FILED MAY 3, 2022 In the Office of the Clerk of Court WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DIVISION THREE
DARRELL R. AXON and TERESA E. ) No. 38068-8-III MAHONEY-AXON, husband and wife, ) and the marital community composed ) thereof, ) ) Appellants, ) ) v. ) ) FREEDOM R.V., INC., a Washington ) corporation; BARRY DANZIG and JANE ) DOE DANZIG, wife and husband and the ) marital community comprised thereof; ) AMERICAN GUARDIAN WARRANTY ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION SERVICES, INC., a foreign corporation; ) TSR PRODUCTS, INC., a foreign ) corporation; INSPIRUS CREDIT UNION, ) a Washington Credit Union; WESTERN ) SURETY COMPANY, a foreign ) corporation, ) ) Defendants, ) ) KEYSTONE RV COMPANY, a foreign ) corporation, ) ) Respondent. )
LAWRENCE-BERREY, J. — Darrell Axon and Teresa Mahoney-Axon appeal the
trial court’s summary judgment dismissal of their Consumer Protection Act (CPA),
chapter 19.86 RCW, claim against Keystone RV Company. On appeal, the Axons raise No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
two arguments. They first argue that Keystone’s marketing brochure creates a deceptive
net impression that their recreational vehicle (RV) is designed for and suitable for full-
time living. They also argue that the warnings contained in the owner’s manual produced
by Keystone are deceptive because they minimize the true risks associated with living in
the RV full time.
We conclude that Keystone’s brochure is not deceptive because it is unlikely to
mislead a reasonable consumer to think the RV is intended for full-time residential use.
We also conclude that the brochure and the warnings contained in the owner’s manual
could not have misled the Axons because there is no evidence they saw them. We affirm
the trial court’s summary judgment dismissal of the Axons’ CPA claim and deny the
parties’ requests for reasonable attorney fees.
FACTS
The Axons, themselves, did not submit a declaration in opposition to Keystone’s
summary judgment motion. Rather, they submitted a few declarations from a federal
action involving different plaintiffs and Keystone. The only way to provide context to the
Axons’ CPA claim is to discuss the allegations in their complaint.
2 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
A. ALLEGATION IN COMPLAINT1
The Axons’ complaint asserts numerous causes of action against several entities.
We limit our discussion to the only cause of action on appeal—the Axons’ CPA claim
against Keystone.
In June 2018, the Axons purchased a used RV, intending to use it to live in full
time with their daughter. They had found online that Freedom RV in Liberty Lake,
Washington, was selling a slightly used 2018 Fuzion fifth-wheel RV, manufactured by
Keystone RV Company. They telephoned sales staff at Freedom RV and told them of
their intent to buy a safe, reliable RV to live in full time. Freedom RV’s sales staff
confirmed they had a used 2018 Fuzion in stock and assured the Axons it was safe and
reliable. The Axons ultimately purchased it.
While living in their RV, the Axons developed cold and flu symptoms that they
believe were a result of mold growth caused by living in a moist and humid environment
for prolonged periods.2 Keystone’s owner’s manual cautions consumers against
1 The Axons describe their complaint as “verified.” The so-called verification language states: “The facts contained in this complaint are true and accurate to the best of [our] knowledge.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 26. The Axons’ allegations, not being sworn to under oath, are not “facts” for purposes of a summary judgment motion. See CR 56(e) (only admissible evidence is competent to support or oppose summary judgment). 2 Despite making allegations of physical injuries, the Axons’ complaint states they are not seeking damages for personal injuries, but only for economic damages.
3 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
prolonged occupancy. The Axons never read the owner’s manual, which they contend is
too long to read, and they therefore assert that Keystone failed to warn them that RVs are
not designed for residential use. They assert they would not have purchased the RV if
they had known they would be at risk for various health hazards by living in the RV.
