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Buying your first RV should be one of the most exciting days of your life – but it could turn into a nightmare if you’re not careful. Consumer protection attorney Beth Wells has spent over 40 years fighting for RV buyers who got blindsided by sneaky contract tricks.
You’re about to discover the hidden traps that dealers hope you’ll never notice. These aren’t just minor inconveniences – we’re talking about thousands of dollars and your legal rights hanging in the balance. Recent data shows that RV shipments increased by 6.6% in 2024, reaching over 333,000 units, which means more people than ever are at risk of falling for these dealer tricks.
1. The “As-Is” Clause Hidden in Tiny Print
You’ll find this sneaky clause buried deep in your contract, usually in font so small you’d need a magnifying glass to read it. When you sign an “as-is” agreement, you’re basically telling the dealer that whatever’s broken stays broken – and it’s now your problem.
Here’s what makes this especially tricky: Most dealers will verbally promise that your RV is “campground ready” while having you sign paperwork that says the complete opposite. You might think you’re getting a fully functional RV, but legally, you’ve just agreed to take it with all its problems.
| What “As-Is” Really Means | What You Think It Means |
|---|---|
| All problems are now yours | Minor wear and tear only |
| No warranty coverage | Basic warranty included |
| Can’t return for defects | Can return if major issues |
If you spot “as-is” anywhere in your contract, you need to either negotiate it out or walk away. Your wallet will thank you later when you’re not stuck paying for thousands in repairs on day one.
2. The Lightning-Fast Walkthrough Scam
Picture this: You’ve just signed a mountain of paperwork, and now the salesperson is speed-walking you through your new RV like they’re trying to catch a flight. They’re pointing at things without actually testing them, saying “Yep, that works” without even turning anything on.
Consumer attorney Beth Wells warns that this rushed process is completely intentional. Dealers know that if you actually test every system, you’ll probably find something that doesn’t work. So they create time pressure and make you feel like you’re holding up the process.
The smart move? Channel your inner Missouri resident and demand they “show you” everything works. Don’t just take their word for it – make them demonstrate that the air conditioner blows cold, the water pump works, and the slides go in and out smoothly.
You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it, so why would you accept an RV without testing every single system? Your future camping trips depend on it.
3. The Warranty Registration Card Trap
This might be the most dangerous document you’ll sign – and most people don’t even realize what they’re agreeing to. That innocent-looking “warranty registration card” is actually a legal landmine packed with clauses that strip away your rights.
Here’s what’s really hiding in that warranty card:
- Claims you fully inspected the RV (even when you didn’t)
- Says you had plenty of time to read everything (even when rushed)
- Waives your right to a jury trial (buried in tiny print above your signature)
- Confirms you approve all terms (that you never actually read)
Beth Wells has seen countless cases where people signed these cards in good faith, only to discover later that they’d legally confirmed everything was perfect when it clearly wasn’t. Forest River and Thor both use multi-page warranty documents with small checkboxes that most people never read.
Your protection strategy: Read every single word before checking any boxes. If you haven’t actually inspected something, don’t check the box saying you did. It’s that simple – but it could save you thousands.
4. The Pre-Delivery Inspection Sleight of Hand
You’d assume that “Pre-Delivery Inspection” means your RV was recently checked, but you’d be wrong. Many dealers perform this inspection when the RV first arrives on the lot – which could be months or even over a year ago.
Think about it: Would you trust a car inspection from 18 months ago? Of course not! But that’s exactly what’s happening with RVs sitting on dealer lots. Weather, time, and simple wear-and-tear can create new problems that won’t show up on an old inspection report.
Your move: Ask to see the actual PDI report and check the date. If it’s more than a few weeks old, demand a fresh inspection. Any reputable dealer should be happy to demonstrate that everything still works perfectly.
You’re not being difficult – you’re being smart about a purchase that likely costs more than most people’s cars.
5. The “Payment Upon Signature” Trick
Most contracts assume you’ll pay the moment you sign – but what if the RV isn’t actually ready? Consumer attorney Beth Wells suggests a brilliant strategy: Write “payment tendered upon my inspection and approval” right above your signature line.
This simple phrase shifts the power back to you. Instead of hoping the dealer did their job correctly, you’re making payment conditional on everything actually working. Even if the dealer won’t countersign this addition, you’ve documented your intention that the sale wasn’t complete until you verified everything worked.
Recent legal cases show this strategy can be incredibly effective when disputes arise later. You’re essentially creating evidence that you never intended to accept a broken RV, even if you were pressured to sign quickly.
Think of it as an insurance policy written in ink – and it doesn’t cost you a penny extra.
6. The Manufacturer Blame Game Setup
Here’s how dealers set you up to get the runaround: They’ll have you sign documents that make it look like any problems are the manufacturer’s responsibility, not theirs. Then when something goes wrong, they’ll point to the manufacturer while the manufacturer points back at the dealer.
You get stuck in the middle while both companies argue about who should fix your broken RV. Meanwhile, you’re making payments on something you can’t even use for camping.
The Camping World class-action lawsuits highlight this exact problem. In 2024, Oregon’s Attorney General secured a $3.5 million settlement with Camping World for overcharging customers and failing to properly address defects. Over $3 million will go directly back to affected customers.
Your defense: Make sure your purchase contract clearly states that the dealer is responsible for delivering a fully functional RV, regardless of whether problems originated with the manufacturer.
7. The Jury Waiver Clause Buried in Fine Print
This is the nuclear option that dealers hope you’ll never notice. Hidden somewhere in your paperwork – often right above the signature line in microscopic text – you might be signing away your right to a jury trial.
Why does this matter? If you end up in a legal dispute, you’ll be forced into arbitration instead of having your case heard by a jury of your peers. Arbitration often favors businesses over consumers, and you’ll have much less leverage to get a fair resolution.
Beth Wells emphasizes that many people don’t discover this clause until it’s too late. By then, you’ve already given up one of your most important legal protections without even realizing it.
Your action plan: Read every single word above your signature line with a magnifying glass if necessary. If you see anything about waiving jury rights, arbitration, or dispute resolution – stop and think carefully before signing.
Protect Yourself: The Smart RV Buyer’s Checklist
| Before You Sign | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Read everything | Don’t sign anything you haven’t read completely |
| Test everything | Demand demonstrations of all systems |
| Check PDI dates | Ensure inspections are recent |
| Add conditions | Write “payment upon inspection and approval” |
| Avoid rushed decisions | Take your time regardless of pressure |
Remember: You’re not just buying a vehicle – you’re investing in countless future adventures. A few extra hours of careful review could save you months of headaches and thousands of dollars in repairs.
The RV industry shipped over 333,000 units in 2024, and you want to make sure yours is one of the good ones. Don’t let dealer pressure tactics rush you into a decision you’ll regret for the next 15 years of loan payments.
SOURCES
- RV Buyers Beware: The Contract Trick – YouTube Video
- Oregon AG Settlement with Camping World
- 2024 RV Shipment Statistics – RVIA
- RV Industry Statistics 2025 – ConsumerAffairs
- Court Confirms Camping World Unlawful Practices – RV Travel
- Consumer Protection in Motor Vehicle Transactions – Federal Register
- RV Warranty Legal Issues – Super Lawyers
