Dan Gamel RV
Ripoff

We bought a used rental return Class C Motorhome. A 2000 Winnebago Chalet 24V from Dan Gamel's Camp America store. That was our first mistake and something we have only learned since then. We paid way too much money to begin with, first of all they get these coaches wholesale for somewhere in the mid teen probably $14-$18,000 (learned this after the fact).

They sold it to us for $34,000 out the door $39,800. Which would have been OK if we didn't start having trouble with it immediately. We would have learned our lesson to research better the next time as money went but still had a trustworthy vehicle for camping.

Our first sign that this coach was jacked-up was a month later. We were returning from our second trip from the coast and we had an inboard tire blow on the left rear. It appeared that someone had purposefully put bad tires on the inboard sides of the dually tires. We still have one as a spare that was mounted. The outboard tires had good tread and looking back it apears they were placed in this configuration to purposefully decieve whoever bought the coach.

The blow out caused significant damage to the undercarriage. When I approached Dan Gamel about the problem, they said it was an "insurance claim". That "no warranty" would cover that damange and that they were not responsible.in this time I had to make several trips back and forth between their stores in the Fresno area to try and be heard. No one was listening. They sympathized, it was an unfortunate event they conceded would do nothing to make the situation right.

This was one month out the door and only the second time we had the unit out on the road. I had to purchase two new tires to get it back on its feet (approx $350) and eventually had to pay $500 towards the cost of the work. Which for some reason I let them do. (Nothing about that situation seems right to me). It took them over a month to get the repairs done. I have thought about contacting my insurance agency to explain the situation to them to see if they were right or not.

Then after this in May (4 months after we took posession of the coach), we got a check engine light and noticed that the head gaskets were leaking. The warranty did cover the engine repair, but not the check engine light. Now wanting to get rid of the coach I can't even sell back my warranty because the cost of the engine repair exceeds the cost of the warranty.

It took them a month to deal with this situation. I also noted that the battery runs down quickly and asked them to check that out. They troubleshot it and said it was fine. Until I took it back in October, then they said the battery needed replaced.

I took it in in October because windows were leaking in it. They also discovered the roof needed sealed. They wanted $1200 for all that work. I pleaded with them, how could they have prepared this coach for sale, with all these things going bad in the first year. They offer their condolences, give me a significant break on the price and I get out the door paying $700 for all the seals.

The A/C cover blew off because it was brittle and sun worn, as did the refer cover. I think now after all these repairs, it might be OK. But I don't trust the coach and I am stuck with a $37,000 mistake. Take caution in dealing with these guys. I would highly recommend staying away from any used vehicle Dan Gamel sells.

One thing is obvious to me, that they do not safety inspect their used coaches, due to the tire situation on my coach. If I was going to do it again, I would go over the coach with a fine tooth comb and list any discrepancy. Have the windows and roof resealed and get a written contract that describes if there is any trouble with the RV in the first two months, I have the option of returning it.

I obviously made a big mistake. I have had innumerable run ins with the staff at Camp America. One thing that really stood out to me, was that I had sent an email detailing my list of complaints (which I have kept track of and had receipts to prove everything) to who I thought owned the company. I got a phone call from the actual new owner who said he was reveiwing my email and would get back to me. He never did.

This seems to be something that has infected the entire Dan Gamel organization. They do not get back to you, unless, they want to get some more money out of you. Their are very few exceptions at the Camp America center.
I have even tried to trade back in the RV and get a travel trailer. They offered me 18,000 for my coach, knowing what they gave it to me for.

They wouldn't even bump it up a little despite our long adversarial history. Their attitude clearly sends the message that they are only interested in making money. Customer satisfaction comes later, despite all their attempts to appear concerned with thier customer's needs. They way I see it Dan Gamel has made approx $18,000 profit on me, probably more.

Company: Dan Gamel RV
Country: USA
State: California
City: Fresno
Address: 4080 W Shaw
Phone: 5592680151

  <     >