Many RV owners find themselves stuck between the manufacturer, the dealership, and the warranty administrator — and they don’t know which direction to go before hiring an attorney.
Before jumping into a lemon law case, we can often help clarify the situation, evaluate the RV, and provide a technical third-party perspective to determine what is reasonable, what is repairable, and what direction makes the most sense. In many cases, this saves time, stress, money — and prevents unnecessary legal escalation. At the end of the day, our goal is to help speed up the repair process, protect your investment, and get you back on the road enjoying your RV — making memories, not dealing with problems.
California RV Specialists offers independent 3rd party evaluations to help RV consumers make an informed decision before involving an attorney.
We are also available to assist RV manufacturers and RV dealerships directly, helping all parties come together professionally to resolve concerns, clarify technical facts, and work toward a fair and mutually beneficial resolution.
Our goal is simple:
Identify the problem, document the facts, and provide clarity — so all parties can make informed decisions.
Standard Billing Rates (for Warranty Dispute / Pre-Legal Evaluation)
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Case Evaluation: | $350/hour |
| Retainer: Standard Case | $5,000.00 (no travel anticipated) |
| Retainer: Travel Case | $10,000.00 (travel maybe required at any point) |
| Email Correspondence Review: | $350/hour |
| Consultation Call (Phone / Zoom / Teams): | $350/hour (billed in 0.25 hour increments) |
| Inspection of RV (on site at our facility) | $350/hour |
| Field Inspection of RV (off site by travel) | $700.00 (Flat fee) +$350/hour beyond 2 hours |
| Document Review / Research / Report Writing | $350/hour |
Travel Related Fees (if off-site inspection is requested)
| Travel Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Travel by Car | $350/hour + rental car reimbursement including fuel, insurance, parking & tolls fees |
| Mileage: | Reimbursed at current IRS mileage rate |
| Travel by Air | $350/hour + First Class or Business Class airfare (direct, non-stop whenever possible) |
| Overnight Stays | $500/night + lodging cost |
What This Service Helps With
- Warranty claim disputes
- Manufacturer vs. dealer responsibility disagreements
- Misdiagnosis or repeated “No Problem Found” outcomes
- Extended warranty push-back / denial concerns
- RV consumer fraud dispute review (fact-based technical analysis)
- Insurance claim dispute review
- Owner neglect / damage / misuse evaluations (fact-based technical determination)
- Service department stalling or delay issues
- Determining if a case may qualify for potential lemon law referral
- Establishing technical facts BEFORE legal escalation
We are not attorneys — we do not provide legal advice.
We provide technical, factual, and documented expert evaluation to assist RV owners in choosing the right next step.
Most of the time, with proper documentation and a clear written report, disputes settle before legal involvement because the facts become clear.
Why Expert Evaluations Vary
Each RV warranty dispute is unique. The scope, complexity, and time required for an expert evaluation can differ significantly depending on the issues and available documentation. No two cases are the same, and a thorough, credible report requires careful analysis.
Factors That Affect Time and Scope
- Nature and number of defects: Single-issue cases are simpler, while cases involving electrical, plumbing, structural, chassis, or safety defects require more extensive review.
- Document review: Repair orders, service invoices, warranty records, dealer notes, manufacturer correspondence, technical service bulletins, recalls, and repair histories may all need evaluation. Some cases involve only a few documents, while others span hundreds of pages over several years.
- Digital evidence: Emails, text messages, videos, and photographs from consumers, dealerships, manufacturers, or legal counsel are often reviewed to confirm timelines, recurring defects, or attempted repairs.
- Visual evidence: Prior photos taken by consumers or service personnel are compared to current conditions and manufacturer standards.
- Research and technical analysis: Some matters require additional review of manufacturer specifications, industry standards, regulations, defect patterns, recalls, or prior case history.
- Social media and public-source review: Public complaints, forums, and prior litigation may help identify defect patterns or manufacturer knowledge.
- Report preparation: Depending on complexity, reports can take 20 to 80+ hours of review, analysis, and documentation.
- Depositions and testimony: May range from 1 to 8+ hours, depending on case complexity and issues involved.
Preliminary Case Review
Before committing to a full report, the expert performs a preliminary case review. This step evaluates:
- The overall complexity of the matter
- Primary technical issues
- Volume and quality of documentation
- Appropriate level of analysis for the client’s legal needs
Following this review, the expert and client (attorney or consumer) decide the depth of research, inspection, and report preparation required. Options may include:
- Limited technical opinions on specific issues
- Standard expert reports addressing identified defects
- Comprehensive reports including detailed research, defect pattern analysis, and supporting documentation
- Supplemental research or testimony support as the case progresses
The scope of work is agreed upon in advance, with flexibility to expand if new evidence or issues arise.
Key Considerations for Attorneys and Consumers
Because each case is unique, there is no standard estimate for expert services. Time and cost depend on:
- Case complexity
- Volume of materials to review
- Depth of analysis needed to provide defensible expert opinions
Clear communication regarding the scope of work, available documentation, and anticipated legal needs—especially after the preliminary case review—ensures realistic expectations, informed decisions, and efficient use of expert resources.
How To Start The Process
If you would like to inquire about scheduling an inspection or consultation regarding a warranty dispute, please contact:
Phone: (209) 263-7040
Email: ashley@calrvspecialists.com
Please include:
- RV Year / Make / Model / VIN
- Current location of RV
- Summary of issue(s)
- Copies of repair orders (if available)
- Warranty provider name
Confidentiality
All findings, documentation, and reporting remain strictly confidential and will not be shared outside the case parties.
For deeper legal support needs, complex case analysis, or formal expert testimony services, please visit our RV Expert Witness page for full qualifications, case experience, fee structure, and engagement details.