For decades Winnebago has tested its products beyond what is required by the RV industry. Perhaps nothing is more dramatic than the drop test, where a coach is hoisted three feet into the air and then dropped on its roof. After the test, engineers examine structural integrity, appliances and cabinet attachment as well as impact absorption.
In this video, several high-speed cameras were used to record a Winnebago Trend hitting the pavement. After the test, notice how the door frame does not deform and can be opened. This is an indicator of the rigidity of the coach superstructure.
“This kind of destructive testing is very expensive, but over the years tests like these have helped us improve the durability of our products,” the company noted. Click the video to see the actual test.
##RVT797
Just lost half my fiber glass roof in Canada it ripped off from the left rear towards the front as I was driving.my winnebago is a 2000 journey 34b.stopped by factory to have them look at it they said would have to rebuild the roof at a cost of 27000 to29000 I don’t think my insurance company is going to pay for this was told that it was not the first one they have seen even on some newer ones.the Nada on my rv is about 23000.looks like I am out of rving.seems like a bad design, has there been any recalls on the roof problem?
Impressive I guess. But now if they wud spend as much time on their roof design it wud be perfect. After having 1/2 off my roof blow off in Colorado as I was driving down the highway, and reading about all the trouble with their roofs since 1999 AND seeing 3 other Winnebagos in the shop with the same problem, I’m pretty much done with Winnebago who would rather blame the owners ratherthan their design.
Agree with you, Mary, although I’ve not had a roof problem. Winnebago’s quality control of late (the last 2-4 years) leaves much to be desired. With their recent $15,000 price increase on their diesel Class C coaches with few new features to justify that huge jump, unless they’ve improved their quality control, they may have just priced themselves into the slow sales lane. I would definitely look hard elsewhere for a new rig.
Agree with comment on driver door. First thing I noticed. Would rather have the cab be more crash safe than the “house” part. Quality is one reason we put a new engine in our 2002 Newmar Dutchstar after 180,000 miles and just returned from the factory with new paint, new roof and some interior upgrades. Much less expensive than buying a new coach with the potential for defect horror stories like the other commenters. Over 15 years we have had only a few issues, none major and none that ever interrupted our travels.
Pretty impressive that the coach door could be opened but it looked to me that the drivers door could not be opened since the cap above that area came down to block the door opening. In an accident, I would think that is the more important door to open. Didn’t notice about the passenger door.
Big deal… ONLY 3 feet…
Chuck, I believe there are a lot of RVs that would come apart at the seams with such a drop.
I wish Winnebago put as much attention into quality control as the drop test. My new 42QD Tour had 118 defects in the first 2 years and we spent 6 weeks at the factory trying to correct them–unsuccessfully! Partial list of failures: 8 slides, 3 jacks, aqua hot (total replacement), energy management system caught on fire, 5 HDMI boxes, three windows, 3 water pumps, numerous water leaks (front cap left factory with no sealant on top), three thermostats, numerous plumbing leaks and valve issues, dishwasher, engine brake failure multiple times, you get the picture–these are just the major failures.
Gee was yours the one they drop tested? 😉
Agree, Wayne. Seems their quality control doesn’t look at unattached or loose plumbing, missing screws, missing sealant, and other small but important areas! Of course, if they’d have their guys/gals on the line doing their jobs completely and competently, QC might not be such a difficult job.
Tiffin Allegro: we bought a new one in February 2015 and have experienced numerous problems ,, more than should occur in my opinion: drivers side slide wouldn’t retract, entry step due to a recall, now the kitchen slide inop, and one individual said @ the dealer that ‘we’re just getting it broke in’? Apparently the QA process in Red Bay is poor to non existent and I’ve spoken to other Tiffin Allegro owners that have had similar issues. The factory reimbursed us for the hassle with the drivers side slide but? These new motor homes by Tiffin do not have the means to manually retract any of the slides and to me, an aviator who has dealt with Quality for many years just doesn’t seem smart! At least our older Seabreeze had a manual crank to retract its slides ! When we first picked the unit up at the dealers lot the sinks needed caulking, the firewall, leaked air and the over head vent needed screws.
Im impressed . Wish we were able to prchase one just like the one they used in this demonstration.
But….$$ and age [84] still going strong with our 93 Fleetwood
“Coronoado” 28 foot. [40,000 miles – 2nd owner – purchaed 2002
Planned trips this year…New Mexoico – Red River; Colorado and whatever we can put togethe3r.