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 and safety concerns to have been identified before delivery. Unfortunately, my experience was very different. Shortly after taking possession of the motorhome, I discovered numerous defects 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 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 defect was determined to be 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.
Another concern 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 told no inspection report existed. Later, I was informed 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, or verified before delivery. Without that documentation, it is difficult to understand how so many issues could have gone unnoticed. 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 of the preparation and inspection process.
My advice to anyone considering a used RV purchase from General RV:
Get all promises and representations in writing.
Request documentation of dealer preparation and inspection services.
Personally test every major system before delivery.
Verify slides, cameras, lights, appliances, HVAC systems, and safety devices.
Consider hiring an independent RV inspector.
Keep copies of advertisements, purchase documents, repair invoices, emails, text messages, and notes from phone conversations.
Based on my experience, buyers may need to seek assistance from the Better Business Bureau, their state's Attorney General Consumer Protection Division, or legal counsel if a dispute cannot be resolved directly with the dealership.
