North Country RV- Ham Lake, MN Exposed: Delivery Defects, Service Backlogs & Financing Add-Ons

(Serious Concern)

Across the RV industry, buyers who skip an independent inspection often face expensive repairs and long service delays soon after delivery. Multiple public complaints tied to North Country RV focus on post-sale defects and slow service resolution, which may leave your new RV unusable for weeks or months—ruining planned trips while the unit sits in a queue. Your leverage is highest before signing final paperwork; once the sale funds, you are at the mercy of service backlogs and parts delays.

• Hire a certified RV inspector: Use a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) to catch leaks, appliance faults, electrical/propane issues, frame or suspension problems, and water intrusion. Start here: Search “RV Inspectors near me” on Google.
• Negotiate repairs before delivery: Make acceptance contingent on a clean inspection report and completion of all punch-list items in writing.
• Refusal is a red flag: If any dealership will not allow a third-party inspection by a professional, walk away.

If you’ve tried to get a pre-purchase inspection at this location, share whether it was allowed or discouraged.

(Moderate Concern)

Public anecdotes about North Country RV echo a broader industry pattern: aggressive selling of extended service contracts, “paint protection,” “fabric guards,” tire-and-wheel packages, and other profit-rich add-ons. Buyers often discover that these products provide limited value, come with exclusions, or duplicate coverage from the manufacturer’s warranty.

• High-pressure presentation: Consumers report feeling steered away from declining add-ons during the finance-and-insurance (F&I) process.
• Pricing opacity: Add-ons may be bundled into payments, making the true cost difficult to see unless you demand a line-item breakdown.
• Action step: Request every line item in writing and get an “out-the-door” price free of extras. If you see products you didn’t agree to, refuse to sign and walk.

Verify current experiences by sorting reviews by “Lowest Rating” on the dealership’s page:
North Country RV — Google Reviews.

(Serious Concern)

Consumer narratives suggest that some buyers left with higher-than-expected interest rates or payments that embedded add-ons (GAP, warranties, or protection packages) without clear consent. This is a common F&I risk across the RV sector; dealerships make material profit by marking up lender buy rates and bundling extras.

• What to watch: Ask for the lender’s buy rate approval and compare it with the rate on your contract. Insist on seeing each optional product’s price and the total finance charge impact.
• Compare pre-approvals: Secure an RV loan pre-approval from your credit union before visiting the dealer to neutralize rate markups.
• Decline add-ons: If the dealer conditions your “approval” on buying extras, that could be an unfair practice warranting a complaint to regulators.

Have you seen unexplained add-ons in your loan paperwork here? Share the details with other shoppers.

(Moderate Concern)

Multiple consumer comments indicate dissatisfaction with trade valuations—narrowing significantly between verbal estimates and final written offers, or dropping after an on-site appraisal. This is common in volatile RV markets where wholesale prices fluctuate, but transparency remains critical.

• Action step: Obtain competing written offers (Carvana/RV consignment, local dealers) before you visit. Use NADA/J.D. Power guides as reference—not as guaranteed values.
• Document condition: Provide maintenance records, photos, and any recent repairs to support your valuation case.

(Serious Concern)

One of the most stressful patterns reported in low-star reviews across many RV dealers (including this location) is administrative lag—buyers waiting weeks or months for titles, plates, registration, or corrected purchase contracts. This can sideline your RV and create legal exposure if you’re on the road without proper documentation.

• Set expectations in writing: Ask for a written timeline for title and plates, and request tracking or proof of submission to the state.
• Keep everything: Save temporary tags, purchase agreements, and any communication documenting what you were told and when.
• Escalate when deadlines pass: Contact the dealership GM, then the Minnesota Attorney General if unresolved.

Check the most recent complaints on paperwork handling by selecting “Sort by Lowest Rating” on Google:
North Country RV — Google Reviews (Newest low-star first).

(Serious Concern)

Multiple reviewers describe discovering defects at delivery or soon after first use: leaks, appliances not functioning, trim issues, slide misalignment, or missing accessories. In some cases, customers said the items had been noted prior to delivery but weren’t fully addressed.

• Third-party inspection: Again, this is your only real leverage. Bring a professional and don’t sign until fixes are complete. If necessary, reschedule delivery.
• Functional demos: Have the salesperson or technician cycle slides, run every appliance, test propane, water lines, and the generator/solar while you observe.
• Written punch list: All items should be documented and signed by a manager with delivery contingent on completion.
• Backup plan: If you’re not allowed time for a full PDI, walk away. Find an inspector near you: Search “RV Inspectors near me”.

