In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs (we asked you to submit your stories here). We’ll tell you all: the best, the good, the bad and the ugly. At the end of this article, you’ll find a place to submit your own comments. I encourage you to do so.
Keep in mind, we typically only present one side of the story in most of these. Also, any remarks about service centers and mobile techs mentioned are the opinions of our readers and not necessarily RVtravel.com.
Here’s what you had to say:
Now everything works perfect
LaVonne P. has had good service in Colorado and Iowa. She wrote, “Camping World, Golden, Colorado. Andrew is our service go-to person and Jeff is our tech. Both have given us very good service. Get an appointment within a week. We have a 2023 Class C Thor 26CM Coleman and love it. Few initial problems like when the grey tank filled it backed up in the toilet. And the electrical wiring to the hot water tank was not hooked up and it needed a new thermocouple. Never had hot water for the first season until they found out the problem. Now everything works beautifully.”
Stayed in the service center parking lot with rig for 8 months!
Pamela M.’s wait time is ridiculous. She tells us, “While my 2016 Thor Hurricane was under extended warranty, I needed to take it back to Holiday World twice, once in 2019 and again in 2022. The first time it took me 13 months to get the repairs completed, the second time I decided I’d stay with the rig while the work was being done and it ‘only’ took 8 months as I sat in their parking lot waiting for my turn for the repairs. It’s ridiculous!”
First and last Keystone they will own
Jim G. tells us this Keystone will be his last. He writes, “The list of issues on our 2021 Keystone (notice a pattern?) Passport is extensive from the spare tire being the low point and getting torn off to the dinette bed being held up by staples rather than true fasteners. Contacting Camping World was like talking to crickets. Fortunately, my wife and I are experienced DIYers so we are making the best of the first and last Keystone we will ever own.”
“They saw me coming.” List price of $36,000 totaled $56,000 by end of deal
Darlene M. says they really saw her coming when she bought a trailer at Camping World. “We purchased a Mallard Pathfinder at Camping World in May 2021, 17′. Like others said here, they added on all these extras. Paint protection: $1,995. Said i didn’t want it. How are they repairing paint on a trailer? Come on. I said no, but they were on there.
“They talk to you to see what you want the monthly amount to be. When we asked for a rate they wouldn’t say, but said ‘We will get you to your price.’ They waited to tell us the final number so you don’t know what they are doing.
“Next, they said we needed roadside assistance, I said, ‘No, I have AAA.’ They said their roadside assistance is better so I should cancel AAA.
“I got a loan for 10 years. Didn’t know that until the end ‘sign here’ point. I did keep asking. They just kept saying, ‘Sign here and you’re all set.’
“After 10 years with interest at 6.24 and all the add-ons will be paying $56,000. For this small 17-foot trailer that was originally $36,000 with all the add-ons and with our trade-in. It’s not even worth the listed price. Used car value went up in value so they raised RVs because people were nervous during Covid to go anywhere. Crazy and not worth it.
“The trailer has had so many things go wrong. During the pickup, we asked about the awning. If no electricity, how would you put it in? The person didn’t know. They did get someone to tell us. There is a hose for a fridge that is supposed to be pulled out into the vent outside. I noticed there was water in the fridge, but luckily we knew this and we pulled it out so all the water came out.
“The A/C was spitting out water into the camper floor and draining down inside the roof and inner wall. They said they screwed down the A/C on the roof but it wasn’t sealed properly, so water was leaking in. Years later we smell must/mold even though they said it was good.
“The water heater kept bursting and would get too hot. They changed some pieces. Then when out camping it did it again even though we didn’t use it. Got an RV person at the campground who helped to change out the main component. We haven’t used it again since. Too afraid we will have a major leak.
“We have so many more things wrong with this RV. It’s a lemon. I’ve mentioned it to the service center about returning it so many times but they say they will fix it. I’m fed up. Don’t buy anything from Camping World. If the manufacturers can’t make a good product people can use, then the people selling should put their foot down to protect the people buying.
