Concerned about purchasing a pre-owned RV? By conducting our comprehensive 100-point used RV inspection, you can alleviate fears before committing.
Why inspect? RV makers often cut corners with low-quality components to save costs. Falling for an RV’s layout could lead to post-purchase surprises, discovering crucial missing features like power awnings or automatic stabilizing jacks.
In-Depth 100-Point Used RV Inspection: A Complete Buyer’s Checklist
Undercarriage InspectionBuying a used RV involves juggling countless details. This 100-point inspection checklist is my personal guide as I hunt for a class A motorhome. It’s my safety net to ensure no important aspect slips through the cracks.
Interior Smells
- What’s the interior smell like? Any traces of smoke? Cigarette odors tend to linger in RVs. Yet, consider that stored RVs may gather musty scents that could dissipate. Air it out for 20 minutes, examine, then check for any lingering odors.
- Inspect the toilet to ensure the seal closes properly. Pour a small amount of water and check if it pools without draining. After 5 minutes, confirm if the water remains in place.
Bathroom Inspection
- Is the shower spacious enough to offer comfort?
- Check the showerhead quality; it’s often a primary upgrade. The standard plastic fixture can be bothersome.
- Does the shower provide a seat, especially useful for shaving?
- Is there a sufficient lip to contain shower water?
- Any mold or mildew signs in the shower?
- Determine if the toilet bowl is porcelain or plastic.
- Consider the toilet size and comfort, especially for men.
- Assess if the toilet space feels too cramped or uncomfortable in tight corners.
Windows Inspection Checklist
- Verify the windows open and shut smoothly, ensuring they align correctly and securely latch. Also, check for any stickiness in their operation.
- Assess whether the windows feature day/night shades or utilize curtains.
RV Length Considerations
- First-time buyers often choose smaller RVs due to intimidation by larger ones.
- Subsequent purchases might exceed campground size limits.
- Ensure the chosen length fits your desired camping spots effectively.
Examining Awnings: Key Considerations
- Check for a motorized awning.
- Note the awning’s endpoint. Some RVs might have it over the front door, causing rain to drench those stepping out.
- Differentiate between full awnings and slide toppers. Slide toppers cover the slide to prevent debris.
- Test the awnings’ extension to ensure proper functioning, as a faulty one can cost up to $1,500 to replace.
- Inspect the fabric when the awning is extended. Look for fading, rips, or signs of separation.
Furniture Essentials for Your Comfort
Ensure Comfortable Seating: Consider the comfort of your seating arrangements. While some trailers lack couches, relying on flat-backed u-dinettes might not be the coziest for movie nights.
Accessorize for Relaxation: Think about adding a footstool to prop your feet up comfortably during movie sessions. Creating that relaxed atmosphere matters.
Capacity and Space: Assess if your seating can accommodate your family or friends when they join in. Ensure everyone has a comfortable spot to enjoy movies together.
Check for Quality: Inspect the cushions thoroughly, looking beyond the surface for any hidden stains that might need attention. Your comfort starts with a clean and inviting space.
Electrical Connectivity
Phone Charging Convenience: In today’s world, a smartphone is essential. Check for accessible power ports that allow phone charging without relying on a running generator or being plugged into a service.
Outlet Accessibility: Evaluate the availability of outlets throughout the RV, ensuring they’re conveniently located. Kitchens often have limited outlets, which might be manageable for a camping trip but could be restrictive for longer stays in your RV home.
Outdoor Lighting Assessment
Checking Exterior Lights: Connect the trailer to the tow vehicle’s power or switch on the motorhome headlights to assess all exterior lights, including running lights, headlights, accessory lights, and brake lights, ensuring they’re operational.
Awning LED Strips: Explore if there’s an LED light strip installed beneath the awning. Although often missed during the purchase, these lights can substantially improve the nighttime atmosphere and convenience.
Slide-Out Inspection
Observing Slide Mechanics: Extend the slides and examine their movement along the floor. Look for any floor scratches, bent vents, or signs indicating potential issues with the slide’s operation.
Inquire About Slide History: Gather information from the previous owner regarding any past incidents of the slide getting stuck or encountering operational difficulties.
Verify Seal Condition: Inspect the seals encircling the slide to ensure they are intact and in good condition.
Test Seal Tightness: Close the slide and use a flashlight along its edges to ensure no light penetrates from the outside, confirming a proper and secure seal.
Water System Evaluation
Tank Testing and Assessment: Fill the fresh water tank to evaluate the functionality of the gray and black tanks. Utilize hookups during your inspection to fill the gray tank via the shower, providing an opportunity to check for leaks in the shower head. Monitor the status indicators to ensure accurate measurement of the gray tank’s water level while the shower is running.
Hot Water Heater Check: Inspect the hot water heater to confirm its proper functioning in heating water to the desired temperature.
Safety Inspection
Verify Fire Extinguisher Condition: Inspect the presence and label of the fire extinguisher, ensuring it’s within its usable period as they have a limited lifespan.
