Winnebago vs. Itasca

[Jupiter]

So, why the two brands by the saw manufacturer? What are the key differences? Is this the Chevrolet / GMC comparison? Take away the body emblems and they appear to be virtually the same. I'm thinking there must be more defined nuances, yes?

Joopy

[Cousin Ed]

We had a '01 Adventurer 35B, an '05 Suncruiser 37B and now a '10 Journey 40L. There is no real difference now. Our '05 had stainless appilances and some extra mirrors but now we couldn't find any diffrences. We really like the way Winnie builds MHs but would not care which of the two we'd get. Find a good dealer and a good price.

[TXUSGUY]

They are the same except for color options. When Winnebago Ind. wanted to expand the number of retail locations they ran into problems with franchise laws and geographical sales territories. Therefore they created Itasca and got around the problems.

[DSouthw524]

Originally the difference was the platform the units were built on. Winnie was a Dodge frame and I tasca was Chev. The interiors were also quite different. The Winnie's were of a darker more sedate and the Itasca was lighter.

Usually, there are subtle diffeernces to this day as there are some things standard on the Itasca that are extra or not availlable on the Winnie! Both are very similar these days as the frames or pllatforms are the same.

Have had both and both are great quality.

[AFChap]

Most RV mfg'ers have far more that just two "brands" ...at least Winnebago has kept it relatively simple!

[MaverickBBD]

A marketing matter. Franchise dealers and the packaging of options.

[Grimesy]

All of the above, plus I believe Itasca is sold as a complete unit and a Winnebago can be built as you like.

Don, WIT 70041

[puttin]

TXUSGUY,

That is interesting- thanks for enlightening us, I never heard of that before. Some of the other responses were great too! Just when you assumed you already knew the answers already...you never stop learning things here.

[Jupiter]

Yes, lots of interesting responses. Much appreciated!

Joopy

[jimbo16720]

My 1986 has 3 names, Winnebago-Itasca-Elandan.

[wlf00]

A few years before we bought our coach in 2008, the Itasca line cost a little more and offered more items as standard. In most cases, you could add the options to the Winnebago and get the same thing for about the same price. There were subtle differences like arched cabinet doors in one line and straight doors in the other even though which line had the arched doors changed from year to year. As stated earlier, the color schemes are different.

Here in the Tampa FL area, the dealers carry both lines. In other locations, the dealers only have one line to offer.

I would pick the line that has the color scheme that you want or the dealer that you want to work with (if they only offer one line).

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXUSGUY They are the same except for color options. When Winnebago Ind. wanted to expand the number of retail locations they ran into problems with franchise laws and geographical sales territories. Therefore they created Itasca and got around the problems.

This is the story I heard when we bought our new Itasca as well. It allows Winnebago Industries to have a greater density of dealers than they could otherwise manage... at least in some areas. I see no difference these days other than packaging and marketing.

Rick

[AppleValley2]

I read that in the 70's GM made a motorhome called the Itasca. They decided to let Winnebago manufacture them. Later Winnebago bought them out and decided to keep both lines separate. Both lines had fans and since they were making the Itasca anyway, it was easy to keep both.

[MaverickBBD]

I heard tell but never personally verified that there was a time ago when the finishing detail on the Itasca were more then the Winnie's. As the story went the drawers in the cabinets were mitered in the Itasca but not in the Winnebago. I got my rig from a dealer that sell both lines and and looked and looked over the years and have not found this to be true today.