RV owners may need lemon law even after careful purchase

For many in California, the thought of owning a recreational vehicle or camper trailer means vacations that offer more flexibility, comfort and savings than staying in a motel or paying for air fare. However, all those advantages hinge on the purchase of the right motor home. Before making that purchase, a careful examination of an RV is essential, whether one is buying from a dealer of new or used vehicles. Ending up with a defective RV may mean seeking assistance with California's lemon law for RVs and trailers.

The purchase of an RV should not be rushed, and a consumer should never feel pressured by a dealer to make a hasty decision. It may take time to carefully examine the interior, exterior, top, bottom, tires and systems of any vehicle one may be interested in purchasing. This means climbing up to look at the roof for cracks, peeling or other damage. It also means crawling under the vehicle to check for rust and corrosion that could result in costly repairs.

An RV purchaser should have a checklist of items to examine. Signs of leaking, water damage, mold or rust indicate trouble. In fact, water damage is one of the most common problems in an RV lemon. An RV that has an odor, such as propane, cigarettes, mildew or sewer, may be one to avoid purchasing.

It is not always easy to notice a defect with a visual examination. A consumer may learn something is wrong only after making the purchase. In many cases, an RV dealer will not always cooperate with making the necessary repairs, so it will be important to seek an understanding of California's lemon law for RV and trailers. An experienced attorney can be of assistance in this area.