End of Winnebago towables

gretnagreg · 03-02-2019, 08:40 PM

I was informed today by a camping world general manager that Winnebago is going to very soon stop manufacturing towables and go back only to motorhomes. Is there any truth to this?

**creativepart** · 03-02-2019, 10:17 PM

I wouldn’t believe a word of that. Especially if it came from Camping World.

Wayne M · 03-02-2019, 10:38 PM

Call Winnebago and find out.

gretnagreg · 03-03-2019, 05:46 AM

I really wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt because he was a salesman when he sold me my last motorhome and he now has been promoted to general Manager. I had a lot of respect for the guy because the camping world dealership had several problems and he seems to be turning them around. All that being said, what he told me really contradicts various writings last fall of the profitability of Winnebago particularly the towables area which led me to believe that he was not 100% true in his statement. Unfortunate indeed, I really don't like people trying to mislead me even if they are trying to make a sale.he indicated that jayco was a much better product than the Winnebago towable. Of course he has lots of jaycos on the lot.

legolas · 03-03-2019, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creativepart

I wouldn’t believe a word of that. Especially if it came from Camping World.

X2 x X2 on the Camping World

Wayne M · 03-03-2019, 11:18 AM

He's just trying to sell his product as it appears.

Meridian42e · 03-03-2019, 11:28 AM

Towables are Winnebago's cash cow right now according to the President.

**creativepart** · 03-03-2019, 03:22 PM

And... Winnebago towables have been better than Jayco towables consistently over the years. Still are.

Definitely just trying to sell his Jayco TT. In many places Camping World has lost Winnebago affiliation. I don't know if it's nationwide or not.

IOS 3 · 03-03-2019, 05:13 PM

Reading investor reports from Winnebago that seems highly unlikely. Towables are Winnebago's fastest growing segment, and the most profitable.

gretnagreg · 03-03-2019, 05:42 PM

Thanks to all who's replied to this. I'm in the market for a 2108DS and was discouraged to hear that they might stop making them. I took his comment with a grain of salt and actually did some research myself and discovered the same things that y'all have reinforced. Sad, I really don't like people misleading me. Thanks again

old_engineer · 03-04-2019, 07:17 AM

My dealer sells both Winnebago and Jayco. The sales folks we dealt with consider the Winnebago a step above the equivalent Jayco's.

BobC · 03-04-2019, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gretnagreg

Thanks to all who's replied to this. I'm in the market for a 2108DS and was discouraged to hear that they might stop making them. I took his comment with a grain of salt and actually did some research myself and discovered the same things that y'all have reinforced. Sad, I really don't like people misleading me. Thanks again

I know what you mean but misleading the buyer is key skill of many, if not most, RV salespeople. And, so what if Winnebago stops making towables? Once they're out of warranty, they can be fixed pretty much anywhere and resale value shouldn't be hurt as long as they're a quality product to begin with.

Ret.LEO · 03-07-2019, 05:01 AM

The only way they would do that I think would be to put their Grand Design Brand as a replacement. I don't see that happening.

TonyOIB · 03-07-2019, 05:59 AM

We recently sold a 2018 Winnie 2401 TT and LOVED it while we had. Wanted to trade up so we bought a new Minnie Winnie 24 ft. MH instead from CW :( and am finding it's no where near the quality of the TT. I don't know for sure, but I get the feeling from speaking to different CW's that it's Winnebago's decision NOT to sell to CW for probably many reasons. In MY experience, my MH was NOT properly prepared for sale when CW received it, they never washed the undercarriage and unknown to me it was rusted underneath very badly. I'm finding from many others on this forum that this is a common problem . Winnebago nor CW are willing to do much to address this even though it was bought brand new. We are finding less and less Winnebago's on CW lots and I was told by a manager that they are just not getting that many Winnebago's anymore. It's obvious the salesperson just wanted to sell you what they had. I did learn a valuable lesson from all this, and that is DO NOT BUY NEW.. My TT was bought used and I sold it for what I paid for it. My new MH was valued by CW at $22K LESS then what I paid for it. OH WELL!

Neisman · 03-10-2019, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gretnagreg

I was informed today by a camping world general manager that Winnebago is going to very soon stop manufacturing towables and go back only to motorhomes. Is there any truth to this?

Never trust a salesperson unless you van verify the statement with a reputable source. Good job.

gretnagreg · 03-10-2019, 05:20 PM

I put a deposit on a 2108ds just this week. Thanks again to all who replied.

brown3740 · 03-10-2019, 11:20 PM

Most RV salespersons don't really know their products. In their defense, they may have too many products to possibly keep track of them. It's important to do all your research before buying anything. You'll probably teach the salesperson a few things along the way.

Amen to buying used. We bought a Winnie TT, 3.5 years old for less than 1/2 of original price. Very happy with the purchase.

jpellegr · 03-11-2019, 03:48 AM

Was just at the plant in Indiana and it does look like it is shutting down soon.

gretnagreg · 03-11-2019, 10:06 AM

How so?

luvlabs · 03-11-2019, 10:11 AM

Winnebago is a public company and has to, by law, make public notifications to their shareholders and public officials about any major change to their business. In other words, unless Winnebago makes an announcement, it is just a rumour.

Next time a sales person, even if he's a good friend, tells you a company is shutting down part of their business either ignore him or ask for proof.