No Unhappy Customers, Not Even One - This quote is from an email message to me from the Regional Director of Parts for Camping World. Well I am one unhappy cutomer! I here is my story, read it and decide for yourself. Suzuki Tow Incident February 3, 2014 On February 3, 2014 I went to Camping World Henderson to have my 2006 Four Winds Majestic 24’ foot motorhome connected to my 1993 Suzuki Sidekick using the tow package that Camping World had sold me & installed to my Suzuki. Everyone seemed to be in quite a rush. There was a back log of RVs waiting to go into the service bays. Hector the mechanic hooked the 2 vehicles together while very briefly and rapidly explaining to be me how to do it myself. He also connected and set the braking system and lights. I was then turned over to David from the Parts Desk so we could complete the paper work on this purchase. Then David very quickly completed the steps to complete the towing set up inside the Suzuki as follows - key in accessory position, transmission in 2nd gear, transfer case in neutral and manual hubs in free position. Now it was ready to go. I locked the doors of the Suzuki and pulled the RV with the Suzuki in tow out of the CW service bay. I drove around the CW parking lot for approximately 3o minutes; practicing turns, breaking and set the rear view mirrors. I determined my route out of town using surface streets to avoid dealing with irate freeway drivers since I would not be able to go over 55 while towing. I left CW Henderson at 12:40. By 2 p.m. I was driving along Blue Diamond Highway beyond Fort Apache Road when I noticed in my rearview mirror black smoke pouring from under the hood of the Suzuki. I was in the right hand lane so I pulled quickly onto the shoulder of the road. Once I had both vehicles in a safe position I turned off the RV ignition, turned on the emergency flashers and got the spare keys for the Suzuki. Once out of the RV I notice that there was a large amount of oil on the shoulder where the Suzuki exited the road onto the shoulder and a trail of oil drops to where I had stopped the Suzuki. I unlocked the driver’s side door of the Suzuki and disengaged the breaking apparatus. The hood was too hot to touch but the smoking had ceased. There were no flames. I immediately called CW to report the situation. I was turned over directly with the manager, John Robinson. John quickly stated that CW had no responsibility with this event and could not offer any type of help. He told me to call a tow truck and my insurance company. I hung up and called my insurer (Progressive). Progressive began making arrangements for a tow. I called CW a second time and John agreed to come out to look at the situation. He also questioned me about what I had done when hooking up the tow. Nothing was the answer to that. CW employees made all of the connections while instructing me what to do when I next needed to hook or unhook the tow apparatus. While waiting for John and the tow truck to arrive I reviewed the owner’s manual on the correct towing hook ups, testing each step. In the process I moved the transfer case shifting mechanism around. During all of this I was very distracted and distraught. John Robinson showed up with a second person with him. They raised the hood, disconnected the battery and stated that the electrical system was burned and there was no oil in the engine. John also found the transfer case in the wrong gear and questioned me about it. I stated that I had moved the shifter around trying to check if it was indeed in neutral. John took is other person to the rear of the car out of my hearing for a discussion. Afterwards once again he stated that CW was in no way responsible for the incident. I disagreed. John and his passenger left. I waited for the tow truck. While waiting I attempted to disconnect the towing arms and wires. In the process of attempting to disconnect the tow arms I threw my back out. I have not been able to stand up straight from that time – 10 days. The tow truck arrived at 5 p.m. and towed the Suzuki to Superior Tire and Service. We arrived at that location at 5:45 p.m. Vicki A Johnson, vickiajupriver@live 360 770 4240 Suzuki Tow Incident February 3, 2014 February 4, 2014 I called Progressive and spoke with Claims Specialist Keith Borland who informed me that the Suzuki was only covered for liability. I directed him to begin checking to see if the incident would be covered on my RV policy. Keith researched this issue and called me back to tell the incident was not covered because there had been no collision of any kind. He offered to research if they could cover medical expenses. Bob Devins from Superior Tire & Repair called to inform me of the damages they found. Wiring was burned, the engine block was cracked and any oil they tried to put in just poured out onto the ground. Next I called Camping World Corporate to file a complaint. They routed my call to Retail Customer Services. I spoke with LaToya who took my statement and informed me that the Regional Management Team would contact me in a few days. February 5, 2014 I called my RV Club – Escapees and asked if they had anyone to recommend that did legal advocacy for their members. They put me in contact with Shawn Loring. I spoke with Mr. Loring on February 6, 2014. He advised me to seek legal counsel in NV and to find a reputable auto facility to inspect the Suzuki to determine the cause of incident. It is my belief that CW was negligent – their employees made all the connections both inside and outside the Suzuki. There were very hurried instructions to me, no written instructions and no time to ask questions. This incident to date has cost me $10,000. I am seeking damages in that amount + medical cost and attorney fees. Vicki A. Johnson Suzuki Tow Incident February 3, 2014 Damages 1993 Suzuki Sidekick $5500 Tow Package $3100 3 Tows $ 285 2 Months storage $ 120 Engine Inspection $ 200 Medical Expenses $ 250 Misc. $ 200 $ 9655 Since then CW has offered to be generous and buy back the parts of the tow package ($2200) IF I sign a waiver releasing them for any cost associated with this incident. I have refused that offer. I am in the process of taking them to small claims court, where the maximum amout I can ask for is $7500. And I am still paying - for storage, court cost, an incidental expenses - postage, copies etc. Plus I have no tow vehicle nor any funds to buy one. Comments welcome. I thought long & hard about posting this but felt I had no other option to voice my story.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 20:13:45 +0000
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