By Rick Dalton
This was originally posted on the Facebook group RV Horror Stories
I am a RV breach of warranty (“lemon law”) attorney since 1994. I am seeing more and more cases where Thor Motor Homes; Heartland Recreational Vehicles and Forest River are filing motions against its customers for not reading their factory warranty at the time of sale. You need to be aware that these manufacturers are putting clauses in their warranties that require you to file your claims, arbitrations or lawsuits in the State of Indiana.
This may not seem like a big deal until you buy a lemon RV and have to travel to Indiana in order for your lawsuit to move forward.
I am also seeing these manufacturers claim their warranties are voided if you live in the RV full time or use it for commercial purposes.
Please make sure you question your salesperson about these issues prior to purchasing an RV. There is nothing wrong with you getting the dealer to sign paperwork stating that the RV sold to you can be used as a full time RV or for work purposes and factory warranty is not voided.
I will be happy to answer any questions at (888) 577-8520 or by visiting here.
Maybe what needs to done is when you purchase an RV have the sales rep go over the entire contract with you, word for word. This may take a few hours but that way there can be no “hidden clause”. They get paid a commission, so make them earn it. More important and worth the money bring along a private inspector (not the dealers) to look over the RV.
Hello! After reading all the stories about the poor quality of so many RV’s, there is no way I’d be caught buying one. I would, however, build my own to standards much higher than what is out there. They just slap them together, not caring about longevity or durability. I once was at a RV repair shop and had the misfortune of seeing a new travel trailer getting a damaged outside skin replaced. I about fell over when I saw how poorly constructed it was inside the walls, how poorly insulated it was. He said most, not all, are like that. Grand Design and Airstream are a couple of the handful that are quality built. Well worth the price, if its within your price affordability. RV repair shops? Do extensive research if time allows, before trusting them with your investment. There is a major large RV dealership out there that I wouldn’t take a garbage truck to. They are so openly out to get people’s money, that they should have free jars of vaseline just so it doesn’t hurt as bad come time to pay the bill. There are a lot of great independent repair shops out there, but just as many bad ones. Take the time to do research. Ask other RVer’s. Write down the good ones. Have a great day!
another reason to buy used.
“There is nothing wrong with you getting the dealer to sign paperwork stating that the RV sold to you can be used as a full time RV or for work purposes and factory warranty is not voided.”
A dealer cannot alter the contractual arrangement between the buyer and the manufacturer, so getting such an agreement is generally worthless. While a dealer can offer a warranty, that exists between the dealer and the buyer, and doesn’t obligate the manufacturer in any manner.
That’s what I was thinking. The dealer being able to override the manufacturers warranty is silly and misinformation.