(Serious Concern)

Among the most consequential grievances are long repair queues and inconsistent communication on status updates. Some owners report losing an entire camping season waiting on warranty diagnosis, parts approval, or technician availability. This is especially painful for customers who bought new expecting immediate, trouble-free use.

• Appointment reality: Even with an appointment, your RV may wait days or weeks before a technician begins diagnosis. Plan for backup accommodations.
• Parts and approvals: Manufacturers often require photo/video verification before covering a fix. That extra step can add weeks.
• Written timelines: Ask the service writer to document expected milestones and commit to regular updates via email.
• Escalation path: If deadlines slip, escalate to service management, the general manager, and the manufacturer’s regional service rep.

Have you lost trips while your RV waited for service at this location? Tell other readers how long it took and why.

(Moderate Concern)

Another recurring theme in public reviews across the RV sector—also reflected in some commentary about this dealership—is the tug-of-war over who pays: dealer vs. manufacturer vs. third-party warranty. Owners sometimes report being told “that’s normal,” “it’s not covered,” or “we’re waiting on the factory,” which can stretch for weeks.

• Know your coverage: Read the manufacturer’s warranty booklet and third-party contracts. Many exclusions exist for seals, caulking, and wear items.
• Document everything: Photos, videos, and dated communications strengthen your claim with the OEM.
• Alternative shops: If delays mount, ask the manufacturer for authorized mobile techs or other dealers who can perform the work.

(Moderate Concern)

Several low-star reviews reference workmanship issues or repeat visits for the same unresolved problem. This may reflect technician turnover, workload, or training gaps. Regardless of cause, it exposes buyers to risk if your RV becomes a service frequent flyer.

• Test before you leave: After any repair, fully test the system at the dealership—don’t assume the fix is permanent.
• Second opinion: Consider an independent RV tech for repeat failures; use this to validate whether the issue is fully resolved: Find certified RV inspectors/technicians near you.

(Moderate Concern)

Reports of “doc fees,” “dealer prep,” freight, and other charges surfacing late in the process are not unique to this dealership but appear in some buyer narratives. Some dealers also charge a “PDI fee,” even though a basic pre-delivery inspection is typically a standard dealership responsibility.

• Out-the-door price: Demand a written out-the-door price that includes taxes and all fees before you visit.
• Remove junk fees: Politely refuse extraneous line items and be willing to walk if they’re non-negotiable.

(Serious Concern)

When consumer complaints involve misrepresentations, warranty denials, or unsafe defects left unrepaired, several laws and agencies may be implicated:

• FTC Act (unfair or deceptive acts): It’s unlawful for a business to misrepresent material facts or omit key disclosures. See the FTC’s guidance on deceptive practices: FTC Act.
• Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act: Governs consumer product warranties and prohibits tying and deceptive warranty practices. If warranty coverage is misrepresented or unreasonably denied, this Act may apply. Overview: FTC Guide to Warranty Law.
• State consumer protection: Minnesota’s Attorney General accepts complaints about deceptive sales or warranty conduct. File here: Minnesota Attorney General – Consumer Complaints.
• NHTSA safety issues: If your RV experiences safety defects (brakes, tires, suspension, propane systems, etc.), submit a complaint with NHTSA: Report a Vehicle Safety Problem.

Consumers who believe they’ve been misled should retain copies of all ads, texts, emails, and signed forms. Written records are essential if you pursue mediation, arbitration, or small claims litigation.

(Serious Concern)

Reported defects and slow service responses create real safety and financial risks:

• Water leaks and roof/slide failures: Water intrusion can lead to soft floors, mold, delamination, and devalued trade-in. Left unresolved, damage compounds quickly.
• Brake, axle, tire, or suspension problems: Any instability or braking defect markedly increases crash risk—especially for larger fifth wheels and toy haulers.
• LP gas/electrical faults: Propane leaks or miswired electrical components pose fire and carbon monoxide hazards.
• Recall fatigue: Many RVs and components have recalls. If a dealer is slow to address them, you might unwittingly use an unsafe RV. Check your VIN and component recalls via NHTSA: NHTSA Recalls Lookup.

Advice: Never accept delivery until critical safety items are fully resolved and verified in person during a full system demo. If recall or safety work is delayed, contact the manufacturer for alternative authorized service centers.