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You’ve probably heard the phrase “free market” tossed around like confetti at an RV show. It sounds great, right? Competition, fair pricing, and customers getting the best deals. But here’s the cold, hard truth: bad actors in the RV industry have turned what should be a free market into a full-blown carnival—complete with rigged games and inflated prizes. In this eye-opening conversation between RV Wingman and Kevin Frazer from Cheyenne Camping Center, you’ll discover the dealer games nobody talks about, the book value scandal that could cost you thousands, and the fixes that could save the entire industry.
Whether you’re a first-time RV buyer or a seasoned road warrior, understanding these dealer tactics isn’t just smart—it’s essential. You’re about to learn why some dealers run wild, how certain banks play along with them, and which reviews you can actually trust. Buckle up, because this ride gets bumpy
1. eBay Reviews: The One Place Dealers Can’t Fake Customer Feedback
Here’s a secret weapon you probably didn’t know existed: eBay Motors reviews are nearly impossible to manipulate. Why? Because to leave a review on eBay, you must actually purchase the product. One transaction equals one review—that’s it.
Kevin Frazer reveals that Cheyenne Camping Center is one of the only RV dealers actively selling on eBay Motors. The big chains? They tried it and ran away faster than a jackrabbit on a hot skillet. Camping World gave it two shots but pulled out within 60 days, ending up selling NASCAR paraphernalia instead of RVs.
Why the quick exit? Because customers who’d been through the wringer with chain dealerships started telling the unvarnished truth on a platform that couldn’t be gamed.
Here’s the kicker: You’d think if a dealer had nothing to hide, they’d embrace transparent reviews. But when your business model depends on fleecing customers, the last thing you want is honest feedback you can’t delete or bury.
| Review Platform | Can Be Manipulated? | Purchase Required? |
|---|---|---|
| eBay Motors | No | Yes |
| Google Reviews | Yes | No |
| Facebook Reviews | Yes | No |
| Dealer Website | Absolutely | No |
Your Move: Before you buy from any dealer, check their eBay Motors presence. If they’re not there or pulled out, ask yourself why they’re afraid of verified customer reviews.
2. The Book Value Scam: When NADA Became a Fantasy Novel
Remember when the NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) RV value guide was actually reliable? Those days are long gone. JD Power purchased the NADA RV value guide about six years ago, and according to Frazer, things went sideways faster than a poorly hitched trailer.
For over 30 years, Cheyenne Camping Center contributed monthly sales data to NADA—real transactions, real prices, real conditions. Their compensation? A free subscription to the guide. But after JD Power took over, something disturbing happened: they stopped paying attention to the dealer reports. Book values started diverging wildly from actual market prices, sometimes showing RVs worth twice what they’d actually sell for.
Here’s where it gets legally sketchy: When banks and credit unions use these inflated book values to issue loans, buyers end up underwater before they even leave the lot. Insurance companies paying out claims based on fake valuations? That’s a ticking time bomb. Frazer got so concerned about potential class-action lawsuits that he sent two resignation letters demanding his dealership’s name be removed from the JD Power advisory board.
The Uncomfortable Truth: If you’re relying on JD Power for your RV’s value, you might as well be reading your horoscope. At least that’s free.
According to industry discussions, JD Power stopped accepting dealer sales data after the acquisition, which means their valuations are now based on… well, nobody’s quite sure. [Reddit RV Communities](https://www.reddit.com/r/GoRVing/)
3. Private Label RVs: The “Exclusive” Units That Trap You Forever
You’ve seen them: RVs with special names you can’t find anywhere else. Sounds exclusive, right? More like exclusively problematic. Chain dealerships love private label RVs because they create what’s called a “unique value proposition”—fancy talk for “you can’t compare prices or quality anywhere else.”
Here’s the dirty secret: Private label RVs are manufactured by different companies almost every year. That boutique brand you fell in love with? Next year, it might be built by a completely different manufacturer. The result? Good luck finding parts five years down the road when something breaks.
