We went to a Camping World RV show, <bummer>

[Jmac00]

we drove all the way to Syracuse (just an hour) to the CW indoor RV show at the NYS Fairgrounds, mainly just to look at different camper layouts and styles. We are generally interested in a *C* class or Super C, but we also looked at a couple Class A.

CW had a dozen or so USED C-class. We were down right mad at CW, they brought used units to a show and never bothered to clean them up or even attempt to straighten anything out. We walked into one unit and floor was like a trapoline, not kidding. This thing had a major water leak.
Refridgerators had mold growing in them. Pantry draws still had pasta and onion peels? The entire unit(s) smelled awful, yikes

All the prices on the sticker were MSRP.....and then they ADDED all the "extra's". some prices were inflated by 30%.

Now, granted some of the newer units are very nice. They had a few diesel Pushers, and some smaller class A that had us rethinking wether we should be looking solely at C-class units.

But after this experiance with CW, I WILL NEVER GO THERE TO BUY A UNIT, terrible, just terrible

seriously, who brings a used (trashed) unit to a show?

[TonyMac]

You are lucky to have learned this so early in your RV adventure. Not all CWs are bad, but it seems the majority are less than what one would assume an honorable seller should be. And their maintenance is worse. Locally, they take your unit apart, rendering it useless, and then they order parts, and it sits, unusable until the parts show up AND they get around to installing them. And they flat out lie to your face, assuming you are too stupid or too worthless to deserve the truth.

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Taking used RV's to a show may be a ploy to "prove" to some people that used coaches are all trashed, and the only way to go is to buy new!

But I agree, I've been to many RV dealerships that fail to even clean a used coach before showing. Batteries dead, food still in cupboards, dead flies everywhere, smells of mold, bleach and Fabreeze war for dominance! It's pretty disgusting. CW in Florida told us, oh, we will fix everything after we sign the papers! . . . ah, THAT'LL be the day!

[mobilemike]

"Show"
You have to be careful with what is called a show. Many, many dealers will advertise a "show" that is only them renting an empty lot and trying to offload the low end garbage they take in on trade. Sometimes its 2 dealers. But still it is not a show it is a lot sale.

[PJStough]

Originally Posted by Jmac00

...seriously, who brings a used (trashed) unit to a show?

It is my observation that not cleaning up used units is becoming standard procedure. While in Quartzsite during the winter we usually look at various motorhomes for sale, and although there are new ones, there are also used ones, and the used ones, in my opinion, are not ready for sale. In one particular unit my brother was interested in, there was a trim piece leaning up against the wall, and the windshield was broken, and there were various other items that needed attention.


Also, this was not Camping World but was La Mesa RV.

[Jmac00]

its sad that RV dealers think that everyone is dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks.

Can you imagine a car dealer trying to sell trashed/used cars? How long would they last in business?

Unfreaking-believeable

The good news is, we have pretty much settled on an RV with a minimum legth of 29' and max length of 36' and it may be a class A or a Class C.

Im still having a real tough time wrapping my head around a Ford V10 in a 29' and the same engine in a 36' and performing the same? One weighs substantially more yet has the same engine. My brain can't get past the two going up a 7% grade at the same speed and RPM with out one straining it's wheels off

[TOM356C]

I was told at a dealership that they do not clean them because they want you to see how the unit was maintained. Sales pitch???

[LETMGROW]

If the units you looked at were that dirty or not maintained that well that it shows up so clearly you can just imagine how well the unit was maintained mechanicly.
No thanks.

I live 70 miles north of Syracuse. If I drive west on I 90 past the 690 exit I make it a point to give the right handed one finger salute to CW.

[Contrarian]

Originally Posted by Jmac00

its sad that RV dealers think that everyone is dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks.

Can you imagine a car dealer trying to sell trashed/used cars? How long would they last in business?

Unfreaking-believeable

The good news is, we have pretty much settled on an RV with a minimum legth of 29' and max length of 36' and it may be a class A or a Class C.

Im still having a real tough time wrapping my head around a Ford V10 in a 29' and the same engine in a 36' and performing the same? One weighs substantially more yet has the same engine. My brain can't get past the two going up a 7% grade at the same speed and RPM with out one straining it's wheels off

I believe the class A RVs have a more powerful 3 valve per cylinder V10 whereas the E series class C has a 2 valve per cylinder v10.

[DenverTransplant]

When we bought our Thor ACE (at CW, which in hindsight was a questionable decision), the first rigs they showed us were used Class C's (we were thinking Class C when we started looking). They were like the OP says, trashed with no attempt to clean them up. I think it was a sales ploy to get you to look at new coaches. It was effective.

We found a similar thing (without the obvious sales motive) when we went to look at LazyDaze. They had a dozen class C's lined up in a prominent sales position, all of which were used off of rental. At least these were not trashed. LD had kept them clean and they probably were decent buys. However they were were equipped as rentals so didn't have much appeal to us.

At least our ACE has been mostly reliable so far. A couple of manufacturing defects, which I could fix, and the only problem with broken equipment has been the furnace - but that was an Atwood problem (control board getting wet, plus a failed gas valve, both of which I've fixed and avoided the CW two step).

[harleyjt]

You are lucky to have learned this so early in your RV adventure....

I agree with TonyMac. I absolutely detest CW, and especially its CEO.
jt

[lfcjasp]

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

If the units you looked at were that dirty or not maintained that well that it shows up so clearly you can just imagine how well the unit was maintained mechanicly.
No thanks.

I live 70 miles north of Syracuse. If I drive west on I 90 past the 690 exit I make it a point to give the right handed one finger salute to CW.

When we were searching for our first MH, we looked at some used ones as well. Knowing what we know now, one of those might have been our choice vs. the brand new one we bought. One sticks in my head. The upholstery showed some wear, but otherwise it was clean. Back then we didn't know enough to have an inspector check it out thoroughly (DH could have checked the engine, tires and a lot of other things, but not everything on a MH) Now if/when we buy our next one it will be used most likely.

[Spk64]

Just a reminder. Do not let politics creep into this discussion. This is not allowed per the Community Rules.

Thanks,
Steve as Site Staff

[Jmac00]

Originally Posted by Spk64

Just a reminder. Do not let politics creep into this discussion. This is not allowed per the Community Rules.

Thanks,
Steve as Site Staff

my bad, won't happen again