My wife came across an ad for a used 2015 Dutchmen Kodiak 206ES listed at Camping World in Roseville, CA. She mentioned it was a hybrid model that looked to be in decent condition—aside from some wear on the seats. The price caught our attention: just $8,999.00, with an estimated monthly payment of $68.00.

After talking it over, we decided to move forward and try to buy it. I used the “Check Availability” feature on Camping World’s website, and within 10 minutes, we got a call from a representative confirming that the unit was available. They asked if we were interested, and I said yes.

I explained that we’d be driving in from the Modesto area and it would take us close to two hours to get there. They scheduled us for an 11:00 AM appointment and told me they’d put us down for that slot. I confirmed and told them, “I’m on my way—see you when I get there.”

It took us about two and a half hours to reach Camping World in Roseville. When we arrived, we were pleasantly greeted by the receptionist and connected with a salesman within a couple of minutes. After the long drive, I headed straight to the restroom while my wife began speaking with the salesperson.

By the time I returned, she was already seated with him. He asked what brought us in, and she mentioned we were there to look at the 2015 Dutchmen Kodiak 206ES. His response immediately raised an eyebrow—he said, “Oh, I’m actually interested in that unit myself.”

Moments later, he said the same thing to me, emphasizing that if we didn’t act quickly, the unit might be gone. That was our first red flag—a sales tactic suggesting urgency and scarcity, even though we had just driven hours for a confirmed appointment on that specific unit.

Walkaround Confusion

The salesman said, “Let’s go take a look at the 2015 Dutchmen,” and we agreed. He asked if we wanted to ride in the golf cart, but I told him I preferred to walk since I had been sitting in traffic for over two hours. He said, “No problem.”

As we walked through the lot, we passed a huge American flag, and the salesman asked if we liked it. “We just got it,” he said. I told him, “Yeah—I saw it in the pictures on your website the flag is over the 2015 Dutchmen .”

Then came red flag number two: even though we had an appointment specifically for the 2015 Dutchmen, the salesman couldn’t find it. We ended up walking the entire lot. Eventually, we ran into one of his coworkers, and the salesman asked if he had seen the unit. The coworker responded, “Yeah, I’m looking for it myself—it’s right over there.”

That was odd. If he knew exactly where it was, why say he was “looking for it”? I turned to our salesman and said, “It’s right under the flag—just like I mentioned at the beginning.”

While we were inside the Dutchmen, going over the trailer’s features, I asked the salesman, “What kind of warranty does Camping World offer?”

His response caught us off guard: “We’re going to charge you $1,999 for an inspection, and we’ll make sure everything is working before you come back to pick it up.” — Another two-hour trip for something that should’ve already been done.

I asked, “Won’t that increase the $68 monthly payment listed in the ad?”
He replied, “Don’t pay attention to the $68 monthly—I don’t know why they even put that number out there.”

Then he asked how much we were planning to put down. I told him, “Zero.”
He quickly shot that down, saying, “No can do—we need $2,000 down. The bank needs to see some kind of commitment.”

I explained that I’ve bought two vehicles in the past with no money down and had no issues. At that point, my wife and I looked at each other, thanked him for his time, and walked off the lot.

That was the end of our experience—with a few red flags and a clear sense that something wasn’t right.

 What We Learned

A Verbal Commitment Doesn’t Mean Much

Just because a dealer confirms availability or schedules an appointment over the phone doesn’t guarantee the unit will be ready—or even still there—when you arrive. Always request written confirmation of key details, including price, fees, and whether the unit is being held for you. If a salesperson makes a promise over the phone, follow up and ask for it in writing via email or text. It’s the only way to protect yourself from surprise changes when you show up.

Watch for Hidden Fees

Camping World quoted us $1,999 for an inspection—something that was never disclosed online or over the phone. These kinds of add-on fees can significantly change your final cost. Always ask upfront if there are prep, inspection, documentation, or dealer fees.

With taxes and licensing estimated at around $2,000, that amount was automatically added to the price. On top of that, Camping World required a $2,000 down payment and tacked on a $1,999 inspection fee. So instead of the advertised $8,999 price—or even a more realistic $10,999 including taxes and fees—we were suddenly looking at a $14,998 total cost for the 2015 Dutchmen travel trailer. A far cry from what was advertised.

Low Monthly Payments Are Often Misleading

The ad listed an estimated payment of $68/month, but when we asked about it, the salesman dismissed it entirely. Dealers sometimes use these low figures to lure you in, but they’re often based on unrealistic terms not actually available.

It’s Okay to Walk Away

The best decision we made that day was walking off the lot. Don’t let pressure convince you to accept a bad deal. If something feels off—it probably is.

Final Thoughts: Buyer Beware

Our experience at Camping World was disappointing, and it’s a reminder to all buyers—do your homework before making a long trip or signing anything. Watch out for misleading monthly payment ads, hidden fees, and high-pressure tactics like "it's going fast" or "the bank needs a commitment." If a deal starts feeling off, trust your gut and walk away. A good purchase shouldn't come with red flags or fine print surprises. Stay sharp, stay informed—and protect your hard-earned money.

Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below—whether you’ve had a positive or negative experience, we’d love to hear your story.