RW
Rob Whitney
Jun 30, 2026
I’ve been an RVer for over 30 years. As you know, it’s sometimes hard to find good service, and to get good work done in a timely manner. But General RV in Dover, Florida is the worst “service facility” I’ve ever dealt with. I have a Winnebago Class C, which has a recall outstanding. I also had some repair work (a broken driver’s side mirror). General RV told me that they could handle it, and to bring the coach in. Fast forward 6 weeks – absolutely nothing has been done. They told me there were part problems, although they finally let it slip that they’d had the parts needed for the recall repair for several weeks. They did nothing. They don’t return call, and even after assuring me they would complete the work, have done nothing. And the mirror? They tell me that the mirror comes in several sections, which need to be assembled, and they’re not sure they can handle it. Amazing. When I finally had enough, I went to pick the unit up, and they charged me an “inspection fee” for inspecting the mirror. A blind man could see that it was broken – there was nothing to “inspect”. But they wouldn’t release my unit until I paid them.
I guess there is one blessing in all of this. If their customer relations are this poor (failure to return calls, broken promises, lying about parts), then it’s probably a good thing they didn’t work on my unit. I can only imagine the damage they would have done.
Buyer Beware – My Experience with General RV
I purchased a used 2021 Tiffin Allegro Open Road motorhome from General RV. Like most buyers, I relied on the dealership's representations that the coach had been inspected, prepared for sale, and was ready for travel. As part of the transaction, I paid approximately $4,000 for dealer preparation and Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) services. Based on those charges, I expected major defects, safety concerns, and maintenance issues to have been identified and addressed before delivery. Unfortunately, my experience was very different. Shortly after taking possession of the motorhome, I discovered numerous defects and maintenance issues that I believe should have been identified during a thorough inspection. Several involved safety-related systems requiring immediate attention. Among the issues discovered were brake and taillight failures, dry-rotted windshield wipers, a malfunctioning entry step, a missing toilet seal that allowed sewer gas odors into the coach, carbon monoxide and propane detector issues, loose propane fittings, HVAC water intrusion and HVAC failure, underinflated tires, electrical system defects, rear and side camera visibility problems, and slide-out system defects. These issues raised serious concerns regarding safety, reliability, and overall roadworthiness. One of the most significant problems involved the slide-out system. When I submitted a claim to my extended warranty company, coverage was denied because the warranty provider determined the defect was a pre-existing condition that should have been identified before the vehicle was sold. This conclusion was consistent with information provided by both Tiffin and the certified repair technician who completed the repair. What made the situation even more frustrating was the difficulty I experienced obtaining answers and documentation. When I requested records showing what work had been performed during the dealer preparation and PDI process, I was initially informed that no inspection report existed. Later, I was told that inspection and preparation documents did exist but would not be provided because they were considered proprietary company records. As a customer who paid approximately $4,000 for preparation and inspection-related services, I found that response disappointing. If customers are charged substantial fees for inspection and preparation work, there should be documentation showing what was inspected, tested, repaired, serviced, or verified before delivery. Without that documentation, it is difficult to understand how so many issues could have gone unnoticed.
Another concern was the amount of effort required to obtain responses. Communication was often slow, and significant follow-up was required before receiving answers. Calls, emails, and messages frequently went unanswered or required repeated contact. To General RV's credit, the company eventually reimbursed me for the slide-out repair expense. However, that reimbursement came only after more than a month of repeated communications and persistence on my part. While appreciated, it did not eliminate the frustration, inconvenience, and expense associated with addressing problems that appeared shortly after delivery. I understand that used RVs can have issues. My concern is not that defects existed, but that numerous defects appeared shortly after delivery despite substantial dealer preparation charges. The volume and nature of these problems caused me to question the effectiveness and thoroughness of the preparation process. My advice to anyone considering the purchase of a used RV from General RV: Get every promise and representation in writing. Request documentation of dealer preparation and inspection services. Personally test every system before accepting delivery. Verify the operation of slides, cameras, lights, appliances, HVAC systems, and safety devices. Inspect tires, batteries, and propane systems carefully. Hire an independent RV inspector before completing the purchase.
