David Cummins

Overpriced & Botched Installation
American Dream RV Service LLC — Eric Hoopes, Jones, MI
I hired Eric Hoopes of American Dream RV Service LLC to remove my generator, install five Epoch 460 Ah lithium batteries, and two ventilation fans. I am writing this review because the experience involved serious problems: a technically flawed installation, deceptive billing practices, and a complete withdrawal of support after payment — the very thing he used to justify his high pricing.
I left my RV with Eric and came back 8 hours later.

Incorrect installation:
The installation has significant deficiencies. Eric repurposed the existing 1/0 AWG generator starting wire as the primary interconnect for a five-battery parallel bank, rather than using the correct 4/0 AWG wire. The result is that the rear batteries are connected through an undersized conductor, creating a resistance imbalance. My measurements show the front batteries discharging at roughly three to four times the rate of the rear batteries. In one test, the interconnect wire overheated and the inverter triggered an alarm. A battery shut down. Bottom line, the front batteries will run out before the rear, and then problems will occur.

Weight Distribution:
In these Class C (sometimes called B+) RVs, carry capacity is an important consideration. Weight distribution is important, as is total weight. I asked Eric whether the three batteries in the rear compartment weigh more than the generator. He said they weighed “about the same.. maybe a little more.” In truth, they are more than twice the weight of the generator.

No Estimate — A Shocking Final Bill
There was no written or verbal estimate before beginning work. I arrived at the end of a long day, facing a late-night drive home, and was given a bill I had no way to anticipate.
I expected to pay about retail price for the batteries, $1,500 each, or $7,500 for five. Eric charged me $2,000 per battery, for a total of $10,000. The markup from his cost to my price was $700 per battery — $3,500 total — on batteries alone. He also charged $165 per hour @ 6 hours labor. I was tired, facing a late drive home, and felt slightly under duress. I paid the bill. Later he admitted on the phone that he had paid $1,300 per battery.

Four Different Invoices
Over the days following the job, in back and forth discussions, Eric issued four versions of the same bill. The labor hours changed across versions — ranging from 6 hours to 16 hours (for an 8 hour period!) — as did the line-item costs for materials. As the battery costs went down, the hours of labor went up, and the total was always the same, the amount I had already paid him.

The "Ongoing Support" Justification
When I raised concerns about the pricing, Eric's stated justification was that his rate reflected not just the installation but ongoing technical support he would provide going forward. I considered this a reasonable argument at the time and factored it into my decision not to pursue the full amount I believed I was owed. I requested a partial refund of $2,200, which I considered a reasonable compromise. That is what started the back and forth and revised bills.
Eric has since made clear that he will not be providing further support of any kind. The justification he offered for his pricing no longer exists.

Withheld Property
Eric removed a support beam from my battery compartment without permission. When asked to return it, he stated he no longer had it. This property has not been returned and no compensation has been offered.
Originally he offered to bring the generator to me on his way to a rally. Since it was large and heavy, I appreciated that offer. In the five days following the work, he sent a document stating that I must come to Michigan to pick up the generator within two weeks, or he would consider it abandoned and donate or sell it.

I do not write reviews like this lightly. I am doing so because I believe other RV owners considering this service deserve accurate information about what to expect. Always get an up front estimate, and get everything in writing. Be very careful with Eric Hoopes.