Billings RV, Inc.- Billings, MT Exposed: Hidden Defects, Add-On Fees, Title Delays & Rate Markups

(Serious Concern)

Quality control defects and hidden repairs at delivery are among the most expensive and time-consuming problems owners face. The only real leverage you have is before you take possession. Hire an independent, certified RV inspector to perform a top-to-bottom inspection, including roof, plumbing, electrical, slide mechanisms, appliances, frame and suspension, and moisture intrusion testing. If the dealership resists, that is a major red flag. Walk away. Use a neutral marketplace search like this to locate professionals: RV Inspectors near me.

Why this matters: Multiple recent low-star reviews in this market segment describe rigs sitting at dealerships for weeks or months waiting on service and parts. If you sign and drive away without a thorough inspection, you may return with warranty issues only to find your RV queued behind earlier jobs. Owners often report canceled camping trips and lost deposits because new rigs are unusable shortly after purchase. Protect yourself up front with a third-party inspection, and make your purchase contingent on all defects being corrected.

Tip: Ask the inspector to document findings with photos and video. If the dealer will not allow a third-party inspection on-site, insist on an alternate location or move on to another dealership.

(Serious Concern)

Buyers have reported discovering leaks, electrical gremlins, inoperable slide-outs, or trim and appliance issues immediately after delivery. A recurring pattern across low-star RV dealership reviews is the “we owe” sheet—promises to fix punch-list items later—which can become lengthy waits. To reduce risk at this location, buyers should:

• Demand a full pre-delivery inspection (PDI) with the technician present. Test water systems under pressure, run HVAC and appliances, operate every slide multiple times, and verify every light, outlet, and detector.
• Decline delivery until defects are corrected. Avoid signing “accept as-is pending repairs.” Your leverage disappears once the contract funds.
• Document everything. Photos, videos, and detailed PDI checklists will determine whether issues are treated as warranty items or customer pay.

To compare your experience with others’, visit: Billings RV, Inc. Google reviews and sort by “Lowest rating.” Also watch consumer-oriented breakdowns like this YouTube channel detailing RV dealer tactics.

(Moderate Concern)

Numerous reviewers across the RV sector report that getting warranty appointments, diagnostic approvals, and parts can take weeks or months. In Montana’s short camping season, that can effectively wipe out a whole year. Low-star reviews referencing long turnarounds at this dealership are consistent with statewide and national parts pipelines and staffing realities.

• Ask for realistic service throughput data. How many certified techs? Average turnaround time for warranty approvals? Average parts wait time by brand?
• Get repair ETAs in writing. Ask for milestones (diagnostic by X date, parts ordered by Y, completion by Z). Confirm how the dealer communicates changes.
• Escalate to the manufacturer when parts stall. Many OEMs will expedite if you provide a VIN and work order.

If you ran into delays here this season, would you describe the timeline so others can plan?

(Serious Concern)

Public complaints about RV dealer finance offices often include hard sells for extended service contracts, interior/exterior protection packages, tire-and-wheel plans, GPS/etching, and marked-up rates. Low-star reviews in the Billings market have referenced high-pressure tactics and unexpected add-ons on the buyer’s order. To reduce exposure:

• Request an out-the-door price worksheet early. No credit pull needed. It should list unit price, freight, PDI, doc fees, taxes, title, and every add-on as optional.
• Secure your own financing first. Walk in with a pre-approval to keep rate markups in check.
• Decline everything you don’t clearly want and understand. Many third-party warranties exclude common failures or require dealer-only service, limiting options.

For deep dives on dealer add-ons and how to say no, see investigative content from Liz Amazing’s consumer education videos.

(Moderate Concern)

Some buyers report valuations far below market, followed by sudden “improvements” when they threaten to walk. This dance burns time and can mask margin shifts elsewhere (e.g., higher doc fees or smaller discounts). Strategies to protect yourself include:

• Obtain multiple cash offers from RV resellers and online platforms before negotiating a trade.
• Separate the deal components. Agree on the new RV’s price first, then the trade, then the financing. Don’t let one hide another.
• Bring real comparables. Photos, service records, and NADA guides bolster your position.

(Serious Concern)

Delayed titles or missing registration documents can leave buyers unable to use their RV legally or complete insurance requirements. Low-star dealership reviews often describe weeks of unanswered updates on titles or plates. If you’re buying here:

• Ask for the exact title status before you sign. Is it in-house? In transit? Any liens?
• Get a written timeline for plate and registration delivery. Clarify whether the dealership files on your behalf or you do it yourself.
• Maintain a paper trail. If deadlines pass, escalate in writing and consider contacting the state’s consumer protection office.

(Moderate Concern)

RV products are complex. Some reviewers cite conflicting information from salespeople versus service writers or technicians. Misstatements about tow ratings, payload, or power requirements can lead to safety issues or product damage.

