The RV Lemon Law Myth: Why Most New RV Owners Have Shockingly Little Legal Protection

This week on the RV Podcast, we learn about the RV Lemon Law Myth and how the legal system is stacked against new RV buyers. Plus, many of the big RV dealerships make you sign a document promising not to sue them…. no matter how many issues that unit may have!

Plus, we have the RV News of the Week and, in our RV Question and Answer time, we dig into the growing controversy over Battleborn Batteries and widespread reports that they may have a flawed internal design that can overheat or deform under load, raising safety and reliability concerns among RV and solar DIY communities.

Battleborn maintains the design is an intentional “thermal failsafe” feature to protect the battery cells, but many owners and reviewers dispute that explanation and worry the issue could represent a genuine engineering defect rather than a safety innovation.

Meanwhile, you can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

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Upcoming RV Buying Workshop

A quick announcement if you are planning to attend one of the RV Shows, like the upcoming Florida RV Supershow in Tampa…. or if you are thinking about buying an RV in 2026…

Join me for a live, online  RV Shopping Survival Guide workshop on January 1st, 2026. I'll show you the insider tactics dealers use, how to spot the red flags, and exactly what to look for at RV shows. This is 15 years of experience packed into one session that could save you thousands. Sign up now at rvlifestyle.com/workshop for just $10. And if you're already an RV Community member, it's completely free. Get the knowledge you need before you buy. RV Shopping Survival Guide, January 1st at rvlifestyle.com/workshop

RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – RV Lemon Law

Steve Lehto is a Michigan attorney who has practiced in the fields of Lemon Law and Consumer Protection for 32 years. Steve is also a YouTuber, whose channel is called Lehto's Law, and exposes some dealer and manufacturer tricks that make it very difficult for RVers to sue under Lemon Law provisions.

We talked to Steve a while back and are replaying this interview now as the RV show season is about to start, and the information he shares breaks down the potentially dire consequences of signing several papers that many RV dealers slip into the stack of paperwork when buying an RV. 

Listen to the interview by using the video or audio players above.

Those are just some of the red flags to be aware of when buying an RV. I mentioned this at the start of the podcast but again, on Jan, 1 at 7 PM EST, I’ll be doing an interactive online seminar called RV Shopping Survival Guide Workshop: What Dealers Do Not Want You to Know. 

I'll expose all sorts of tactics dealers use to get you to sign on the dotted line and this workshop will help you avoid the costly mistakes that too many RVers make when emotions run high and fine print gets ignored.

This workshop will be well worth your time. New Year’s Day… 7 PM Eastern. Go to  RVLifestyle.com/workshop for signup details.

This part of the podcast is sponsored by RVOvernights, where you can stay free at farms, wineries, and attractions across the country. Go to RVLifestyle.com/rvovernights and use the promo code “RVLDEAL” to save 40% of the already low $49 annual fee.

RV NEWS OF THE WEEK

Snowbirds Catch a Break at the Pump​

Good news for all of our snowbirds preparing to head south right after Christmas. AAA is reporting this is the cheapest December at the pump since the end of 2020. The break at the pump is tied to low crude oil prices. This weekend, the average U.S. price for a gallon of gasoline was $2.87; for diesel, it was $3.61. Not sure about you, but we'll take it!

​Why Fewer Canadian Snowbirds Are Camping Across the Border This Winter​

Fewer Canadian snowbirds are choosing to visit the U.S. this winter largely because of financial concerns, travel insurance requirements, unfavorable exchange rates, and border crossing complexities. The findings are part of a special report issued by Kampgrounds of America, which noted a marked decrease in Canadian snowbirds choosing to camp this winter at U.S. campgrounds.

​Kick Off the New Year on the Trail: State Parks Invite You to Hike Jan. 1​

State parks throughout the country are officially inviting you to spend New Year's Day on a hike! First Day Hikes are sponsored at state parks across the country and have become a tradition for many RVers. The national program started in 2012.

​Moose on the Loose: Rocky Mountain National Park Faces a Growing Problem​

Rocky Mountain National Park has a moose problem and is seeking the public's help to brainstorm solutions. Moose are destroying much of the park's fragile wetlands by munching on the willows, which are necessary to keep the wetlands healthy. Moose were once rare in Colorado, but in 1978 and 1979 twelve were brought into the state. Now there are now more than 3,620 in the state, and with willows 90% of their diet, it is starting to take a toll on the ecosystem in the national park. The Colorado wildlife agency wants the public to send in their ideas.

