You want to make a smart RV purchase. But you’re also new to the world of RV ownership. Is that used RV really road-ready? Can you trust a pre-owned RV dealership? And how can you know what’s a good price for a pre-owned RV?
These are all valid concerns, so to ensure the RV you’re looking at is truly road-ready, go through this RV inspection checklist. Use it as a guide to examine your RV’s structure, systems, and features—inside and out.
Phase #1: Exterior Examination
Start your RV inspection with a good walk around the exterior. Your goal is to confirm everything is functional with no exterior damage.
RV Body Integrity
No one wants to buy a used RV, only to find that small water leaks in the siding (or the roof) have rotted the entire bump out. Water damage can significantly undermine the RV’s body integrity, leading to potentially hefty repair costs. So, what do you check for?
On the exterior, you’re checking for…
- Rust, particularly on the corners or around bolts
- Peeling paint
- Dried sealant around windows and door
- Cracks or holes on the RV’s exterior, particularly around seams and attachment points
- Check all external switches and valves just to make sure they operate smoothly.
- Inspect the rubber seals around the slide-outs. (Note: Dried rubber shrinks and cracks, allowing water to get in).
Slide-Outs and Awnings
Like all mechanical parts, slide-outs and awnings have lots of parts that can deteriorate over time. With proper maintenance, they should last, but you need to check for…
- Gaps in the seal and flange of the RV slide-outs (This should fit flush against the body–which will prevent leaks and muffle road noise).
- Loose screws
- Malfunctioning mechanisms
- Warps
- Cracking in the plastic/metal parts of the slide-outs
Operate the slide-out system several times to check the rollers, hydraulics, and gears for smooth operation.
Towing and Hitch Inspection
If you intend to tow a vehicle with your motorhome or buy a travel trailer, then you want to connect your tow vehicle or toad to the RV and check for proper operation. Complete the following tasks:
- Check for rust and missing parts (hitch pins are notorious for getting lost)
- Test the electrical connections
- Check the ball size
- Make sure your brake lights function
Phase #2: Interior Inspection
Inside your RV, you’re looking for indications that all may not be well on the outside.
Living Space Essentials
You want your RV’s living space to be tight against storms, cold, and rodents.
- Inspect RV windows, ceilings, and doors for cracks and discoloration–which may indicate exterior damage or leaks.
- Check all the seals
- Press all the buttons to make sure they work
- Check the condition and operation of the furniture
- Open and close all doors and windows to make sure they function as desired.
- Make sure the floors don’t bounce or creak.
Appliance Audit
Part of the joy of using recreational vehicles is being able to cook your meals on the go. But to do this, you need all appliances to function correctly.
When conducting your appliance audit, turn on all of the kitchen appliances to see how they operate. In your quality testing, check the following appliances:
- Stove
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Air conditioner / Heater
- Hot water heater (check for signs of corrosion here)
Filters can be tricky to find, so ask the previous owner what the right size and type of filter is and where to buy them.
Safety Checks
Safety checks are critical to ensuring a safe and enjoyable RV experience.
- Check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Locate the fire extinguisher
- Operate the windows that are emergency exits. (Things like this don’t get used often, but when you need them, you need them to work perfectly.)
Phase #3: Road Test
After inspecting the RV’s stationary aspects, it’s time to take a test drive. A road test is where you learn if you’re a good fit for that RV. It needs to drive smoothly and safely.
Here’s what you want to assess during a test drive…
- The motorhome’s handling (is there a lot of play in the wheel?)
- Braking (Does it respond quickly?)
- Turn radius (Can you make that u-turn, or should you find a parking lot to turn around in.)
- Listen for any unusual noises (The louder the noise, the more expensive it is to fix)
- Feel for copious vibrations (Those are even more expensive…)
Engine and Transmission
When you’re buying an RV, assessing the engine and transmission performance is crucial. Listen for…
- Consistent purr of the engine (A good sign)
- Smooth gear shifting with no hesitations or slipping (Another good sign)
- Sputtering when starting the engine (A warning sign)
The engine and transmission are two components that cost the most to replace, so don’t be afraid to ask to look under the hood and check things out.
Brake System and Lights
You do all your pre-trip checks: oil, engine, brake lights, tire pressure…everything. You get out onto the road, but a couple of hours later, a cop pulls you over.
Come to find out, your brake lights aren’t working! It’s so frustrating…
So during your drive, assess the brake system’s responsiveness, but also have someone follow you to watch the brake lights. Do they flicker? Are they delayed? Do they stop working entirely?
Those are signs that there’s a short in the wiring that needs fixing.
And it’s not just the lights that are at stake. If you’re looking at a trailer, the emergency braking system connects through the same wiring as the brake lights. So if there’s a problem with your lights, then there may also be a problem with your emergency brakes.
- Feel the brakes for responsiveness.
- Does the air brake system restore air pressure quickly after being depleted?
- Do the brake lights function while driving
- Check the RV tires for cracking and diminished tread that could inhibit fast stops.
Phase #4: Plumbing and Electrical Check
Water and fire damage are the two main causes of interior damage. So make sure the interior plumbing and electrical are in good condition.
Plumbing
The luxuries of hot showers and a consistent water supply are the comforts that make your RV a home. That’s why inspecting your freshwater tank, pump, and heater is an essential part of the RV inspection process.
- Examine the water tanks for cracks
- Test the valves for smooth operation
- After filling the tank with fresh water, turn on the faucets and shower
- Check that the flow is consistent (if there’s not a consistent flow then take a closer look at the RV water pump.)
- Get an idea of how long the hot water takes to react
- Look for swollen wood or rust around the bathroom sink that could denote water damage.
Power Supply and Outlets
A dependable power supply is crucial for a hassle-free RV experience.
Test the RV’s ability to switch between shore power and its generator seamlessly. To verify a reliable electrical supply by:
- Flip the automatic transfer switch to make sure the lights still function on the house batteries
- Inspect the breaker box and wiring for loose connections or frayed wiring
- Examine the RV’s power cord for corrosion
- Verify the safety of GFCI outlets by testing their reset and test buttons
- Check to see if the RV has a surge protector
Pro tip: if you happen to have an infrared camera, you can look at the walls and roof to see if there are hot or cold spots. Hot spots indicate hot wiring, and cold spots indicate moisture.
Phase #5: Undercarriage and Suspension Check
Yes, you have to crawl under the RV and get dirty to check the undercarriage and suspension.
- Inspect the underside for rust or corrosion
- Look for loose and damaged spots that could be dangerous while driving and invite rodents to nest in.
- Test the leveling stabilizers for smooth deployment and functionality
- Visually inspect the RV axles for bending.
Final Thoughts
The pre-owned RV industry is full of sellers and buyers who are looking to make good decisions with their RVs.
Unfortunately, in your search to find the right one, you’ll come across several RVs that haven’t been stored properly.
Their owners thought the RVs would be safe enough parked in their backyard, but now the roofs are riddled with signs of UV damage, the tires are dried and cracking, and the windows need resealing.
Learn from their mistakes.
Don’t store your pre-owned RV outside. Find safe, affordable storage at Neighbor.com
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that offers affordable storage that’s also close to home.
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