Virginia Judge Says Lemon Law Works for Motorhome

Imagine paying $1,400 a month in RV payments for the last two years--and being able to use your rig only 17 days. A Virginia couple says they've lost track of all the things that have gone "wrong" with their new Mandalay motorhome--and other the 17 days they've been able use their rig, it's been in the shop.

Despite the warranty promises, the couple, Henry and Suzzane Reynolds haven't been too impressed with the treatment they've received. So they took Four Winds International--the coach manufacturer to court. Four Winds argued that since a motorhome is not really a motor vehicle (hang on, that's their argument) that they don't have to comply with Viriginia's lemon law that would require the company to give the Reynolds a new motorhome or give them their money back.

Enter Judge Jackson Kiser. After clothing himself with the robes of judicial authority, Judge Kiser reached the conclusion that Virginia's lemon laws do apply--at least to motorhomes. The Reynolds case will now advance to trial.

That doesn't alleiviate the payments, but at least the Reynolds may be one step closer to getting something done about their problem. And it may open the way to other motorhome Virginians with lemon problems to get the attention of manufacturers that they do have a responsibility to stand behind their products. Even if they won't help push when the engine won't start. For more on this case, visit the WDBJ website.