B. SUMMARY JUDGMENT
1. Keystone’s summary judgment motion
In its motion, Keystone argued the Axons lacked evidence that it engaged in unfair
or deceptive practices or its alleged unfair or deceptive practices caused the Axons’
damages.
Keystone noted that while the Axons alleged Keystone deceptively marketed its
RVs as designed for prolonged occupancy, they failed to identify or produce any such
deceptive marketing during discovery. Nor could the Axons show the owner’s manual’s
warnings about prolonged occupancy were deceptive because they failed to show it had
the capacity to deceive a substantial portion of the public.
Keystone argued that the Axons’ CPA claim also failed because they failed to
establish any causal link between the allegedly unfair or deceptive practices and their
damages. Keystone asserted that the Axons admitted in their complaint that they had not
read the owner’s manual or the allegedly deceptive cautions. Keystone also asserted the
4 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
Axons also had refused to identify in their discovery answers any marketing materials on
which they had relied in purchasing their RV.
In support of its motion, Keystone included the Axons’ responses to the
interrogatories and requests for production. When asked to identify and produce
testimonials and marketing material they had reviewed before purchase and Keystone’s
allegedly deceptive acts and omissions, the Axons had responded only with a lengthy
objection about contention interrogatories, citing federal authorities.
2. The Axons’ response
The Axons argued that the court should take judicial notice of a then-pending
putative class action filed by RV owners against Keystone in the United States District
Court for the Western District of Washington, Cole v. Keystone RV Company.3 They
argued that because the same causes of action were asserted in the federal suit and
because the court denied Keystone’s motion to dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure (FRCP) 12, the superior court would effectively overrule the District Court’s
order if it granted Keystone’s motion for summary judgment.
3 No. 3:18-CV-05182 RLB. The Axons’ attorney represented the named plaintiffs in Cole. Class certification was denied, and the case was later dismissed in its entirety following Keystone’s motion for summary judgment; an appeal is pending in the Ninth Circuit. Cole, 2021 WL 3111452 (W.D. Wash. July 22, 2021) (court order).
5 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
The Axons supported their response with a number of exhibits. Two exhibits were
materials produced by Keystone: a marketing brochure advertising the Fuzion RV model
purchased by the Axons, and chapter 3 of the owner’s manual, entitled “Effects of
Prolonged Occupancy and Indoor Air Quality.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 134 (boldface
omitted). Seven exhibits were filings from the federal Cole case, including three expert
declarations.
a. The marketing brochure
The brochure advertises the Fuzion as a “Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler.” CP at 117
(some formatting omitted). Included floor plans show the various models feature living
space in the front of the trailer with a garage area in the rear. One page shows a group
sitting around a campfire on a rocky beach next to the RV; around them are a boat on a
trailer, a small off-road vehicle, and a dirt bike. Photographs of the Fuzion’s interior
show rolling hills or forests outside the windows; there are no people featured in the
interior pictures.
Another page in the manual tells the reader: “Don’t limit yourself to highways and
freeways[.] Venture off the beaten path to where your ultimate playground awaits.
Whether it’s the mountains, the desert, the lake or even wine country. . . . Go where you
want to go and do what you want to do.” CP at 121 (some formatting omitted). Under
6 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
large block text stating “Fuzion Flexibility,” the same page states: “Let’s [sic] you leave it
all behind, without leaving it all behind.” CP at 121 (some formatting omitted).
On a page detailing 90 of the Fuzion’s standard options, 8 features are advertised
as residential: a “30″ residential convection microwave[;] residential cabinet hardware[;]
residential furniture w/heated seats[;] 60″ x 80″ residential size queen bed[;] residential
one piece fiberglass shower w/seat[;] residential, adjustable, hand-held massaging shower
fixture[;] 40″ x 80″ residential size loft mattress[; and] residential glass pass through
door[.]” CP at 129 (some formatting omitted). The top of the page also directs readers to
the Fuzion webpage on Keystone’s website.