• Verify compatibility yourself. Check your tow vehicle’s payload and tow ratings against the RV’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Don’t rely solely on a salesperson.
• Request written confirmations. If the dealer represents capability (e.g., “your truck can tow this”), ask for documentation.
• Bring a checklist and record the walkthrough. A video can save countless hours later.

If you’ve had issues getting straight answers from this location, how was it handled when you escalated?

(Serious Concern)

Defects cited in public low-star reviews across the industry—leaks leading to rot, electrical shorts, propane leaks, brake or axle issues—aren’t just inconveniences; they are safety hazards. Water intrusion can compromise structural integrity and mold can threaten health. Electrical miswiring can spark fires. Axle or brake malfunctions directly endanger occupants and other road users.

• Confirm open recalls before buying. While recalls are generally issued by the manufacturer (not the dealer), verify the VIN for active campaigns and insist they be remedied before delivery. Check the NHTSA database and search by brand and VIN: NHTSA Recall Lookup. You can also run a generalized search format here: NHTSA recall search (general)
• Have a licensed professional validate LP systems, brake controllers, and charging systems during your independent inspection. Use: RV Inspectors near me
• Don’t tow home a questionable unit. If brakes, tires, or lights are suspect, require a flatbed or immediate repair before leaving the lot.

You can also find safety-focused buyer education on channels like Liz Amazing’s RV safety and dealership investigations.

(Serious Concern)

Allegations in public complaints—such as misrepresentation, warranty runaround, or failing to honor written promises—can implicate consumer protection laws. If you encounter these problems, know your rights and escalation paths:

• Montana Consumer Protection Act (MCPA): Prohibits unfair or deceptive trade practices. If you believe you were misled or promises were not honored, contact the Montana Office of Consumer Protection: Montana DOJ – Consumer Complaints.
• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Federal law governing consumer product warranties. It requires clear terms and prohibits certain tie-in sales provisions. Learn more at the FTC: FTC Warranty Law Guide.
• FTC Auto/RV dealer advertising and finance rules: Deceptive pricing claims, hidden fees, or unfair lending markups can trigger enforcement. See: FTC Truth in Advertising and FTC Holder Rule (helps consumers assert claims against lenders in certain cases).
• NHTSA Recalls and Safety Complaints: If a safety defect is ignored or not remedied, file a complaint: Report a Safety Problem to NHTSA.

Always keep meticulous records: buyer’s orders, texts/emails, service invoices, inspection reports, and pictures. If necessary, consult a consumer-rights attorney experienced in RV cases.

(Moderate Concern)

Public reviews in the RV space frequently highlight discrepancies between advertised pricing and final paperwork. Watch for prep/PDI fees, freight, electronic filing, and “mandatory” protection packages added late.

• Insist on a written OTD quote before proceeding to finance. Verify every line item. Compare quotes from other regional dealers to spot padded fees.
• Use competing offers to negotiate. If a fee is unique to one store, ask them to remove it.

(Serious Concern)

Reported issues across RV dealership reviews include presenting inflated APRs while the dealer reserves a portion of the markup. Consumers with good credit should treat the dealership’s first offer as an opening bid, not a final verdict.

• Arrive with a pre-approval from a credit union or bank to cap your APR.
• Ask to see the buy rate (the lender’s base rate) and compare to the contracted APR.
• Don’t let F&I rush you. Read every contract, especially cancellations, exclusions, and arbitration clauses.

(Moderate Concern)

Third-party service contracts frequently exclude wear items, limit labor rates, require pre-authorization, and deny claims for “pre-existing” issues—often disputed after the fact. Some low-star reviewers at regional RV dealers report paying for coverage that delivered little value when needed.

• Request a full sample contract before saying yes—do not rely on a brochure.
• Compare the cost to likely failures. You may be better off self-insuring with an emergency fund.
• Confirm cancellation and refund policies in writing. Many contracts allow prorated refunds if you cancel within a window.

(Moderate Concern)

When buyers don’t set expectations before funding, they often discover there’s little recourse if the unit needs immediate repair. Address the following before finalizing the deal:

• Loan funding contingencies: Make funding contingent on completion of your independent inspection punch list.
• Repair turnaround timelines: Agree on a written service timeline for any remaining items.
• Loaner or mobile service options: Ask whether the dealer will provide temporary accommodations or mobile tech referrals if the rig is unusable.

(Moderate Concern)

Disputes often hinge on what’s documented. Keep a shared folder for purchase contracts, inspection reports, text/email threads, and photos of defects. When submitting a warranty claim:

• File a precise symptom description (“GFCI trips after 10 minutes on shore power,” not “electric problem”).
• Time-stamp everything. If timelines slip, escalate to the manufacturer and—if needed—the state consumer protection office.
• Beware of “no problem found.” Request test results and technician notes.

If you received helpful or unhelpful documentation from this location, what worked (or didn’t) for you?