Camping World RV Sales- Chattanooga, TN Exposed: PDI Failures, Financing Traps & Service Delays

(Serious Concern)

Multiple low-star public reviews for this Chattanooga location describe newly purchased RVs being returned immediately for repairs, and then sitting in service for weeks or months. A thorough, third-party inspection before you buy is often your only leverage. Once you’ve paid, you can be pushed into the service queue with little urgency. If your first camping trips hinge on a working unit, this can mean canceled reservations, lost deposits, and a disappointing first season.

• Arrange a professional, third-party RV inspection before purchase. Use a mobile RV inspector who works for you—not the dealer. Start with a search like RV Inspectors near me and pick someone with advanced certifications and sample reports.
• If the dealership refuses third-party inspections, walk. A refusal is a major red flag at any RV lot. The inspector should be allowed to access the unit on-site, run all systems, and document defects. Insist on written permission for water, propane, and generator testing.
• Make repairs and punch-list items part of the contract. Don’t accept verbal promises. Require specific, dated commitments in your paperwork before paying a deposit or signing the buyer’s order.

To see what other shoppers report after delivery at this location—including post-sale defects and service delays—sort by “Lowest rating” on the Chattanooga store’s Google Business Profile. Also consider watching practical pre-delivery tips from creators like Liz Amazing’s RV inspection and delivery checklists. If you’ve already purchased here, what happened at delivery? Tell other shoppers about your delivery experience.

(Serious Concern)

Low-star reviews commonly describe high-pressure tactics and a rapid push to close. Shoppers report being steered into add-ons such as extended service contracts, gap insurance, tire-and-wheel packages, nitrogen fills, paint or fabric protection, and expensive “must-have” accessories bundled at checkout. Many express surprise when they discover how much these extras inflated the out-the-door price.

• Know your line-item costs. Get a clear buyer’s order with a complete breakdown—no blanks, no “TBD” fees.
• Most extras are optional. If you don’t want a package, insist it be removed from the paperwork.
• Compare third-party coverage. Independent extended warranties and roadside plans can be cheaper or more flexible than dealership offerings.

Use the store’s public reviews to gauge how often customers felt upsold: Sort by lowest rating here. For broader context on upsells across the RV industry, see investigative guidance and buyer traps discussed by Liz Amazing. Have you encountered high-pressure add-ons at this location? Share specifics so others can avoid them.

(Serious Concern)

Consumers frequently describe discovering higher APRs than expected, extended terms that balloon lifetime interest, or added products embedded into the loan. Others state they were told a particular rate was “the best available,” only to find better offers elsewhere. RV finance managers at large chains can prioritize profitability over transparency.

• Pre-qualify with your credit union or bank. Arrive with a written approval to compare against the dealer’s offer.
• Decline packed products you didn’t request. The Truth in Lending Act requires clear disclosure of finance charges—read everything before signing.
• Take the contract home overnight. If they refuse, that signals urgency on their side—not yours.

If you suspect undisclosed add-ons or APR padding, you can report to the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Also cross-check other buyers’ financing complaints on the Chattanooga Google profile.

(Moderate Concern)

Several negative reviews highlight trade-in offers far below private-party or competing dealer estimates, sometimes shifting after an initial appraisal. While offers can change after inspection, unexpected deductions or last-minute changes erode trust.

• Get multiple competing offers. Request written appraisals from at least two dealers and consider a private sale.
• Document the condition. Provide your own inspection report and service records to support value.
• Don’t back into a payment. Negotiate trade and price separately to avoid shell games.

(Serious Concern)

Chattanooga customers report taking delivery of RVs with water leaks, electrical faults, non-functioning appliances, or missing parts—issues that comprehensive PDIs are supposed to catch. In worst cases, buyers drive off the lot only to return immediately for service, losing weeks while a “brand new” RV sits awaiting parts.

• Hire your own inspector pre-sale. Start with RV Inspectors near me to find a professional.
• Run every system. Air conditioning, furnace, water heater, slides, generator, leveling, plumbing under pressure, roof seals, tires (DOT date codes), brakes, and hitch assemblies.
• Don’t accept “we’ll fix it after the sale.” Get defects repaired before final payment—your leverage disappears after delivery.

(Serious Concern)

Long turnaround times and limited updates are recurring themes in low-star reviews for this location. Customers describe RVs sitting for weeks waiting for diagnostics, approval, or parts—with minimal status updates. Some state that service promised at delivery wasn’t scheduled, leading to months-long waits.

