Would you like to save this article?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later to read!
You’re probably dreaming of hitting the open road in your very own RV, living the freedom-filled lifestyle that millions of Americans crave. But before you sign on that dotted line, you need to hear Wayne and Kayce’s heartbreaking story.
This young couple with their baby daughter thought they found the perfect setup when they walked into Camping World and fell in love with a beautiful $120,000 Salem Hemisphere Roost 43.
What happened next was a masterclass in everything that can go wrong when dealerships prioritize profits over people. Their nightmare involves a 90-year-old grandfather forced to sign loan documents, nine gallons of rainwater flooding through their “new” RV, and air conditioning that blows 80-degree air in South Carolina heat.
This isn’t just another customer service horror story—it’s a warning that could save you from making the same devastating mistakes.
1. The 90-Year-Old Grandfather Straw Purchase Scheme
The most shocking part of Wayne and Kayce’s story isn’t the water damage or broken appliances—it’s how Camping World allegedly manipulated a 90-year-old military veteran into signing a 20-year loan. When the young couple couldn’t qualify for financing despite having credit scores over 750, the dealership suggested they bring in a family member to “help out.”
You need to understand what happened next. The dealership made the grandfather sign every single document while keeping Wayne and Kayce out of the loop. They scheduled the signing at 9:00 AM, knowing the couple lived an hour away and couldn’t attend. The elderly veteran now holds full responsibility for the $120,000 loan on an RV he’ll never use.
Statistics show this is a growing problem. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, elderly Americans lose over $3 billion annually to financial fraud and exploitation. What makes this case particularly troubling is that it appears to involve a straw purchase—where someone signs loan documents on behalf of someone else who can’t qualify.
Here’s what makes you shake your head: The grandfather told Wayne and Kayce he believes the dealership is “probably waiting for him to die so they can take the camper back.” Since all warranties are in his name, if he passes away, the couple loses all recourse for repairs.
2. Nine Gallons of Rainwater Through a “Fixed” Air Conditioner
Picture this: You’ve waited eight months for Camping World to fix three broken air conditioning units in your brand-new $120,000 RV. The technicians finally show up, fix the ACs, but somehow forget to seal one of them properly. That same night, it rains.
Nine gallons of water poured through the unsealed AC unit, flooding the loft, slide-out section, TV, and personal belongings. When Wayne called to report the damage, Camping World’s response was mind-boggling: they said it was his fault for not cleaning up the water fast enough. The shop manager actually told him this “happens more often than you’d think.”
The couple was sleeping with their baby daughter at 2:00 AM when the flood occurred. The dealership expected them to be standing guard with buckets to catch their repair mistake. Even worse, the general manager offered to “jerry MacGyver it until it’s right”—not exactly the professional repair you’d expect on a six-figure purchase.
Forest River, the manufacturer, has serious quality control issues. According to a 2025 Wall Street Journal investigation, Forest River issued more recalls than any U.S. automaker or RV manufacturer from 2015 to 2024, with nearly half stemming from manufacturing errors rather than faulty parts.
3. Air Conditioners That Blow Hot Air in Summer Heat
You’d think after eight months and a major water leak, the air conditioning would finally work properly. Think again. Two of the three AC units still blow 80-degree air even when set to 60 degrees. In South Carolina’s summer heat, this isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous for a family with a baby.
When Wayne complained about the malfunctioning units, Camping World told him this was “as good as it’s going to get” because they had already processed the warranty claim. The dealership claimed the units were “new” and working properly, despite the obvious temperature readings proving otherwise.
Here’s what’s really concerning: With someone staying in the loft and a baby crawling around, ineffective climate control creates serious health and safety risks. The average RV loan amount in 2024 was $61,891 according to RVIA data, but this couple paid nearly double that for an RV with basic systems that don’t function.
You have to wonder how many other customers are told their clearly malfunctioning equipment is “working as designed” just to avoid warranty costs.
4. The Inspection Walk-Through That Wasn’t
When you’re spending $120,000 on what will be your family’s home, you expect a thorough inspection and tutorial on how everything works. Wayne and Kasey got the “zoo tour” instead—someone pointing at things and walking away without actually explaining or testing anything.
The salesperson couldn’t even help them plug in an HDMI cable because the TV was mounted so close to the wall that no one could access the ports. When they asked about basic functions like turning on docking lights, the response was a shrug and “I don’t know either.”
