Ordering from Winnebago

Goldencrazy wrote:
I just ordered a 2015. Will arrive in about 10 weeks. We found we could mix some of the colors and fabrics but for some combinations there was an extra charge and of course you have options for your coach and they will work with you if something is available in another coach and will fit. Often they will not fit. Things like towel bars and more outlets are installed locally. Enjoy your new coach. We traded for a Sightseer 35 G. Our 5th winnebago in 40 years.

So you traded the Sunstar 30T already? ;-)

skipole

You can tell the dealer you want to delete the fireplace. The factory will do as requested, but they may not give you any credit for the deleted item. There have been other threads over time asking similar questions. In most cases the person has decided to keep the item they sought to delete for resale purposes and the fact that they wouldn't be getting enough of a refund to make it worth while.

cKarlGo wrote:
When I say "custom," I'm referring to choices based on what options Winnebago provides. Nothing will be outside of those parameters. I want to delete things like the fireplace, which I consider rather useless and that takes up about 4-5 cu/ft of useful storage space on a coach that's already short on space in the galley (but that I otherwise like a lot).

go to any winnie dealer and go down the list of options. assuming that the fireplace is an option it can easily be deleted. if it is standard you are likely stuck with it.
can always be taken out and additional cabinetry installed if they still have that separate rebuild area that they had when I was there. or of course can locate a firm that would customize it for you.
bumpy

When I say "custom," I'm referring to choices based on what options Winnebago provides. Nothing will be outside of those parameters. I want to delete things like the fireplace, which I consider rather useless and that takes up about 4-5 cu/ft of useful storage space on a coach that's already short on space in the galley (but that I otherwise like a lot).

Biggyniner wrote:
When you custom order one like this from the factory, can one still haggle over price? I am assuming that this may not be as easy when order a custom built RV.

Are you referring to ordering some "custom" items on a normal production motorhome, or building a custom vehicle from scratch?

If it's only a few custom items on an otherwise normal production vehicle you can certainly "haggle" over the price. In our case we didn't have to. The dealer agreed to have them installed for their cost when we ordered the motorhome.

On a totally custom vehicle there are many meetings of the minds to finalize the specifications, the items to be installed, and the cost of those items before production begins. Everything including the time and place of delivery are ironed out well in advance.

When you custom order one like this from the factory, can one still haggle over price? I am assuming that this may not be as easy when order a custom built RV.

Bumpyroad wrote:
when I ordered my chieftain I didn't want the standard slide topper awnings, instead I wanted the type that came out separate from the slide and went down to a window awning. they would delete the installation of the slide toppers but would not give me any credit so I just had them go ahead and put them on.
bumpy

I think this goes back to my previous post where the factory rep stated that they would install any option used on other Winnebago built coaches if it would fit. They won't purchase and install items that aren't used in their normal production process. The only exception is if you order a custom coach for a promotional vehicle like the one you see advertising the game show "Wheel Of Fortune".

They do make a number of promotional vehicles every year. They make them for a range of business from tool manufacturers, to electronics firms. These vehicles have custom features both inside and out. In most cases the "custom furnishings and décor items" are either furnished by the customer, or the customer provides the necessary specs for Winnebago to manufacture the items

Keep in mind most of these custom vehicles cost far more than the highest price production models.

when I ordered my chieftain I didn't want the standard slide topper awnings, instead I wanted the type that came out separate from the slide and went down to a window awning. they would delete the installation of the slide toppers but would not give me any credit so I just had them go ahead and put them on.
bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:
When I ordered my Chieftain I selected options, colors, wood, etc. at the dealer and had it built. They will (or would have) custom done things but would have built it on their production line and then moved it over to another building and done any non-standard custom work. I assume they still will do that.
bumpy

This thread has been a bit light on facts, but Bumpy is right.

When my parents ordered their Adventurer they wanted a few special items. Some were options from a Chieftain, some were 100% new, like a vent in the bedroom.

There was a guy named Roger (can't recall his last name) that organized it all. It went down the normal assembly line. They left anything out during that process that would not ultimately be used in their motorhome. It then went over to Roger's area and had everything done that my parents wanted.

Gotta see if Mom remembers Roger's full name.....

Goldencrazy wrote:
We traded for a Sightseer 35 G. Our 5th winnebago in 40 years.

very similar floor plan to my old Chieftain with one more slide. that bath arrangement is about the best I could imagine.
bumpy