Frazer explains that parts support is one of the biggest nightmares in the RV world, especially for older units. When you total a 5-year-old private label RV, you might discover there’s literally nothing available to fix it. And your insurance rates? They’re already starting to reflect this problem.
Think about it this way: Buying a private label RV is like marrying someone who changes their identity every year. Good luck building a lasting relationship.
4. Used RV Pricing: When Old Costs More Than New
Brace yourself for this absurdity: Chain dealerships are pricing used RVs at the same or higher prices than brand-new models. Frazer describes scrolling through a local Camping World lot with over 100 used units, finding 4- and 5-year-old RVs priced identically—or higher—than the new versions his dealership advertises online.
How is this legal? It’s the “scarcity” con. Salespeople are trained to hammer home that this particular used RV is unique—one of a kind! They’ll pressure you to buy immediately because “there’s only one like this anywhere.” Then they’ll sell it to you for 180% of book value. And remember, that book value is already inflated nonsense.
The real kicker? They pile on non-physical assets—extended warranties, service packages, and other add-ons that don’t add actual value but do add to your loan balance. Before you know it, you’re upside down on a depreciating asset that wasn’t worth what you paid in the first place.
| RV Type | Age | Typical Chain Price | Actual Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest River Travel Trailer | 4 years | $35,000 | $22,000 |
| Fifth Wheel | 5 years | $48,000 | $28,000 |
| Class A Motorhome | 6 years | $95,000 | $55,000 |
*Market values based on eBay Motors completed sales data
Here’s what nobody tells you: If you’re comparing a used RV to a new one and the prices are similar, you’re looking at a dealer who’s either incompetent or counting on you being uninformed. Spoiler alert: it’s usually the latter.
5. The Blame Game: Why Dealers Always Throw Manufacturers Under the Bus
When things go wrong with your RV—and statistically, they will—watch how fast your dealer becomes your manufacturer’s biggest critic. Frazer reveals a pattern he’s witnessed firsthand: When buyers sue over lemon RVs, dealers immediately blame manufacturers and even testify against them in court.
This happens because the RV industry lacks franchise agreements like the automotive world has. In the car business, manufacturers can enforce standards, require proper PDI (pre-delivery inspection), and punish dealers who damage their reputation. In the RV world? It’s the Wild West. Dealers can sell units without proper prep, skip crucial inspections, and then blame the manufacturer when problems surface.
Doug Gettel at Forest River is reportedly pushing for franchise-style agreements that would create real accountability. But until that happens, dealers face zero consequences for selling you an RV that hasn’t even been washed, let alone properly inspected.
The irony is rich: The same dealer who pressured you to buy “the best RV on the market” will gleefully throw that manufacturer under a bus the moment you have problems. It’s like a restaurant serving you food poisoning and then blaming the farm.
According to the [RV Industry Association](https://www.rvia.org/), Maryland recently passed RV-specific franchise legislation in 2024, but most states still lack these protections.
6. Camping World’s 1.3% Repeat Business Rate: The Most Telling Statistic
Want to know how good a dealer really is? Look at their repeat business rate. Cheyenne Camping Center boasts a 70% repeat customer rate—meaning 7 out of 10 buyers come back or refer others. That number even goes up during tough economic times because people trust them.
Now, guess Camping World’s repeat business rate? According to Frazer’s double-sourced information: 1.3%. Read that again. One-point-three percent. That means out of every 100 customers, barely more than one comes back.
Why such a catastrophically low number? Two reasons: (1) People never go near them again after their first experience, and (2) Customers are buried so deep in bad loans they can never afford another RV. Camping World’s business model isn’t built on repeat customers—it’s built on conquests. Every sale is a one-time cash grab from a fresh victim.
Let that sink in: When a company doesn’t care whether you ever come back, what incentive do they have to treat you right the first time? Exactly zero.
