Winnebago

An overview lists motorhome and caravan brands that appear most often in owner complaints and recall campaigns. These include Gulf Stream (leaks), Coachmen (faulty slide-outs), Thor Hurricane (frequent repairs), Fleetwood (brakes and fridge fires), Holiday Rambler (poor workmanship), Forest River (mechanical and electrical failures), Keystone (electrical problems), Winnebago (over 1,000 recalls), Coleman (furniture failing within a year), Jayco (mechanical and electrical safety issues), Itasca (fridge and brake faults), Airstream (brakes and trailer hitch problems), Champion (seat and seatbelt defects), Dutchmen (hitch and handling issues), Newmar (electrical wiring) and Tiffin (brakes and kitchen appliances). The article advises a professional inspection before purchase and recommends buying a separate fire extinguisher, as almost every manufacturer has recalled the supplied unit.

Equity LifeStyle Properties reported a 5.3% rise in annual-site revenue for the third quarter, while seasonal and transient revenue fell 4.4% and 5.8% respectively. The company has already set 2027 rates on more than 95% of its annual RV sites, assuming about 4.7% growth. Winnebago cut its 2026 and 2027 shipment outlook and reported a 39% drop in fifth-wheel deliveries for the quarter. The US average diesel price stood at $6.35 per gallon on 27 October, 73% higher than a year earlier.

Winnebago Industries reported lower revenue for the fourth quarter and the full fiscal year. Net revenue for the quarter was just over $645 million, compared with $777 million a year earlier, and $2.7 billion for the year against $2.8 billion. CEO Michael Happe said results were in line with expectations and named growing core motorhome and boat sales in North America as the priority for the next fiscal year. The company plans to cut more than 50 jobs at its Forest City plant by 9 November and is moving motorhome production from Lake Mills to the Forest City campus.

Thor has launched the Rize+, a six-metre Class B+ motorhome on a Ford E-350 Super Duty chassis. It sleeps two and starts at $130,340, undercutting the brand's own camper vans.

The Happy Camper has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to develop its RV technology platform, which combines AI tools, 24/7 human customer care and a national service network. The platform aims to coordinate roadside assistance, warranty and service needs for RV owners, manufacturers and dealers. The investment will support engineering, deeper integrations with manufacturers and dealers, and expansion of its North American service-provider network; the company works with brands including Winnebago, Brinkley RV, Lance Camper and Pebble.

Tommy Boshers installed a line lock on his Hellcat-swapped Winnebago Brave motorhome, but the device failed to hold the front wheels during a burnout. In his August 15, 2026 video, he showed 40 to 50 feet of black marks laid down using a traditional power-brake burnout instead. Five days later, in an August 20, 2026 video, Boshers reported that the two-piece driveshaft "just about tore itself out from under the Hemibago mid-launch," and he found bluing on the U-joints and an egg-shaped cup. The line lock kit from Summit Racing could not handle the load, and Boshers suspected over-tightened U-bolts at the pinion yoke caused the driveshaft failure.

Winnebago Industries notified of 51 layoffs at its Forest City plant starting Nov. 9. With an August notice for 27 workers, total cuts at the plant this year reach 78.

After Denver7 Investigates reported on court judgments against former RV dealer LazyDays RV, owners nationwide contacted the newsroom with concerns about repairs, warranty disputes and defects. Pete West, founder of the RV Advocacy Network, said the problems extend beyond a single dealership. A federal class-action lawsuit in Indiana alleges frame defects in certain Grand Design RV products and names parent company Winnebago Industries; both deny liability. Federal regulators opened a preliminary evaluation of certain 2017–2023 Grand Design Momentum and Solitude fifth-wheel trailers after 23 complaints alleging excessive frame flex. In a separate case involving certain Keystone Passport trailers, a federal court entered a judgment providing up to approximately $3.1 million in relief for qualifying class members; Keystone did not admit liability.

A Winnebago motorhome caught fire on Sunday, October 11, in Saint-Jérôme. According to city police, the vehicle was traveling south on Highway 15 when a fire started in the right rear wheel. Another motorist alerted the driver, who parked the RV on de Martigny Street in front of the cemetery and called emergency services. The Saint-Jérôme police department reports no injuries, and the investigation found no criminal element. A mechanical failure is considered the likely cause of the fire.

