Community Forums

mga60tw · 03-03-2012, 05:35 PM

Went to an RV show today in Daytona Beach Florida and was looking at a 5th wheel toy hauler almost 40ft. It had triple axles and weighed over 14,000 lbs per the salesman. I said this is going to take a 1 ton dually or larger and he said "no a 3/4 ton is all that is needed" I said I would never pull a unit that heavy with a 3/4 ton and he just looked at me like I was crazy. There were other customers listening and I just walked away shaking my head.
Again a salesman telling people the wrong thing. There should be a law!!

danf7 · 03-03-2012, 06:00 PM

Half of the RV salespeople have no idea!. The other half are fine. If you have a clue you can figure out which one you're talking to. ( As you did! )If you are a novice then unfortunately you are at their mercy. It is a shame.
Dan

docj · 03-03-2012, 06:13 PM

Don't forget the "other half" the salespeople who value the sale more than they value the truth. Once you buy it, the problem is yours. If you're overloaded they aren't legally responsible.

Ed S · 03-03-2012, 06:26 PM

Whats that old saying??? Oh ya, buyer beware.
I dont know about others but if I am spending even a couple thousand bucks on something I research the heck out of it. I have found one can not always trust what one person says.

mhs4771 · 03-03-2012, 06:57 PM

I'm just surprised he didn't say it was 1/2 ton towable!!!!

easdsa · 03-03-2012, 09:02 PM

A 3/4 ton truck, properly equipped, might be able to drag it down the road. Stopping it might be another matter. Certainly it wouldn't be very much fun to drive.

kschitoskey · 03-04-2012, 03:34 PM

Not sure who is dumber - the salesman or the people who believe him. GCWR is an absolute.

Makes me glad I'm in health care - job security.

I just hope I'm not the one in front of him when he decides to stop...

J Birder · 03-06-2012, 08:12 AM

Q:
What's the difference between a used car salesman and an RV salesman?

A:
The used car salesman knows that he's lying to you.

TXiceman · 03-06-2012, 07:41 PM

Well, right off the bat, you had to know he was lying...he moved his lips. That is why I encourage everyone to learn the towing terms, read the small print and never believe a salesman.

Ken

Kevinc2011 · 03-07-2012, 05:29 AM

Considering that I like to go places in the off season, and I have towed in some pretty stiff cross winds in December and January. I now have the 5er to match the tow vehicle of my preference. If the max weight of the Camper is over 8800 lbs, I would never recommend pulling with anything less than a DRW Truck.
I have had my experience pulling a TT with a 3/4 ton SRW Yukon and being BLOWN ACROSS THE ROAD by the cross wind as I approached a cloverleaf intersection. With the DRW tow vehicle, the dual tires grip the road so well that even crossing a suspension bridge in a crosswind is almost pleasurable!

Arctic Owl · 03-07-2012, 05:44 PM

You know it takes many ways to make a living. To badger & name call ALL sales people who sell anything, liers because their lips are moving, takes a small mind in my opinion. I know many sales people, men & women who are VERY honest & above board. Name calling on this web site is not necessary IMHO. While some comments here might be in jest. the tone suggests different. How would some of you feel if your method of making a living was ridiculed this way? Not many, I would say. My mother taught me, If you cannot say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything at all. Good advice in my opinion again. I guess you might sayI have a lot of opinions eh?

TXiceman · 03-07-2012, 07:19 PM

Arctic Owl, I was a sales engineer for almost 30 years and do respect MOST sales people. But it seems that the RV industry seems to draw in some of the slimiest sales people you will run across. Yes there are a few honest and knowledgeable sales people in the RV industry, but they are in the minority.

Ken

Davdeb1 · 03-07-2012, 07:41 PM

I was involved in car sales for over 20 years. I sold and after a while many worked for me. I would say the more technical info, and the more equipment and specs they have to learn and remember, the more likely they are to say something that might be false. This does not mean they are lying, it means they don't know and sometimes will tell you what you want to hear.

In the vehicle industry, new car salespeople are the most forthcoming. They rely on repeat and referrals, and truly want to build lasting relationships with customers. After many years, some of them get tired of the customers lying to them. Yes that's right the CUSTOMERS. Before car fax, I can't tell you how many customers tried to palm off rebuilt wrecks, bad mileage, and would hide defects. Plus, the biggest lie yet, after giving them a great deal they call and cancel the next day. It's a hard way to make a living, so some burnt-out new car salesman will revert to used cars to make life easier. Less competition, less trades, and so on.

Now, why on earth anyone would want to be an RV salesperson, is beyond me. Repeat business would be rare, the amount of knowledge about all models they sell has to be overwhelming. As far as I am concerned, burnt out used car salesman would probably try out the RV sales thing because it would be less hassle. Especially used RV'S.

Just my opinion, a former sales professional who was able to retire before 50. I did it by being HONEST AND RELIABLE. If you are going to by a vehicle of any kind, go to the selected dealership and ask for the salesman who has been there the longest. If you find one there over five years he or she is a keeper.

Please do not demean salesman. I sold cars to lawyers, engineers, postal workers, Doctors, and many walks of life. MANY OF THEM LIED TO ME. I did not look at the next customer that came in as a liar, but an opportunity to make a customer and friends.

Arctic Owl · 03-07-2012, 08:42 PM

Thank you Davdeb1. Well said. That's exactly what I mean. There is way to much demeaning negative comments made about how some people have to make a living in sales. Just because you had a bad experience with a few RV dealers does not mean the salesman is entirely at fault. The dealership also has a great deal of responcibility in properly training their people & giving the opportunity to offer the customer the best buying experience possible. If all they hire is the low life ones then put the blame on the dealership owners, not always the employees. ALL sales people are NOT liars, as a matter of fact the lying ones are not even in the majoity. But, as you say, there are also quite a few lying cutomers of all walks in life. JMHO.