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As you walk around a campground, you probably look at the different types of campers and motorhomes like we do. We enjoy highlighting features we like or unique designs we haven’t seen before. Regardless, you’ve likely seen the name Winnebago across the front of a few RVs. Today, we’re looking closer at Winnebago Industries and what brands fall under its umbrella. Let’s dive in!
About Winnebago Industries
Winnebago Industries is one of the leaders in the RV industry. The company has a rich heritage of innovation and design, constantly evolving over the last 65 years. Winnebago Industries launched as Modernistic Industries in 1958. Two years later, the company renamed itself Winnebago Industries after the river that flows through Forest City, Iowa.
In 1967, the company debuted the first Winnebago motorhome. By 1986, Winnebago had built its 200,000th unit and appeared on the Fortune 500 list. By 1998, the company had reached another milestone: 300,000 units produced. Most importantly, over the last ten years, Winnebago Industries has acquired four major RV and marine companies, adding to its portfolio of brands.
How Many RV Brands Does Winnebago Industries Own?
Winnebago Industries has its own motorized and towable lineups ranging from small travel trailers to 40-foot diesel pushers. Critically, with its $500 million acquisition of Grand Design RV in 2016, the company also amassed Grand Design’s popular travel trailers and fifth wheels. Newmar, a motorhome manufacturer of luxury RVs, became part of the family in 2019.
Pro Tip: If you want to keep up with Winnebago, check out Winnebago Buys Major Battery Supplier for more on their growth!
Winnebago
To illustrate, Winnebago makes Class A, Class C, camper vans, and travel trailers. There are eight Class A motorhomes, ranging from 28 feet 5 inches to 41 feet 4 inches long. They provide sleeping accommodations for up to eight people and are available with gas or diesel engines. The Inspire is one of Winnebago’s accessibility-enhanced models with a wheelchair lift, tie-downs, wider hallways, lower controls, and a roll-in shower.
Winnebago is a leading producer of camper vans and has ten to choose from. Off-roaders love the 4×4 Revel, while travelers on a budget enjoy the Solis Pocket. These Class Bs range from 17 feet 9 inches to 24 feet 23 inches and are available with gas or diesel engines. The Roam is the second accessibility-enhanced option with three floorplans equipped with a wheelchair lift, tie-downs, lower countertops, and bathroom grab handles.
There are seven Class C motorhomes, ranging from 23 feet to 32 feet 9 inches, available with gas or diesel engines. The Winnebago travel trailer lineup includes seven options, ranging from 15 feet 11 inches to 38 feet 11 inches. A couple of models can be towed with a small SUV!
Grand Design RV
Guess who owns Grand Design RV? If you guessed Winnebago, you’re right! It was a smart move when Winnebago added Grand Design to its family. Grand Design has been one of the leaders in the RV industry since its beginnings. This company produces three travel trailer lines, three fifth wheel lines, and four toy hauler lines. We also recently reported on the announcements that Grand Design is entering the motorized market in 2024 (link to the article “Grand Design to Enter the Motorized RV Space in 2024”) and debuted a sleek prototype for younger generations in the Serenova (link to the article “New Grand Design Rig Attempts To Compete With Airstream”)
Grand Design is known as one of the higher-quality manufacturers among the mainline brands. The Solitude fifth wheel is one of the most luxurious and residential options for RVers looking to buy in the $120,000-150,000 range. However, the company also offers entry-level trailers like the Transcend, which starts at around $30,000.
For RVers who need a camper to haul their outdoor toys like kayaks, golf carts, motorcycles, or ATVs, the Grand Design Momentum lines range from 26 feet 6 inches to 44 feet 2 inches. The Momentum Mav and G-Class are available as travel trailers.
Newmar
Newmar produces luxury Super Cs and Class As with gas and diesel engines. The King Aire starts at $1.6 million and features stunning full-body paint, a Cummins X diesel engine, quartz countertops, tiled showers, dishwashers, wine coolers, and more.
