Camping World RV Sales- Braidwood, IL Exposed: Sales Pressure, Financing Add-Ons, PDI Failures

Serious Concern

For Camping World RV Sales in Braidwood, IL (and any high-volume dealership), a paid, independent, third-party inspection is your single best leverage before you sign. Many consumer complaints—across public reviews—stem from missed defects at delivery, weak pre-delivery inspections, and slow warranty turnaround afterward. Once the dealer has your funds, your unit may face long waits in service queues, leading to cancelled camping trips and months-long delays. Avoid this by hiring an NRVIA-certified or veteran mobile RV inspector before you accept delivery. Use this search: RV Inspectors near me. If the dealer does not allow a third-party inspection, that is a red flag—walk away.

Have the inspector verify safety systems (propane leak-down, CO/LP detectors, brake performance), water intrusion, roof/slide seals, appliances under load, electrical and converter function, suspension, tire age, and chassis recalls. Document everything in writing before you sign. If defects are found, either negotiate repairs (in writing) before purchase or decline the unit.

Serious Concern

Multiple reviews of Camping World locations, including Braidwood, describe aggressive sales tactics, shifting numbers between online quotes and in-store negotiations, and a heavy emphasis on add-ons at closing (warranties, surface protections, tire packages, memberships). Consumers frequently report long “financial delivery” sessions that culminate in higher out-the-door costs than expected. To avoid this trap, demand a line-item purchase agreement in writing prior to your visit and decline any add-ons you don’t explicitly want.

• Ask for the base price, documentation fees, prep fees, freight, and any “mandatory” packages in writing before you step onto the lot.
• Bring a calculator and refuse to sign until every line-item and APR is final and accurate.
• Remember that extended service contracts and “lifetime” coverages are optional and often underperform compared with a robust manufacturer warranty and thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Have a story about the sales process? Add your sales/finance experience here.

Serious Concern

Consumers routinely allege that final financing numbers deviate from early estimates, often due to packed add-ons (GAP, paint protection, fabric guard, tire/wheel, extended service plans) or “dealer required” products. Some report that their rate or payment is higher than expected after hours in the finance office. The safest approach is to pre-qualify with your own credit union before you visit; ask the dealer to beat your rate with a clean contract and no add-ons. If they won’t provide a blank contract to compare, be cautious.

• Check Truth in Lending Act (TILA) disclosures and compare APR with your pre-approval.
• Decline any items you didn’t request—tell the finance manager to remove every add-on and reprint the contract.
• Leave if you feel rushed; no reputable dealer penalizes you for taking contracts home to review.

Moderate Concern

Low-ball trade valuations are widely reported across the RV industry and show up in reviews for this location. Customers describe seeing their trade-in reappraised downward after arrival, or after a cursory service inspection. Protect yourself by obtaining independent written offers (online consignment, instant cash offers, or competing dealers) and bring those to the table. If the dealer revises your trade value significantly upon arrival without credible justification, be ready to walk.

Serious Concern

Public reviews frequently mention delayed titles, registration, or temporary tags timing out before permanent plates arrive. While some delays are outside dealer control, patterns of slow paperwork or errors lead to fines and travel interruptions. Insist on clarity: request a written timeline, the name of the title clerk, and proof of when your title application was submitted. Document every call or email if deadlines slip, and escalate promptly if your temp tag nears expiration.

Serious Concern

Service delays are one of the most cited frustrations at high-volume RV centers. At Braidwood, consumers report waiting weeks to months for warranty diagnosis and parts, with limited updates from advisors. Some describe repeat visits for the same unresolved issue, poor sealant work, or missed water leaks. When combined with the short Midwestern camping season, long service queues can derail multiple planned trips.

• Get repair orders in writing listing each complaint clearly. If an issue recurs, reference prior RO numbers to build a paper trail.
• Ask the advisor for estimated parts lead times and a call-back schedule in writing.
• If your RV is unsafe (brakes, LP leaks, carbon monoxide risk), do not accept it back until the fault is verified corrected.

Have you experienced service delays or repeat repairs here? Share your service story.

