Are Winnebago RV's the top of the line or close to it?

pnichols, that is a GREAT list. There are many things on there that I wish my entry level Trail Lite had. I think they get it.
j-d's comment is perfect IMO, that Winnie is the best of the volume builders.

I also agree that Forest River is giving Winnie a run for the upper quality end of the volume builders, and is priced way below Winnie in many cases.

As discussed, opinions are what we share here (and everywhere). Our strongly held opinions most often look to us like fact, and so wee are self-designated experts. What distinguishes self-designated experts from ‘real’ experts is that their claim to expertise is based on the strongly held opinions of other people. But it’s opinion all the way.

Opinion is a value judgement; it is a forn of emotion in that any emotion is either an attraction toward or away from something. All experience is an occasion of emotion, and all reality is a process of experiencing.

Including the energetic activity of the atoms in a Winnebago!

There's nobody on this forum that has owned enough 'C's by different manufacturers, brands and models to give you an unbiased answer. And if somebody did qualify by owning all those RVs, I wouldn't trust their answer. They'd have to be impossible to please, or have lots of money and bore easily.
I have a Fleetwood. Its been good to me. Would I recommend the brand to somebody else? No. I'd tell them I like the one that I have. The ones that came off the assembly line just before and just after mine may be in a junkyard by now, or have 80,000 miles on them and have never had a problem.
You just have to do your own homework. Look at many manufacturers' models to see what layout pleases you. Check to see how and if everything works inside. Take it on a test drive on two lane roads and an expressway to see if you can keep it between the lines. If you have a friend that already owns a 'C', ask them to come along.

I've heard repeatedly that the best RV you will have is your 3rd one.

If people ask for opinions, I sometimes give them. They are based on my own research and experience. Nowhere did I proclaim myself an 'expert'. What is the purpose of a forum if not to reap the benefits of others' experience?

In My Opinion........Winnebago is a very high rated MH. They provide quality products as their reputation over the years indicates. Having said that......Forest River is really up and coming and I have a 2010 Sunseeker that I love! Worth a look! One-Piece Molded Fiberglass Front End Cap, 2" laminated Gel Coat sidewalls, vacuum bonded with aluminum frame structure, steel backers
& block foam insulation. Go and just shop. Go to RV shows. Read. Don't hurry!

Bordercollie wrote:
Lazy Daze is considered the "best" by many, except they don't offer slides and exterior design is considered somewhat "dated". LD has better housebox construction and roof is more leak proof. Cost is some 10K higher than many brands but resale is better. Winnebago seems to outsell Fleetwood and other mid-range brands. Fleetwoods are often used as rentals. All rigs require care and maintenance and most use the same brands of appliances, generators, plumbing and awnings, etc. Do your homework before you buy.

Actually, Born Frees are even better than Lazy Daze :) but they also cost quite a bit more. I consider Lazy Daze the better value but Born Free the better coach.

Lazy Daze is considered the "best" by many, except they don't offer slides and exterior design is considered somewhat "dated". LD has better housebox construction and roof is more leak proof. Cost is some 10K higher than many brands but resale is better. Winnebago seems to outsell Fleetwood and other mid-range brands. Fleetwoods are often used as rentals. All rigs require care and maintenance and most use the same brands of appliances, generators, plumbing and awnings, etc. Do your homework before you buy.

Forest Rivers Class C's use composite substrate in the walls, single sheet fiberglass roofs, and have a heavy crowned roof that is over 5" thick in the middle. We looked at Winnebago, they are a nice coach but other units (Nexus RV) and others are catching up quick.

I wouldn't consider Winnie, among all Class C's, to be the "best".

I rate them at the top of the pack in the category of "volume builders." Their design, materials, and techniques are all "above average" but I believe what might start out as an "intangible" puts them in the lead. It's SUPPORT. You can look up a Parts List. You can look up a Wiring Diagram and the wiring is actually where the Diagram says it is. If you want the wiring harness you can order it. If they don't have a certain cabinet door they'll make it.
From what I can tell, they may have cheapened parts of their product line. That roof is still fiberglass but some models seem to have lost their end caps, for example.
From a site promoting AZDEL for walls, Winnebago is using AZDEL in the walls of their A and C coaches. That's another plus.