CRUISE AMERICA RV RENTAL DO NOT RENT HERE*NOT BBB ACCREDITED*BE WARNED* MESA Arizona

Rented a Hot Deal Factory Delivery from Cruise America from Franklin Park, Il to Carson, Ca., in December 2016. I was informed, did research, read, planned the trip and decided to book a brand new RV to deliver to LA after discussing with my fiance.

What could go wrong?  it seemed liked a great deal, low rate, 200 miles a day, insured, brand new never rented before vehicle. My only concern was the weather in Chicago being so cold, but we were headed south. 1st few days were nice, made it through, Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma. Everthing was functioning properly, then came Texas and Christmas Eve.

Nothing out of the ordinary, but cold so we were using the furnace. Was nice and warm, except under the mattress was ice cold. I pulled off the rubber mattress to see why the bed was so cold and found a piece of non insulated thin piece of material covering the opening from the storage space, which was directly under the mattress. The winds were in excess of 50 MPH and were ripping through the RV everywhere.

The windows were not proper sealed, cold air was coming in from underneath the RV and ripping away the heat. The cabinets on the walls were like a freezer when we opened them. The RV was built in Indiana, rented in Chicago and destined for Los Angeles, so I guess from the sounds made from tapping around on the walls, floors and roof that this RV was given the bare minimun of insulation or none whatsoever. Only the cheapest materials were used in this brand new vehicle.

It is already rattling, shaking and falling apart after 2000 miles. Ok, we're not complainers, I repositioned the RV for the night & we headed towards Amarillo. The furnance completely stopped working and only blew ice cold air.

Hmmmmmm, propane empty?

Nope, just checked, read 3 quarters full. Read manual. Went and refilled at Flying J to make sure, propane tank took only 3 gallon.

Air in lines, Fuse?

Nope. Nope. Called Hotline and did everything again that was in the manual to get air our of the lines. Needless to say, I drove 12 hours and the Customer Service Rep stated that we would need to drive over 400 miles to Mesa, Az for service to look at the problem. I told her that would mean breaking off of our intended route through, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Monument Valley, Az. That was the heart of our well planned vacation. We were told that Cruise America doesn't send anyone out and it was Christmas Day! ***NO SERVICE***

Well, we said how in the heck can we do that? It's impossible. She then stated we could go to Walmart and buy a small heater for 75.00 which they woukd reimburse & run off of the generator at 3.50 an hour. Huh.

It's my gas and then that for 6 hours a day for the next 6 days?

She realized what she said, then gave us a 12 hour generator credit for 6 days. How nice! We decided not to break off the main part of the vacation, went to Walmart, bought an electric mattress pad, blankets and lots of fleece to stay warm.

We still had hot water, the range, car heater and fridge still. Yup, we'll be fine, just a furnace issue. During the next day and a half, we lost hot water, the range and finally the refrigerator. We got down into Arizona into somewhat warmer weather and headed through New Mexico when I called Customer Service and there was nothing they could do.

They didn't even offer a place for us to eat, shower or rest. We had nothing and the desert is pretty cold at night, but not as cold as 8750 mountain on Mesa Verde, Co. I called Customer Service again and they said all claims need to be resolved at the Drop off location. She also said, We refused service, by not driving over 400 miles to Mesa, Az after already driving 12 hours.

What the ****, CDL Truck drivers can only drive 11 hours in one day, minus a 30 minute break! I beg your Pardon. Well, disgruntled we made it to Carson, Ca., and they knew we were coming. We made it perfectly clear in recorded conversations froM both sides what we thought of their brand new uninsulated, non propane working RV.

We were the first one's there, we waited all night out in front to drop off this ice bucket. A mechanic greeted us, asked us how it went, we told him the story and he stated that they have had this problem alot, it was a manufacturer's defect, because the valve stem had been modified causing the hose to bend and crimp where you can not see and get to. Also, he said the gauge was showing 3 quarters full, but there was no propane in the tank.

Huh, I filled it in Amarillo??

He said, the tank was probably full with air, so no propane could be forced in under pressure until the tank was decompressed of air which takes a day. Wow!

That was enough to hear. Cruise America knew of the problem beforehand, allowed us to travel 2300 miles across country in a brand new RV to have it delivered to LA.

That's all that mattered to them.

My fiancee has Stage IV cancer and can not get sick. If we would have only known!

Well, it came time to turn the vehicle over.

The people at Cruise America gave us a 350.00 credit, along with the 75.00 we spent at Walmart for the blankets, etc. I read what I was signing very carefully at the Drop off. I told them "I Do Not Agree" with my signature and I wrote on the return that I do not accept and reserve the right for further legal action. I also made the manager initial the statement that I had handwritten.

The manager then told me he couldn't offer us anymore and to call corporate for further action. We thanked them and left for a warm hotel room and a flight back to Chicago.

We arrived on January 1st and I called Cruise America on the 3rd to be told, that once I signed at the drop off location our contract was considered closed and no assistance could be offered.

WTF?

OK, Let's Do This!

Called my Credit Card company, explained in detail what happened. Charges are being disputed at the moment. Am consulting with an Attorney for damages.

Did further research to find out Cruise America is not BBB Accredited!

Wow. Take a look at the complaints. Google the Reviews about this company. Look at the Videos on YouTube.

Well, now these guys are in for the fight of their life.

I'm ready, I hope they are.