All In” may be a slogan used by the Chicago Cubs, but is also the philosophy that seeks to provide a way for everyone to embrace the Recreational Vehicle lifestyle. Winnebago Industries is one of the manufacturers who is making it easier for someone with limitations to get on the road.
“Winnebago Industries has more than 40 years of experience customizing its motorhome models for customer accessibility,” said Winnebago marketing spokesman Sam Jeffson. “The mission has always been to bring greater freedom and comfort for individuals with limited mobility who still have a desire to travel and explore the outdoors.”
According to the United States Census, 24.1 million people have what is considered a severe disability, meaning a person who is unable to perform at least one task of daily living or a long-term user of assistive devices. These include wheelchairs, canes or walkers.
Another 34.2 million Americans live with what is considered a functional limitation. This means that they have difficulty hearing, seeing, lifting, climbing stairs or other limitations on their abilities.
Statistics also indicate that 29% of families living in the United States have a family member with physical limitations.
Prior to this year, customers who wanted accessibility enhanced features in their new Winnebago had to special order the model they wanted. Although that is still an option, the company now offers three standardized floorplans that include the most requested accessibility options.
“The goal is to increase the visibility of these products, have them more readily available on dealers’ lots and to help reduce costs to customers over time,” Jeffson said.
Winnebago Accessibility-Enhanced Adventurer free standing dinette give plenty of extra room. [Photo/Winnebago Industries]
"Our accessibility-enhanced customers are looking for the same freedom from home that many RV owners seek and in many cases the ability to travel is much more meaningful," said Ashis Bhattacharya, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Specialty Vehicles. "RV dealers across North America count on Winnebago … and we look forward to making these options easier to stock and obtain as we understand options for accessibility that are available to drive off the lot are hard to find in the broader industry."
Although Winnebago does not divulge sales figures, it is fair to assume that creating an accessibility-enhanced line of RVs was well researched and thoroughly vetted.
“Our team did a great deal of research leading up to the announcement of the AE line to identify that a need existed in the marketplace to serve this potential customer base,” Jeffson said.
When determining what a physically disabled person may need to include in order to use their RV effectively, it is often not as simple as just adding a wheelchair lift. There are other considerations to be addressed, such as the width of the pathway from front to back, a roll-in shower, grab bars, tie downs to secure the wheelchair and roll under access to sinks and the dining table.
Instead of pricing out each of these components individually, Winnebago’s line of accessibility-enhanced RVs include a number of alterations, Jeffson said.
More changes are planned for the 2020 models. Jeffson tells The Buzz new features to be unveiled include an air-assisted swinging door for wheelchair entry. The 2020 Intent AE is being designed with a murphy bed. This modification allows “greater ease of entry as well the creation of an additional lounge or entertainment space,” he explained.
Customization is still an option, even with these enhanced models, such as bed and toilet height specification, placement of handrails, ceiling track system installation for mobility without a wheelchair, specific furniture requirements, cabinetry, and aesthetic changes.
Winnebago’s accessibility-enhanced RVs made their debut in January at the Florida RV Supershow.
"Before our accessibility-enhanced Winnebago, the thought of going on vacation was more stressful than just staying at home," said Mike Freeman, Winnebago Forza 34T owner, whose comments were included in a company press release issued at the time of the AE line’s debut. "Most people take for granted the ability to hop in a car, plane, train at will to take a vacation, visit friends and family, or explore a new destination. Our accessibility-enhanced RV has opened up a wider and richer world for our whole family and even makes day trips easier. We can leave the house with confidence, and excitement, rather than anxiety and stress. I hope more people like us will discover their freedom and adventure with Winnebago's new offerings."
These vehicles reduce the need for extra planning related to out of town or local travel, provide more options for service animals, and give owners comfort in knowing they'll always have a wheelchair-friendly bathroom and sleeping arrangement, as stated in the company’s press release.
Three Class A models are included in the line, with Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices starting at $202,295 for the Intent AE to $341,214 for the Forza AE.
The Forza AE is a 35’9” Class A Diesel motorhome built on the Freightliner Chassis, Jeffson said.
The Adventurer AE is a 31-foot Class A Gas motorhome built on a Ford Chassis. The middle-of-the-line price-wise has a base MSRP of $229,941.
The Intent AE is a 30’10” Class A Gas motorhome also built on a Ford Chassis.
About Winnebago Industries
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO) is a U.S. manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products under the Winnebago, Grand Design and Chris-Craft brands, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The Company builds motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheel products, and boats. Winnebago Industries has multiple facilities in Iowa, Indiana, Oregon, Minnesota, and Florida.