Multiple systems weren’t properly connected or installed:
- Light switches weren’t wired correctly
- Washer wasn’t plugged in
- Water filter had no gasket, causing water to spray everywhere
- $200 palm trees from the store stopped working after one month
Consumer protection experts warn that inadequate pre-delivery inspections are red flags for dealerships that prioritize volume over quality. A proper PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) should take several hours and include testing every system while educating the buyer.
5. The Customer Service Runaround Game
You know that feeling when you call a company and they promise to call you back but never do? Wayne and Kayce experienced this nightmare for months. Every time they called about problems, they got the same response: “We’ll call you back” followed by silence.
The couple had to call “over and over and over again” just to get anyone to acknowledge their issues. When they mentioned potentially involving a lawyer, Camping World immediately stopped helping, claiming they could no longer assist once legal counsel was mentioned.
This is part of what industry insiders call the “3 D’s” strategy:
- Deny – Claim problems don’t exist or aren’t their fault
- Delay – Drag out repairs and responses until customers give up
- Depose – Force customers into expensive legal battles
According to Pissed Consumer reviews, 68% of Camping World customers say they won’t use the company again for similar services, and 48% believe the company needs to improve its customer service significantly.
6. Water Damage and Hidden Mold Concerns
The nine-gallon flood created more than just visible damage. Water soaked into the slide-out mechanism, flooring, and potentially into areas Wayne and Kayce can’t inspect. There’s now bubbling on the floor and disconnections where the slide meets the main structure.
When Wayne expressed concerns about potential mold growth affecting his baby daughter’s health, the shop manager made an incredible claim: “Campers are built to be outside and they won’t get mold because of the materials they’re made out of.” This flies in the face of basic building science and moisture control principles.
The hidden damage could be extensive:
- Water in slide-out mechanisms can cause mechanical failures
- Flooring damage may indicate structural compromise
- Mold can begin growing within 24-48 hours in wet conditions
- Composite materials can still harbor mold and bacteria
You’re looking at potential long-term health risks for a family living full-time in an RV with unaddressed water damage. The couple can’t even get Camping World to pay for a professional mold inspection to ensure their daughter’s safety.
7. The Screen Door and Palm Tree Hostage Situation
Here’s where the story gets almost comically bad, if it weren’t so serious. Camping World is literally holding the couple’s screen door hostage because it keeps popping off and won’t stay closed properly. Instead of fixing or replacing it, they just took it away.
The dealership also confiscated $200 worth of palm trees that the couple bought from their store after the plants died within a month. Rather than honoring what should be a simple exchange, they kept the dead plants and provided no replacement or refund.
These might seem like small issues, but they reveal the dealership’s mindset: Once they have your money, every additional request becomes your problem, not theirs. You’re essentially being punished for expecting the products you paid for to actually work.
| Purchase | Cost | Status | Camping World Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Door | Included with RV | Malfunctioning/Confiscated | “We’ll keep it until we figure it out” |
| Palm Trees | $200 | Dead after 1 month | Kept dead plants, no refund |
| Extended Warranty | Unknown | Active but restricted | Won’t honor grandfather’s name issue |
| Store Accessories | $10,000 | Various issues | Each problem handled separately |
Key Statistics and Industry Facts
RV Industry Financial Data (2024):
- Average retail RV loan amount: $61,891 (RVIA Survey)
- Average down payment: 18.5% of purchase price
- Total retail RV loans issued: Over 200,000 worth $11.5 billion
- Current RV loan interest rates: 6.49% to 35.99% APR
Forest River Quality Issues:
- #1 in recalls among all U.S. automakers and RV manufacturers (2015-2024)
- Nearly 50% of recalls due to manufacturing errors vs. design flaws
- Multiple class-action lawsuits for wiring and structural defects
Camping World Complaint Statistics:
- Not BBB accredited despite being the largest RV dealer chain
- 68% of customers say they won’t use services again (Pissed Consumer)
- $3.5 million settlement with Oregon Attorney General (December 2024)
- Average claimed loss per complaint: $14,100
SOURCES
- RV Wingman YouTube Video – Original Interview
- RVIA Survey of Lenders’ Experiences 2024
- Consumer Affairs – Forest River RV Recalls
- Wall Street Journal Forest River Investigation
- Oregon Attorney General Camping World Settlement
- Better Business Bureau Camping World Complaints
- Pissed Consumer Camping World Reviews
- LendingTree RV Loan Calculator and Rates
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Elder Fraud Statistics
- RV Travel – Camping World Quality Issues