“I did send an email to owner Marcus Lemon(is). His motto is to ‘tell him and he will help. He is there.’ Well, he is not the motto. I did get a response from a woman who said I should talk to service. No customer care at all. If we don’t buy, they will have to start paying attention.”
Roof manufacturer says that the bubbles are normal!
Carlos P. wrote to us about the bubbles he has on his roof and the manufacturer says it is normal! “We purchased a 2024 Grand Design Imagine that uses a TPO-type roof by Alpha Systems. The roof has large bubbles where there is no adhesion. Although Alpha installation instructions specifies removing all bubbles, Alpha states bubbling is normal. We have a bubble along the entire width of the RV along the front cap edge. Grand Design authorized a repair, Blue Compass performed a repair. When I picked up the RV it looked exactly like it was when I dropped it off. Grand Design is closing the issue since they already paid for the repair.
“1) RVs that use a TPO roof by Alpha Systems are going to exhibit bubbling. Good luck convincing a buyer down the road that it is normal.
“2) Take the time to be part of repairs. Have a detailed discussion with the service department. Write down a summary of the discussion and make sure the service manager is in agreement with your interpretation of the repair.”
Editor’s note
Note from RVtravel.com: If hiring a mobile tech, a small or mega service center, make sure that they are experienced in the issue and have insurance in case something goes wrong. Also, check their warranty policy on the work they perform. Check reviews too and read between the lines—if the review sounds way too good to be true it might be. Compare with several reviews and not just the ones on their website.
Questions for you about RV service
We’ll continue to share stories of your RV service experiences. We want to know:
- Have you had good luck with great service or not so much?
- Did you get good service from knowledgeable technicians?
- Are you waiting to get into a service center or have a mobile tech come out?
- What has been the average time to get an appointment?
- Has your RV been in a service center for a while?
- Are you able to get any mobile techs to come out?
- Are the service centers able to get parts?
- When you do get the repairs done, is the price reasonable?
Please fill out the form below and tell us what your experiences have been like. It can be a horror story, an opinion about what’s going on, a positive experience, or anything else related to the topic. We want to know the great, the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Check back next week for more on RV service centers. See you then.
Last week’s Service Centers and Repairs Report:
##RVT1157
Unfortunately, Darlene’s situation is mostly of her own making, but a super example of why you cannot let salespeople…RV or otherwise…push you around! NEVER make the mistake of thinking that people largely paid on commissions have your best interests in mind. If you say you don’t want a paint package and they write it in anyway, refuse to sign the agreement! If they will not disclose all the loan terms, DO NOT sign!
When dealing with “sales bullies” take control and be firm. Own your own destiny! Sometimes that means walking away.
Additional note: IF CW refused to disclose loan terms, they would be in violation of Federal law. The Truth in Lending Act helps protect consumers.
“Some of the most important aspects of the TILA concern the information that must be disclosed to a borrower before extending credit, such as the annual percentage rate (APR), the term of the loan, and the total costs to the borrower. ”
Find more information here:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tila.asp
I agree with Jim G. My Keystone Cougar TT is a piece of junk, including the bubbles on the roof, which Keystone says meet specs.
Thank you, Nanci! 🙂 Geez, … using Camping World (CW) service is like playing Russian Roulette with a pistol with bullets in 5 of the 6 chambers. Every once in a while you find a good, dependable, and honest service department with competent technicians, but most of the times not. We learned our lesson. CW of Chattanooga had a good service manager and sent him elsewhere. We visited there one too many times to ever return. Walmart and Amazon sell everything CW sells and CW doesn’t get a penny; win win! 🙂 Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
Camping world should be good for a large class-action suit, in my opinion. People who buy there should have seen the writing on the wall. Camping world has a very bad reputation. Most of the rv world is very sketchy.
All I can say is this quote, attributed to John Wayne:
“Life is HARD…..it’s harder when you are STUPID”