Dave Cummins

BEWARE: Dangerous Installation
The Technical Problems — Summary
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. The front batteries were also out of sync, due to incorrect wiring of the negative wire. These things will need to be fixed.
Holes drilled through the compartment wall for wire routing were left without grommets, creating a long-term abrasion risk to the wire insulation. Eric also removed a structural support beam from the battery compartment without asking permission; when I later requested its return, he told me he no longer had it.
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.
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No Estimate — A Shocking Final Bill
Eric provided 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 presented with a bill I had no way to anticipate.
I expected to pay approximately retail price for the batteries — roughly $1,500 each, or $7,500 for five. I was aware they may have been on sale and was hoping the price might be as low as $1,400 each. Eric charged me $2,000 per battery, for a battery 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. As I was tired, facing a late drive home, and feeling slightly under duress, I paid the bill. It was later that he admitted on the phone that he had paid $1,300 per battery.
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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 — as did the line-item costs for materials. This is not a matter of clerical correction; the invoices shifted in ways that appeared responsive to my complaints rather than reflecting an accurate accounting of the work performed. 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. He claimed that his wife assisted him throughout the day. She was not home when I left for the day. In my past observations, her assistance consisted of handing him tools and helping him lift items. She was not listed on the first bill. In later bills, she was billed at his full technician rate of $165 per hour.
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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.
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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 do whatever he wants with it.

Susan Roth

Highly recommend these folks! We experienced issues with our refrigerator alternatively getting warm and freezing everything, Midwest design passage 2023 model . Eric talked to us on the phone, and we decided to visit him and Kim in Michigan. They quickly repaired the issue as well as repairing an incorrect installation of wiring for the solar panels. He troubleshooted a driver seat wiring issue and advised on it's repair. Additionally he and Kim renovated to increase our storage area above the bed in a very professional installation! They are efficient and very kind people as well. Highly recommend!

Yaroslav

Eric and Kim are 5-star professionals in the field. Eric's skills are incredible from the large projects to a small peanuts.

Tim Livingston

Incredible people with some awesome skills. I call Eric the Sprinter whisperer. Thank you, your wife, and the dog for working on our van and cleaning up a few kinks to get us comfortable again. Stay safe.

Mr. B

Eric and Kim replaced my roof-top AC to a more efficient, both are nice people, great professionals, and highly recommended

Tom Tate

Eric knows his stuff. He and Kim changed our van over to lithium batteries and reconfigured the settings. He works fast and hard and did a thorough, professional job.

Eric has a wealth of knowledge. I highly recommend him.

Mike Roberts

Eric upgraded my AC and it now lets us tour through the Southern states comfortably. Eric has done other maintenance for me as well. Being new at owning a class B, his knowledge and expertise has been invaluable. Highly recommended!

Jeff Harris

Eric and Kim are the very best. They have done a variety of jobs on our 2022 American coach patriot Ford Transit including replacing the AC with the houghton which has made a huge difference. Their work ethic and attention to detail is incredible and they provide solutions to any issue you may have. Highly recommend
People to take advantage of their knowledge and service

Ron Grabow

Eric and Kim completed two services for me on my 2023 MidWest Passage 144, doing amazing work!

First - upgrading AC from factory unit to Houghton. Much better at cooling my van, quieter, more efficient for my lithium system - plus it provides heat when needed!

Second - they gave me 50% more storage in my upper box area accessed from the rear of the van.

Besides doing professional work, their attention to detail was outstanding.

And even better - they are good people that work hard to help you out in tough times.

Because they travel the country doing work, you might be able to schedule them during one of their trips to upgrade your van at a location close to you. I only wish I had a complete list of their services as I trust them to do whatever is needed and wanted.

Karen & Gene Phelps

We are thrilled with the exceptional service we received from American Dream RV Service. Eric and Kim are an amazing team! Their expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction are evident from the start.

Eric was an absolute lifesaver when we purchased our new Class B van last year. His in-depth knowledge and patient guidance were invaluable as he walked us through every feature and system.

Beyond the orientation, Eric's expertise is evident in the repairs and customizations he has since performed for us. The quality of work is top-notch. We are incredibly satisfied with the results and have complete confidence in recommending American Dream RV Service to anyone seeking expert RV care.

Waffle

Big-E, you’re on fire 🔥!!