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RV dreams can quickly turn into expensive nightmares when you skip the wrong research step. Meet Mike and Shelly, a retired couple from North Idaho who thought they did everything right when buying their new Thor Tiburon 24TT motorhome. They spent two full years researching, compared floor plans, watched countless videos, and talked to dealers extensively.
Yet they still ended up with a $40,000 loss and a year of pure frustration. Their brand-new RV has spent more time in the repair shop than on camping trips, with problems ranging from water leaks to complete electrical failures. The most heartbreaking part? A single missed research step could have prevented this entire disaster.
This couple’s story reveals the hidden dangers of RV shopping that dealerships won’t tell you about.
1. They Never Checked Owner Groups (The $40,000 Mistake)
Mike and Shelly’s biggest mistake was never talking to actual owners of the Thor Tiburon 24TT. They researched for two years but never joined Facebook owner groups or online forums where real people share honest experiences.
According to industry data, appliance issues account for 16.43% of RV warranty complaints, electrical problems make up 14.5%, and plumbing issues represent 13.58% of complaints. These are exactly the problems Mike and Shelly faced – problems that current owners would have warned them about.
Supporting Statistics:
- 70% of RV owners experience buyer’s remorse according to RV industry surveys
- Most common RV problems: Appliances (16.43%), Electrical (14.5%), Plumbing (13.58%)
- Thor Motor Coach has received numerous BBB complaints for quality control issues
You’d think after spending over $100,000 on a rolling hotel room, you’d want to chat with the people who actually sleep in one every night. But Mike and Shelly skipped this step completely, trusting marketing materials over real-world experiences. It’s like buying a house without talking to the neighbors – you might discover the foundation has been sinking for years.
2. They Took Delivery Without a Complete Inspection
The dealership promised to go through everything “with a fine tooth comb” and fix any problems before delivery. When Mike and Shelly returned a month later (after making their first payment), nothing had been touched.
Industry experts recommend never taking possession until ALL checklist items are completely fixed. Mike and Shelly learned this lesson the hard way when they discovered their slide-out was missing a critical bracket that Thor’s own blueprints showed should be there.
Supporting Statistics:
- RV slide-out problems account for 7.08% of warranty complaints
- Most RVs undergo massive depreciation in their first two years
- Professional RV inspections cost $300-500 but can save thousands
Taking delivery of an uninspected RV is like accepting a pizza with half the toppings missing – you’re paying full price for an incomplete product. You wouldn’t accept a car with the steering wheel loose, so why accept an RV with a slide-out that doesn’t seal properly?
3. They Didn’t Research the Brand’s Quality History
Even after a year of problems, Mike and Shelly admit they never researched Thor’s reputation with actual owners. A simple Google search reveals multiple Thor owner groups dedicated to sharing quality issues and warranty problems.
Thor Industries has faced numerous complaints on Better Business Bureau for quality control issues, with owners reporting problems like malfunctioning air conditioners, faulty slide-outs, and cheap furniture that breaks easily.
Supporting Statistics:
- Reddit communities like r/RVLiving regularly discuss Thor quality issues
- ThorSucks.org exists specifically to document Thor RV problems
- Thor Forums show ongoing discussions about build quality concerns
Researching brand reputation is like checking restaurant reviews before a dinner date – you want to know if you’re going to have a great time or end up with food poisoning. Thor’s online reputation would have been a major red flag if Mike and Shelly had looked in the right places.
4. They Assumed All RVs Are Built the Same
Mike and Shelly owned a 2018 Forest River travel trailer that never had a single problem. This successful experience made them assume their new Thor motorhome would be equally reliable. They were shocked to discover that different manufacturers have vastly different quality standards.
The couple’s travel trailer worked flawlessly for years, while their new motorhome has been a constant headache. This shows that brand reputation and manufacturing quality vary dramatically across the RV industry.