Test Carbon Monoxide Detector: Use a small can of gas to check the functionality of the carbon monoxide detector. Emphasizing the critical significance of this detector for safety concerns.
Electrical System Assessment
Check GFCI Outlets: Identify all GFCI outlets, typically found in the bathroom and kitchen with a test button. Press the test button to ensure it triggers the reset button correctly.
Verify Shore Power Connection: Connect the RV to shore power to confirm its functionality.
Assess Generator Size: Determine the size of the generator, if present, to understand its capacity and capabilities.
Quality Inspection
Inspect Loose Screws: Look for screws both inside and outside that haven’t been properly tightened. Manufacturers sometimes miss the stud and rely on silicone, leading to screws that don’t fasten securely.
Assess Trim Installation: Examine any trim that has been screwed but not glued, potentially causing it to protrude between the screws.
Water Damage Inspection
Exterior Examination: During a used RV inspection, conduct a thorough walk around the trailer. Carefully scrutinize the sides and roof for even the slightest bubble or depression, which often indicates water damage or delamination. If bubbles are present, refrain from purchasing the RV.
Roof Assessment: Get on the roof and inspect it closely, preferably on your hands and knees, to identify cracks in the sealant around pipes and openings. Small cracks, repairable with inexpensive sealant, might signify neglect in maintenance.
Interior Inspection: Check the RV’s interior ceiling for any bubbles or soft spots, especially near exhaust vents. Firmly step around the edges of the kitchen floor touching the cabinets to ensure no soft spots exist.
Plumbing Examination: Inspect under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to ensure no water leakage has occurred from the pipes.
Gutter Assessment: Check if gutters are present along the sides of the RV, as they serve to prevent potential water damage in the future.
Basement Compartment Check: Open basement compartments and examine their bottoms for any signs of dampness or soft spots, indicating possible wood rot.
Black/Gray Tank System
Check for the presence of a black tank flush. This feature is immensely beneficial, and personally, I wouldn’t consider purchasing a trailer or motorhome without it.
Entertainment Features
USB Outlet Check: Inspect the RV for USB outlets during your used RV inspection. Assess the technology upgrades that might be necessary based on the available features.
TV Remote Verification: Ensure the presence of the TV remote during your inspection.
Bumper Capacity
Ascertain the actual weight rating of the bumper and avoid relying on estimations provided by the salesman. Request documented proof of its capacity. This detail significantly influences decisions about attaching bikes, a generator, kayaks, and more. Overloading the bumper has led to failures for many RVers on the road, but post-purchase reinforcements can be considered if necessary.
Tire Inspection
Detailed Tire Examination: Closely inspect the tires from ground level on both sides of the tread. Look for significant uneven wear that might indicate a lack of rotation. Keep in mind, replacing truck tires on a motorhome can cost up to $1,200 for just two tires, so check each tire carefully.
Brand and Quality Assessment: Identify the tire brand. Determine whether they are lower-cost options or if the RV is equipped with higher-quality tires such as Michelin or Goodyear.
Sleeping Arrangements
Bed Setup Consideration: Consider whether you prefer setting up beds nightly or having pre-set sleeping spots for each family member, especially for kids. Assess whether investing in a bunkhouse model might avoid future regrets.
Master Bed Measurement: Use a tape measure to verify the dimensions of the master bed. Some RVs feel spacious in the living area but might compromise on space in the master bedroom. Ensure the manufacturer hasn’t used an RV Queen mattress instead of a true queen size—60×80″ for a standard queen and 60×75″ for a “short queen.”
Undercarriage Inspection
Underneath Examination: Lie down and inspect the underside, checking for any noticeable issues or signs of damage that might be visible.
Underbelly Protection Assessment: Determine if the underbelly is fully enclosed or if the tanks are exposed at the bottom, lacking proper protection.
All-Season Camping Features
Assessing Drain Pipe Protection: Confirm if the drain pipes are completely enclosed for weather protection.
Insulation and Heating in Basement Storage: Check if the basement storage area is insulated and heated to withstand various weather conditions.
Tank Heating Options: Verify the availability of electric and propane heaters dedicated to the tanks for all-season camping comfort.
Solar Setup
Preparation for Solar Panel Installation: Check if the unit is pre-wired to accommodate a solar panel system.
Adjustable Solar Panels: Inspect the rooftop solar panels to determine if they are tiltable, allowing you to orient them towards the sun for optimized efficiency during extended boondocking stays.
Cooling System Assessment
Air Conditioning Check: During your used RV inspection, switch on the air conditioning for 3 minutes. The air that flows out should be notably cold.
Consideration for Multiple Units: Verify if there’s only one air conditioning unit. For RVs exceeding 30 feet, one unit might struggle on excessively hot days, unless ample shade is available around the vehicle.
Assessing Noise Levels: Evaluate the noise emitted by the air conditioning units to gauge their sound levels.