On the other hand, the most affordable Newmar Class A is the Bay Star Sport, which starts at $200,200. This gas motorhome features full body paint, a vinyl tile floor, and a drop-down bunk over the cab. With its smaller size – ranging from 27 to 32 feet – the Bay Star Sport can take travelers to places where larger motorhomes are restricted.
Specifically, Newmar has four diesel, two gas, and five luxury Class A lines. It also produces the Super Star Super C and Supreme Aire Super C. The Super Star is built on a Freightliner M2 106 chassis, has six floorplans, and ranges from 37 to 40 feet long. The Supreme Aire is built on a Freightliner M2 112 chassis, has a Detroit Diesel DD12 engine, and ranges from 40 to 45 feet long.
Like Winnebago, Newmar also makes accessibility-enhanced models. Its three models are the first wheelchair-accessible Class A motor coaches on the market. The Dutch Star, Kountry Star, and Bay Star all offer a floor plan to meet the needs of travelers in wheelchairs.
How Many Marine Brands Does Winnebago Industries Own?
Despite their growth in the RV industry, Winnebago Industries also owns two marine brands. In 2018, the company entered the boating industry by acquiring Chris-Craft. Then, in 2021, Winnebago Industries added Barletta, the fastest-growing boat company in the pontoon segment.
Chris-Craft
In 1910, the Smith Ryan Boat Company debuted. By the late 1920s, the company changed its name to Chris-Craft and soon became known as the world’s largest builder of mahogany powerboats.
Today, you’ll find four series among the Chris-Craft line: the Launch, Launch GT, Calypso, and Catalina. They range from 25 feet 2 inches to 35 feet 11 inches, costing between $206,920 and $767,860.
Based in Sarasota, Florida, Chris-Craft is known for its high-quality materials, like hand-selected teak, stainless steel burgee holders, and deep-V hulls. For example, some boats feature fully equipped kitchens and spacious sleeping berths. They’re a reflection of tradition but with innovative designs and technological advancements.
Barletta
Barletta launched in 2017 with the same founders who started Grand Design RV – Bill and Ron Fenech and Don Clark. The company has burst onto the marine scene by storm, producing four different pontoon boat lines at four different price ranges.
The Barletta Aria is for boaters who seek quality at a favorable price point. There are quad-lounge, ultra-lounge, and cast-n-cruise models. The next step up is the Barletta Cabrio, a line that still provides affordable prices but is slightly upgraded from the Aria. The Cabrio offers the same three models as the Aria as well as a fourth, the ultra-entertainer with two chaise lounges and a multi-functional bar top.
In contrast, experienced and serious boaters will love the sporty, chic Barletta Corsa with its muscle-car feel. The premium luxury line is the Barletta Lusso, which is the ultimate in comfort and high-end features. Both the Corsa and Lusso offer quad-lounge, ultra-lounge, and ultra-entertainer models. The Lusso also features the meridian-lounge, which combines the ultra-lounge and quad-lounge into a single pontoon boat.
Does Winnebago Industries Have A Good Reputation?
Winnebago Industries has a good reputation in the RV industry. You won’t find any brand that doesn’t have naysayers. When companies grow as large as Winnebago, they produce so many RVs that a small percentage of owners will have a bad experience.
Although, from our experience, we have heard from RVers that they’re happy with the build and customer service of Winnebago brands. We even owned a Grand Design Solitude for a few years!
What we love about Winnebago Industries is the innovative design to continue listening to customers and making changes. Owners want to explore off-road. They want solar panels to come standard. They want high-end finishes. They want accessibility-enhanced models so that every traveler can see the country. Most importantly, Winnebago Industries and its family of brands have listened and produced.
Do You Own An RV Under the Winnebago Industries Umbrella?
If you’ve been RVing for a while, you’ve likely seen Winnebago, Grand Design, and Newmar models at the campground. Perhaps it’s a Winnebago Hike built for a solo traveler who needs something lightweight and easy to tow. Maybe it’s a Grand Design Reflection fifth wheel with a bunk house for a family to enjoy making memories by the campfire.
Or maybe you own an RV under the Winnebago Industries umbrella. What’s sitting in your driveway?
