To say that Winnebago has been busy lately would be something of an understatement: The RV
manufacturer has no less than a baker’s dozen of new 2005 models within its various
motorhome product lines. Among these new entries, the Aspect is one of two new Class C
coaches primarily directed at a market segment of weekend users and tailgaters. The larger
of these, the Aspect 26A, has enough interior flair to appeal to energetic special-event
enthusiasts, while still being a contender for those looking to downsize from a larger
coach, without sacrificing convenience.
The Aspect 26A is a rear sleeper/bath floorplan
with the main living area and galley located forward, with color-keyed carpeting away from
the entry and a vinyl floor extending through the galley and into the bath. What visually
sets this coach apart, however, is its large U-shaped dinette and round table, which
occupies the entire streetside slide. It may appear overwhelming at first, yet with
comfortable seating for five — and lap belts for four when traveling — this unique
dinette will easily handle a variety of functions, from full dinner service to oversized
jigsaw puzzles. Though larger than its 23D sibling, the 26A is still a compact coach.
Fortunately, Winnebago has plenty of experience in designing smaller, efficient work
spaces.
The Aspect is mated to an industry-staple Ford E-450 SuperDuty cut-away chassis.
The high-back cockpit seats provided good support for our 400-mile trip; despite having
fixed lumbar support, we were quite comfortable when driving for extended periods. The dash
and controls are straightforward Ford fare, all within easy reach and clearly marked, and
the newly standard tachometer proves very useful when towing. Wherever we stopped, the
Aspect drew lots of attention — and not just for its unique U-shaped dinette. Winnebago’s
choice of the mocha and Sierra maple interior decor was also cited, as was the exterior
two-tone light autumnwood metallic paint. Experienced RVers appreciated the use of a dark
color below the beltline that helps to hide road dirt.
For full details and test
impressions on the Aspect 26′, pick up the March 2005 issue of MotorHome magazine on the
newsstand — then subscribe to
MotorHome so you can stay informed on the latest motorhome tests and previews, products
and technical information, and travel info. Winnebago Industries, (641) 585-3535,
winnebagoind.com