Winnebago Industries credited its motorized lines for a strong fourth quarter that helped the company nearly double its profits in 2025, but President and CEO Mike Happe said towables should not be overlooked.
With the introduction of Thrive travel trailers at this year’s Elkhart Extravaganza, Winnebago towables are also the right path, according to Happe.
“Winnebago towables was a record-setting order-taking event at open house,” Happe said. “We were really pleased with dealer engagement on each of our three RV brands (Grand Design, Newmar and Winnebago). On the Grand Design and Winnebago brands, we were pleased with the orders that we took on both.”
Happe said Grand Design’s towables also continue to outperform. The division, which includes its top-selling fifth wheel brands, is Winnebago’s largest revenue stream.
“We were pleased with the reception,” Happe said about Elkhart Extravaganza feedback, “especially to the travel trailer segment there and the work we have done on Imagine and Transcend, and the unveiling of the Foundation destination trailer.”
RVIA’s forecast for 2026 estimated RV sales between 332,400 and 366,100 with a median of 349,300. Happe said he sees 330,000 RVs as a “reasonable assumption” for the company’s planning.
“If the market is healthier, fantastic,” he said. “If it is a little softer, we still believe we have the levers within the business to be able to generate profitability.”
Those levers include both motorized and towable lines. Happe said Winnebago has been a leader in the Type B category. However, he said the company is feeling more pressure on market share.
“We continue to have the top three performing single product brands in the Class B segment,” Happe said. “There has been an explosion of brands and floorplans in that space and in dealer distribution points. Almost by the default of math, with us only having one brand in Class B until recently, the explosion of competition there mathematically has pressured our (market) share.”
Happe said the company plans to stabilize and possibly see slight growth in the RV market in 2026.
“The two primary drivers are going to be Grand Design motorized and some of the significant retail momentum continuing that we are seeing, and we intend to make meaningful strides on Winnebago towables as well in fiscal year 26. We feel well-positioned to grow share in that space.”
Happe said he hopes to see the company gain market share in Type A diesel motorhomes through Newmar and with Grand Design’s towables.
He said, “We believe we have plans in place to…strengthen our share in certain areas.”