• Ask for capacity and timelines in writing. What’s the current queue? How many certified techs are on staff? What is the estimated start date, not just drop-off date?
• Schedule firmware and recall checks proactively. Many issues require manufacturer coordination—confirm that parts are in hand before you leave your RV.
• Escalate early. If updates stall, contact the manufacturer’s customer care in parallel and open a case number.

If you’ve experienced protracted delays at the Chattanooga service department, add your timeline and outcome here to help other shoppers understand realistic expectations.

(Serious Concern)

Some negative reviews cite delays in receiving titles, plates, or final paperwork. For buyers planning out-of-state travel, title holdups can complicate insurance claims, campground reservations, and resale plans.

• Set a specific deadline for title and registration in your contract. Include remedies if the dealer misses the date.
• Confirm lien release procedures. If trading in a financed RV, make sure payoffs and releases are documented with proof.
• Keep copies of everything. If issues arise, documentation is essential for your state’s motor vehicle division and attorney general.

(Serious Concern)

We found numerous public complaints alleging that promised accessories, repairs, or “we owe” items either arrived late or not at all, or required constant follow-up to resolve. In a large chain with high turnover, verbal commitments can evaporate unless memorialized in writing.

• Put every promise on the buyer’s order with dates. Use a “We Owe” form with brand, SKU, and timeline.
• Don’t rely on texts. Follow up verbal updates with email and request written confirmations.
• Hold final payment if possible. Tie completion of deliverables to payment milestones.

(Serious Concern)

Complaints often center on confusion over what’s covered under the manufacturer’s warranty versus a dealer-sold service contract. Buyers sometimes learn a repair is categorized as “wear and tear,” “adjustment,” or “not a covered component”—leaving them with a bill on a relatively new unit.

• Get the actual warranty booklet. Don’t rely on brochures—read the exclusions and labor caps.
• Ask about mobile service reimbursement. Some contracts reimburse field repairs; others require you to return to the selling dealer.
• Understand deductibles per visit vs. per item. This dramatically changes out-of-pocket costs.

For insight into how these disputes play out, review 1- and 2-star experiences on the Chattanooga store’s review page. Also see consumer education on warranty traps by Liz Amazing.

(Moderate Concern)

Even well-intentioned service centers struggle when technician turnover is high and parts are backordered across RV supply chains. At this location, multiple low-star reviews cite long waits for basic diagnostics and recurring issues after repairs. Common bottlenecks include approval by third-party warranty administrators, delayed shipments for proprietary parts, and the need to coordinate with manufacturers for component-specific fixes (refrigerators, slide motors, leveling systems, water intrusion diagnostics).

• Ask which repairs are in-house vs. sublet. Some jobs require outside specialists, adding time.
• Line up mobile technicians. If your warranty allows, a skilled independent tech can save weeks compared to the dealer queue.
• Request root-cause write-ups. Don’t accept “adjusted” as the fix—ask for detailed notes of what failed and what was replaced.

Have service delays here affected a planned trip or season? Add your timeline and whether the dealer offered any remedy.

(Serious Concern)

Defects reported shortly after delivery—especially water leaks, electrical shorts, propane system issues, brake or axle abnormalities, and slide mechanism failures—can create real safety risks and significant financial exposure:

• Water intrusion and soft floors. Structural damage from leaks can escalate quickly, rot subfloors, and void warranties if labeled as “maintenance-related.”
• Electrical faults. Miswired outlets, GFCI trips, or inverter/charger failures can be fire hazards. Always use a surge protector and have wiring checked.
• Propane system leaks. Any propane odor requires immediate shutoff and inspection. Carry a detector and shutoff wrench.
• Brake, suspension, and tire failures. Overloaded axles, out-of-spec alignment, or prematurely aged tires can cause blowouts or loss of control.

Recalls are issued by component manufacturers and RV builders, not the dealer, but dealers coordinate remedies. Search for recalls relevant to your unit’s year/make/model and verify the Chattanooga service department’s scheduling capacity before you leave the lot: NHTSA recall search (use your RV builder and component names). Pair this with consumer reports on the local dealer’s responsiveness via the Google Business Profile for the Chattanooga store.