Consumer review platforms consistently show Camping World among the lowest-rated RV dealers, with complaints about hidden fees, poor service, and aggressive sales tactics dominating customer feedback. [ConsumerAffairs RV Industry Statistics](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/rv-industry-statistics.html)
7. Your Sixth Sense Knows: Trust It and Demand Proof
Frazer makes a brilliant point: Humans evolved a sixth sense to detect deception. All animals deceive—it’s survival. But humans are the most complex creatures, so we’re also the most sophisticated deceivers. That uneasy feeling you get when a salesperson’s story doesn’t add up? That’s millions of years of evolution screaming at you.
If something feels off, believe it. Don’t let anyone talk you out of your gut instinct. Better yet, adopt the “Show Me” attitude from Missouri: Make them prove every claim before you sign papers or hand over money. Want to see the PDI checklist? Ask for it. Want them to demonstrate that every system works? Make them do it while you watch.
The honest dealers won’t blink at these requests. The carnival barkers will squirm, deflect, and pressure you to “just trust them.” That’s your cue to walk—no, run—in the opposite direction.
Here’s what confidence looks like: A dealer who welcomes scrutiny because they have nothing to hide. A dealer who’s afraid of questions? They’re hiding something, guaranteed.
| Red Flags to Watch For | What It Really Means | |
|---|---|---|
| “You need to decide today” | Pressure tactic to prevent comparison shopping | |
| “The book value is…” | Likely using inflated JD Power numbers | |
| “We already did the PDI” | Probably didn’t, or did it poorly | |
| “This model is exclusive to us” | Private label with future parts problems | |
| “Trust me” | Don’t. |
The Path Forward: What You Can Do Right Now
The RV industry won’t fix itself overnight. But you can protect yourself starting today. Use eBay Motors to check actual selling prices, not fantasy book values. Research dealers on platforms where reviews can’t be easily faked. Demand documentation for every claim. Request out-the-door pricing with zero hidden fees. Make them prove the PDI was actually completed.
Most importantly, find dealers whose business model depends on repeat customers. When a dealer knows they’ll see you again—and that you’ll tell your friends about your experience—they have every reason to treat you right. Chain dealerships with 1.3% repeat business rates? They’re counting on never seeing you again.
The franchise agreement model that transformed the automotive industry could revolutionize RV buying. Until that happens, your best protection is skepticism backed by process. Do your homework, trust your instincts, and never let anyone rush you into the biggest purchase decision you’ll make this year.
Remember: A free market only works when everyone plays fair. When bad actors turn it into a carnival, you need to spot the rigged games before you hand over your money.
SOURCES
1. RV Wingman YouTube Channel – “FREE MARKET OR CARNIVAL? RV DEALER GAMES, BOOK VALUES & THE FIX NOBODY TRIES” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJNiMuvrFnw
2. RV Industry Association – Manufacturer-Dealership Relationship – https://www.rvia.org/advocacy/policies/manufacturer-dealership-relationship
3. ConsumerAffairs – RV Industry Statistics 2025 – https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/rv-industry-statistics.html
4. Reddit r/GoRVing Community – JD Power Valuations Discussion – https://www.reddit.com/r/GoRVing/comments/1hrft23/jd_power_valuations/
5. RV Business – “RVIA: Maryland Passes RV-Specific Franchise Legislation” – https://rvbusiness.com/rvia-maryland-passes-rv-specific-franchise-legislation/
6. CarBuyer USA – “Understanding the Shift from NADA to J.D. Power” – https://www.carbuyerusa.com/sell-your-car-blog/understanding-the-shift-from-nada-to-jd-power-sellers-beware
7. eBay Motors – https://www.ebay.com/motors
8. Cheyenne Camping Center – https://www.cheyennecamping.com
9. RV Travel – “How to avoid RV dealer sales fraud in 2025” – https://www.rvtravel.com/avoid-rv-dealer-sales-fraud-2025-1203/
