Our state law regarding recreational vehicles was last changed by Act 134 of 2018 to establish a separate Chapter 5 for RVs.  Since then, RV dealers and manufacturers have identified several areas of the law that need further clarification to help the industry.

To accomplish the changes that are needed, I plan to introduce language that will be companion legislation to Senator Chris Gebhard’s legislation and will provide for the following changes in Act 84 of 1983, known as the Board of Vehicles Act:
 

• Move the RV specific section (332.1) pertaining to RV events from Chapter 3 to Chapter 5.

 

• Clarify that RV dealers shall be permitted to purchase available warranty parts from a supplier other than the manufacturer to help ensure that warranty repairs are completed efficiently for consumers.

 

• Clarify the language regarding labor rates for warranty service, which is currently based on “reasonable compensation.”  The new language will mirror the automotive dealers’ formula for establishing warranty service labor rates for dealer compensation by the manufacturer and will provide for more consistent rate setting and prices.

 

• Protect consumers from rogue dealers who host pop-up-style RV events. Established RV dealers have agreements with RV manufacturers that outline the dealer’s area of sales responsibility.  When dealers disregard this and go outside their territory, they put unknowing consumers at risk of flawed warranty policies. Consumers may struggle to get warranty service from pop-up dealers if the dealers are located out-of-state or hours away from the location of the pop-up event.  To address this issue, my language will clarify that RV dealers are not permitted to operate outside of the area of sales responsibility if that dealer is the only participating dealer in the event.

 
Please join me in modernizing the RV law to protect the consumers of Pennsylvania’s RV and camping industry.


 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 3300: P.L.306, No.84