By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, certified RV tech Jacob Rigor of Rigor RV Repair talks about three lies RV salesmen tell potential RV buyers.
Now, this is not to say that RV salespeople do not tell other lies, too. They definitely do. But Jacob says these three are the most common and any time you hear them you should investigate further.
The three most common lies RV salesmen tell
#1 Your truck can tow this RV
This is a common lie RV salespeople tell to close RV sales. Always investigate for yourself. As I always say, it is better to have too much truck than not enough, and salespeople regularly will try to convince you that what you have is enough, when it often isn’t.
Watch the video as Jacob shares some specific stories of this lie in action from his viewers. The bottom line is that pulling an RV that is too large for your vehicle is a safety hazard.
Jacob shows some of the consequences of this in the video and shares important tips. Don’t take chances with this and always verify towing capacities, weights, and payloads, before buying.
#2 No inspection needed
This common lie says that the dealer has inspected everything and verified that everything is working as it should be. Don’t believe it! Jacob says that even when inspections are done, they are usually delegated to the least-qualified person on the lot. Jacob gives the hows and whys behind this in the video.
The fact is, if you are investing 10s of 1000s (or even 100s of 1000s) of dollars, getting a third-party inspection can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches. Jacob advises declining the dealer’s inspection and always getting a third party inspection.
#3 New RVs are new
Just because you are the first owner, does not mean an RV is new, especially if it is a model from two or three years ago. One of the first RVs I ever bought, back when I was in my 20s, had this problem. Despite being the first owner of this “new” RV, it had substantial hidden water damage and dry rot. Jacob has other such tales he shares in the video.
What would you add to this list or what kind of lies have RV salesmen told you? Add your thoughts in the comments below, please.
##RVDT2404
“You can tow this with your suv“
First thing our salesman asked us, “what are you towing with”? Pointed to my truck, asked me to unlock it, he opened driver’s side door, then said ” these are the TT’s you can tow”.
If there is anything wrong with it, just bring it back in and we’ll fix it.
That’s what the guy at Camping World said to us.
Good one! Yep…never believe that one!
Ask the salesman what type of RV and tow vehicle they have owned. Most have never owned one. You can tell if they are lying if they hesitate when answering.
Most salesman at the large chain dealers do not know anything about the one you are looking at. They are just your typical used car salesmen with no or little experience with RV’s. But they do know all about the financing and extended warranties.
If during a walk through, ask the salesman where certain things like the water pump, electrical panel and furnace are located.
I bought mine from an independent, family owned dealership. The entire staff had been with the company for years.
Another story about “you get what you pay for” and true to the bone.
If motorized and “new” and it has miles well over what it should from mfg plant to dealer find out why. They usually won’t tell you it was a Demo or an “executive coach” unless you ask. IMO both of those are used…not new.
Sometimes silence or non-disclosure is the lie! Ask lots of questions and KNOW most of the answers prior to asking. How they answer tells you a lot about your sales person when you already are informed.
If it’s not repaired properly before you accept delivery they no longer have incentive to replace or repair it properly or do it in a timely manner. The money is in selling the RV, manufacturers under pay for repairs and don’t have incentive to send out parts needed for something they are building now.
“The trailer limit you can tow is the one you’re buying today!”
Basically, if you want to buy it, I’m saying you can tow it. I’ve seen that so many times and even when I called out a salesman at Camping World about it, he Said I have no idea what I’m taking about and he checked. Older Expedition. Trailer was 30+ ft and 8000 lbs dry. Tongue weight was 1000 lbs. And did I mention that they had 4 kids and a dog in the vehicle for their upcoming first trip? Once I started talking payload limit, he stopped making eye contact with me, lol.
camping world says it all, lol.
General RV got us with that. Sure, your minivan can tow that small camper! Yeah, but not well
“Camping World” worst two words in any vocabulary.
On a brand new Winnebago EKKO Sprinter 23B: 1) This is the hottest selling RV on the market better act today. 2) We have others looking at this very one. Three weeks later on the same hot RV and two price reduction texts…3) We are loosing money on the price we are giving you. And two weeks later the exact same coach is still on the lot.
Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 Interesting and extremely helpful video; thank you! 🙂 We have owned two driveables, so never were told #1. Did not know of RV inspectors when buying #1 (7/16). Could have gotten one for #2 but did not for a number of reasons, chiefly that we ordered it (yes, not so much a “reason” as an “excuse”). If there is a #3, then we will probably also order it but also get it inspected after acceptance to get the warranty items quickly. If we were lied to when buying #2 it was that the dealer we picked promised an earlier delivery than the competition did. Actual delivery was much, much later than promised. Safe travels! 🙂
On the other side, I purchased a 1997 Terry 19 LN from a dealer on North Aurora Av. Everett Wa. Brand new. They treated me right even after the purchase. Back then I think many were honest. I wish I still had it as now the wife has passed away and my Winnebago is too large, but still a keeper!
I even won some kind of drawing and got some folding chairs. Still have those.
Hi, David. I grew up just a couple of blocks from Aurora Ave. N, but in what is now Shoreline, not as far north as Everett. But before I-5 was built, we would go up Aurora aka Hwy. 99, through Everett, to visit relatives in Anacortes and Bellingham. So I knew that whole area very well. (I’m sure it’s changed a lot in the 60 years since I grew up there.😲) Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
We got several whoppers when we were buying.
I guess, technically, it’s true, most trucks CAN tow that RV. But it’ll only last a year or two before it’s blowing it’s guts out the tailpipe.
This is a well made video. I look forward to the rest of the series. I too have made a check list and add to it as experience beckons. I had one when I bought this RV in 2015 that was quite extensive and accepted by the dealership. Looking back, the testing prior to sale has paid many dividends thru long-term reliability over many miles.