Ventilation Fan Inspection: Inspect the ceiling vent fans to determine their size and efficiency. Differentiate between smaller fans that occupy a fraction of the vent opening and larger, more efficient Maxx Air fans, known for their superior airflow capacity.
Noise Evaluation
Fan Inspection: Ensure the fans operate smoothly without any rattling or disruptive sounds.
Consideration for Hybrid or Tent Trailers: When buying a hybrid or tent trailer, factor in external noise. Canvas materials won’t provide sound insulation, potentially allowing noise from neighboring sources like generators to penetrate easily.
Connectivity Features
Antenna Assessment: Check if the RV is equipped with a larger, powered antenna that can be raised and lowered, as opposed to a small radio antenna.
Cell Phone Booster Verification: Determine if the RV already has a cell phone booster installed. Although rare in new RVs, used ones might have been fitted with one by the previous owner.
Wifi Repeater Examination: Look for a wifi repeater. Installing one can significantly enhance the chances of accessing wifi in RV parks.
Kitchen Appliance Evaluation
Microwave Function Test: Place a cup of water in the microwave and ensure it heats up. Sometimes microwaves might appear operational but fail to generate heat.
Convection Microwave Consideration: Determine if the RV is equipped with a convection microwave. Consider if this meets your needs as a substitute for a conventional oven. Note that some owners appreciate convection microwaves, while others find limitations in using both microwave and baking functions simultaneously.
Sink Cover Inspection: Check if the countertop covers for the sink are missing.
Refrigerator Size and Power Source: Assess if the fridge’s size accommodates your family’s requirements. Additionally, ascertain if the fridge operates solely on electricity or if it runs on both propane and electric power sources.
Height Considerations
Garage Storage Verification: Measure the exact height of the motorhome, including air conditioning units, vents, etc., for compatibility with your garage space if you plan on storing it there.
Ceiling Height Evaluation: For taller individuals, verify the ceiling height throughout the RV. Ensure there are no areas where you might feel uncomfortably cramped due to lower ceiling clearance.
Consideration for Wind Conditions: Keep in mind that while a taller RV provides a spacious feel, it might necessitate stopping and waiting out windstorms due to increased susceptibility to wind effects.
Motorhome Inspection Checklist
Tow Hitch Capacity: Verify the tow rating specified for the hitch.
Oil Change Records: Check the windshield sticker for details on the previous owner’s last oil change.
Engine Health Check: Inspect for any signs of oil leaks as they can indicate potential engine issues.
Interior Accessibility Test: Close the slide and assess if access to essential areas like the bathroom or kitchen remains convenient.
Safety Considerations: Remember the safety concerns associated with Class A motorhomes. Consider exploring the advantages of a Class C before finalizing your purchase decision.
Generator Capacity Assessment: Determine the size of the generator and assess if its capacity suffices to power both air conditioning units, lights, the water pump, and other necessary appliances.
Class C Motorhome Inspection
Front Cap Examination: Climb a ladder and meticulously inspect every inch of the front cap of the cab-over area. This spot is notorious for water penetration in Class C motorhomes. Any signs of water damage should be a red flag.
Consideration for Class A: Consider if you are absolutely certain about choosing a Class C. Some sales professionals note a substantial number of Class C buyers eventually opting for Class A motorhomes. While exploring the benefits of a Class A, remember that there are also merits to owning a Class C.
Travel Trailer Precautions
Towing Capacity Verification: Ensure you accurately determine your tow vehicle’s towing capacity. Avoid solely relying on online searches, as various vehicle options can influence the actual towing rating. Consult your VIN number and refer to the owner’s manual for precise details. Avoid purchasing a trailer that would push you to operate within 80% of your maximum towing capacity.
Brake Controller Requirement: If you’re towing with a vehicle other than a truck, confirm the presence of an integrated brake controller. Otherwise, factor in an additional $400 for purchasing one. A brake controller is an essential necessity, not an optional accessory!
Fifth Wheel Recommendations
Cab Clearance Confirmation: Ensure ample clearance exists between the fifth wheel and the rear of your cab. Merely seeing space when connected isn’t sufficient. Perform sharp right and left turns to verify there won’t be contact between the fifth wheel and your truck cab.
Weight Capacity Consideration: Evaluate both the payload capacity on the bed and the towing weight. It’s advisable not to select anything that exceeds 80% of your maximum capacity.
“Half Ton Towable” Caution: Exercise caution with the term “Half Ton Towable” in the fifth wheel industry. While some units might be suitable for half-ton trucks, always double-check your numbers. Account for additional weight from people, gear, and water, and aim to stay below 80% of your maximum capacity.
Concluding Remarks
Commendations on conducting a thorough used RV inspection. Your efforts could have potentially saved you significant expenses and hassle. However, before finalizing any deal, exercise caution! Refrain from signing any paperwork at the dealership on delivery day that confirms your approval of the RV’s condition until you’ve completed a comprehensive inspection. Avoid signing based solely on verbal promises of repairs. Ensure that any noted issues are documented in the contract and explicitly specify that they need addressing before your approval of the entire deal.