Camping World RV Sales Beware of used RV purchases from these people. They hide and lie about defects. Santa Clarita, California
In Nov. 2009 my wife and I decided to purchase a used RV to travel in. After having been out of this activity for quite a few years, we needed to educate ourselves on the current RV market. We traveled to the Camping World in Santa Clarita, CA near our home. After viewing the new and used RV's on display, we found that a used 5th wheel trailer they happened to have was exactly what we were looking for. It was a 2006 model, and in reasonably good condition. It was explained that we would be buying it in an 'as-is' condition. After reviewing our finances, and making some other preparations, we went back and purchased the trailer.
Much was made by the sales staff of the fact that some items had been replaced, and that we were getting a great coach and a 'good deal'. We returned to take delivery, but had to wait while some last minute issues were repaired; some of which were caused by their bad electrical outlet the coach was plugged into. After almost 3 hours we towed the coach away.
Forward to one week ago. In the time since we brought our coach home, we have been cleaning, fixing, and outfitting it with the necessary supplies to be able to use it, as our finances have permitted. We have just about everything we need to be able to travel, and were preparing for a maiden trip in late April.
I decided to perform a check on the mechanical systems: fill and flush the fresh water storage tank, fill the waste water storage tanks to check the dump valves and piping. Upon filling the waste water tanks, I discovered water pouring out from the bottom of the coach from inside the underskin. After draining everything, I proceeded to remove the underskin myself to see what was wrong. To my shock I find that one of the waste tanks has a serious crack, and most distressing is evidence that the underside of the coach has sustained serious crash damage.
Two of the three waste tanks had been replaced, and a major crossmember was severely distorted. One of the hydraulic hoses for the slide-out had been spliced. The workmanship of the repairs was absolutely awful. Another crossmember had been cut out, and been spliced back in with strip of thin aluminum. The hose had been spliced back together with a hose barb and hose clamps. The wires and hoses literally fell down on the ground when the underskin was removed.
I returned to the dealership yesterday, and spoke with the Sales Manager about what I had found. She pulle dthe file, and that's when the real disclosure came out. 'Yes, some of these things were repaired'. And then the denials began. 'All the holding tanks were tested before delivery'. By their blind service tech.
After 2 hours of nonsense, they will be fixing some of the problems, and I will be doing some of it to be sure it gets done right. The moral of the story, demand full disclosure of the file on a used RV to see what repairs were done, if any; and don't let Camping World perform ANY work on your coach. Their workmanship SUCKS! This has taken all the shine off of what we had hoped would be a nice beginning to the RV life again. (I will update with photos soon)
1 Updates & Rebuttals
actonguy
Acton,California,
USA
Update to Camping World/Santa Clarita report
#2Author of original report
Sat, April 10, 2010
Here are photos of what Camping World was attempting to hide from me when I purchased this coach. As is said, 'a picture is worth a 1000 words'. Their workmanship is disgusting. They obviously tried to slam this thing back together to get it out on the sales lot so an unsuspecting shlub like me could get it off of their hands. When they got called on the carpet about the defects, they had to come clean, and disclose the 'repairs' that were made, but not originally revealed.
The leak in the galley holding tank can be easily seen with minimal water in the tank. They SWEAR that this was checked before placement on the lot. AN OBVIOUS LIE.
As can be seen, unacceptable no-hub (rubber) connections were made in the holding tank drain lines in several places, all of which hold pressure when the tank is filled. In home construction, these same type of drain lines must have ALL FITTING CONNECTIONS GLUED when in a non-accessable/enclosed area by building code. An application like this is no different (this is a house; just on wheels). All the areas visible here will be completely covered, and inaccessable when in use. Leaks and damage waiting to happen. In fact, the small one in the interior compartment is leaking now because it is not even the correct size (too big for the pipe size).
The quality of the work replacing the cross member is obvious.
Whenever this damage occured, one of the slide-out hydraulic lines was also repaired (this was confirmed by the sales mgr. from the secret, don't show to the customer file). As can be seen, this high pressure line was repaired using some of Home Depot's finest components. As with the drain lines, this item will be concealed in an inaccessable area when the coach is put back together. This is another leak waiting to happen.
It's too bad there is not a person for RV people like the TV fellow, Mike Holmes, who wold help root out the bad apple operations like Camping World, and their parters in crime across the U.S. All we can do is share info. in forums like this. Good luck to us all.