On a page listing Fuzion “innovation,” the brochure states: “Fuzion sets the
standard in toy hauler construction.” CP at 130 (some formatting omitted). One
innovation is “residential in-floor heat-duct system just like in your home.” CP at 130
(some formatting omitted). Another is the “exclusive Fuzion adjust-a-track frame welded
tie down system,” which is billed as “the most rugged, toughest tie-down you can find in
any toy hauler. . . . Because your toys are important, be sure your new toy hauler is a
Fuzion with the Adjust-A-Track.” CP at 131 (some formatting omitted). The other
innovations are color coded wiring, a high-powered air conditioner, a six-layer paint job,
reinforced sliding rooms, a suspension with increased axle travel, a ramp door that can
7 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
transform into a patio, a four-stage inspection process, and a three-year limited structural
warranty.
b. The owner’s manual
Chapter 3 of the owner’s manual is titled, “Effects of Prolonged Occupancy and
Indoor Air Quality.” CP at 134 (boldface omitted). The chapter includes six
subheadings: “Effects of Prolonged Occupancy[,] Improving Indoor Air Quality[,] Tips to
Avoiding Condensation[,] Where There Is Moisture, There May Be Mold[,]
Formaldehyde & Recreation Vehicles[, and] Web Sites of Interest[.]” CP at 134-37
(boldface omitted).
On the first page of the chapter in the “Effects of Prolonged Occupancy and Indoor
Air Quality” section, there is a bold “CAUTION” warning with an exclamation point in a
triangle. CP at 134. The warning states:
Your recreational vehicle was designed primarily for recreational use and short-term occupancy. Prolonged Occupancy can lead to premature component wear/failure and create conditions, which if not managed properly, may be hazardous to your health and/or cause significant damage to your recreational vehicle. These types of “Damage” are NOT covered under the Limited Warranty.
CP at 134. The section explains that due to the small size and tight construction of
recreational vehicles, “the normal living activities of even a few occupants (or animals)
will lead to rapid moisture saturation of the air contained in the RV. . . . Unless the water
8 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
vapor is carried outside by ventilation or condensed by a dehumidifier, it will condense on
the inside [of] the unit.” CP at 134. It goes on to describe how the condensation may
happen out of sight and may damage the RV and personal belongings. It further describes
the importance of ventilating the RV, keeping it clean, and managing indoor air
pollutants, including a list of common indoor air pollutants. It concludes by identifying
“people most at risk for poor indoor air quality” comprising people with asthma, allergies,
chronic lung diseases, and heart disease, children, and the elderly. CP at 134.
The next section, “Improving Indoor Air Quality,” lists recommendations from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). CP at 135 (boldface omitted). They both include tactics such as
increasing ventilation and removing the sources of pollution. The section includes the
address of the EPA’s webpage on indoor air quality.
In “Tips to Avoiding Condensation,” the manual describes ways to reduce indoor
moisture and the temperature differences that lead to condensation. CP at 136 (boldface
omitted). It states that the RV user may need “to invest in a dehumidifier to reduce the
health risk to you or your family as well as prevent damage to your RV.” CP at 136. The
section “Where There Is Moisture, There May Be Mold” describes molds as pollutants
that can be inhibited by controlling the moisture in the air. CP at 136 (boldface omitted).
9 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
It again gives advice on lowering indoor humidity, recommends preventing and killing
mold growth, and states that “[i]n extreme conditions, a dehumidifier may be necessary.”
CP at 136.
The fifth section, “Formaldehyde & Recreational Vehicles,” describes
formaldehyde as both a naturally occurring substance and “an industrial chemical used in
the manufacture of some of the components used in the construction of recreational
vehicles . . . .” CP at 137 (boldface omitted). It states that the gas “can cause watery
eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty breathing.” CP at
137. It cites the CDC and EPA recommendations on improving indoor air quality through
ventilation and running the air conditioner and again notes that due to an RV’s small size,
there is less air exchange than in a home. It recommends that RV users take any
questions about the health effects of formaldehyde and other air pollutants to their doctor
or health department. It also states that Keystone’s RVs comply with the California Air
Resource Board’s emission standards.