​Where the Wild Things Cross: Colorado’s New I-25 Wildlife Bridge​

And speaking of Colorado …. the largest wildlife freeway overpass in North America just opened over I-25 between Larkspur and Monument (about an hour south of Denver). The wildlife crossing is a giant natural-looking land bridge over the freeway so various creatures, including elk, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, black bears, and mountain lions, can cross freely while traffic drives on below. Before being built, there averaged one vehicle-animal crash per day in this area each fall and spring when critters are on the move. Now crashes are expected to be reduced by 90%.

This part of the podcast is sponsored by Wholesale Warranties, where you can get the best deal on extended warranty coverage for your RVs. Starting January 1st, all RVs are considered one model year older, which means pricing and eligibility for warranty protection will change. Save money and protect your rig by signing up now. Get a free, personalized quote at wholesalewarranties.com/rvlifestyle

RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: We had several people ask similar questions this week to this one, sent in by Jerry:  

We've been reading a lot of stuff about Battleborn batteries having a heating issue that could cause problems and a response from the company that seems a bit disengenous. Can you cut through the controversy and explain whether I should be concerned about the Battleborn batteries in our RV?

ANSWER: This is indeed a very big deal. The controversy has gained significant traction in the RV and solar community recently, largely stemming from an investigation by popular YouTube battery expert Will Prowse.

So let me first describe the technical issue, the company's response (which many are calling “disingenuous”), and how to determine if you need to be concerned about your specific setup.

The controversy centers on the internal design of the positive terminal in certain Battleborn 100Ah 12V batteries.

The Flaw: Will Prowse found that the internal connection between the positive terminal and the battery cells relies on a bolt that passes through a plastic spacer. On bad, bumpy roads over time, the aluminum nut on that bolt can loosen and under high continuous loads (loads near the battery's rated 100-amp limit), this bolt can get extremely hot. The heat can cause the plastic spacer to melt or deform.  As the plastic melts, the connection loosens. A loose electrical connection creates high resistance, which generates even more heat and can lead to internal arcing (sparking) and further melting and, under the worst case condition, a fire.

After the issue was exposed, Battleborn (Dragonfly Energy) issued a statement that angered many in the RV community. The statement claimed this design is intentional. They stated the assembly is a “purpose-built thermal failsafe” designed to deform and disconnect the circuit if the terminal gets too hot, theoretically saving the battery cells from thermal runaway.

Here’s what seems disingenuous: The “safety feature” involves melting plastic and creating a loose, arcing connection inside a sealed box. This is generally considered a fire hazard, not a safety mechanism. Many experts viewed the “it's a feature, not a bug” explanation as PR spin to avoid a massive recall.

​​Now… should you be concerned? You don't necessarily need to panic and rip your Batteborn batteries out, but you should assess your specific usage. If you and you only have one or two 100 amp hour batteries and frequently run heavy appliances like an air conditioner, microwave, or hair dryer off your inverter, you want to make sure the batteries are not running too hot. 

The best way to do that is to point an infrared temperature gun at the positive or red terminal post. They are available at any automotive shop, usually under $20 and work like one of those thermometers you take your temperature with if you think you have a fever.

If that temperature gun shows scorching hot, you have a problem. If you see any melted plastic or discoloration, stop using that battery immediately.

If you have a big battery bank that can handle higher loads than 100 amp hours, it’s generally thought that you are much less susceptible to this issue.

At any rate, I am sure we have not heard the last of this issue. Battleborn is taking a lot of heat over this issue – if you’ll pardon the pun – because of their “safety feature” response, which seems to be a “there’s nothing to see here…please move on” old school corporate PR response…. Akin to an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

Will Prowse, you battery guru and YouTuber who first exposed this, is extremely well respected and he’s doubled down on his reporting on this. 

Battleborn’s corporate-speak response is already being compared to the way Grand Design initially handled the frame flex issue on its RVs last year, tone-deaf to the fact that, in the age of social media and YouTube, corporate PR no longer controls the narrative.