Maren H

Thank you for your response! It helps to hear from others who understand our experience!

We live in MN where you must winterize your RV. Our new (purchased June 2021 from Gander/Camping World) spent most of the first six months at Gander for repair. We got the same song and dance about why it takes so long for repair that many others have already shared on this forum and others. We were assured that they had winterized our motor home and we paid for that service. We left MN on Jan. 4 for Florida. We stayed in hotels on the way south until we reached our first campsite in Destin. My husband hooked up the water and I was in the back of our home making the bed. I came into the living area to see a flood of water running across our floor. I called an emergency RV tech who came to us on a Sunday night, driving 75 min. from Alabama. Heck of a great guy. Our water filter and hot water heater had ruptured because our home hadn’t been winterized. There wasn’t a drop of antifreeze in it. We were able to get the water filter issue repaired but had to move on to our next camping reservation b4 he could get a new water heater shipped. We were able to find another emergency tech who came to our next campsite in Apalachicola. Another great guy! He was able to get the water heater sent overnight and replaced it. Gander does not want us using these services. They wanted us to find a Camping World and take it there. Problem with that is you have to take it there once for an assessment, and then return later for the repair. I was told that it would take two weeks for parts to be shipped. There’s no chance in heck that we’re driving 90 -100 miles for an assessment and then returning at a later date. Especially since we’re moving campsites weekly as we work our way down FL to Key West. None of this would not have happened if the motor home had been winterized. I think Gander should be bending over backwards to help us but it took three days just to get a return call. Gander has accepted full responsibility (verbally over the phone with the service manager) but have been insistent we use their service, their techs. “Emergency tech repair is more expensive.” I’m out of pocket $1,400 so far. I’ve asked when I could expect reimbursement and I am still waiting for a response. And this isn’t our first issue with Gander. The first six months that our home was at Gander for warranty work was a nightmare. It didn’t get any better until we met with the general manager of the store and I had a fit. Communication at least improved after that. If we had done our due diligence, we would never have bought our motor home from Gander/Camping World. And, don’t get me going on the very expensive, extended warranty we purchased. $8,000 later and they tell me we only have tow coverage. We purchased through Gander instead of directly from Good Sam or other provider. We are going to cancel that. Wish us luck. I’m not optimistic.