Finally, the last section on “Web Sites of Interest” points the reader to websites
“which maintain information about indoor air pollutants, including molds and
formaldehyde, along with ways to improve indoor air quality[.]” CP at 137 (boldface
10 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
omitted). The websites belong to the EPA, the CDC, the Formaldehyde Council, and the
Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.
c. Documents from the Cole case
The Axons included three expert declarations that were filed in support of class
certification in Cole. The first was from Joellen Gill, an expert in human factors
engineering, who testified that the warning provided by Keystone in its owner’s manual
was inadequate to alert consumers to air quality dangers. The second was from Dr. David
Buscher, M.D., who testified that mold and formaldehyde are toxic to humans. The third
was from John Walker, an expert in loss of use and diminished value of motor vehicles,
who testified that the presence of mold and formaldehyde diminished the value of
Keystone’s RVs.
3. Keystone’s reply
In its reply, Keystone argued that the Axons’ evidence went toward a failure to
warn under a products liability claim, not a deceptive act under the CPA. They argued
there was no evidence that the Axons had read either the marketing brochure of the
owner’s manual before their purchase nor was there evidence the documents had the
capacity to deceive the public into thinking Keystone RVs were intended to be used as a
full-time residence. The manual specifically advises consumers against prolonged
11 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
occupancy and cannot deceive a substantial portion of the public that the RV was meant
to be used as a full-time residence. The brochure contains no representations that suggest
the Fuzion RV is suitable for anything other than short-term occupancy while on vacation.
Keystone also argued there was no evidence of causation, which, contrary to the Axons’
assertions, is required for a CPA claim. Finally, Keystone argued that the court’s order on
Keystone’s FRCP 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss in Cole was irrelevant due to the lack of
analysis and different legal standards.
4. Rulings on Keystone’s summary judgment and reconsideration motions
The superior court granted Keystone’s summary judgment motion. It thereafter
denied the Axons’ reconsideration motion. The remaining defendants in the case were all
dismissed or settled, and the court entered final judgment on March 9, 2021.
The Axons timely appealed the trial court’s summary judgment dismissal of their
CPA claim against Keystone and its denial of their reconsideration motion.
ANALYSIS
A. SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARD
A party moving for summary judgment must show there is no genuine issue of
material fact and that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. CR 56(c). A
material fact is one on which the outcome of the litigation depends. Clements v.
12 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
Travelers Indem. Co., 121 Wn.2d 243, 249, 850 P.2d 1298 (1993). In deciding a motion
for summary judgment, the trial court views all facts and reasonable inferences therefrom
in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Id.
A defendant moving for summary judgment may meet its initial burden by
showing there is an absence of evidence to support the plaintiff’s case. Friends of Moon
Creek v. Diamond Lake Improvement Ass’n, 2 Wn. App. 2d 484, 494, 409 P.3d 1084
(2018). If the defendant meets this burden, the burden then shifts to the plaintiff to set
forth specific facts demonstrating a genuine issue for trial. Id. If the nonmoving party
fails to make a showing sufficient to establish an element essential to their claim and on
which that party bears the burden of proof at trial, then the trial court should grant the
defendant’s motion. Burton v. Twin Commander Aircraft, LLC, 171 Wn.2d 204, 223, 254
P.3d 778 (2011).
B. CPA CLAIM
The Axons contend summary judgment on their CPA claim was improper. We
disagree.
Washington’s CPA was enacted by the legislature “in order to protect the public
and foster fair and honest competition.” RCW 19.86.920. It should “not be construed to
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prohibit acts or practices which are reasonable in relation to the development and
preservation of business . . . .” Id.
