Fife RV Will sell you an unsafe combination over GVWR Fife, Washington

Lets start off with the good.  I attended three RV shows in the Seattle/Tacoma area and have been looking to buy for about a year after getting tired of renting dirty overpriced and abused coaches. We went in knowing pretty much what our Chevy Tahoe could tow as it towed our previously rented 22 foot unit just fine.  I never actually weighed the rented trailer but know it was about 5,000 lbs. We went to the show and found a coach a little larger than what we had originally thought would be perfect, but wanted something we wouldn't grow out of either when the kids get bigger. Plenty of space in the 28' they (more than three sales reps) claimed would be a breeze behind our 1/2 ton (1500 series) Tahoe.  The weight stated was 6,000 lbs which should be fine, but when loaded is closer to 7,000 and about a thousand more than recommended by Chevrolet.   

The salesperson stated it was her first week on the job so I cut a little slack on having absolutely no knowledge of the product she was selling.  Luckily I already did a ton of research and knew about what I wanted and could educate myself with their literature on hand.  We decided despite dealing with uneducated sales staff (at least give them a class on basic options) that the price offered at the show was something we wished to follow through with. 

Once I made the deposit at the show we were offered a weight distributing hitch and brake controller included in the package (a good add on I thought).  I accepted the newer updated hitch from what I was using but told them I didn't need a controller since my Tahoe was already equipped (usually $80-$200 depending on model).  A week later I called multiple drive train specialist and two Chevy dealers to find that none of them recommended towing a unit of such weight and further, my insurance denied me liability coverage while I was towing once they had the VIN.  Since it was too late to change to a different coach which I inquired about and received a negative response, I was railroaded into purchasing a newer heavy duty truck.  Basically they will tell you anything to make a sale.  Ultimately I accept that it was my duty to know the limitations of my vehicle, so beware they will verbally provide you with exaggerated towing abilities for vehicles which will (a) cost you much more for a more able vehicle or (b) place you in a very unsafe and illegal situation sticking you out to get sued when you pile into somebody or flip on the freeway.  

A couple weeks later I was contacted by the service manager and informed that my unit was at the Bonney Lake shop to have detail work done and that I would be called when it was ready for pick up.  Two weeks went by and I finally received a call requesting a time to schedule for our intro familiarization and walk through.  The attitude I got was that they had been calling for some time and that I was unable to be reached.  It probably would have been easier if they left a voicemail so I would have known they called and could call them back.  Now that I was into this whole thing much more than originally thought with the new truck, I inquired about the brake controller since the new truck didn't have one.  The manager in service was adamant that I purchase one at $189 since it wasn't in my contract.  I found the same one at Camper World for $134 and had it installed myself in 20 minutes. 

The bottom line I got from the whole experience is to take the offers even if you don't need them because you won't be able to go back once your situation changes because of false information you were provided with in the first place.  

The good is that the prices for new units seemed competitive.  Things to be aware of are that you need do you own research and know exactly what size and type of coach is within the capabilities of your tow vehicle.  I understand that the majority of this was my own lack of understanding and the burden is on the purchaser to know what they are buying; however, I don't want to see others fall victim to being sold a unit that is barely safe as a combination with their tow vehicle because they are misinformed by uneducated salespeople looking to make a sale rather than a happy customer.  Also expect no leniency if your situation changes and you need to take advantage of something voluntarily offered and initially declined.  I have been treated better at other dealerships where I didn't purchase the coach and just need service.