Why You Should Avoid These RV Brands

Buying an RV is a big investment.

Since the pandemic, many brands have had workmanship issues along with subpar materials. None have escaped the list by MSN on the RV brands what one should avoid. Even top line brands like Airstream, Winnebago, Newmar and Tiffin made the list. 

Not surprisingly, brands under the Thor wing (such as Forest River) made the list several times. RVers who have been around know that Thor makes POS rigs. Many states don't cover RVs in their lemon laws.

If I were to advise anyone on buying an RV, I would recommend getting a pre-pandemic used one. Inspect it before buying.

MSN provides their list in a photo slide show. 

They begin with:

Buying a poor-quality RV brand can quickly turn a trip sour. Marshall Wendler, cofounder of Camp Addict, doesn’t like a beginner’s chances: “I don't have any specific input on the worst RV brand. In fact, they are the majority of RV brands out there,” Wendler says. “Throw a dart at the wall.” With advice from Wendler and other RVers who love to talk rigs, here’s what we’ve learned from the experts about brands that you should probably steer clear of if you're looking to buy or rent an RV. 

To see the slide show, go here. 

RV Travel: RV Lemon Laws

Above, The Beast at the Double J Campground near Springfield, Illinois. RVs are meant
 to be enjoyed, not stuck in a repair shop for weeks or months. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thankfully, when I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R, I had no real problems related to manufacturing defects (just a roof vent cover "glued" shut). Other new RV owners may not be so lucky and have repeatedly had take their rigs to an authorized repair shop.

RV Travel posted an article on RV lemon laws and how they actually work.

It begins with:

If you have purchased a new or used RV, only to have your rig stuck in the shop for weeks or months for warranty repairs, you may have a “lemon.” If your dealer/warranty repair shop repeatedly tries and fails to repair the problem(s), you do have a lemon by definition.

 

Definition of a lemon vehicle or RV is in Lemon Laws

The definition is in the “Lemon Laws” enacted by the states. A U.S. federal lemon law generally applies, even if the state laws are not applicable or are ineffective in addressing your specific situation.

Each state has a consumer protection “Lemon Law” on the books, and some states’ statutes cover more potential manufacturer defects than others. Some of the state laws are in favor of the RV manufacturer or seller. There is a lot of language in these laws that protect the RV manufacturer and dealer’s warranty repair shop. Yet, the essential intent of these laws is to protect consumers, and, to some degree, they provide relief for the buyer of the chronically broken RV.

To read more, go here. 

California Lemon Law Covers RVs

Above, The Beast at Camping World in Valencia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Several months ago, a discussion at the recreational vehicle forum, iRV2 about whether or not motorized and towable recreational vehicles are covered by lemon laws.

In the discussion, it came down to that it depends upon the state.

I received a mailer from a law firm who specializes in lemon law litigation today.

The mailer stated in bold letters:

Attention Motorhome, Travel Trailer and 5th Wheel Owners
California Lemon Law Covers Motorhomes and Towable Recreational Vehicles!

The mailer also stated in bold letters:

Sick and Tired of Excessive Days In The Shop? 

That's one of the biggest complaints of RV owners, excessive days in a repair shop. Many RV owners lose the use of their RVs as they are stuck in repair shop limbo for months.

It is nice to know that the California lemon law covered RVs. I've had no problems, but it is worth knowing anyway!