Quote: That means he also needs to force that dealer to take back the camper they never should have sold him in the first place, because his mini truck was completely obviously way, way, way too small, and refund his money.
Wow, this is all over the place. I think I recall you saying in a previous post to find a different dealer to buy a camper from. Now you suggest returning to the same dealer. What changed?
No, I'm saying to return the camper he bought back to the dealer he bought it from, if he wants a different camper. Then buy the truck that will carry the camper he wants. Then go to a different dealer and buy the camper he wants and put it on that new to him, proper truck for the job.
If he wants the camper he bought, then just buy the right truck to haul it and be done with it.
Quote: If he wants the camper he bought, then just buy the right truck to haul it and be done with it.
Nine pages and we get back to the only real solution to the problem. As I stated earlier how the OP got into this situation is largely irrevelent; how he gets out of it is what is important.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.
'09 299bhs Tango.
Well it happened to me back in 1994, though not as egregious as this example. A well known, established Lance Dealer sold us a 990, which weighs 3280 wet according to the sticker, installed it on our 1978 F250 Camper Special and sent us on our merry way. I knew pretty much right away that it was a bit much for our truck but after a few modifications such as bigger tires, airbags and overload perches it actually did okay despite being an estimated 1,000 lbs over it's tagged rating.
I'm not trying to relate this to the OP's situation nor am I suggesting he follow my lead but we used this truck camper combo for 14 years. Still, I couldn't help but notice from day one that every picture of a Lance 990 in the brochures always showed it on a dually so eventually when the F250 got so tired it was time to replace it I got a '97 F350 DRW and yes - it made a world of difference.
My point here is that I think this issue of dealers selling you a camper that is too big for your truck is more common than you might think and has been going on for a long time.
* This post was
edited 05/28/12 08:11pm by an administrator/moderator *
1994 Lance 990 on 1997 F350 PSD Dually "Rhino Haunches"
In 2004 have bought a popup camper from this dealer. In 2008 I researched truck campers at this dealer. I didn't buy a camper because I didn't think my 3/4 ton GMC had enough capacity. Since 2003 I have talked to several salesmen and women from this dealer at local rv shows in Portland and Salem. I find something missing from this whole story. It just doesn't add up to my experience. I never had any misgivings about this dealer. I didn't really care for one salesman and he is the one op mentioned in an early post, so I think some sales pressure may be involved. Over the years many people have realized they have a too small tow vehicle after getting a new rv. This is one more example, very noticeable because in sits in the pickup box. Original poster needs a new vehicle. My cousin bought a new Chevy 1/2 ton in 1995, there was a sticker in the glove box stating no campers. I wonder if Toyota has a sticker somewhere, maybe the owner manual?
sleepy wrote: The OP NOW owns a used truck camper... slightly used, but used.
OP... you made the deal, you signed the papers, you used the camper, it's yours.... and it is your responsibility to solve your problem(so... not the dealer, not the manufacturer, not Toyota.)
I personally would never try to put any TC on a cute little grocery getter... but some try!
At the risk of offending some people here, I couldn't agree more.
This topic is becoming utter nonsense. BLAME THE DEALER! BLAME THE DIRTY GREEDY DEALER!
Everyone here is vilifying this dealer. I personally dealt with the owner, and I know for a fact he would not do this unless insisted upon by the customer.
Just like Chet said before---
Do you blame girl behind the counter for asking "Would you like to supersize that" just before your heart attack??
OP, you should or could have---
1-- Done your homework.
2-- Picked a different camper.
3-- Walked away.
4-- Said no.
5-- Went to another dealer
6-- Asked to load it on your truck BEFORE signing papers.
7-- Turned around IMMEDIATELY once you drove off the lot, not used it twice then changed your mind, aka, have buyers remorse.
8-- Knew you would need a larger truck
9-- Known that the first three letters in your truck are TOY
10-- Looked at and read the Camper Certificate that Toyota issued with the truck. Oh wait, there isn't one for Toyotas.
There is NO legal recourse for this, and quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing people making stupid decisions and letting blood sucking lawyers blame anyone but themselves for it.
This is a good, reputable dealer, in business for 3 decades for a reason.
Here's what I see happening--
OP walks on the lot looking for what his truck can handle.
Happens to see a larger nicer one and goes all wide-eyed.
Dealer says, "Your truck can't handle that without a lot of upgrades, and even then I wouldn't do it"--I KNOW THIS DEALER WOULD SAY THIS, BECAUSE THEY SAID IT TO ME AND I HAVE A FRICKIN DUALLY!!
OP Says, "It's ok, I'll do the upgrades and it will be fine".
Dealer says, "Ok, if you say so... It's your truck."
I'm tired of this dealer being made guilty when I know from personal experience THEY would not have pushed HIM into it, I think it's the OTHER WAY AROUND.
I still maintain, from the original poster's posts, if they are to be believed, that the dealer is the one primarily at fault for selling him that camper that was obviously and grossly too heavy for his truck, which they had to have known. The dealer are supposed to be reasonably knowlegeable on the subject. The original poster didn't know anything, but even he was skeptical. The dealer was not skeptical at all and in fact recommended he do it. He trusted them to be the experts and trusted their opinion.
I say the above and I am about the last person you will ever meet to ever be construed as a lawyer-up, blame the other guy kind of person. I firmly believe in taking my own lumps, whenever deserved. It is the dealer who deserves to take the lumps, in this instance, though the customer is at least somewhat also at fault, mostly being uninformed on his own. I'll call that ignorance. The dealer, however, was not ignorant. They were just a bunch of morons, knowing the truth, but doing the opposite of what was right.
I do agree though, that after using the camper for 2 trips, it is now a used camper and will not be able to be returned to the dealer for a refund. That should have happened within a few days after buying it, and before taking any camping trips in it. At this time, it is not reasonable to expect the dealer to take it back as a return for refund. That is the customer's fault at this point, for going ahead and using the camper anyways, after he knew it was not right for his truck.
Quote: If he wants the camper he bought, then just buy the right truck to haul it and be done with it.
Nine pages and we get back to the only real solution to the problem. As I stated earlier how the OP got into this situation is largely irrevelent; how he gets out of it is what is important.
He'll either have to buy another truck to keep the camper, buy another truck to get another camper, keep the truck and get a trailer it can tow, or buy another truck and buy a trailer that truck can tow, or just forget the whole RV thing altogether and use a tent, or stay home.
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