A private party bringing a claim under the CPA must prove (1) an unfair or
deceptive act or practice, (2) occurring in trade or commerce, (3) affecting the public
interest, (4) injury to a person’s business or property, and (5) causation. Hangman Ridge
Training Stables, Inc. v. Safeco Title Ins. Co., 105 Wn.2d 778, 784-85, 719 P.2d 531
(1986).
The Axons assert two arguments why the trial court erred in granting Keystone’s
motion for summary judgment: (1) Keystone’s marketing brochure creates a deceptive net
impression that it is designed for and suitable for full-time living, and (2) the warnings
contained in the owner’s manual produced by Keystone are deceptive because they
minimize the true risks associated with living in the RV full time. We address each
argument in turn.
1. Whether the advertising brochure is deceptive
When “the relevant operative facts are undisputed, whether [an] act or practice is
‘unfair or deceptive’ is a question of law.” Young v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., 196
Wn.2d 310, 317, 472 P.3d 990 (2020). Here, the contents of the advertising brochure are
undisputed. Whether the brochure is deceptive therefore is a question of law.
14 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
A plaintiff need only show that the act or practice had the capacity to deceive a
substantial portion of the public, not that it was intended to deceive the public. Panag v.
Farmers Ins. Co. of Wash., 166 Wn.2d 27, 47, 204 P.3d 885 (2009). “Deception exists ‘if
there is a representation, omission or practice that is likely to mislead’ a reasonable
consumer.” Id. at 50 (quoting Sw. Sunsites, Inc. v. Fed. Trade Comm’n, 785 F.2d 1431,
1435 (9th Cir. 1986)). A communication can be accurate but still deceptive if it conveys
a deceptive net impression. Id. (citing Fed. Trade Comm’n v. Cyberspace.Com LLC, 453
F.3d 1196, 1200 (9th Cir. 2006)).
The Axons point to a number of Fuzion features that are advertised as residential
and comparable to what one would find in a home. This is not sufficient to create a net
impression that the Fuzion is suitable for full-time living.
Inherent in the phrase “recreational vehicle” is the concept that an RV is for
recreational living, not residential living. The Fuzion’s recreational character is even
more blatant: it is specifically described as a “toy hauler” on the cover of and throughout
the brochure. The imagery in the brochure shows people using the Fuzion to camp on a
beach with their “toys”—a boat, a small off-road vehicle, and a dirt bike. The imagery in
the brochure is focused on the outdoors: it shows people sitting around a campfire.
15 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
This is consistent with the brochure’s invitation to potential owners to “leave it all
behind, without leaving it all behind.” Residential features are a selling point, but not to
the extent that it suggests the RV is a “condominium or apartment on wheels.” Br. of
Appellant at 5. On the page listing the Fuzion’s “standards and options,” only 8 of the 90
features are noted as residential, such as cabinet hardware, mattresses, microwave, and
showerhead. The only “residential” feature that is prominently featured is the air-
conditioning system, which “achieves 15% greater airflow” thanks to its residential-style
design. CP at 128 (some formatting omitted). These minor “residential” luxuries do not
create the net impression that the Fuzion toy hauler is intended for residential living
instead of a comfortable way to enjoy the outdoors.
We conclude that the Fuzion marketing brochure is not deceptive because it is not
likely to mislead a reasonable consumer to think the RV is intended for full-time
residential use.4
4 There also is no admissible evidence the Axons reviewed the brochure prior to purchasing their RV. As explained in the first footnote, the unsworn allegations in the complaint are not “facts” for the purpose of summary judgment. So even if we concluded that the brochure was deceptive, the Axons could not establish causation; that is, that the purportedly deceptive brochure caused them to purchase the RV for full-time residential use.
16 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
2. Whether the owner’s manual is deceptive by minimizing the risks of full-time residential use
The Axons acknowledge the owner’s manual discloses information about the risks
of prolonged occupancy. They argue that these disclosures are insufficient, however, and
that more obvious and detailed disclosures are necessary.