Supporting Statistics:
- Some manufacturers have significantly better quality records than others
- Build quality problems include untrained workers and rushed workmanship
- Consumer Reports shows 24% increase in lemon law claims from 2020-2021
Assuming all RV brands are equal is like thinking all restaurants serve the same quality food – you might get a five-star meal or end up with food poisoning. Your previous good experience with one brand doesn’t guarantee success with another.
5. They Trusted the Dealer’s Pre-Delivery Process
The salesman promised they would “go through everything with a fine tooth comb” and fix all problems before delivery. After waiting a month and making their first payment, Mike and Shelly discovered absolutely nothing had been inspected or repaired.
This is a common problem in the RV industry where dealers promise thorough pre-delivery inspections but often skip this crucial step due to time pressures and profit margins.
Supporting Statistics:
- Many dealers skip proper pre-delivery inspections
- RV buyers often make payments before taking actual possession
- Industry experts recommend independent third-party inspections
Trusting a dealer’s pre-delivery inspection is like trusting a used car salesman to point out all the problems – their incentive is to get you driving off the lot, not to find reasons why you shouldn’t buy. You need an independent inspector who works for you, not the dealer.
6. They Didn’t Document Everything From Day One
Mike and Shelly spent months bringing their RV back for repairs without keeping detailed records of time out of service. When they finally contacted lawyers about lemon law protection, proper documentation became crucial for any legal case.
Attorney experts emphasize that documented time out of service is super important for lemon law cases. Without proper records, it becomes much harder to prove your case and get compensation.
Supporting Statistics:
- Documented repair attempts are crucial for lemon law claims
- RV lemon law protection varies significantly by state
- Many RV owners lack proper documentation for legal remedies
Not documenting RV problems is like trying to return a broken appliance without your receipt – you might have a legitimate complaint, but you can’t prove it. Start documenting from day one, because you never know when you’ll need that paper trail.
7. They Didn’t Know Their Rights as RV Buyers
Mike and Shelly discovered that RVs exist in a “gray area” with limited consumer protections. Unlike cars, RVs don’t have strong federal oversight, and the industry largely regulates itself through voluntary standards.
The RV industry has avoided national lemon law coverage, leaving consumers with limited legal remedies when they purchase defective units. This lack of regulation allows manufacturers to continue selling poorly built products with minimal consequences.
Supporting Statistics:
- RVs don’t fall under car lemon law protections in most states
- The RV industry largely self-regulates through voluntary standards
- No federal oversight agency specifically monitors RV quality
Buying an RV without knowing your rights is like signing a contract in a foreign language – you’re agreeing to terms you don’t understand. The RV industry counts on consumer ignorance to avoid accountability for defective products.
RV Problem Frequency Table
| Problem Type | Percentage of Complaints | Mike & Shelly’s Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances | 16.43% | ✓ Hot water heater failed |
| Electrical | 14.5% | ✓ Complete electrical system failure |
| Plumbing | 13.58% | ✓ Water pump stopped working |
| Exterior Body | 10.22% | ✓ Water leaks during rain |
| Slide Outs | 7.08% | ✓ Missing bracket, improper sealing |
The Bottom Line
Mike and Shelly’s story proves that doing “research” isn’t enough – you need to do the RIGHT research. They spent two years studying floor plans and watching promotional videos, but five minutes in a Thor owner group would have saved them $40,000 and a year of frustration.
Their experience shows why 70% of RV owners experience buyer’s remorse. The industry relies on marketing dreams while hiding quality nightmares from potential buyers.
Before you buy any RV, join owner groups, demand independent inspections, and document everything from day one. Your dream vacation shouldn’t become a financial nightmare.
SOURCES
- RV Travel – RV Buyer’s Remorse Statistics
- Bish’s RV – Most Common RV Problems
- Better Business Bureau – Thor Motor Coach Complaints
- RV Wingman YouTube Channel – Original Video
- Reddit r/RVLiving – Thor Quality Issues Discussion
- Thor Forums – Quality Discussions
- ThorSucks.org – Thor Reliability Issues
- Auto Law Firm – Lemon Law Statistics
