If you’ve ever wondered how they make homes on wheels, then
a tour of Winnebago Industries will not only answer all your questions,
but also leave you marveling at the cutting-edge technology and
efficient motorhome production that goes into making their innovative, state-of-the-art motorhomes.
Winnebago Industries is offering free tours of its main
facility at its headquarters in Forest City beginning April 6. Tours are
offered twice daily from April 6 through November 1. Each tour starts
at the Winnebago Industries’ 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
Industries Commercial Vehicle shell) departs for a drive-through tour of
the grounds, and a walk-in tour of 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 motorhome
manufacturing process. Each tour lasts approximately ninety minutes.
Before or after the tour, visitors can also tour the Winnebago
Industries Museum which is on the upper level of the Visitors Center.
The museum chronicles the Company’s 50-year history, as well as the
design and construction of the Company’s motorhomes. 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 motorhomes 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.
All tours of Winnebago Industries are free, and all ages are
welcome. Small children (under 5) must be accompanied by an adult. The
Visitors Center is accessible to those with disabilities, however the
factory tour does include two staircases. Tours are offered twice daily
at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday from April 6 through November
1, excluding holidays. If your group is larger than six, reservations
are recommended. For more information, please call 641/585-6936, visit: Winnebago Industries.