The Axons rely on the declaration of Joellen Gill, filed in the Cole case in federal
court. Her declaration states that the warnings in the owner’s manual are insufficient
because RV owners are unlikely to read the owner’s manual in its entirety. A warning
that is merely insufficient is not the type of conduct the CPA is intended to address:
“Implicit in the definition of ‘deceptive’ under the CPA is the understanding that the
practice misleads or misrepresents something of material importance.” Holiday Resort
Cmty. Ass’n v. Echo Lake Assocs., LLC, 134 Wn. App. 210, 226, 135 P.3d 499 (2006).
The owner’s manual discusses the ease with which mold can develop in an RV and
the risks posed by mold and formaldehyde. It encourages RV owners to properly vent
their RV and use dehumidifiers. It further encourages RV owners to consult with their
doctor and directs them to specialized resources. It does not minimize or try to hide the
possible negative consequences of living in an RV. We conclude that the owner’s manual
is not deceptive because it does not mislead or misrepresent the dangers of mold and
formaldehyde.
17 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
But even were we to conclude otherwise, the Axons cannot prevail on this, their
second argument, because they failed to present facts sufficient to establish causation, an
element on which they bear the burden of proof at trial.
Because of the difficulty of proving a negative, Washington courts recognize a
rebuttable presumption that a plaintiff has relied on omitted material facts5 to establish
causation in a CPA claim. See Deegan v. Windermere Real Estate/Center-Isle, Inc., 197
Wn. App. 875, 886, 391 P.3d 582 (2017). The presumption of reliance may be overcome
by a showing “that the plaintiff’s decision would have been unaffected even if the omitted
fact had been disclosed.” Morris v. Int’l Yogurt Co., 107 Wn.2d 314, 329, 729 P.2d 33
Here, the Axons claim the Fuzion owner’s manual omitted material information
about the health hazards of mold and formaldehyde. If true, this claim is entitled to a
presumption of reliance, which Keystone may rebut by showing the Axons’ decision
would not have changed had the manual disclosed additional details about the risks of
mold and formaldehyde. Keystone has done so here.
5 The Gill declaration, filed by the Axons, does not conclude that Keystone omitted material facts. Rather, the declaration asserts there was so much information in the owner’s manual that a consumer would not likely read it.
18 No. 38068-8-III Axon v. Freedom R.V., Inc.
The Axons have repeatedly indicated they did not read the Fuzion owner’s manual
before purchasing their RV. Therefore, their decision to purchase the Fuzion would not
have changed had the owner’s manual provided more detail about the risk of mold and
We conclude that the Axons failed to present evidence of causation on their claim
of deceptive omission, and their CPA claim fails on that ground as well.6
C. ATTORNEY FEES
Both parties request attorney fees on appeal. We decline each party’s request.
The Axons request attorney fees under RCW 19.86.090, which allows attorney
fees for a prevailing plaintiff in a CPA claim. Because the Axons did not prevail, we do
not award them attorney fees.
Keystone requests attorney fees under RAP 18.1(a), which permits recovery of
reasonable attorney fees or expenses “[i]f applicable law grants to a party the right to
recover reasonable attorney fees . . . .” Keystone fails to specify what applicable law
supports its fee request, so we deny it. See Wilson Court Ltd. P’ship v. Tony Maroni’s,
6 The Axons discuss the dealers and manufacturers statute, chapter 46.70 RCW, in their briefing. They argue the first three elements of their CPA claim are established because Keystone violated chapter 46.70 RCW. We need not address this argument, given our conclusion that the Axons cannot establish the fourth CPA element, causation.
19 No. 38068-8-1II Axon v. Freedom R. V, Inc.
Inc., 134 Wn.2d 692, 710 n.4, 952 P.2d 590 (1998) (request for attorney fees on appeal
must be supported by some basis or reasoning).
Affirmed.
A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to
RCW 2.06.040.
WE CONCUR:
1-1~'3/j, Siddoway, C.J. icr Pennell, J.