Winnebago Industries is one of the oldest names in motorhomes. The company traces its roots to Forest City, Iowa, in the late 1950s, and the Winnebago brand builds Class A, Class B and Class C motorhomes plus travel trailers and fifth wheels. Winnebago Industries also owns Grand Design and Newmar.
Two battery systems on every Winnebago motorhome
Like every motorhome, a Winnebago has a chassis battery that starts the engine and a house (coach) battery bank that runs the living area. On Class C and Class B models built on Ford Transit, Ford E-Series or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, the chassis battery is generally under the hood or under the cab floor, where that chassis maker puts it. House batteries are often in an exterior compartment or under the entry step. On Class A coaches, both are usually in exterior compartments, sometimes on a slide-out tray.
If you're not sure which battery is dead, our guide on house vs. chassis batteries walks through it.
Lithium on newer Winnebagos
Winnebago has offered lithium house batteries on a number of models in recent years, especially its Class B vans and some smaller motorhomes, often paired with larger inverters and solar. If your Winnebago came with lithium from the factory, replacement should match the original system's charging and battery management design. Don't drop in a different brand without checking how the system's charger, alternator charging and battery monitor are set up. See converters and lithium.
What we see on Winnebagos in Florida
Class C chassis batteries that drained in storage. Very common on any Class C, Winnebago included.
House banks worn out by heat. Flooded lead-acid house batteries in Florida often don't last as long as owners expect.
Lithium-equipped vans with a confusing shutdown. Lithium batteries with a battery management system (BMS) can shut themselves off to protect against low voltage, high current or cold. That can look like a dead battery. Sometimes a charge brings them back.
Upgrading a Winnebago to lithium
Many older Winnebagos with lead-acid house batteries are good candidates for a lithium upgrade. The work usually involves checking or changing the converter's charging profile, setting up alternator charging correctly, and fusing the new bank properly.
Fitment note: Battery locations, tray sizes and electrical packages vary by model, floor plan and model year. Treat this as a general guide, not a fitment guarantee. We confirm what your RV has before anything is installed.
Other things people ask about this
Where is the house battery on my Winnebago?
It depends on the model. Check your owner's manual, look in exterior compartments near the entry door, or send us a photo of your floor plan and model year.
Sources
Facts about companies and products on this page come from these sources. Check the maker for current models and specifications.