Factory Service at GNR: What to Expect

Factory Service at Winnebago's Annual Rally: What to Expect
Tips for making service appointments and ordering parts.

By: GoLife Staff

Every summer, Winnebago invites owners home to Forest City, Iowa, for a celebration like no other. The Winnebago Grand National Rally is an opportunity for owners to gather together to enjoy seminars and entertainment, check out vendor and product displays, and so much more! All while making new friends with fellow attendees and employees from Winnebago. 

Not only is GNR a great time to get all the fun stuff crossed off your list, it’s also a great time to cross off getting repairs done at the Winnebago Factory Service Center. July is one of the busiest months for our team at the Factory Service Center, and they continue to go above and beyond every year to ensure that Winnebago owners traveling from all over receive exemplary service, especially during GNR. 

If you plan on swinging by the Factory Service Center this summer, here’s what to know before you go! Also be sure to read this guide with more tips and instructions for making an appointment other times of the year.

Making Service Appointments

During the week before, the week of, and the week after GNR, appointments at the Factory Service Center look a little different. Instead of scheduling an appointment, customers head over to the Factory Service Center to sign up for service. 

During the rally, customers can sign up for service at the Service Center. 

When signing up for service, you’ll want to be as specific as possible when explaining what work you want to have done. This will help the parts analysts get you the correct parts needed for your repair, and it will help the technicians better understand what needs to be fixed.

Tip: You’ll want to know your serial number and have a cell phone number ready when signing up for service!

Service Lists are made by 5 p.m. each day and are posted at Friendship Hall, the Factory Service Center, and in the GNR Facebook group. 

Be sure to check at one of these locations after you sign up for service to find out your time for repairs. To keep things running smoothly, it’s important to show up with your unit on time. If you are on standby, it’s still important for you to show up on time since technicians will be sent to your unit once they are available. 

During service, you’re free to head back to GNR, or you can wait in the Factory Service lobby. The lobby even has a coffee bar for you to enjoy while you wait! Just be sure not to leave without talking to a technician and keep your phone on you at all times! 

In previous years, the Factory Service Center has even had a food truck in the parking lot during GNR. Be sure to grab a bite to eat while you’re waiting for your coach to be done if this is an offering when you visit during rally.

What Can I Get Service On?

When you sign up for service during GNR, you are limited to seven minor items. Major repairs can take longer, and with the heavy traffic that GNR brings in, it can be hard to get everyone's repairs taken care of if a limit were not in place. Examples of minor repair items are faucet leaks, window leaks, door adjustments, etc. 

Guests looking at getting major repairs done will need to come earlier before GNR and set up an appointment, or stay after and make an appointment. 

Winnebago will also have service techs on the rally grounds again this year doing small repairs. If you start your list and find that you have less than three items, our service advisors will evaluate your needs and make every effort possible to fix those items on the rally grounds depending on what you need done. 

Tip: During the three-week time period around GNR, please know that no service contracts or extended warranties are accepted at this time.

Ordering Parts

Some repairs and fixes are so simple you can do them yourself! If you decide you want to buy parts from the Winnebago Factory Service Center and take them with you, you have a few options. 

If you already know exactly what you need, you can stop in the Factory Service Center to shop and check out in the express lane. There will also be parts sold in Friendship Hall this year. The shelves will be stocked with the most commonly sold parts within the last year.

Remember, if you are a GoLife Perks member, you receive 10% off parts and accessories in the Factory Service Center.

Tip: Please note that the team in Friendship Hall will not have the ability to look parts up for you.

The Take a Number system is often used to help reduce long lines and congestion in the Factory Service Center. This option is great for those who need help finding parts and want to talk with a parts analyst. Simply take a number and relax in the lobby while you wait for the next available parts analyst to assist you and help you find the parts you need to buy.

Another option is to call ahead and order your parts to be available for pickup from the Factory Service Center. It is asked that you call and order your parts at least three weeks in advance before you intend to be in town to ensure the parts will have enough time to arrive at the Factory Service Center. 

If you know what parts you need and are interested in ordering parts to be available for pickup, please call the Winnebago Factory Service Center at (641) 585-6949. Our friendly staff is happy to assist you! 

Find out dates and registration information for Winnebago's Annual Rally here.