In the US, Tommy Boshers and his son installed a 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 producing about 700 hp into a 1970s Winnebago Brave camper. The project is called Hemibago.

A 2018 Winnebago Sightseer 36Z is up for auction on eBay with a current bid of $14,900, against an original MSRP of roughly $208,000. The Class A motorhome has 17,255 miles and was previously listed for around $95,000 without selling. The auction ends in about a week, and the current bid is not a Buy It Now price.

Winnebago announced the promotion of Adam Gudger to general manager of its towable division. Gudger joined Winnebago in December 2024 as director of product development and national sales, and has since contributed to the launch of the Thrive product line, the transformation of the Access lineup, and the development of Winnebago's return to the fifth wheel market. In his new role, he will lead strategic direction, product vision, and business for the towable division.

Four companies control the majority of RV brands in the North American market: REV Group, Forest River, Winnebago, and Thor Industries. REV Group owns Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood, American Coach, and Monaco Coach; Forest River, owned by Warren Buffett, includes Coachmen, Berkshire Luxury Coach, Dynamax, and East To West; Winnebago owns Grand Design and Newmar; Thor Industries owns Airstream, Dutchmen, Jayco, Tiffin, and CrossRoads. Consolidation may lower costs and simplify the supply chain, but can also lead to reduced quality control and cookie-cutter designs.

Winnebago Industries will present over 150 RVs and trailers at the 57th annual America’s Largest RV Show from September 16 to 20 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Winnebago Industries will bring over 150 RVs from Winnebago, Grand Design RV and Newmar to the 57th annual America's Largest RV Show, held Sept. 16-20 at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Debuts include the Winnebago ARKA with a 48-volt energy architecture and up to 16.8 kWh of Lithionics lithium battery capacity for up to 14 days of off-grid travel, Grand Design's first gas-powered motorhome Lineage Series E 30DC on a Ford chassis, and its most affordable travel trailer Transcend Lite 121RBL. Newmar will display 18 luxury motorhomes, including the refreshed Essex and New Aire. Select models will be available for on-site test drives.

The US will impose antidumping and countervailing duties on Indonesian plywood, raising the rate from 18.10% to 58.93% for most shipments. The International Trade Commission voted against the RV industry's argument on 19 August that no domestic alternative exists for the 2.7–3.6 mm lauan used in motorhome roofs, sidewalls and floors. Importers have paid one duty since 2 March, with the countervailing duty suspended on 22 May. A final report is due by 28 September.

The annual Open House event in Elkhart, Indiana, will showcase new RVs for the 2027 model year. RV PRO's preview lists participating OEMs such as Forest River, Thor Industries, Keystone RV, Airstream, Winnebago, and others. New models, brands, floorplans, and features will be on display.

Winnebago Industries (WGO) has launched a new brand platform for its Grand Design RV brand, which the company says challenges the RV industry's long-standing focus on destination and adventure by placing human connection at the center of the RV experience. The "All Roads Lead to This" campaign includes an updated Grand Design logo and expanded brand promotion across narrative content, digital experiences, products, and owner and dealer touchpoints. The campaign will be presented at upcoming events, including the Elkhart Dealer Open House and the Hershey RV Show, where the company plans to debut new products.

Winnebago Industries has launched a new brand platform centered on the concept of 'connection', highlighting the emotional value of RV ownership. New products will be showcased at an upcoming trade show. The company's stock (WGO) fell 2.53%.

The RV Dealers Association (RVDA) has announced the schedule for seven Partners of Progress (POP) meetings during the 2026 RV Dealers Convention/Expo, taking place Nov. 9-13 at Paris Las Vegas. POP meetings provide dealers with a forum to discuss brand-specific issues with top management from participating manufacturers. Dealer volunteers moderate the meetings, which are held in-person during the convention. Only dealers who carry the designated manufacturer may attend these meetings. The schedule includes sessions with KZ RV, Venture RV, Jayco Motorhomes and Towables, Grand Design, Winnebago Towables, Alliance RV, Keystone RV, and Forest River Motorhomes, Towables and Subsidiaries.