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Introduction
You’re standing in an RV dealership, surrounded by shiny new rigs that promise adventure and freedom on the open road. The salesperson is super friendly, the financing seems simple, and you’re ready to sign on the dotted line. But wait! Before you grab that pen, you need to know about the sneaky tricks some RV dealers use that could cost you thousands of dollars.
According to industry insiders, a staggering 70% of RV owners regret their purchases, and dealer manipulation is a major reason why. The RV Wingman recently exposed some jaw-dropping tactics that every potential RV buyer needs to understand before making what’s likely one of the biggest purchases of their life.
In this article, you’ll discover seven red flags that should make you run for the hills—or at least slow down and read the fine print.
1. The “Cash Price is Higher” Scam
Here’s a trick that should immediately raise your eyebrows: A dealer tells you the RV costs more if you pay cash because “they get a kickback from the bank” if you finance. Sounds reasonable, right? Wrong! This practice likely violates the federal Truth in Lending Act, which requires dealers to disclose finance charges separately from the actual price of goods.
The Reality: Dealers make money through financing incentives, earning commissions from lenders when you take out a loan. Some dealers have become so dependent on this income that they’ll actually penalize cash buyers. According to industry data, finance penetration in RV sales increased from 55% (2015-2020) to 62% in 2024, showing just how lucrative financing has become for dealerships.
| Payment Method | What Dealers Want | What You Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | Discouraged with higher prices | No legal basis for price difference |
| Financing | Preferred (dealer gets kickback) | Dealer earns commission from lender |
| Early Payoff | Often penalized | Read loan terms carefully |
Here’s the thing: If you’re gullible enough to believe that paying cash should somehow cost you more money, then congratulations—you’ve just found your new career as a professional sucker. The dealer is counting on you being too polite to question their absurd logic.
2. The “Get It In Writing? Never!” Strategy
When dealers try the cash-versus-finance price difference trick, they’ll almost never put it in writing. Why? Because they know it’s shady! As one buyer discovered when he asked for written confirmation, the salesman suddenly got very quiet.
What You Need to Know: If a dealer makes any promise—whether it’s about pricing, repairs, or features—demand it in writing. If they refuse, that’s your signal to walk away. Even better, if you live in a one-party consent state, record the conversation on your phone. Stick it in your pocket and let it roll.
The Protection: Truth in Lending laws exist specifically to prevent this type of manipulation. Dealers must disclose all finance charges separately and cannot hide them in the vehicle’s price.
So you thought verbal promises from a nice salesperson were as good as gold? Adorable! Those sweet words vanish faster than your down payment once you drive off the lot. You’ll be left with nothing but memories of that friendly smile while your bank account weeps.
3. The Terrifying “AS-IS” Clause
Buried in most RV dealer contracts is language that makes horror movies look like Disney films: “All vehicles are sold AS-IS with no express or implied warranties from the dealer.” Let that sink in. Even if the dealer knows the roof leaks, the generator is broken, or the frame is cracked, they have zero obligation to tell you or fix it.
Contract Language You’ll See:
- “Dealer hereby disclaims and excludes from this sale all warranties express or implied”
- “Including the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness”
- “Buyer acknowledges this disclaimer is conspicuous”
The Stats: While specific data on AS-IS RV sales isn’t widely published, consumer protection lawyers confirm that buyers in AS-IS sales have extremely limited recourse even when defects substantially impair the RV’s value.
| What “AS-IS” Means | What You Think It Means |
|---|---|
| You accept ALL defects, known or unknown | The RV has minor cosmetic issues |
| Dealer has ZERO responsibility after sale | They’ll fix major problems if found soon |
| Manufacturer warranty ONLY (maybe) | The dealership stands behind their sale |
| You own it when you leave the lot | You have a few days to change your mind |
Imagine signing away your right to complain about a $100,000 purchase that falls apart the moment you hit the highway. But hey, at least the salesperson told you it was “dealership inspected and ready to roll!” Too bad those words mean absolutely nothing legally.
4. The “No Oral Promises Enforced” Trap
Here’s where contracts get truly diabolical. Most dealer agreements contain a clause stating that only written terms count and any oral statements are not binding. Even better (for them), the contract often says that no verbal communication becomes part of your agreement—even if it constitutes fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation!
Actual Contract Language:
“No verbal, unwritten, electronic or other communication of any nature not contained in this agreement was relied upon by the buyer… even if alleged or determined it constitutes fraud, fraudulent inducement or fraudulent misrepresentation.”
Translation: The salesperson can lie directly to your face, and you have zero recourse because you signed a contract saying you wouldn’t rely on anything they said verbally.
Let’s be honest: You really believed that charming salesperson when they promised to “take care of everything” after your first camping trip, didn’t you? You probably also believe in the Tooth Fairy and that your ex still thinks about you.
5. The Arbitration Clause Ambush
Hidden in that stack of papers is a clause where you waive your right to sue in court. Instead, you agree to binding arbitration—which historically favors large corporations over individual consumers. If the arbitration goes against you, you can’t appeal to a jury. You signed away that right.
Why This Matters: Arbitration is typically faster and cheaper than court, but it also means:
- No jury of your peers
- Limited discovery (evidence gathering)
- Arbitrator’s decision is usually final
- Statistically favors repeat players (like dealerships)
The Camping World Sucks Facebook group has over 50,000 members who’ve had their “financial eyeballs gouged out”—many of whom can’t sue because they agreed to arbitration.
