered twice daily at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday from April 5 through October 29, and at 1 p.m. in November.

If your group is larger than six, reservations are recommended. For more information, driving instructions, maps, an online factory tour, ordering a DVD and more - CLICK HERE.

Winnebago accepted House Resolution 123 (No. 4) from the Iowa House of Representatives on behalf of the RV Centennial Celebration.

Winnebago Industries’ Chairman, CEO and President Bob Olson, VP Product Development Bill O’Leary and PR/IR Manager Sheila Davis were on hand for the presentation of the Resolution at the Iowa State Capital on March 16, 2010.

Representatives Henry V. Rayhons, Marcella R. Frevert, David E. Heaton, Mark A. Kuhn, Brian J. Quirk, Sharon S. Steckman and Linda L. Upmeyer presented the Resolution to the House of Representatives.  The Resolution supports and recognizes the goals and ideals of RV Centennial Celebration Month to commemorate 100 years of enjoyment of recreation vehicles in the United States.

The Resolution cites the proud history of recreation vehicles, which has its origins in 1910.  The Resolution states, “The House of Representatives supports and recognizes the goals and ideals of ‘RV Centennial Celebration Month’ to commemorate 100 years of enjoyment of recreation vehicles in the United States and recognizes the contributions made by Iowa’s own John K. Hanson and Winnebago Industries’ employees to develop the RV industry.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of Mr. Hanson and the Winnebago Industries team, the name ‘Winnebago’ is synonymous with RV travel and has brought prosperity to thousands of Iowans over the decades.”

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.