Serious Concern

Numerous owners across multiple Camping World locations report taking delivery with defects that a thorough PDI should have caught: water leaks, faulty slide motors, miswired 12V systems, dead batteries, misaligned doors, nonfunctional appliances, and missing parts. When a dealership is busy, PDI quality can slip. Arrange your own top-to-bottom inspection and do not sign the acceptance paperwork until every defect is corrected or put in writing with a specific completion date.

• Bring your own checklist and run everything: water systems under pressure, slides in/out, generator under load, inverter, outlets, GFCIs, furnace/AC cycles, fridge on LP and electric, propane leak test, and roof inspection.
• Hire an independent inspector if you aren’t highly technical: Find an RV inspector near you.

Moderate Concern

Customers report confusion about what is covered by manufacturer warranty versus dealer-sold service contracts. Some allege claim denials due to “wear and tear,” pre-existing conditions, or fine-print exclusions. Before you buy any extended plan, ask for the full contract to review at home, search for owner experiences with that exact administrator, and compare the cost to a robust third-party inspection plus an emergency repair fund.

• Request the contract’s actual administrator name, cancellation terms, claim process, deductibles, and exclusion list in writing.
• Compare plan cost to your likely failure risk (e.g., residential fridge, hydraulic systems, electronics) and your ownership timeline.

Moderate Concern

Another repeating theme in reviews involves customers leaving multiple messages for sales or service with delayed or no follow-up. This can be especially frustrating when an RV sits in service limbo. Establish your preferred communication channel and cadence in writing at the outset and escalate to the service manager if agreed updates slip.

Serious Concern

Reported defects—particularly leaks, electrical faults, misaligned slides, and braking issues—carry safety and financial risks:

• Water intrusion leads to delamination, mold, soft floors, and thousands in structural repairs if not caught early.
• Electrical faults (shorts, miswired 12V/120V, GFCI problems) risk fire or shock hazards; verify with load testing and outlet checks.
• Brake and suspension issues on towables and motorized rigs threaten highway safety if not inspected and torqued properly.
• Propane leaks or detector failures are acute health hazards; demand documented LP leak-down tests and detector date codes.

Owners should also review safety recalls applicable to their VIN and components (axles, furnaces, fridges, awnings). Check federal recalls here: NHTSA recall search portal. If you believe a serious safety defect is being ignored, you can file a complaint with NHTSA to spur investigation.

Planning a purchase soon? Consider a pre-purchase inspection focused on safety systems: Search for an independent RV inspector. If the dealer resists, that’s a warning sign.

Serious Concern

Consumer complaints that cite misleading advertising, undisclosed fees, or post-sale warranty issues could trigger attention from regulatory bodies:

• FTC Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts and practices. Misrepresentations of pricing, financing, or warranties can draw scrutiny. See the FTC’s consumer advice and complaint portal: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act governs consumer product warranties and deceptive warranty practices. If a dealer misrepresents coverage or misleads about required service to maintain coverage, it may be actionable. Overview: FTC guide to federal warranty law.
• State Attorney General complaints can prompt mediation or enforcement. For Illinois, visit: Illinois Attorney General — Consumer Protection.
• Title and registration delays may trigger state DMV penalties for expired temp tags. Document timelines and all dealer communications in case of fines.

If you believe your experience at Camping World RV Sales—Braidwood involved deceptive practices, file contemporaneous complaints with your AG and the FTC, and include supporting documents (contracts, emails, photos, service orders).

Moderate Concern

Large chains move significant inventory, and throughput pressure can push PDIs and service communication to the margins. Braidwood’s reported issues mirror national high-volume bottlenecks: overbooked service bays, limited master techs, and competing priorities between sales growth and after-sale care.

Moderate Concern

Many warranty delays trace to supplier parts availability. Owners often aren’t told where their parts are in the pipeline, creating friction and lost trips. While not always the dealer’s fault, transparency and proactive scheduling are key areas where customers report shortcomings.

Moderate Concern

Reviews frequently mention inconsistent product knowledge among sales staff and variable quality in repair execution. High turnover and seasonal staffing can exacerbate this. Savvy buyers compensate by leaning on third-party inspectors and veteran owner communities for checklists and model-specific gotchas.