You signed away your constitutional right to a trial because you were too excited about your new adventure mobile to actually read 47 pages of legal jargon. Bold move! Now when things go wrong, you’ll get to argue your case in a private room with an arbitrator who’s probably decided 500 cases for that same dealership chain.
6. The Negative Equity Roll-In Nightmare
Trading in an RV where you owe more than it’s worth? Dealers will smile and say, “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it!” Oh, they’ll take care of it alright—by rolling that negative equity into your new loan. Now you’re paying for TWO RVs while only owning one.
How It Works:
- You owe $50,000 on your current RV
- It’s only worth $35,000
- You have $15,000 in negative equity
- Dealer rolls that $15,000 into your new $80,000 RV loan
- You now owe $95,000 on an RV worth $80,000
- You’re immediately underwater before leaving the parking lot
Depreciation Reality: New RVs can lose up to 20% of their value in the first year, making this situation even worse.
So you thought getting rid of your underwater RV loan was as simple as trading it in? Congratulations on discovering that debt doesn’t magically disappear—it just gets bigger and more expensive! Your monthly payment is now higher, your loan term is longer, and you’re drowning in debt. But at least you have a shiny new RV!
7. The “Packed Payment” Con
You sit down with the finance manager, and all your paperwork is already filled out. Convenient, right? Wrong! That contract is likely “packed” with add-ons you didn’t ask for and don’t need—paint protection, tire coverage, fabric protection, extended warranties, and mystery fees.
Common Add-Ons Dealers Pack In:
- Paint and fabric protection: $500-$2,000
- Tire and wheel protection: $800-$1,500
- Extended warranties: $3,000-$8,000
- “Documentation fees”: $500-$1,000
- “Dealer prep fees”: $500-$2,000
The Tactic: They present it as “You’re approved for $X per month!” without breaking down what’s actually included. They’re betting you won’t read the itemized list or ask questions. Many buyers discover thousands in unwanted add-ons only after the sale is final.
You really thought those “free” add-ons were actually free, didn’t you? Spoiler alert: Nothing is free at an RV dealership. That “complimentary” paint protection just added $1,500 to your loan. But don’t worry—it’ll only cost you $37 extra per month for the next 20 years!
BONUS: The “Non-Cancellable After Sale” Clause
Even if you haven’t taken possession of the RV, many dealers claim your contract is binding the moment you sign. One buyer put down a deposit on an RV that needed repairs. The dealer kept delaying, making excuses about parts. When the buyers tried to cancel (since they hadn’t even received the RV yet), the dealer initially said “no problem, we have other buyers.” But when the buyers officially requested cancellation and their deposit back? Suddenly the dealer changed their mind. The buyers were stuck with a dealership they hated, even though they still didn’t have their RV.
The Reality: Once you sign, dealers argue you’ve entered a binding contract. Unlike car sales in some states, most RV sales don’t have a cooling-off period or “right to cancel” window.
How to Protect Yourself
Here’s your action plan for avoiding these traps:
Before Signing:
✅ Read EVERYTHING in the contract—every single word
✅ Get all promises in writing (repairs, features, pricing)
✅ Record conversations if legal in your state
✅ Hire an independent RV inspector before taking possession
✅ Never take delivery until ALL repairs are complete
✅ Negotiate cash and finance prices separately
✅ Remove unwanted add-ons from the contract
During Negotiation:
✅ Bring your own financing pre-approval
✅ Walk away if they won’t put promises in writing
✅ Take your time—don’t let them rush you
✅ Have a lawyer review the contract if possible
Red Flags to Watch For:
🚩 “Cash costs more because we get bank incentives”
🚩 Refusal to put promises in writing
🚩 Pre-filled finance contracts with add-ons
🚩 Pressure to sign quickly
🚩 Vague answers about warranty coverage
🚩 “Trust me” used more than three times
Final Thoughts
The RV lifestyle can be incredible—full of adventure, freedom, and unforgettable memories. But getting there requires navigating a minefield of dealer tricks designed to separate you from your hard-earned money. Remember: 70% of RV owners regret their purchase, largely because they didn’t know about these tactics beforehand.
Don’t become a statistic. Take your time, read everything, get promises in writing, and never let excitement override common sense. The open road will still be there tomorrow—but your financial security might not be if you rush into a bad deal today.
SOURCES
- RV Wingman – “RV DEALERS CHARGING MORE FOR CASH? UNMASKING THIS TRICK BEFORE IT COSTS YOU” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjYrR7Pf2ZM
- RV Travel – “RV buyer’s remorse: Why 70 percent of RVers regret their purchase” – https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-buyers-remorse-1201/
- RV News – “OPINION: F&I Sales Drive Dealership Success in Changing RV Market” – https://www.rvnews.com/fi-sales-drive-dealership-success/
- Hudson Cook LLP – “Is the Price Right?” – https://www.hudsoncook.com/article/is-the-price-right/
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – “Truth in Lending Act (TILA)” – https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201503_cfpb_truth-in-lending-act.pdf
- Bish’s RV – “Should I Buy New or Used? Common Regrets & Surprises for First-Time RV Owners” – https://www.bishs.com/blog/should-i-buy-new-or-used-common-regrets-surprises-for-first-time-rv-owners/
- Federal Trade Commission – “Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule” – https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/13/2022-14214/motor-vehicle-dealers-trade-regulation-rule
- Avvo Legal Answers – “I bought a used RV from a dealer as-is” – https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/i-bought-a-used-rv-from-a-dealer-as-is-are-they-re-4375080.html