Legal and Regulatory Warnings

How to Independently Verify Claims: Research Links for Camping World RV Sales — Chattanooga, TN

Use the links below to see public complaints, discussions, and recalls relevant to this store. Each link is formatted to help you search the exact dealership name with “Issues,” “Problems,” or “Complaints.” Add your model/brand after the dealership name for even more precise results.

• YouTube search: Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN Issues
• Google search: Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN Problems
• BBB search: Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN Complaints
• Reddit r/RVLiving: Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN Issues
• Reddit r/GoRVing: Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN Issues
• Reddit r/rvs: Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN Issues
• PissedConsumer (search for “Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN” on site)
• NHTSA recalls (enter your RV year/make/model)
• RVForums.com (use the forum search)
• RVForum.net (use the forum search)
• RVUSA Forum (use the forum search for dealership issues)
• RVInsider search: Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN Issues
• Good Sam Community search: Camping World RV Sales Chattanooga TN Issues
• Google: Find RV brand Facebook and owner groups

Also return to the store’s Google profile to read the latest negative reviews in full: Chattanooga, TN — Camping World RV Sales. Then, add your own research tips or experiences so others benefit.

Practical Steps if You’re Shopping Here

• Inspection leverage. Hire a third-party inspector pre-purchase: Find an RV inspector. If refused, walk.
• Itemize everything. Obtain a full, signed buyer’s order with all fees and add-ons line-itemed; strike anything you don’t want.
• Control the financing. Bring your own pre-approval; compare APRs and avoid packed products.
• Confirm PDI scope and timing. Attend the PDI; run every system; delay delivery until defects are corrected.
• Title and paperwork plan. Set deadlines in writing; confirm payoff and lien release steps for trade-ins.
• Service capacity check. Ask about staffing, backlogs, and parts availability before committing future warranty work to this location.
• Document everything. Communicate via email; keep a log of dates, names, and commitments.

Acknowledging Improvements or Resolutions

While the bulk of publicly visible complaints involve sales pressure, service delays, and delivery defects, it is fair to acknowledge that some reviewers report positive experiences—particularly when working with specific salespeople or when management intervened to resolve issues. A few note that, after escalation, parts arrived and repairs were completed, or extended coverage finally processed a claim. However, the frequency and similarity of negative accounts suggest that positive outcomes sometimes depend on the persistence of the customer rather than consistent processes at the location.

What Owners Report Missing at Delivery

If You Already Purchased and Have Problems

• Notify in writing immediately. Email the sales manager and service manager with a dated punch list and photos/videos.
• Open a manufacturer case. Call your RV builder’s customer care to log issues and request parts be shipped to the dealer or a mobile tech.
• Escalate with documentation. If commitments slip, elevate to corporate customer care and copy the manufacturer.
• File formal complaints. FTC, CFPB (if financing issues), and the Tennessee Attorney General can prompt a faster response from large chains.
• Consider independent repairs. If allowed by your warranty, a reputable mobile tech may fix urgent issues faster so you can use the RV while bigger items wait.

If you’ve gone through this with the Chattanooga store—what finally worked? Post your playbook for other shoppers.

Why This Matters for Your Safety and Wallet

RVs are complex, rolling homes. Early failures can cascade into major safety hazards or expensive structural repairs. Delayed service can erase an entire camping season and pile on costs for storage, travel changes, and missed reservations. When a local dealer is your first line of support, its process discipline, communication quality, and willingness to stand behind commitments directly affect your ownership experience.

Final Takeaways and Recommendation

Public, low-star reviews for Camping World RV Sales — Chattanooga, TN, consistently flag:

• Pressure to close and expensive add-ons.
• Financing surprises and embedded products.
• PDI misses and immediate post-delivery defects.
• Prolonged service timelines and sparse updates.
• Title and paperwork delays or errors.
• Promises at sale not clearly honored after delivery.

If you decide to engage with this store, the safest path is a disciplined, buyer-controlled process: bring external financing, require a full itemized buyer’s order, insist on a third-party inspection with all systems powered and tested, and refuse delivery until issues are corrected. Keep communications in writing and set specific deadlines for paperwork.

Given the volume and nature of public complaints specific to Camping World RV Sales — Chattanooga, TN, we do not recommend this dealership for first-time or time-sensitive buyers who cannot absorb service delays or repair risks. Shoppers should consider alternative dealerships with stronger service reputations and documented delivery quality, or pursue a private sale with an independent inspection to minimize post-purchase surprises.

Do you agree or disagree based on your experience at this location? Add your voice for the next shopper.