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No Foolin' -- Factory Tours
Start April 1!
They're entertaining, they're educational and they're back! Our famous factory tours start up again in just a few short weeks.
If you've never been, a tour is a great chance to get the inside story on how we build our coaches right here in Forest City, in the largest motorhome manufacturing facility in the world. Besides giving you insight into how we build in our legendary quality, the sheer scale of operations is something to behold.
We've also made exciting changes to our Visitors Center, where our tours originate. We recently remodeled the lower level to include a new boutique full of fun, trendy Winnebago apparel, as well as some of Northern Iowa's finest offerings. We also have a Wi-Fi cafe for relaxing and staying connected.
Find more information here, or for reservations (recommended for groups larger than six), please call our Visitor Center at 641-585-6936 or 1-800-643-4892.
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Mailbag Grab-bag
Instead of a more in-depth letter this issue, we are running a few of the shorter notes we get from readers like you, in part to show some of the unique ways owners use their RVs.
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"I just bought a '12 Itasca Ellipse - what a coach! It drives like a dream and tows my race car trailer like it's not back there. I've had a '99 Chieftain, an '02 36' Journey, an '04 39' Journey, and now the "rolling mansion" -- my friends call it the Taj-ma-hauler!"
- Ken Wells,
(Top Dragster #2855, NHRA)
"We have a favorite waterfront resort on the Sacramento River out here in California. The view out of our front windshield is spectacular. A long time ago my wife, Laurie, became a real estate agent and we started considering the notion of entertaining clients in our Sightseer.
"We have been doing this now for about four years and it really helps the business. People love to relax on the couch and peer out at the river. Many times we offer beverages and snacks, which enhances the experience. We love our 35J and bring the kids and grandkids whenever we can!"
- Drew and Laurie Mueller
"When my "navigator" went into our regional medical center last year for a serious operation and ten-day stay, the hospital allowed us to park our Meridian within 200 feet of the front door.
"It was mission control for all the kids, and sleep central for the off-duty shift. We even had Wi Fi from the hospital! We kept after the hospital management and the parking security people to let them know how important this was. Our navigator/cruise director made a full recovery and is back on the road."
- Name Withheld
"Just want to say thank you for a great product. Since I retired in 2009 my wife and I have been almost 44,000 miles. From our home in Albuquerque to Alaska to the East coast and to the West coast and a lot in between. Our 2007 Voyage (our first RV) has been great. And our dealer, Rocky Mountain RV, has been wonderful!"
- Bill Rusher
"My wife and I started with a tent; when it got harder to get off the ground we purchased a pop-up. We got rained on a lot setting up and tearing down, so in 2003 we purchased a 25' travel trailer. After nine years, we had been talking about a motor coach for a long time: I really don't like to tow anything and I wasn't getting any younger, so when I retired in February 2012, we decided enough is enough - it is time for a motor coach!
"This spring we purchased a 2006 Winnebago Minnie Winnie. We both enjoy and love it tremendously. We had done a lot of research, and one day we stopped by a local dealer and there it was, our dream machine!
Well, hers, anyway -- I still want a Class A. That will come later, but I guarantee it will be a Winnebago! "Did I mention how much we love our Minnie Winnie?"
- Barry and Sandra Swope
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We're sending each of the above contributors a small token of our esteem to thank them for their thoughtful notes. If you've got an interesting use for your RV, a favorite destination, a useful tip or if you just want to share your story, please let us know here.
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Welcome to the new issue of Traveling Times!
With Traveling Times, we hope to enhance your enjoyment of RVing, introduce you to new people and places, and increase your knowledge of our RVs.
Do you have a tip, recipe, story or something else that might interest other readers? By all means send it in! (All submissions become the property of Winnebago Industries, so please don't send anything you don't want to share.)
Enjoy this issue, and please feel free to
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And the award goes to...
 Us -- woo-hoo!
Statistical Surveys, (the official "scorekeeper" of these sorts of things for the RV industry) has recognized Winnebago Industries as the top performing motorhome manufacturer, with not only the largest sales volume, but the largest overall growth in retail registrations for calendar year 2012. "We are passionate about developing and delivering innovative new products of the highest quality backed by best-in-class support after the sale," said our Vice President of Sales and Product Management Scott Degnan. "We congratulate our dedicated employees and strong dealer partners, and -- of course -- thank our incredibly passionate and loyal owners. We will continue to work diligently to develop exciting new products and to provide industry-leading support for our dealers and customers."
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New Floorplan Debuts
Meet the Winnebago Aspect and Itasca Cambria 27K
Step inside the 27K and
you'll think your eyes are deceiving you: two slideouts, plus our SmartSpace design, make this all-new floorplan seem much larger inside than it looks on the outside. Better yet, it lives bigger as well.
Built on Ford's proven E450 chassis, the 27K's clean lines, beautiful cabinetry and Ultraleather furniture combine to make the well-appointed interior inviting and comfortable.
 Upscale amenities and thoughtful touches - including swiveling cab seats, multiple flat-panel televisions, walkaround queen bed and more than 82 cubic feet of exterior storage - make the Aspect and Cambria ideally suited for anything from a weekend getaway to an extended journey of a lifetime.
Learn more about the Aspect here, or find your nearest Winnebago dealer.
Learn more about the Cambria here, or find your nearest Itasca dealer.
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New Winnebago Industries Towables President Named
Johnny Hernandez has been appointed president of Winnebago
Industries Towables.
Johnny brings more than 38 years' experience in the RV industry, most recently as vice president of sales and product management for Winnebago Industries Towables.
"I am truly excited to be heading up the Towable group of Winnebago Industries," said Hernandez. "Winnebago Industries is a world class company recognized globally for its products, quality, and award-winning service. During my tenure within the RV industry, I have worked with some very good companies and been involved with some very successful products but I have never before witnessed the enormous potential that lies before our company, our employees and our dealers."
In other words, expect more exciting developments on the towable front!
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Hidden Gem: Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle, LA
 Ah, spring, when one's fancy turns to - what's that? It's not spring yet? Well, that explains the snow outside... and the appeal of destinations like Grand Isle State Park in Grand Isle, Louisiana.
Located on the southern tip of Louisiana, Grand Isle is the state's only inhabited barrier island. As the crow flies, Grand Isle is about 40 miles south of New Orleans. For those of us who aren't crows, it's a little over 100 miles - about two hours' drive.
The island has been through numerous hurricanes over the centuries, including Katrina in 2005. Today, thoroughly rebuilt, the island offers a wealth of activities, including world-class fishing and birding, as well as kayaking, swimming and beachcombing.
And Grand Isle State Park lets you enjoy it all from comfort of your motorhome or towable RV, thanks to 49 pull-through campsites, each with water and electrical hook-ups. Rates are $18 or $26 per night, depending on season.
For more on Grand Isle, see www.grandisle.info , www.townofgrandisle.com, or www.crt.state.la.us/parks/igrdisle.aspx. For campsite reservations, please call 877-226-7652.
Image(s) courtesy Louisiana Office of State Parks.
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