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You saved up for years, finally bought that dream RV, and hit the road for adventure. But what happens when your mobile home becomes a health hazard? One family’s story with their Keystone Fusion toy hauler will change how you think about RV purchases forever.
When Factory Mistakes Turn Deadly: A Family’s Fight for Justice
Grant and Kalei’s $125,000 dream turned into a literal nightmare when a simple factory mistake created a toxic environment that sent one family member to the hospital. Their battle with Keystone RV reveals disturbing truths about how the industry handles catastrophic failures. You deserve to know what really happens when things go terribly wrong.
1. A Simple Factory Error Can Destroy Your Life
The $125,000 Mistake That Changed Everything
In April 2022, Grant and Kalei purchased their brand-new Keystone Fusion toy hauler for over $125,000. What they didn’t know was that factory workers had installed the P-trap in the washer/dryer hookup upside down. This seemingly small error would cascade into a family health crisis.
When they installed their washer and dryer months later, the water didn’t drain outside the RV – it flooded inside. The moisture soaked into the insulation, floors, and walls, creating the perfect breeding ground for toxic mold. The family got sick, and Kalei ended up hospitalized.
| Factory Error | Immediate Result | Long-term Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Upside-down P-trap | Water flooding inside RV | Toxic mold contamination |
| Poor quality control | Undetectable during inspection | Family health crisis |
| No proper testing | Passed initial delivery | $125,000 investment ruined |
Supporting Facts:
- The RV industry shipped 333,733 units in 2024, a 6.6% increase from the previous year RVIA
- Forest River led all manufacturers in recalls from 2015-2024, with nearly half stemming from manufacturing errors Consumer Affairs
Your Reality Check: You might think a factory mistake this obvious would be caught during inspection, but RV pre-delivery inspections don’t test plumbing systems under actual use conditions. Your expensive new RV could be hiding dangerous defects that won’t surface until you’re living in it full-time.
2. When Mold Takes Over, Your RV Becomes Uninhabitable
The Silent Killer Growing in Your Walls
The water damage wasn’t just an inconvenience – it created a health hazard that contaminated the entire RV. Mold expert Bob Jordan confirmed that Stachybotrys (black mold) had taken over their home. This toxic mold is so dangerous that even the mold inspector got sick during the assessment.
The family had to throw away almost all their possessions due to contamination. They haven’t been able to enter their RV for over a year, yet they’re still making payments and storage fees on a home they can’t use.
Health Impact Statistics:
- 21% of current U.S. asthma cases may be attributable to dampness and mold exposure PMC
- Mold exposure can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and neurological symptoms
- Stachybotrys is one of only a handful of the 100,000 mold types that are toxic to humans
Your Wake-Up Call: RV technicians at dealerships aren’t trained to handle mold contamination. If your RV develops a serious mold problem, you’ll need specialized remediation experts wearing protective equipment. The structure of an RV makes it nearly impossible to properly clean and dry contaminated areas.
3. Camping World Failed Them FIVE Times
When “Experts” Make Things Worse
After discovering the leak, Grant and Kalei took their RV to three different Camping World locations for repairs. Despite five separate repair attempts, Camping World technicians failed to fix the problem every single time. Meanwhile, moisture continued building up, making the mold contamination worse.
The repeated failures weren’t just incompetence – they were actively dangerous. Each failed repair meant more time for toxic mold to spread throughout their living space while the family continued to be exposed to health hazards.
| Repair Attempt | Location | Result | Mold Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Camping World #1 | Failed | Increasing |
| 2nd | Camping World #1 | Failed | Spreading |
| 3rd | Camping World #2 | Failed | Worsening |
| 4th | Camping World #2 | Failed | Throughout RV |
| 5th | Camping World #3 | Failed | Toxic levels |
Your Reality: You’re paying premium prices for RV service, but technician training varies wildly between locations. A simple plumbing issue that should take one visit can turn into months of failed attempts while your problem gets exponentially worse.
4. Keystone’s Response Will Shock You
How a $10 Billion Company Treats Hospitalized Customers
When faced with a factory error that hospitalized their customer, Keystone’s response was to delay, deny, and demand more inspections. Despite having their own inspection report (which they refuse to share with Grant and Kalei), Keystone is dragging their feet on providing a buyback.
The company is owned by Thor Industries, which made $10.04 billion in revenue in 2024 Stock Analysis. Yet they’re treating a family health crisis like a minor warranty claim. Keystone even demanded another inspection despite already having extensive documentation of the mold contamination.
Corporate Response Timeline:
- April 2022: RV purchased for $125,000+
- Fall 2022: Problem discovered, multiple repair attempts
- 2023: Mold contamination confirmed, family evacuated
- 2024: Keystone paid for inspection but won’t share results
- 2025: Still demanding more inspections despite clear evidence
Your Outrage Meter: This is a $10+ billion company refusing to help a family they put in the hospital due to their own factory mistake. They have the resources to make this right immediately, but they’re choosing to make the victims prove their case over and over again.
5. The Industry’s Dirty Secret About Buybacks
Why RV Companies Want You to Keep Quiet
Even when RV manufacturers finally agree to buy back defective units, they typically require customers to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). This means you can’t tell anyone that the company gave you your money back, creating the illusion that buybacks “never happen.”
This deliberate secrecy makes other customers think they’re stuck with defective RVs. The companies want you to believe that if something goes wrong, you have no recourse. Meanwhile, they’re quietly buying back units behind closed doors to avoid publicity.
The Truth About RV Buybacks:
- Liz Amazing has facilitated 12 successful buybacks through public pressure
- Companies regularly buy back defective units but hide it with NDAs
- Thor Industries built refunds into their cost of doing business – they expect manufacturing defects
- Public exposure often forces faster resolutions than legal action
Your Power: You have more leverage than you think. RV manufacturers hate negative publicity more than they hate giving refunds. When their mistakes become public, they often choose buybacks over continued bad press.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you’re outraged by Keystone’s treatment of this family, you can contact them directly:
- Keystone Customer Service: (866) 425-4369
- Email: info@KeystoneRV.com, OwnerRelations@KeystoneRV.com
Before you buy your next RV:
- Research the manufacturer’s recall history
- Get a comprehensive pre-delivery inspection
- Document everything with photos and videos
- Know your state’s lemon laws
- Consider purchasing from dealers with strong service reputations
SOURCES
- Keystone’s SHOCKING Response – Liz Amazing YouTube Video
- 2024 RV Shipments Report – RVIA
- Forest River RV Recalls Raising Safety Concerns – Consumer Affairs
- Thor Industries Financial Performance – Stock Analysis
- Mold Health Effects Study – PMC
- Survey Ranks New RVs by Defects – RV Travel
- Mold Growth in Campers Health Risks – Indoor Doctor
