Robert and CJ are senior citizens, 69 and 71, on a fixed income. Instead of enjoying their golden years together, they are starting all over again. CJ is a Vietnam War widow. Her first husband was a combat medic, KIA 1969, and awarded seven medals posthumously.

Their problems began with a situation that could have been avoided, had sales personnel at an RV dealership been people-centered and honest, rather than only money-focused and predatory.

In July 2018, they sold their house, car, and furnishings in Florida to realize a long-time dream of retiring and being full-time RVers. They looked forward to visiting their four children and eleven grandchildren up north, traveling the country, and enjoying retirement together.

They didn’t have a lot of money, so they combed the Internet for months, searching for a used Class A motorhome that was affordable and big enough to be comfortable living and traveling in.

At an RV dealership in Winter Garden FL, they found a one-owner, used 2000 Class A 39’ Safari Zanzibar Diesel pusher motorhome with very low mileage (33,000). It looked perfect for them from photos on their website. They drove to Winter Garden to see the motorhome and loved it.

Brand new to RVing, they asked the dealership to have their mechanics check everything carefully and to inform them of possible problems, or safety issues. If there were any, they would look at other used Class A motorhomes.

They were assured everything checked out fine. Naïve and trusting, they didn’t know to get everything in writing —what did the mechanics and service department actually check out?

They settled on a price of $33,750 plus a two-year extended warranty, for $7,200. After selling the house and paying cash for the RV and warranty, it left them with a small slush fund in the bank for travel, fuel, visiting family, and an occasional repair.

Their problems began the first day of ownership. No matter where they went, they ended up in RV repair shops. That meant campgrounds while waiting for parts and motels when repairs were being done.

So far, they’ve paid over $18,000 just in repairs not covered by the extended warranty, or State Farm Insurance. Add to that the unplanned campgrounds, motels, and at times, a rental car.

Throughout the entire two years of ownership, they’ve exhausted every avenue to recover their money from the RV dealership who sold them the motorhome. They have come to realize the dealership only cared about making a sale, nothing else --certainly not two naïve senior citizens.

They reached out to numerous consumer fraud attorneys, the Florida Bar Association, Legal Aid, senior law students at Florida law schools, Florida State Senators Rubio and Scott, 3rd District Congressman Ted Yoho, Orlando Channel 9 TV investigative reporter, Todd Urlich, State Farm Claims Department, the extended warranty company, and a Law Professor in Fort Lauderdale.

The Law Professor was the most helpful and the most honest. He told them they would never find an attorney who would go after the dealership. It would be impossible to prove consumer fraud under the laws in place in Florida under the current administration.

“Unless you have proof in writing of consumer fraud, judges most often side with the business. It would be long and drawn-out litigation and very expensive. If they were to lose, they would be ordered to pay their own legal fees as well as those of the business.”

When they drove the RV off the lot, Florida law considered it to be theirs, problems and all. He further suggested they forget the dealership, sell the motor home, get what they can out of it, and get on with the rest of their life.

With nothing in writing to prove consumer fraud, they had no choice but to put it behind them and sell the RV.  “Live and learn”, yes, but that’s easier said than done.

To make a long story shorter, they thought they had sold the RV, but the buyer brought a mechanic with him to go over it thoroughly. After seeing his report, their prospective buyer walked away.

1. Both airbags for the front braking system are bad, ($2,000-$4,000) a critical, dangerous problem. Both have to be replaced. One has an obvious hole (he heard hissing as air leaked out) and the rubber is worn down showing the metal cords.

If the airbags go, the chassis could drop down and the RV will not steer. Worst case, the wheels will lock up and the RV could flip over in traffic, causing a fatal accident.

2. The differential pressure switch is bad on one of the four master cylinders. A safety issue, all four have to be replaced at the same time. To drive it as is, the brakes could fail and cause an accident. ($4,000 to $6,000)

3. There is a rusted tie rod that could go and it would affect the steering column, resulting in a loss of steering ability. ($500 to $1000)

4. The brake on the driver’s side is glazed. ($250 to $500)

5. The fuel gauge is broken. ($400)

6. Replace the roof ($7,000 rubber, $12,000 fiberglass)

7.  Motor for electric entry steps has blown.  ($300 to $400)

8.  Because a new roof is needed, the ceiling on inside of coach is leaking in several places.  This is due to a lot of rain over the past couple of weeks in Central Florida. (See #6)

***Interestingly, most of the problems the mechanic found would have taken years to fall into that state of disrepair. These problems should have been disclosed to Bob and CJ upfront by the RV dealership so they could have looked at other RVs, as requested.  That is Consumer Fraud.

The mechanic further told Robert and CJ their RV is a safety nightmare and not to drive it.

“Have it repaired, have it towed to a junkyard, but under no circumstances should you drive it on the road.”

They had no money left for towing, or for further repairs. So, with hazard lights blinking, they limped to a campground where they are now, broken down with numerous critical repairs they can’t afford to fix.

Essentially they are stranded. If a hurricane comes, they will not be able to evacuate in their RV which is not drivable now.

The State of Florida prides itself on not allowing its senior citizens to be taken advantage of. Sadly, they have fallen through a huge crack in that theory. They are broke, bewildered, and almost homeless, living in a campground in a broken-down RV. 

In their words:

“You really get to know someone when you share living in “a box” for two years. You either grow closer, or you don’t. There is no in-between. We are happy we have each other.”