After viewing several units at Sonny's Camp and Travel, my husband and I decided to purchase the 2014 Keystone Hideout at which time we also purchased a new crew-cab truck to tow. We made the sacrifice so our grandchildren could have the experiance of camping with their grandparents. After making the purchase and financial arrangements on May 20th, 2014, we towed the unit directly home to Gaffney SC. We left for our weekend vacation to Myrtle Beach SC on May 24th 2014.
We live about a mile from I-85 and decided to travel strictly interstate. After traveling from, I-85, to I-26, and then onto interstate I-20 heading toward Lamar County, approx 185 miles. We had no problems prior to that point and traveled casually and within speed limit. Suddenly and wihout warning our camper started shaking violently and flopping from side to side. Having owned about 5 campers and being experienced in towing, my husband was finally able to get onto the shoulder of the interstate.
Seeing our distress, a highway patrolman pulled up behind us. While he and my husband were inspecting the unit, my daughter and I were consoling the baby and I was calling the road side assistance number that we were given by Sonny's as part of our benefit package. The assistance company did not have us listed and could not find our purchase and were quiet aloft about the matter of our situation.
The officer measured the unit to be six inches off center leaning to the left (same side as the two sides) and also stated that he would ticket us if we tried to tow it. The officer stated that he was also an inspector of tractor trailers. He said the unit needed to be on roll-back and not towed. He escorted us to the nearest exit.
Our salesman told us he would have the unit brought to the campground if we choose to continue our vacation, at which time we left the unit and drove on to Lakewood Campground.
Our camper arrived that evening by a towing company, who informed us that he tightened the bolts that held the slides which had shifted and put air in the tires. When we started letting out the slides there was obvious inside damage from the insecure slides pounding against the walls and also warped. At which time, I called the towing guy to assist with adjusting the slide so as not to do further damage when letting the slides out.
Visibly shaken, we made the most of our weekend and left the unit at the campground for Sonny's to have towed back to the dealership. We were under the impression that they would take care of the damages since we only owned the unit for only 4 days.
After arriving home, we called Sonny's numerous times. I told them that we did not feel safe in that camper and wanted to trade it. Little did we know they had no intension of giving us a fair trade nor repairing our unit.
I was refered to "Keystone" in Gosher, IN and was told that the report they received did not indicate any fault of Keystone and refused to cover any damages under warrenty. I was told the "spring" was flat. I asked how could we have damaged a spring by normal driving and he said "by hitting pot-hole or over loading"
I have never even made a payment!! After much tears and distress, we have exhausted trying to get any support from Sonny's Camp and Travel and Keystone RV Co.
My husband went to Sonny's this week and inspected the unit himself. He said that the chasis was warped and the maneger kept saying they weren't there and did not believe this happened from just driving down the road.
We have even tried to reason with Keystone through the Better Business Bureau in IN. This unit was obviously defected and something went terribly wrong with weight distribution. Please help us.
Sonny's Camp N Travel
Duncan,#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Fri, June 13, 2014
Sonny’s has always valued customer service and we are still working with the customer and the manufacturer, Keystone RV, for a solution. We have strived for 40 years to keep our rating with the BBB at an A+.