Founded in 1958, “Winnebago” became a household word when the company became the first RV maker to build motorhomes in an automotive-style assembly line system. Winnebago Industries builds the Winnebago, Itasca and Era motorhome brands.
The tour starts at the Winnebago Industries’ Visitors Center with a 20-minute video preview of the manufacturing process. After that, a tour bus constructed on a Winnebago Industries commercial vehicle shell departs for a drive-through tour of the grounds including three main areas:
•The chassis weld facility, where the raw chassis is prepared to become a home on wheels with the front cab and basement storage added.
•The Stitchcraft facility that builds chairs, window valances, sofas and other furniture pieces.
•The main three-line production area named Big Bertha, which is about the same size as eight football fields. Visitors get an idea of the magnitude of the building from mezzanines that provide a bird's eye view.
Before or after the tour visitors can explore the Winnebago Industries Museum, which chronicles the company’s 54-year history as well as the design and construction of its RVs.
During the spring and summer months, the visitors center also offers viewing of some of the latest models of the company’s Winnebago, Itasca and Era brand motorhomes, as well as Winnebago and SunnyBrook brand towables, right off the assembly lines. Visitors can also see one of the first motorhomes built by Winnebago Industries, the classic 1967 Winnebago D22, as well as a 1959 Aljo trailer also manufactured by Winnebago Industries.
Tours of Winnebago Industries 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, which last approximately two hours, are offered twice daily at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday from April through October, and at 1 p.m. in November. For groups larger than six, reservations are recommended.
For more information call (641) 585-6936, or visit the company's website.
4 comments:
been there done that and would do it again
well worth my time
thanks winnebago
brianj
driving some other brand but maybe the next one will be WINNIE
Currently on our 2nd Winnie and the tour definately helps you relize when comparing to other RV tours that it is the right coach to purchase. Keep up the good work Winnebago!
We took the tour when we bought the Minnie Winnie and I have been impressed with Winnebago ever since. The RV has held up well for all of its 130,000 miles and still looks good.
No matter what brand you own this tour helps you realize what goes into make a motorhome. During the Grand National Rally they even give more tours of other areas. Of course you need to own a Winny product to get into the GNR. They really do build a quality product, we have and still own our 2nd one.
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